Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
Juicy and well-defined, delivering ample range and length, this offers up cassis, crushed plum and red licorice flavors backed by roasted apple wood and red tea notes, all harnessed by a tug of iron through the well-structured finish. Should unwind nicely in the cellar. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2022 through 2032.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2017 Duckhorn Vineyards Discussion is an excellent red blend made from top Napa Valley vineyards and Bordeaux grape varieties. TASTING NOTES: This wine is bold and formidable with aromas and flavors of black fruit, licorice, and oak. Enjoy its firm palate and rewarding finish with a grilled, well-marbled ribeye. (Tasted: May 19, 2021, San Francisco, CA)
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.