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/