Winemaker Notes
Critical Acclaim
All VintagesAromas of wet stone, gravel and blackcurrant. Full-bodied with fine, velvety tannins. Juicy, bright and fresh. Lovely dark fruit, with gravel and wet-stone notes adding very nice definition. Chocolate finish.
13% Merlot; 2% Cabernet Franc; 2% Petit Verdot. There are certainly bigger and bolder Cabernets to be had, but success is not always dependent on bombast, and this cohesive, very fine tuned example wins high recommendation for its continuity and varietal precision. If at first seeming a little restrained, it keeps revealing more nuance and depth with each sniff and sip, and it is an impeccably balanced wine that holds and holds at the finish. Its well-measured tannins never threaten it with toughness, yet they nonetheless ensure fine aging potential for a half-dozen or more years, and, all in all, this is a class act well worth a place in the cellar.
A ripe, polished and direct style, with cassis, blackberry and red cherry puree gliding through, inlaid with light mocha and vanilla accents through the finish. Drink now
Also terrific, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is an outstanding wine that shines for its balance and purity. Clean currant and subtle cassis fruits, notes of tobacco and cedar, medium-bodied richness, and polished tannins all make this a delicious, high-quality effort to enjoy over the coming 5-7 years or so.
Founded by Dan and Margaret Duckhorn in 1976, Duckhorn Vineyards has been crafting classic Napa Valley wines for nearly 40 years. This winemaking tradition has grown to include seven meticulously farmed Estate vineyards, located throughout the various microclimates of the Napa Valley. Focused on quality and consistency, these Estate vineyards are an essential element in making wines of distinction. Pioneering and perfecting Merlot as a premium varietal, Duckhorn Vineyards now makes several elegant Merlot and distinctive Cabernet Sauvignon bottlings that showcase its premium vineyard sites. Duckhorn Vineyards has been named one of the “Top 100 Wineries” in the world eight times by Wine & Spirits, and the 2014 Duckhorn Vineyards Napa Valley Merlot Three Palms Vineyard was named the “2017 Wine of the Year,” topping Wine Spectator’s annual list of the world’s “Top 100 Wines.”
One of the most prestigious wines of the world capable of great power and grace, Napa Valley Cabernet is a leading force in the world of fine, famous, collectible red wine. Today the Napa Valley and Cabernet Sauvignon are so intrinsically linked that it is difficult to discuss one without the other. But it wasn’t until the 1970s that this marriage came to light; sudden international recognition rained upon Napa with the victory of the Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon in the 1976 Judgement of Paris.
Cabernet Sauvignon undoubtedly dominates Napa Valley today, covering half of the land under vine, commanding the highest prices per ton and earning the most critical acclaim. Cabernet Sauvignon’s structure, acidity, capacity to thrive in multiple environs and ability to express nuances of vintage make it perfect for Napa Valley where incredible soil and geographical diversity are found and the climate is perfect for grape growing. Within the Napa Valley lie many smaller sub-AVAs that express specific characteristics based on situation, slope and soil—as a perfect example, Rutherford’s famous dust or Stags Leap District's tart cherry flavors.