Duckhorn Wine Company

Duckhorn Vineyards

Founded in 1976 on the Silverado Trail just north of St. Helena, Duckhorn's reputation has derived from the production of Merlot-based wines. The first harvest by Dan and Margaret Duckhorn in 1978 yielded 1,600 cases and two bottlings - a Merlot and a Cabernet Sauvignon. Today, they produce 60,000 cases represented by nine unique bottlings. To ensure the highest level of quality in these bottlings, they have been sourcing fruit from some of the finest sites in the Napa Valley for almost twenty-five years. Beginning in 1988, they embarked on an aggressive vineyard acquisition program that has resulted in the ownership of 187 plantable acres of prime Napa Valley vineyard land.

Duckhorn Napa Valley Merlot 2006 The Napa Valley Merlot captures the balanced character of a young wine, while embodying the diversity of the entire Napa Valley appellation. The product of a standout Merlot vintage, the Merlot in 2006 offered an excellent expression of the varietal and required very little blending with other grapes-with only small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot used to add subtle complexity. This Merlot offers a rich texture, ripe tannins and seamlessly integrated French oak. The bouquet displays lush layers of ripe plum and bright raspberry underscored by notes of sandalwood, walnut and spice. On the palate, polished flavours of red cherry and raspberry are accented by an enticing layer of graham cracker piecrust.

Duckhorn "Three Palms Vineyard" Merlot 2005 Napa Valley A sumptuous incarnation of Three Palms Vineyard Merlot, this mouth-filling and age-worthy wine displays suppleness, balance and structure, with seamless integration between lush fruit and new French oak. The aroma offers layered elements of fresh baked cherry pie, red licorice, and vanilla bean. On the palate, juicy boysenberry and blackberry layers intermingle with notes of strawberry, cherry, orange rind, and cinnamon spice, accented by earth tones and subtle oak. "Black-garnet hue wiith a fuschia rim. Forward aromas of plum, cherry compote and warm caramel. Classic Three Palms fruit with a combination of power and finesse emitting layers of black cherry, plum, sweet oak and cedar accents. Youthful tannins do surface in the finish giving apt support to the lingering sweetness." 93 points, The Wine News, Oct 2008

Duckhorn Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 A blend of predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, with a small amount of Merlot from 13 vineyard plots in Napa Valley aged for 19 months in 100% French oak, 78% new. This wine has a classic Cabernet aroma of cassis, black olive, cherry and tea. A perceived sweetness is apparent on entry and develops into flavors of plum, blackberry, toasted oak, pepper, and bittersweet chocolate. The layered tannins are soft and gracefully integrated with the fruit. Ready to drink upon release, this wine will age well for the next 15 years. "A classic Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, this elegantly balanced wine combines generous fruit-forward structure with age-worthy tannins and a long, satisfying finish. From its layered aromatics to its lush palate of flavors, this wine brings together an array of red and black fruit elements, including red currant, baked plum, blackberry and sweet black cherry. Adding further depth to this core of ripe fruit are notes of vanilla, molasses, allspice, fresh herbs and black olive." Winemaker, Bill Nancarrow "Dense purple hue. Complex scents of black cherry, cassis and sweet tobacco. Big, rich flavours of raspberry, Bing cherry and cocoa with secondary nuances of tea and mocha. Creamy acidity and velvety tannins in the black cherry-driven close." 94 points, The Wine News, Oct 2008

Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley "Estate Grown" 2004 The Estate Grown wines are blended using the best lots from Duckhorn's Estate ranches. In any given harvest they have 30 or more separate lots of Estate wine. With the estate vineyards, the grapes are harvested at natural maturity, going through some vineyard sites several times, picking only the ripe fruit with each pass. The final blend is comprised of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot and 4% Merlot matured in new 100% French oak for 20 months. The Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is approachable in its youth, with a soft texture and notable finesse, but also has the strength to carry forward for a decade or longer. Tasting notes: This is a full-bodied wine with an integrated palate structure, firm, ripe tannins, and a lingering finish. The aroma is bright with a mix of raspberry, black currant, blueberry, and a floral note underscored by tobacco and oak. The flavours are subdued but complex with ripe cherry, blackberry and blueberry followed by a spicy hint of pepper. "Deep inky crimson hue with a fuchsia rim. A meld of aromas sweet maple, walnut and black fruit with a hint of blue cheese. Soft palate-feel on entry with earthy, spicy flavours that pick up a nutty appeal. Seamless integration of fruit and oak-laced tannins. Tart influences on the finish with a sprinkling of gravelly terroir." 92 points, The Wine News July 2007 "Spicy black fruits. Concentrated cassis fruit, bright and fresh. Supple and stylish. Very appealing. Good spicy length. 2-10 years." 4 stars, Highly Recommended, Decanter, Jan 2008

Merlot Napa Valley "Estate Grown" 2005 "Intense garnet hue with a ruby rim. Lovely cherry-chocolate scents with a slight aromatic glow of menthol. Rich cooked-cherry with an ever-present chocolate note that balances and melds nicely with dark fruit flavours. Lengthy finish and staying power with a good lick of clove, sweet tannins and a bit of graphite in the finish." 95 points, The Wine News, Oct 2008

Duckhorn Decoy Napa Valley Red Table Wine 2006 Since its inaugural vintage in 1985, Decoy, Duckhorn Vineyards' sister label, has taken an important place in the Duckhorn family of wines. Like the wines of Duckhorn Vineyards, Decoy is produced from classic Bordeaux varietals. With a new composition every vintage, this unique red is blended from a changing combination of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot to create an engaging Napa Valley red wine. Crafted to drink upon release, Decoy benefits from the rigorous standards established for producing Duckhorn Vineyards' estate wine program. Vineyard lots used in making Decoy are harvested, vinified and barrel-aged separately so that winemaker Bill Nancarrow has a full palette of flavors to choose from for the final blend. In addition, the Decoy varies by vintage. The harvest and the quality of available fruit determine the quantity of Decoy made in a given year. As a result, this well-structured red wine offers classic Bordeaux varietal flavours such as black cherry and plum, backed by notes of cedar, leather, tobacco and pepper. "From Duckhorn's second label, this Bordeaux blend is based on Cabernet and Merlot. At less than half the price of Duckhorn's main Cabs and Merlots, it's a very good buy, showing richness, balance and complexity. The blackberry and cherry fruit has been tastefully enhanced with smoky oak. A great food wine." 90 points, Wine Enthusiast, Dec 31, 2007

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Goldeneye Winery

The Anderson Valley is unusual in that unlike so many wine growing areas in California that lie between or beside mountain ranges, it literally cuts right through the Coastal Range for 15 miles, emptying into the Pacific Ocean. This proximity to the ocean provides the seemingly omnipresent fog that blankets the region and diurnal fluctuations of up to twenty five degrees celsius during the growing season. The autumn is characteristically warm, and harvest comes late. Pinot Noir thrives in this locale, along with Riesling, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Gewurztraminer. This full-bodied wine has lofty weight yet the wine is supple, elegant and well-balanced. The aroma is inviting with notes of leaf tobacco, mushroom, forest floor, leather, and cinnamon. The flavors are dominated by blueberry, plum, blackberry, and a medley of spices, including clove, cinnamon, and nutmeg. "Rich and distinctive, with concentrated loamy earth, black cherry, wild berry, savory spice and fresh earth scents." 92 points, Wine Spectator, Sept 2008 "Faded garnet hue. An earthy, as well as chalky, bouquet with clove and tomato leaf accents. Mixed flavours of mocha, chalk, dark honey and brown spice. Dusty powdered chocolate and flintiness in the finish with a lasting, delicate sweetness." 92 points, The Wine News, Aug 2008

Migration

Migration Pinot Noir 2006 Migration was created in 2001 not as a "second" wine, but rather a "sister" label to Goldeneye, Duckhorn Wine Company's ultra-premium Pinot Noir venture. The name was chosen to reflect change and movement, and offers wine-maker Zach Rasmuson greater creativity and flexibility as he blends 23 separate lots, comprising 22 different clones grown on five estate vineyards and other top vineyards in the Anderson Valley to produce a Pinot Noir of uncompromising quality. Each lot is hand harvested, then vinified in steel and barrel-aged for 18 months in new French oak, before the blend is finalized. A structured and balanced Pinot Noir with a soft finish. The aromas highlight rose petal, toasted bread, strawberry, black cherry and plum. The flavours follow through with strawberry, plum, cola, sassafras and cherry, complimented by dried cranberry and a slight earthiness. A lightly styled wine, this wine shows the range and suppleness of the Pinot Noir varietal. "Feathered garnet hue. Sweet oak, cherry and glove leather aromas. Ripe black cherry flavours with a compote-like richness. Grace notes of iced tea and mocha in the finish." 90 points, The Wine News, Aug 2008

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Paraduxx

Paraduxx 2005 Paraduxx is a unique Napa Valley Red Wine in the tradition of the world's great blends. From the Super Tuscan wines of Italy to the Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon blends of Australia, each great winegrowing region has created its own authentic varietal pairings. Paraduxx's goal is to craft a world-class blend with a distinctly Californian personality by using Zinfandel, a grape synonymous with California, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Duckhorn Wine Company originally created Paraduxx to allow its winemakers the opportunity to explore other styles without detracting from Duckhorn Vineyards' focus on Bordeaux varietals. In 1994, Paraduxx sourced four tons of Zinfandel from the 100-year-old vines of Napa's Korte Vineyard. This Zinfandel was blended with Duckhorn Vineyards' own Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah to create the first Paraduxx vintage. Since then, Paraduxx has grown to include grapes from the Rector Creek Vineyard in Yountville, which benefits from well-drained rocky alluvial soils and Napa's temperate climate. The winemaking team has been so pleased with the fruit from Rector Creek that Paraduxx has used this Zinfandel as the basis for the development of its proprietary red. Winemaker David Galzignato describes the 2005 Paraduxx as displaying concentrated aromas of ripe fruit-intense cherry, raspberry, and blackberry complemented by hints of vanilla, allspice, and black pepper. There is a medium-bodied texture with velvety, well-integrated tannins and a long finish. Complex flavours of wild boysenberry, strawberry, dried currants, and nuances of toasted oak finish off the experience. "Other varietals may add their voices to this very rich wine, and Cabernet Sauvignon, in particular, brings a firm streak of tannin, but the wine is very much Zinfandel at its heart and is rife with very deep blackberry fruit and vanilla. Full and fleshy in feel, if still a bit astringent on the back end, it is beginning to hint at complexity to come and deserves to be left alone for some three or four more years." 91 points, Connoisseur's Guide to California Wines, May 2008

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All wines are available by the unmixed case to Licensees and Private Consumers, subject to availability.

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