{"title":"Dancing Hares","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"dancing-hares-vineyard-red-wine-2012","title":"Dancing Hares Vineyard Red Wine 2012","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDancing Hares Vineyard Red Wine 2012\u003c\/strong\u003e is a Napa Valley Bordeaux-style red blend at 14.8% ABV in a standard 750ml bottle. Awarded 94 points by \u003cem\u003eWine Spectator\u003c\/em\u003e, this limited-production cuvée comes from fewer than 800 cases made annually, drawn from volcanic and clay-loam vineyard parcels in the foothills of Howell Mountain.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuick Facts:\u003c\/strong\u003e ABV: 14.8%  |  Origin: Napa Valley, California  |  Vintage: 2012  |  Producer: Dancing Hares Vineyard\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eProduction \u0026amp; Heritage\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDancing Hares Vineyard was founded by Bob Cook and Paula Brooks on a property nestled in the foothills of Howell Mountain before being acquired by Tuck and Boo Beckstoffer in 2016. The estate is divided into two distinct vineyard blocks: an upper section of volcanic soils planted to Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, and lower parcels of clay-loam soils dedicated to Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The 2012 vintage is composed of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, and 17% Cabernet Franc — a blend shaped by the site's dual terroirs rather than a fixed formula, with total annual production kept to under 800 cases.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAroma:\u003c\/strong\u003e The nose opens with concentrated blackberry and black currant fruit before yielding to layers of cedar, tobacco leaf, and a subtle earthiness. A thread of dark chocolate and dried herbs adds complexity as the wine breathes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTaste:\u003c\/strong\u003e The palate entry is rich and fruit-forward, with ripe blackberry and cooked plum flavors arriving immediately. At mid-palate the Merlot component lends a plush, rounded texture, while the Cabernet Franc contributes fine-grained tannins and an herbal undertone. The overall impression is powerful yet elegant, with the 2012 vintage's warm-season concentration held in check by balanced acidity.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e The finish is long and elegant, carrying tobacco, dark fruit, and a faint mineral echo well after the last sip. Tannins resolve smoothly, leaving a clean, lingering impression of cedar and spice.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eHow to Drink Dancing Hares 2012\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis wine is best served neat in a large-bowled Bordeaux glass at 62–65°F; decanting for 45–60 minutes opens the layered aromatics significantly. The 2012 vintage's concentration and structure suit it to food-pairing scenarios more than cocktail use, but it shines in the following contexts: a classic \u003cstrong\u003eBeef Bourguignon\u003c\/strong\u003e pairing, where the wine's dark fruit and tannin mirror the dish's braised richness; alongside a \u003cstrong\u003egrilled lamb chop\u003c\/strong\u003e finished with rosemary and black pepper, matching the herbal undertones in the blend; or with a \u003cstrong\u003echarcuterie and aged-cheese board\u003c\/strong\u003e featuring hard sheep's-milk cheeses, whose salinity contrasts the wine's fruit density.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eBest For\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGifting a serious Napa Valley collector who values small-production wines\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAnchoring a Bordeaux-style blind tasting alongside Left Bank and Right Bank benchmarks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCelebrating a milestone dinner with prime cuts or slow-braised meats\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdding a library vintage to a cellar — the 2012 vintage shows no signs of fading\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does Dancing Hares 2012 taste like?\u003c\/strong\u003e The dominant profile is rich blackberry and black currant fruit layered with cedar, tobacco leaf, and dark chocolate, supported by plush tannins and a long, elegant finish. It drinks as powerful yet refined, with noticeable herbal and earthy nuances from its Cabernet Franc component.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does Dancing Hares 2012 compare to other Napa Bordeaux-style blends?\u003c\/strong\u003e With 25% Merlot and 17% Cabernet Franc, Dancing Hares tilts toward a softer, more Right Bank-influenced structure than many Napa reds that rely on 80%+ Cabernet Sauvignon. Its sub-800-case production and dual-terroir vineyard (volcanic over clay-loam) also set it apart from larger-volume Napa proprietary blends.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Dancing Hares 2012 good for cellaring?\u003c\/strong\u003e Tasters note the wine still shows a dark ruby color with no sign of age, suggesting it has ample life ahead. The tannic backbone and balanced acidity of the 2012 vintage indicate it can continue to develop for several more years in proper storage.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere is Dancing Hares made?\u003c\/strong\u003e Dancing Hares Vineyard is located in the foothills of Howell Mountain in Napa Valley, California. The estate's two vineyard blocks sit at the boundary between volcanic upland soils and valley-floor clay-loam, giving the winemaking team distinct fruit sources within a single property.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat foods pair well with Dancing Hares 2012?\u003c\/strong\u003e Grilled ribeye steak pairs naturally with the wine's tannic grip and dark fruit. Braised short ribs benefit from its earthy, tobacco-edged complexity. Roasted duck breast with cherry reduction mirrors the plum and berry notes. Aged Gouda or Manchego contrast the fruit with salty richness. Mushroom risotto complements the wine's herbal and earthy layers.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat sizes does Dancing Hares 2012 come in?\u003c\/strong\u003e The standard release is a 750ml bottle; no verified alternate formats have been documented for this vintage.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Dancing Hares 2012 worth the price?\u003c\/strong\u003e Dancing Hares positions as a premium, limited-production Napa Valley red — under 800 cases per vintage — with critical recognition including 94 points from \u003cem\u003eWine Spectator\u003c\/em\u003e and 90 points from Robert Parker. Within the competitive landscape of small-lot Napa Bordeaux blends, it delivers estate-grown, dual-terroir complexity that justifies its premium tier.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWhy Dancing Hares 2012?\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe 94-point \u003cem\u003eWine Spectator\u003c\/em\u003e score places this among the highest-rated releases from the estate, and the 2012 Napa Valley vintage is broadly regarded as one of the decade's strongest. What separates Dancing Hares from the field is its split-terroir vineyard — volcanic soils driving the Cabernet Sauvignon's structure while clay-loam parcels round out the Merlot and Cabernet Franc — all within a single estate footprint. At fewer than 800 cases produced, this is a wine that rewards collectors and serious drinkers who seek Napa complexity beyond the usual Cabernet-dominant blueprint.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Dancing Hares","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44837455626409,"sku":"26080","price":149.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0680\/1024\/6313\/files\/Dancing-Hares-Vineyard-Red-Wine-2012__41637.jpg?v=1730482882"}],"url":"https:\/\/theliquorbarn.com\/collections\/dancing-hares.oembed","provider":"The Liquor Barn","version":"1.0","type":"link"}