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Dancing Hares Vineyard
The Winery
Dancing Hares Vineyard
Located along the foothills of the esteemed Howell Mountain in the Napa Valley, Dancing Hares is a producer known for its two Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blends from its five acre vineyard site. Dancing Hares was founded in 1997 by Bob Cook and Paula Brooks with the help of Michel Rolland as a consultant winemaker, and in 2016 Tuck and Boo Beckstoffer acquired the establishment and added it to their vast collection of Napa Valley Estates. Divided into two separate plots, the upper portion of the vineyard is recognized for its volcanic soils planted tot Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot while the lower vineyard parcels have clay-loam soils made for Merlot and Cabernet Franc. They typically only produce less than 800 cases of their Bordeaux blend annually, and much of their wine is carried at local restaurants with small distribution outside of Northern California.
Tasting Notes
- WA95
- Even better, and seriously underrated by me last year, is the 2008 Dancing Hares. A blend of 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Cabernet Franc, 15% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot, production is 525 cases of this exceptionally opulent, intense wine with an inky bluish purple color and a glorious noise of creosote, camphor, and blueberry pie intermixed with acacia flowers, forest floor and black currants. The compelling aromatics are easily backed up by a full-bodied wine buttressed by sweet tannin and fresh acids, giving it a laser-like precision. This is slightly better than the 2007, which is somewhat of an anomaly, and has great texture and suppleness. Drink this now or cellar it for 20+ years.
- WS95
- Rich and powerful, yet graceful and detailed, exhibiting tiers of complex flavors built around rich blackberry, blueberry and wild berry flavors, with roasted herb, tar and smoke touches. Full-bodied and supple in texture, ending with a long, pure, persistent finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2012 through 2023.
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