We have been producing Cabernet Sauvignon since 1978. Blending fruit from estate vineyards and top Napa Valley growers, this wine embodies the complexity of the valley, while offering a seamless balance between fruit, oak and tannins. To add nuance, the Cabernet is blended with Merlot, yielding a wine that is approachable in its youth, yet worthy of cellaring.

WINE PROFILE

Production Notes

Varietal Composition: 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot

Winemaker Notes

Beautifully rich and complex, this wine offers enticing aromas of huckleberry jam, black cherry and cinnamon spice, with hints of bay leaf, maple and violets. The lush dark berry and sweet baking spice notes are echoed on the palate, where the flavors are framed by a firm underlying structure and fine, dusty tannins that add depth and nuance to a long, robust finish.

Production

2020 brought another exceptional vintage to Napa Valley, resulting in wines with alluring polish and poise! The season began with a wet winter followed by a mild spring. While this led to a slightly later-than-normal start to the season, ideal summer weather with no significant heat spikes ensured ideal flavor development, yielding complex and vibrant whites, and refined reds with elegant tannins, enticing aromatics and beautiful fruit flavors.

WINE SPECS

Vintage: 2020
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation: Napa Valley
Acid: 0.56 g/100 ml
pH: 3.76
Aging: Aged 16 months in 100% French oak 50% new, 50% neutral
Alcohol: %14.5

Inspired after a visit to Bordeaux, Dan Duckhorn produced the first vintage of Duckhorn Vineyards Napa Valley Merlot in 1978. Highlighting Estate vineyards and top sites, our renown Merlot reflects the diversity of the valley’s many appellations. Blending with Cabernet Sauvignon adds notable depth and structure, as well as signature flavors of black cherry, plum and spice.

WINE PROFILE

Production Notes

Varietal Composition: 80% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot

Winemaker Notes

Embodying the alluring beauty of great Napa Valley Merlot, this wine reveals vibrant aromas of red currant, ripe plum, black raspberry, cherry and sweet baking spices, with hints of tea leaves and cocoa. The palate is rich and luxurious, with silky tannins and flavors of ripe red berries, pie crust and fig compote gliding to a bright, elegant finish.

Production

In terms of overall weather, most of the 2020 growing season was excellent. Following a relatively dry winter, budbreak started early, and the temperatures throughout spring and summer were mild and temperate. This allowed the grapes to ripen slowly, developing pure, vibrant flavors and supple, fleshy textures. In late September, harvest was impacted by the outbreak of wildfires and the arrival of hot weather. The elevated temperatures gave many vineyards a final push to ripeness as we worked to bring in the grapes. During this period, we did extensive testing to ensure quality, excluding any fruit that did not meet our standards. While our meticulous selection process resulted in a smaller 2020 crop, the wines we produced live up to the Duckhorn name, displaying beautiful aromas, soft elegant textures, lively complexity and lush flavors.

WINE SPECS

Vintage: 2020
Varietal: Merlot
Appellation: Napa Valley
Acid: 0.57 g/100 ml
pH: 3.69
Aging: Aged 15 months in 100% French oak 40% new, 60% neutral
Alcohol: %14.50

At Duckhorn Vineyards, we have been making our Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc since 1982. Harvested from our estates and select Napa Valley vineyards, this rich and elegant Sauvignon Blanc was blended with Sémillon to add depth and complexity. Fermented and aged using both stainless steel and French oak, it offers ripe citrus and tropical flavors, refreshing acidity and Sémillon-driven silkiness.

WINE PROFILE

Production Notes

Varietal Composition: 84% Sauvignon Blanc, 16% Semillon

Winemaker Notes

This luxurious Sauvignon Blanc displays gorgeous aromas of mango, pineapple, Key lime pie and honeydew melon, as well as fragrant hints of orange blossom and elderflower. On the palate, a delicate, silky texture accentuates the generous tropical, citrus and stone fruit flavors, with energetic acidity and undercurrents of minerality carrying the wine to a bright, focused finish.

Production

In terms of overall weather, most of the 2020 growing season was excellent. Following a relatively dry winter, budbreak started early, and the temperatures throughout spring and summer were mild and temperate. This allowed the grapes to ripen slowly, developing pure, vibrant flavors and supple, fleshy textures. In late September, harvest was impacted by the outbreak of wildfires and the arrival of hot weather. The elevated temperatures gave many vineyards a final push to ripeness as we worked to bring in the grapes. During this period, we did extensive testing to ensure quality, excluding any fruit that did not meet our standards. While our meticulous selection process resulted in a smaller 2020 crop, the wines we produced live up to the Duckhorn name, displaying beautiful aromas, soft elegant textures, lively complexity and lush flavors.

WINE SPECS

Vintage: 2020
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Appellation: Napa Valley
Acid: 0.55 g/100ml
pH: 3.45
Aging: Aged 5 months sur lie
Fermentation: 92% stainless steel, 8% new French oak
Alcohol: %13.5

At Duckhorn Vineyards, we have been making wine using grapes from the finest Napa Valley vineyards for over 40 years. Building on this rich history, our Napa Valley Chardonnay comes from the coolest regions. In the cellar, we applied classic techniques of French oak barrel fermentation with lees stirring, resulting in a Chardonnay that balances the complexity and richness of Napa Valley.

WINE PROFILE

Production Notes

Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay

Winemaker Notes

This tantalizing Chardonnay begins with alluring aromas of lemon cream, orange blossom, Key lime and candied pineapple. On the palate, a lush, silky mouthfeel and energetic acidity frame lively orchard-fruit flavors of pear and white peach, with hints of brioche emerging on the long, focused finish.

Production

Despite an unusually dry winter and warm spring, budbreak was delayed due to light rain in March. The overall lack of rainfall led to light clusters and small berries, which resulted in reduced yields and great concentration. Harvest began on August 5th with Semillon, and early heat generated a fast and furious first few weeks of picking. A much-needed mid-September cool-down allowed for sugars to realign with flavor development. Moderate temperatures continued throughout the rest of the season, providing additional hangtime for the grapes. Our last red grapes were harvested before the rains in late October, resulting in beautiful wines that are dense, pure and polished.

WINE SPECS

Vintage: 2021
Varietal: Chardonnay
Appellation: Napa Valley
Acid: 0.53 g/100 ml
pH: 3.55
Aging: Aged in 100% - French oak 40% new, 60% neutral
Fermentation: 90% barrel fermented, 10% tank fermented - 40% malolactic fermentation
Alcohol: %14.1

Since our inaugural 1978 vintage, we have been proud to craft a vineyard-designate Merlot from the legendary Three Palms Vineyard. Named for its three iconic palm trees, this warm, up-valley vineyard features lean soils that cause the vines to send their roots deep in search of nutrients, yielding a profoundly intense and age-worthy wine with complex fruit and mineral layers. As a testament to its status as the benchmark for New World Merlot, in 2017, Wine Spectator honored our 2014 Three Palms Vineyard Merlot as “Wine of the Year.”

WINE PROFILE

Production Notes

Varietal Composition: 100% estate fruit, 89% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc, 0.5% Petit Verdot, 0.5% Malbec

Winemaker Notes

Once again, the famed Three Palms Vineyard has yielded a fascinating and luxuriously full-bodied Merlot. Aromas of huckleberry, black cherry, chocolate and fig rise from the glass, followed by hints of graphite, graham cracker, bay leaf and sage. On the mouth-watering palate the flavors are intense and complex, with velvety tannins and voluptuous fruit balanced by earthy undertones and Three Palms’ classic minerality, all of which carry the wine to a rich and remarkably long finish.

Production

For both red and white grapes, 2019 offered near picture-perfect growing conditions, with mild spring and summer weather, and no significant heat events. The conditions were ideal for both our Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc, which show beautiful tropical notes and ripe flavors at low sugars. While our Chardonnay harvest began about three weeks later than normal, the fruit arrived at the winery in pristine condition, producing dynamic and complex wines. The excellent growing conditions naturally resulted in a slightly larger than average crop for our red Bordeaux varieties, with fully lignified seeds at low sugars levels. With temperate weather throughout fall, we were able to pick each block at optimal ripeness, yielding exceptionally juicy and polished red wines, with plush, well-rounded tannins, and lovely overall structure.

WINE SPECS

Vintage: 2019
Varietal: Merlot
Appellation: Napa Valley
Vineyard Designation: Three Palms Vineyard
Acid: 0.55 g/100 ml
pH: 3.73
Aging: 100% French Oak: 75% New, 25% Neutral, aged for 18 months
Alcohol: %14.5

Duckhorn Vineyards has sourced grapes from this distinctive region for more than a quarter century and has crafted a Howell Mountain bottling since 1989. Recognized as one of the Napa Valley’s most acclaimed winegrowing regions, grapes from Howell Mountain are famous for producing age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignons with rich, deep color and excellent structure. To encourage further complexity, we bottle-age this mountain-grown wine one year longer than our other wines prior to release.

WINE PROFILE

Production Notes

Varietal Composition: 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot

Winemaker Notes

On the nose, this stunning wine offers a bevy of mountain-fruit aromas including sweet baking spices, black raspberry, currant and blackberry, with hints of anise, clove and fresh mint adding nuance and complexity. On the palate it is robust and generous, echoing the aromas in waves of ripe dark berries and spice, with firm tannins and dusty minerality carrying the flavors to a remarkably long, lush finish.

Production

For both red and white grapes, 2018 offered near picture-perfect growing conditions, with mild spring and summer weather, and no significant heat events. The conditions were ideal for both our Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc, which show beautiful tropical notes and ripe flavors at low sugars. While our Chardonnay harvest began about three weeks later than normal, the fruit arrived at the winery in pristine condition, producing dynamic and complex wines. The excellent growing conditions naturally resulted in a slightly larger than average crop for our red Bordeaux varieties, with fully lignified seeds at low sugars levels. With temperate weather throughout fall, we were able to pick each block at optimal ripeness, yielding exceptionally juicy and polished red wines, with plush, well-rounded tannins, and lovely overall structure.

WINE SPECS

Vintage: 2018
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation: Howell Mountain
Acid: 0.62 g/100 ml
pH: 3.71
Aging: Aged a total of 24 months 18 months in new French oak followed by 6 months in neutral barrels
Alcohol: %14.50

Almost four decades ago, before crafting their first vintage, the Duckhorns and their winemaker had a passionate discussion at the kitchen table. Though they debated making a cuvée, they chose to focus on varietal wines. Even so, Duckhorn Vineyards has always remained fascinated by the artful blend of varietals from diverse Napa Valley vineyards. Embodying the depth and complexity of a world-class Estate program, The Discussion represents the pinnacle of the Duckhorn Vineyards portfolio and the ongoing dialogue that defines great winemaking.

WINE PROFILE

Production Notes

Varietal Composition: 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot

Winemaker Notes

Crafted from our finest blocks and barrels of Estate fruit, the 2018 vintage of The Discussion is rich, radiant and profoundly complex. As it evolves in the glass, enticing aromas of black cherry, red currant and rose petals mingle with sophisticated hints of hazelnut, clove, caramel and fig preserves. On the plush, silky palate, juicy layers of plum, tayberry and chocolate-covered blueberries are framed by elegantly structured tannins, with notes of red licorice, mint, maple and sage adding drama and complexity to a long, dynamic finish.

Production

For both red and white grapes, 2018 offered near picture-perfect growing conditions, with mild spring and summer weather, and no significant heat events. The conditions were ideal for both our Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc, which show beautiful tropical notes and ripe flavors at low sugars. While our Chardonnay harvest began about three weeks later than normal, the fruit arrived at the winery in pristine condition, producing dynamic and complex wines. The excellent growing conditions naturally resulted in a slightly larger than average crop for our red Bordeaux varieties, with fully lignified seeds at low sugars levels. With temperate weather throughout fall, we were able to pick each block at optimal ripeness, yielding exceptionally juicy and polished red wines, with plush, well-rounded tannins, and lovely overall structure.

WINE SPECS

Vintage: 2018
Varietal: Red Blend
Appellation: Napa Valley
Acid: 0.60 g/100 ml
pH: 3.65
Aging: Aged a total of 24 months in barrel 18 months in new French oak followed by 6 months in neutral barrels
Alcohol: %14.5

At Duckhorn Vineyards, we have been making Sauvignon Blanc since 1982. Harvested from our estates and elite vineyard sites in California’s North Coast, this rich and elegant Sauvignon Blanc was blended with Sémillon to add depth and complexity. Fermented and aged using both stainless steel and French oak, it offers ripe citrus and tropical flavors, refreshing acidity and Sémillon-driven silkiness.

Wine Profile

Production Notes
Varietal Composition: 90.5% Sauvignon Blanc, 9.5% Sémillon

Winemaker Notes
This vibrant Sauvignon Blanc offers an enticing medley of tropical and citrus aromas, including pineapple, lemon verbena, lime and guava. The palate is lush and lively, combining a silky texture and energetic acidity with fresh melon, citrus, and pineapple flavors framed by subtle minerality throughout a long, bright finish.

Production
Winter and spring provided ample rain, which allowed the vines to set a generous crop with excellent canopies. Budbreak arrived a little over a week early, and we enjoyed warm, steady weather throughout spring and summer. We began picking Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and some Merlot as early as mid-August, but the first big push began after a Labor Day heat event, when our generous canopies paid dividends, helping shade the grapes. After a busy few weeks, a cool spell allowed the remaining grapes time to mature. To counter the impact of modest mid-September rains, we applied a careful fruit drop, and were equally diligent during sorting. Overall, harvest lasted eleven weeks, delivering wines with excellent concentration, supple tannins, lovely finesse and dynamic acidity.