Duckhorn Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Duckhorn's Napa Cabernet Sauvignon comes from Napa Valley and carries a stated 14.5% alcohol, which puts it in the full-bodied range for the variety. Wines of this style from the valley typically show dark fruit, with blackcurrant, blackberry and black cherry at the centre, backed by cocoa, cedar and a little baking spice from barrel aging. Expect firm but ripe tannins that give structure without turning drying, and enough acidity to keep the fruit from feeling heavy. The finish in this style usually runs long and savoury. At 14.5% the wine has weight and warmth, so serving temperature matters. Straight from a warm room it can taste hot and loose, while an hour or so in a cool spot, or about 30 minutes in the refrigerator, brings it to roughly 16 to 18°C, where the fruit and structure sit in balance. Cabernets with this much tannin usually reward opening ahead of time: pour it into a decanter 30 to 60 minutes before serving, or simply open the bottle early and give it a swirl in the glass. A large-bowled Bordeaux-style glass suits it best. The wide bowl and tall sides give the aromas room to develop and direct the wine toward the middle of the palate, which helps keep the tannin and alcohol from dominating. The tannin and fruit concentration call for food with fat and protein. Grilled ribeye, braised short rib, lamb chops with rosemary and roasted mushrooms are all natural partners, since the proteins and fat soften the tannin. Aged hard cheeses such as cheddar or Gruyère work well too, while delicate fish or lightly dressed salads will be overpowered. A Napa Cabernet like this is built to be approachable on release, so it can be opened soon after purchase with decanting. It also has the structure that wines of this type usually need to hold for several years in a cool, dark cellar, where the tannin tends to relax and secondary notes of leather and tobacco begin to appear. Opening a bottle now and another in a few years is a good way to see how it changes.