93 Points - Wine Spectator
2018 Duckhorn Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
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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 Spectator
93
Wine Review Online
94
James Suckling
92
Wine & Spirits
92
Wine Profile
Production Notes
Varietal Composition: 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 0.8% Cabernet Franc, 0.2% Petit Verdot
Winemaker Notes
The exceptional 2018 growing season produced a stunning expression of Napa Valley Cabernet, with alluring aromas of black Mission fig, black raspberry and chocolate, as well as notes of sage, cardamom, crème brûlée and anise. On the palate, flavors of elderberry, plum, blueberry, red licorice and violet glide across silky tannins, with bright, balanced acidity contributing to a long, focused 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
Wine Specs
Vintage
2018
Varietal
Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation
Napa Valley
Acid
0.6 g/100 ml
pH
3.63
Aging
Aged 16 months on 100% French Oak: 50% new, 50% neutral
Alcohol %
14.5
Wine Spectator
93
Wine Review Online
94
James Suckling
92
Wine & Spirits
92