As is always the case, we blended The Discussion using the very best barrels of wine from the finest blocks of our estate vineyards in 2008. These wines weren’t chosen for their overt power-they were selected for their complexity and completeness, with the goal of creating a balanced and harmonious blend. While there is abundant, rich upfront fruit in the aromas and on the palate, what makes this wine so noteworthy is its layered sophistication. Throughout the drinking experience, elements of black currant, spicy plum, cherry cola and chocolate-covered raspberries evolve in the glass, mingling with appealing black licorice, ginger, allspice and coconut notes.
Though the 2008 growing season presented certain challenges-from early frosts to drought conditions-a meticulous approach to viticulture and sorting yielded small crops with good concentration, highlighting soft, appealing tannins for our red varietals and bright acidity for our white grapes. A long, moderately cool summer led to a harvest that commenced in mid-August and concluded in early November. This relatively relaxed pace allowed us to pick in numerous passes to ensure quality, often focusing on individual rows or a single side of the vines.
Harvest Information
Appellation: Napa Valley
Sub-appellations: Yountville, St. Helena, Howell Mountain
Harvest Dates: September 7—October 1, 2008
Average Sugar at Harvest: 27.8° Brix
100% Estate Vineyards
Five vineyards harvested -Monitor Ledge, Patzimaro, Stout, Rector Creek and Candlestick Vineyards
Varietal Composition
73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc
Cooperage
100% French oak château-style barrels (60 gallons)
26 months in barrel
Age of Barrels: 100% new
Production/Technical Data
Alcohol: 14.5%
.58 g/100 ml titratable acidity
10-12 days fermentation at 80°F
pH: 3.56
Bottled: March 2011
Released: April 2012