2012 Duckhorn The Discussion

Region – California

Sub Region – NAPA Valley

Vintage – 2012

Varietal – Bordeaux Red Blend – 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petite Verdot Cooperage

Pricing – $125-$130

Acidity – High

Alcohol Content – 14.5%

Appearance

Bottle – The bottle is dark with a black label and gold font. A beautiful design that makes you feel like your opening something top shelf. One other thing I noticed that the cork was slightly longer than your standard cork size.

Wine – The color was a deep garnet shade but slightly translucent. The rim variation went to a bright ruby color. Pretty wine to look at.

Aroma/Nose

Stephanie – Notes of blackberry, plum, brown sugar and oak.

Stephen – Full dark berry on the nose such as plum and blueberry. There is definitely some oak on the nose along with an underlying anise note.

Texture/Body

This was an off dry, full bodied wine that coats the palate pleasantly with soft tannins.

Tasting / Palate

The palate is delighted on the first sip with black cherry and black currant, which was a very nice fruity beginning. A slight flavor of cola and black licorice work its way to the finish.

Finish

Long full finish of vanilla and oak.

Overall Experience

This Duckhorn The Discussion is one we absolutely loved during our tasting at Duckhorn Vineyards on our honeymoon that we purchased a bottle for our first anniversary. Today and like my wife, I loved this more today than I did even back then. The flavors and complexity are phenomenal and the complexity makes it a challenge to dissect. I wouldn’t suggest this wine for the novice but it is sure a fine treat for your favorite Wino.

Pairings

Food – Peppered salami, bellavitano sartorial espresso cheese, hard white cheddar cheese, poultry and beef

Cigar – Padron 1926 Serie No. 90 Maduro, Fuente Fuente OpusX, Cohiba Maduro No. 5 or Davidoff Nicaragua

Wine Publication Ratings

Wine Enthusiast – 90pts.

Robert Parker – 97pts.

Wine Spectator – 91pts.

Wilfred Wong – 93pts.

Winemakers Tasting Notes

As compelling as it is complex, this beautiful wine reveals aromas of mahogany, blueberry, star anise, vanilla bean, black currant and rose petal. On the palate, savory hints of sage and graphite add dimension to the rich fruit layers, with supple, rounded tannins contributing to the wine’s elegant structure and impressive length.

About Duckhorn Vineyards – https://www.duckhorn.com/