An delivered an elegant, age-worthy and invitingly fragrant expression of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Aromas of red currant, dried cherry, cigar box, cocoa, tobacco leaf and fig compote rise from the glass. On the palate, this wine is fresh and supple, with flavors of huckleberry, spiced plum, rhubarb and red currant supported by dusty, finegrained tannins and hints of cedar and sage. Blend: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 2% Malbec,2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot Critical Acclaim
2013 Vintage Scores:
“The top cabernets from 2013 continue to develop well-this relatively late release from Duckhorn has benefited from its time in bottle, feeling vibrant, with a dynamic interplay of tart cherry flavors and brisk, refreshing tannins. Renee Ary, who was promoted to lead winemaker at Duckhorn in 2014, blended this wine from estate-grown cabernet and purchased fruit; 45 percent of the lot aged in new French oak barrels, adding to the savory black-olive richness of the tannins, while the purple fruit drives past any direct impression of oak. Instead, there’s a sense of cherry bark, a fruitwood aroma, or a woodland mushroom fruitiness. That integration allows the wine to present its energy unfettered, revealing a mouthwatering Napa Valley cabernet that’s ready to decant and set to develop further in the cellar.”
Wine and Spirits: 95 Points