Birthday Duck

This week's addition to Dine n' Discussion with David Luttrell, takes you back in time...

Four weeks and many bottles ago, I found myself in Napa with my wonderful bride, touring several wineries as she surprised me with a birthday getaway weekend. Our last stop of the cloudy, intermittently rainy day was known other than Duckhorn Vineyards!

We started our red-only tasting late in the afternoon just as the sun found a way to peak through the clouds that had seemingly, according to locals, hung around the Napa hills for several long weeks of rain. We were there just in time to bask in the rays of light as the grass, trees, flowers and vines glistened everywhere we looked around the grounds. As we sat on the porch of the picturesque white estate house, overlooking the gardens, we tasted some great red wine and shared and cheese board. I remember not the fromage, but du vin was delightful! Below are a few of the tasting details for your perusal:

 Not pictured is the wine that our kind server, a gentleman of both erudite oenophilic knowledge and a generous service, poured us as the occasion was a celebratory one. That final wine was the one I most enjoyed, probably of the whole day (and probably not entirely because it was our third winery)... the red blend known as The Discussion. This wine has a wonderful story, but an even more delightful taste.
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"Over three 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...

"As compelling as it is complex, this beautiful wine reveals aromas of mahogany, blueberry, star anise, vanilla bean, black currant and rose petal. On the palate, savory hints of sage and graphite add dimension to the rich fruit layers, with supple, rounded tannins contributing to the wine’s elegant structure and impressive length."

The varietal composition is 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot. The 2012 red blend was harvested from 5 Napa vineyards from September 27-October 25, 2012, blended to perfection and finished in 100% French oak château-style barrels (60 gallons), 18 months in 95% new, 5% neutral barrels with the final 6 months in 100% neutral barrels. A work of art!
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I provide some details here to entice you to visit the Silverado Trail in search of a first-hand experience. My only regret of the day was that we had already reached our "cellar" budget of purchases that day, so I did not find it within my(even jolly birthday)self to splurge on bringing one home. Alas, I may still migrate north this waning winter in search of another soupçon of that sumptuous elicir!