2018 Decoy California Cabernet Sauvignon
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Since 1978, Duckhorn Vineyards has been exploring the character and complexity of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Drawing on our winemaking team’s expertise working with this varietal, Decoy Cabernet Sauvignon offers a rich and appealing expression of the varietal crafted to be ready upon release.
Wine Profile
Production Notes
Varietal Composition: 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 4% Zinfandel, 2% Petite Sirah, 2% Syrah, 1% Petit Verdot
Winemaker Notes
Displaying the lushness and balance that define great Cabernet Sauvignon, this inviting wine features layers of blackberry, black cherry and blueberry, along with notes of dark chocolate and fresh spearmint. On the palate, the bright, juicy fruit flavors are framed by rich, refined tannins that carry the wine to a long, satisfying finish.
Production
The 2018 growing season began with a cool winter, and just enough rain to replenish the vineyards. A temperate spring followed by mild weather throughout the summer allowed the grapes to ripen at a very measured pace, something we love to see in our vineyards. After several years of early harvests, the relatively mild weather and a healthy sized crop led to a return to more normal harvest times. After enjoying abundant hangtime to fully ripen, the quality of the grapes was extremely impressive. Overall, our 2018 whites and Rosé show an ideal combination of lovely fruit-forward flavors and elegance, while the reds are lush and complex, with great color and concentration.
Wine Specs
Wine Specs
Vintage
2018
Varietal
Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation
California
Acid
0.63 g/100 ml
pH
3.62
Aging
100% French oak
Alcohol %
13.9
Product Reviews
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Jon Rogers
(Oct 16, 2020 at 5:05 PM)
In the glass, this wine was fairly dark, with a garnet colored miniscus. The aroma was pretty straightforward and typical of a Cabernet, though I did pick up some initial hints of earth and leather. A few further sniffs also revealed some subtle red fruits, perhaps currant? On the palate I picked up a hint of raspberry at the start that morphed into a bit of tartness. While not overly dry, this wine is definitely a dry red with tannins that are noticeable, yet well-managed. In the realm of a lightly blended Cabernet, Decoy is plenty long-finishing with a nice blend of flavor versus tannins. Overall, I really enjoyed this elegant and well-crafted Cabernet. Give it some time to breathe to soften things up a bit and you can't go wrong with this one! Cheers to the winemaker and all who read this!
Alan
(Jan 25, 2021 at 8:17 PM)
This is really great