2018 Duckhorn Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2018 Duckhorn Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2018 Duckhorn Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Duckhorn Vineyards 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.

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.

Duckhorn Vineyards has established itself over a number of decades as one of Napa Valley’s most prestigious wineries. Unlike most Napa wineries, it is most famous for its Merlot, which founders Dan and Margaret Duckhorn saw as more than just a blending variety. Duckhorn makes a wide range of wines, from varietal and blended wines focusing on Merlot to wines made from other classic California varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc.