Duckhorn Vineyards Discussion Red 2016

Dark purple/crimson. The gorgeous nose of this wine immediately evokes thoughts of ripe black cherry and juicy wild blueberry. As it opens up, tantalizing layers of espresso, vanilla, star anise, cocoa powder and sweet baking spices are revealed.

On the bright, juicy palate, layers of brambly fruit and pomegranate mingle with subtle savory accents and hints of bittersweet chocolate and cardamom. The tannins are silky and supple, adding plushness and weight to the luxurious flavors that build in density on the mid-palate, before gliding to a long, resonant finish.

Napa Valley, California

55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot

2016 offered another near-perfect vintage in Napa Valley! While much-needed rain during the winter months helped to replenish our reservoirs, a dry spring and summer, with moderate temperatures and plenty of sunshine, led to another early harvest. Our first white grapes came into the winery on August 3rd, with the remainder of our whites following at an even, steady pace. A few weeks of ideally timed cool weather in early September provided additional hangtime, yielding bright acids and beautifully articulated flavors in our early ripening reds. Warm, dry weather for the remainder of the season allowed the rest of our grapes to develop rich, concentrated flavors, with polished tannins and wonderful complexity.