Winemaker Notes
Blend: 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot
Professional Ratings
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
The 2012 Duckhorn Vineyards The Discussion—produced from Bordeaux grape varieties—is more than a vinous beverage. This wine offers so many nuances—bold black fruits, bright red fruits, sweet oak, savory spices, sweet spices, earth, slate, and more—that it invites wine lovers to gather around and chat about the artistry of its production. Pair with a selection of fine cheeses, enjoy the moment, and always remember that the discussion never stops. (Tasted: March 6, 2017, San Francisco, CA)
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James Suckling
Plenty of fruit yet this remains subtle and tight. Hints of vanilla. Medium body, medium tannins and a flavorful finish. Drink in 2018.
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Wine Spectator
Tight, rich and layered, centered on a core of dusty blackberry, licorice, dried herb and savory underbrush. Complex, with narrow, well-balanced flavors. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2028.”
Undoubtedly proving its merit over and over, Napa Valley is a now a leading force in the world of prestigious red wine regions. Though Cabernet Sauvignon dominates Napa Valley, other red varieties certainly thrive here. Important but often overlooked include Merlot and other Bordeaux varieties well-regarded on their own as well as for their blending capacities. Very old vine Zinfandel represents an important historical stronghold for the region and Pinot noir is produced in the cooler southern parts, close to the San Pablo Bay.
Perfectly situated running north to south, the valley acts as a corridor, pulling cool, moist air up from the San Pablo Bay in the evenings during the hot days of the growing season, which leads to even and slow grape ripening. Furthermore the valley claims over 100 soil variations including layers of volcanic, gravel, sand and silt—a combination excellent for world-class red wine production.