Co-founded by Dan and Margaret Duckhorn in 1976, Duckhorn Vineyards has spent a quarter century establishing itself as one of North America's top producers of Bordeaux varietal wines. Duckhorn were unusual in making an early decision to focus on the production of Merlot. Though many Napa Valley wineries were using Merlot as a blending grape in the late seventies, few were exploring the potential of the varietal as a stand-alone wine. A great fan of Merlot since traveling to St. Emilion and Pomerol, Dan Duckhorn felt that this elegant varietal was under appreciated in North America and deserved more attention. The quality of Duckhorn Vineyards' wines has always been based on a commitment to selecting the finest fruit. The winery's seven estate vineyards are located in alluvial fans of the Napa Valley and on the slopes of Howell Mountain. As a result of this wealth of prime vineyard, winemaker Bill Nancarrow has numerous vineyard blocks to choose from, each offering markedly different flavour profiles.
Duckhorn Decoy Sonoma County Red Blend 2016
13.5% abv
63% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Syrah, 6% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot; Cooperage: 100% French oak. Rich and concentrated, this full-bodied wine displays alluring layers of blackberry and ripe cherry, along with hints of spearmint and caramel. On the palate, the voluptuous fruit flavors are underscored by plush tannins that carry the wine to a long, silky finish. In Sonoma County, a warm, dry spring resulted in an early budbreak, while an extended flowering period brought a return to normal yields after three years of abundant crops. With berry weights down, the grapes offered great concentration, while retaining excellent acidity. We had one of our earliest harvests in the past decade, but a light rain in mid-September nourished the vines and provided welcome additional hangtime. Overall, the quality of the fruit was exceptional, with our white wines showing both richness and complexity, and our red grapes displaying a fine balance between elegance and intensity, with gorgeous dark fruit flavors.
- Reference #:
- 12185
- Strength
- 13.5 ABV
- Bottles per Case
- 6 bottles
- Grapes
- Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel
- Organic
- No
- Biodynamic
- No
- Vegan
- No
- Vegetarian
- No
- Sparkling
- No