Dancing Hares Vineyard Red Wine 2012

Dancing Hares Vineyard Red Wine 2012 is a Napa Valley Bordeaux-style red blend at 14.8% ABV in a standard 750ml bottle. Awarded 94 points by Wine Spectator, 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.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.8%  |  Origin: Napa Valley, California  |  Vintage: 2012  |  Producer: Dancing Hares Vineyard

Production & Heritage

Dancing 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.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: 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.

Taste: 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.

Finish: 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.

How to Drink Dancing Hares 2012

This 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 Beef Bourguignon pairing, where the wine's dark fruit and tannin mirror the dish's braised richness; alongside a grilled lamb chop finished with rosemary and black pepper, matching the herbal undertones in the blend; or with a charcuterie and aged-cheese board featuring hard sheep's-milk cheeses, whose salinity contrasts the wine's fruit density.

Best For

• Gifting a serious Napa Valley collector who values small-production wines
• Anchoring a Bordeaux-style blind tasting alongside Left Bank and Right Bank benchmarks
• Celebrating a milestone dinner with prime cuts or slow-braised meats
• Adding a library vintage to a cellar — the 2012 vintage shows no signs of fading

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Dancing Hares 2012 taste like? 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.

How does Dancing Hares 2012 compare to other Napa Bordeaux-style blends? 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.

Is Dancing Hares 2012 good for cellaring? 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.

Where is Dancing Hares made? 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.

What foods pair well with Dancing Hares 2012? 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.

What sizes does Dancing Hares 2012 come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle; no verified alternate formats have been documented for this vintage.

Is Dancing Hares 2012 worth the price? Dancing Hares positions as a premium, limited-production Napa Valley red — under 800 cases per vintage — with critical recognition including 94 points from Wine Spectator 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.

Why Dancing Hares 2012?

The 94-point Wine Spectator 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.