I have tasted perfection, and it lives at Duckhorn Vineyards in Napa Valley, California! Several weeks ago, we had a delightful tasting at this beautiful winery, filled with glass cases of antique duck decoys set amidst a Craftsman style home surrounded with lovely, lush gardens .
A tasting at Duckhorn requires a reservation, and you are seated nicely just as if visiting a fine restaurant. Every wine we tasted was better than the last, but the The Discussion 2007 was arguably the best wine I have ever had the pleasure of sipping in my entire life.
The nose on this wine smelled like a delicate perfume from a top-notch French boutique, and the color looked like a high quality garnet, with clarity to match.
Aged in 100 French oak barrels for 26 months, this wine is aptly named The Discussion as it is composed of 60% Cabernet and 40 % Merlot. Since Duckhorn became famous for it's Merlots, this is one wonderful combination.
Warm and earthy yet full of fruit, this wine tasted of cloves, spices, chocolate, and aged oak, with a rich blueberry-plummy finish. It was completely smooth with no harsh tannins or bitterness at all.
Although perfectly drinkable now, this wine tastes as if it will do nothing but improve over the years, if left to age in a cool, dry cellar or wine refrigerator.
Food Pairings: I would pair this exquisitive wine with a Leg of Barbequed Lamb, Roast Pheasant, or Venison in a Juniper Berry Sauce. This is a robust, complex, yet soft wine that deserves a delicate yet rich main dish pairing. Roasted root vegetables such as turnips, carrots and potatoes would be a suitable side dish, or mashed carrots with ginger and lots of creamy butter ( a concoction my ex and I used to refer to as "carrot goo" but always served to guests with rave reviews).
Other Pairings: If you ABSOLUTELY have to win a deal, whether in business or in popping the question to Miss Right, this is the wine for you. Anyone having even a mere sip of this "Nectar of the Gods" will be much more apt to sign on the dotted line. This is also the ultimate black velvet dress and pearls wine.
Music Pairings: I would pair this wine with the Shostakovich 5th Symphony (one of my all time favs), or Symphony 41 by Mozart.
Where to Buy: For the ultimate experience, I would suggest visiting http://www.duckhorn.com/ and booking a reservation for a tasting. It is truly a remarkable experience! I also believe this is the only way now to buy the 2007. If a visit is not feasible, then you can purchase the 2008 Discussion from the website, or from Wine.com by clicking this wine bottle picture below:
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