Duckhorn Cabernet Sauvignon Wine: Vineyards, 8 Great Bottles (2024)

Duckhorn Vineyards’ Cabernet Sauvignon is an award-winning, bold, and structured red wine that you can drink young or cellar for years. 

What makes the Duckhorn Cabernet Sauvignon so sought-after? 

Let’s explore the Duckhorn Vineyards estate, the characteristics of the Cabernet red wine, and the best Duckhorn Cabernet Sauvignon wines to buy now. We’ll also tell you the easiest way to invest in your own bottles of Duckhorn Cabernet and other prestigious wines.

The Splendid Duckhorn Cabernet Sauvignon Wine

Duckhorn Cabernet Sauvignon wine was first produced in 1978 by the Duckhorn Vineyards winery in Napa Valley. It was made by blending fruit from Duckhorn’s vineyards and independent growers. 

This popular red wine is a blend of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and small percentages of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot grapes. The result is an approachable yet nuanced wine with plush tannins, naturally high acidity, and excellent aging potential.

This Napa Valley wine has an elegant palate with a bouquet of flavors, including caramel, toffee, toasted oak, tomato leaf, and black fruit.  Let’s now look at the Duckhorn Vineyards estate.

The Iconic Duckhorn Vineyards Estate

Co-founded by Dan and Margaret Duckhorn in 1976, Duckhorn Vineyards has been producing various Napa Valley wine styles for over 40 years. 

Duckhorn Vineyards is part of a portfolio of wineries called Duckhorn Portfolio.

After its inception, the Duckhorns acquired many other wineries, forming an umbrella brand called the Duckhorn Portfolio company. It was bought over by TSG Consumer Partners in 2006.

Today, the wineries under Duckhorn Portfolio (Duckhorn Vineyards, Decoy, Paraduxx, and more) produce a stunning range of wines, including Napa Valley Merlot, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc.

When Duckhorn Vineyards launched their first vintage in 1978, they produced 800 cases each of Cabernet Sauvignon and Three Palms Vineyard Merlot. The estate was one of the first to produce premium Merlot wine.) They added Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc wine in 1982. 

In 2005, Dan and Margaret launched “The Discussion” -  their flagship blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot wine.

Duckhorn Vineyards mainly produces Bordeaux style wines including:

• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Cabernet Franc
• Merlot
• Red Blends

The winery also makes delicious Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc wines. Currently, Duckhorn Vineyards produces over 100,000 cases of wine per year.

The winery has been amassing many accolades over the years. Wine & Spirits listed Duckhorn Vineyards as one of the Top 100 Wineries in the world eight times.

The Vineyards of Duckhorn Winery 

The Duckhorn winery owns seven estate vineyards across 227 acres in Napa Valley, each with distinct terroir characteristics. Six of the estate vineyards are planted with Cabernet Sauvignon:

1. Three Palms Vineyard

This vineyard in Calistoga has lean soils mixed with volcanic stones. These stones absorb the sun’s heat during the day and radiate it back to the vines at night, protecting the grapes from frost and helping them ripen.

The vineyard is planted with these grape varietals:

•  Cabernet Sauvignon
• Merlot
• Cabernet Franc
• Petit Verdot
• Malbec

2. Stout Vineyard

Stout Vineyard is located in Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, at an elevation of 2,080 feet. Here are some of the oldest Cabernet Sauvignon vines, which are over 30 years old. 

Other grape varietals grown in this vineyard include: 

• Merlot
• Cabernet Franc
• Zinfandel
• Syrah
• Grenache  

3. Monitor Ledge Vineyard

This Calistoga vineyard has gravelly, sandy loam and cobblestone soils. The vines get plenty of sunshine, making the climate ideal for grape ripening. Usually the grapes from the Monitor Ledge Vineyard are harvested first. 

The vineyard is planted with the following grape varietals: 

• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Merlot
• Cabernet Franc
• Petit Verdot
• Zinfandel 

4. Rector Creek Vineyard

Rector Creek in North Yountville, Napa Valley, has rocky alluvial soils that are perfect for the grapevines. 

The grape varietals cultivated in this vineyard are: 

• Merlot
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Zinfandel
• Cabernet Franc
• Viognier
• Petit Verdot

5. Patzimaro Vineyard

Patzimaro Vineyard is situated at the bottom of Spring Mountain in the St. Helena appellation. 

The vineyard was named after the Mexican hometown of dedicated Duckhorn Vineyard employees. 

The hot days and cool, foggy evenings in the region help the grapes ripen and retain their natural acidity.

The grape varietals planted here are: 

• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Cabernet Franc
• Merlot

6. Cork Tree Vineyard

Merlot vines dominate this vineyard located just off the Silverado Trail in Napa Valley. The vineyard is on a hillside facing west and has soil with good water drainage. 

Cork Tree Vineyard grows: 

• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Malbec
• Cabernet Franc
• Petit Verdot

Now let’s explore some of Duckhorn Vineyards’ most sought-after Cabernet Sauvignon wines.

The Best Duckhorn Cabernet Sauvignon Wines to Buy in 2024

You don’t need to think twice to add these wines to your wine rack or cellar:

1. 2008 Duckhorn Vineyards Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, USA

This delicious Duckhorn wine has an elegant palate of mulberry, red currant, and chocolate, accompanied by dusty tannins and excellent acidity. This Cabernet Sauvignon wine has an opulent aroma of cedar, blackberry, nougat, and luxurious cassis.

The 2008 vintage contains 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 2.5% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot.

Price of 2008 Duckhorn Vineyards Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, USA: $150

2. 2017 Duckhorn Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Monitor Ledge Vineyard, Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, USA

Here we have a gorgeous Cabernet wine with aromatic notes of black cherry, huckleberry, and friendly plum, along with notes of baking spices and vanilla. The ripe tannins and bright acidity lead to a vibrant and complex finish. 

It contains 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot. Pair this wine with mature and hard cheese and poultry dishes.

Price of 2017 Duckhorn Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Monitor Ledge Vineyard Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, USA: $101

3. 2014 Duckhorn Vineyards Patzimaro Vineyard Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, USA

This 2014 vintage has a delicious aroma bouquet of mocha, blackberry, black pepper, olive, and earth. The wine is beautifully complex with tobacco, licorice, and sweet leather on the palate. 

Price of 2014 Duckhorn Vineyards Patzimaro Vineyard Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, USA: $106

4. 2017 Duckhorn Vineyards Rector Creek Vineyard Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, USA

Made with 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot grapes, this juicy Duckhorn wine has an aroma of blueberry, blackberry, friendly plum, and mocha. 

The palate has dark chocolate, luxurious cassis, vanilla, and violet notes. Dusty tannins and a long finish round off this red wine. Pair this wine with cheese, barbequed ribs, or roasted chicken.

Price of 2017 Duckhorn Vineyards Rector Creek Vineyard Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, USA: $101

5. 2017 Duckhorn Vineyards Three Palms Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Napa County, USA

Here is a wine with fragrant notes of blackberry fruit, thyme, fig and chocolate-coated cherries. The palate contains dark berry flavors along with tannins, vibrant acidity, and a long finish. 

This wine is made with 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot grapes in 100% French oak barrels. 

Enjoy this wine with noodle vegetable salad with lime peanut dressing or pork tenderloin.

Price of 2017 Duckhorn Vineyards Three Palms Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Napa County, USA: $101

6. 2016 Duckhorn Vineyards Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, USA

This decadent wine has aromas of blueberry, acai, and fig fruit with gentle black cherry notes. Flavors of pencil shavings, oak, and burnt caramel come through with a complex finish.

The Wine Enthusiast website gave this full-bodied wine 91 points. The wine contains 93% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Merlot.

Price of 2016 Duckhorn Vineyards Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, USA: $110

7. 2005 Duckhorn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, USA

This Cabernet Sauvignon red wine has an aroma of red currant, toffee, spearmint, and smoke. 

The palate primarily contains huckleberry and dark berry flavors along with toasted oak and earthy elements. Ripe tannins and a fine-grained finish complete this wine.

Price of 2005 Duckhorn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, USA: $125

8. 2011 Duckhorn Vineyards The Discussion Red Napa Valley, USA

Here we have a gorgeous Cabernet wine with savory aromas of bay leaf and sage along with intense cranberry and cherry notes. 

On the palate, it has red fruit, oak, black pepper, and tobacco flavors. The wine has velvety tannins, wonderful minerality and a magnificent structure. 

This wine was made in 100% French oak barrels and comprises 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot.

Price of 2011 Duckhorn Vineyards The Discussion Red Napa Valley, USA: $142

Now it’s time to consider if you should invest in these wonderful Duckhorn Cabernet wines for the long term.

Should You Invest In Duckhorn Cabernet Sauvignon Wines?

Duckhorn Cabernet Sauvignon wines are approachable in their youth, but can age in the cellar for 10-15 years, making these wines ideal for long-term investing. 

The prices have been appreciating over time, particularly the older vintages. For example:

• The 1982 Duckhorn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon jumped from $84 in 2019 to $226 in 2021, a 169% increase. 
• 1997 Duckhorn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon rose from $122 in 2019 to $199 in 2021, a 63% increase. 

Duckhorn Cabernet Sauvignon wines also star frequently at auctions worldwide: 

• Six jeroboams of different vintages between 1981 and 1987 sold for $2,415 at a Christie’s auction in 1999.
• Six imperials with vintages between 1982 and 1987 went down the hammer for $2,760 in 1999 at Christie’s. 

If you’re keen to join Duckhorn Vineyards’ exclusive wine club, you’ll gain access to complimentary wine tastings along with your wine orders and get to experience each of these amazing Cabernet Sauvignon wines. 

However, if you’re looking to build a collection of fine wines including Duckhorn, then you should check out Vinovest.

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Duckhorn Cabernet: Flavorful, Complex, and Opulent

The elegant Duckhorn Cabernet Sauvignon offers a sensational complexity and a graceful flavor balance. 

These Napa Valley Cabernet wines are a favorite among wine critics and are worthy of cellaring for a few years. 

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