Everything about The Debate Napa Valley California Cabernet Sauvignon wine producer profile, wine tasting notes, wine and food pairing tips, best vintages, history of the property, information on vineyards and wine making techniques. You can also read about the Grapes used for California wine and learn about the extensive History of Napa Valley, California Wines
The Debate History, Overview
The Debate, like many wineries in the Napa Valley is a relatively new creation. Their first vintage was produced from the 2010 harvest. The winery is the creation of Jean Hoefliger and Rob McKay. Rob McKay was not involved in the wine trade previously. But as the heir to the family that helped create and popularize Taco Bell, he has been politically active for years. His involvement in those circles helped come up the idea for The Debate, which is something politics obviously inspires.
Swiss born Jean Hoefliger has a long history in wine world. He learned much of his trade in Bordeaux having trained at Chateau Lynch Bages in Pauillac and Chateau Carbonnieux, located in the Pessac Leognan appellation. Jean Hoefliger also has a track record in Napa Valley. If that was not enough, Jean Hoefliger is also in charge of Monteverro in Italy! He has experience in South Africa as well. Today, Hoefliger consults numerous estates in the Napa Valley, but he has also spent time in the past as the winemaker for Newton Vineyards. Currently in responsible for making the wines at Alpha Omega, which shares some of the same fruit sources and vineyards with The Debate. The next member of the team to come in was Michel Rolland, as their consultant.
The idea for the name of The Debate grew from the enjoyment that comes from interesting conversations. But the concept behind the winery was to produce 3 unique wines from different soils and terroirs, that once again, could spark a debate!
The Debate, Vineyards, Grapes, Terroir, Wines, Winemaking
The Debate Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper Oakville – Produced from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine comes from a slightly cooler terroir than the other 2 sites, so you might see a bit more freshness here. The wines are made using micro vinification techniques, meaning that the wines are completely vinified in French oak barrels, and aged in the same barrel as well for about 23 months before bottling. To avoid getting too much new wood aromatics, the amount of new oak, versus used oak is an average of 70%. Not much wine is made, as only 200 cases are produced in an average vintage.
The Debate Beckstoffer To Kalon Oakville – Produced from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon comes from vines placed at the bottom of the slopes of the Mayacamas mountain range. This is warm, sun filled terroir that adds to the level of ripeness in the wine. The wine is entirely vinified and aged in 70% new, French oak barrels, for an average of 23 months before bottling.The wine is hard to find as the production is limited to 200 cases per year.
The Debate Beckstoffer Dr.Crane Vineyard, St Helena – Made using 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the micro-climate here is the warmest of the 3 sites, giving it a more precocious terroir. The soils here are quite stony, with a mixture of rocks, stones and gravel. The wines are made using micro vinification techniques, meaning that the wines are completely vinified in French oak barrels, and aged in the same barrel as well for about 23 months before bottling. To avoid getting too much new wood aromatics, the amount of new oak, versus used oak is an average of 70%. Not much wine is made, as only 200 cases are produced in an average vintage.
When to Drink The Debate, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time
The Debate is a big California Cabernet Sauvignon wine. But because the fruit is so ripe, as are the tannins, you can drink this young. However, it will show best with at least 2-5 years of bottle age, depending on the vintage. The wine can be enjoyed for at least 15-25 years. Young vintages can be decanted for 1-3 hours, depending on the character of the vintage. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment.
Serving The Debate with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips
The Debate is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift. The Debate is best served with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, ribs, hamburgers, barbecue, roasted, braised, grilled dishes and stews. The Debate is also good with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, salmon, mushrooms and pasta.
The Debate Wine Tasting Notes
15 Vintages 40,702 Views Sort by Vintage-Rating
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2018
The Debate Cabernet Franc Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard (Oakville)
This is all about the lusciously textured, rich, dense layers of chocolate-covered cherries, flowers, spice, and blue fruits. Packed with layers of ripe, sweet, opulent fruits, as rich as it is, it is also fresh, complex, long and nuanced. 1,674 Views Tasted Dec 7, 2021 |
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2018
The Debate Cabernet Sauvignon Sacrashe (Rutherford)
Deeply colored, with nuances of flowers, spice box, dark red fruits, cocoa, and vanilla, the wine is jam-packed with fruits along with earthy complexities, ripe dusty tannins, and the structure to age and evolve for at least 2 decades or more. 1,547 Views Tasted Dec 7, 2021 |
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2018
The Debate Cabernet Franc Stagecoach Vineyard (Napa Valley)
I am really digging this Cabernet Franc. The wine provides ample richness with complex nuances of flowers, forest leaf, tobacco, dark and red berries and a touch of blueberry. Lush, fresh, rich, and with good intensity, give it 4-5 years in the cellar. 1,569 Views Tasted Dec 7, 2021 |
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2018
The Debate Cabernet Sauvignon Artalade (Napa Valley)
Full, rich, round, supple, and loaded with black and blue fruits, chocolate, vanilla, licorice, and ripe black cherries. The finish is long, rich, and loaded with sweet dark fruits and soft tannins. 1,480 Views Tasted Dec 7, 2021 |
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2018
The Debate Cabernet Sauvignon Denali (St. Helena)
Inky dark in color, with an array of black fruits and almost equally dark red fruits, licorice vanilla, coffee bean, smoke, licorice, and blueberries. Full, deep, lush, and rich, the wine is concentrated and intense. 1,477 Views Tasted Dec 7, 2021 |
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2018
The Debate Cabernet Franc Sleeping Lady Vineyard (Yountville)
Not quite as intense as the other 2 Cabernet Francs in 2018, still, the wine has plenty to offer with its layers of black and blue fruits, licorice, vanilla and floral notes. Plush, forward, and fruity, this is going to be great on release and for 15 or more years. 1,539 Views Tasted Dec 7, 2021 |
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2014
The Debate Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper Vineyard (Napa Valley)
A blast of minerality adds to the ocean of deep, dark, black fruits, licorice, smoke, vanilla bean and chocolate. Round and polished, sweet and fresh, there is length, vibrancy and a wealth of fruit here. The finish is all about the lift and sweet, black fruits. At slightly more than 15% ABV, there is no sensation of heat. 2,597 Views Tasted Sep 8, 2017 |
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2014
The Debate Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard (Napa Valley)
Deep in color, the wine combines silk and velvet tannins with layers of polished, dark fruits to create an opulent, almost decadent wine, with substance. 3,282 Views Tasted Sep 8, 2017 |
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2014
The Debate Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard (Napa Valley)
Finesse and refined in style, the fruit has lift and vibrancy, coupled with depth of flavor. Seemingly holding back for the moment, it is hard to miss all the ripe, blackberries that blend perfectly with the cassis in the finish. With less intensity or depth than its brothers and sisters, it's still quite strong. 4,270 Views Tasted Sep 8, 2017 |
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2013
The Debate Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard (Napa Valley)
Sensuously textured, the wine offers tobacco, cigar wrapper, sweet, black cherries and hints of floral notes in the perfume. Opulent, refined and velvety, the fruit just feels like silk on your palate. With all the serious levels if intensity and concentration, everything runs smoothly as all is in perfect balance. 3,550 Views Tasted Sep 8, 2017 |
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2013
The Debate Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper Vineyard (Napa Valley)
Inky in color, with all the blackberry, black cherry and smoke you need. Full bodied, intense, deep and long, there is an elegance to the power and a freshness to keeps this right on going. 3,343 Views Tasted Sep 8, 2017 |
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2013
The Debate Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard (Napa Valley)
Opaque in color, this is packed and stacked with layer after layer of perfectly ripe fruits. The fruit is sweet, juicy and fresh, the texture is silk draped over rocks. There is intensity and depth that just keeps on going! 3,332 Views Tasted Sep 8, 2017 |
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2012
The Debate Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard (Napa Valley)
Absolutely stunning in every sense. Powerful, concentrated, focused, energetic, rich, lively and tannic, the wine cots your mouth, teeth and gums with flavor. The fruit is perfectly ripe with more than ample freshness to keep it going. This is a wine that requires 6-8-10 years in the cellar. 4,696 Views Tasted Nov 30, 2015 |
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2012
The Debate Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper Vineyard (Napa Valley)
Lush, rich, fat and sweet, with loads of fresh, ripe , chocolate covered black and red fruits that go on and on. 3,364 Views Tasted Nov 30, 2015 |
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2012
The Debate Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard (Napa Valley)
Sexy, lush, ripe, black and blue fruits, opulent textures and a rich, juicy, sweet, ripe and very ripe finish that really carries through. 2,982 Views Tasted Nov 30, 2015 |
