Table of Contents
The Decoy Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 is 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot sourced from several Northern and Central California AVAs. decoy is a second label from Duckhorn Vineyards, founded by Dan and Margret Duckhorn in Napa in 1976, and has been an elite winery ever since.
This is very intentionally sourced wine the AVAs include 43% Sonoma, 22% Mendocino, 19% Central Coast, 5% San Joaquin (Central Coast), 4% Alameda (on the Bay west of Oakland), 4% Yolo County (Central Valley), 25 Contra Costa (Central Coast near San Fransico), and 1% Amador (Sierra Foothills, Gold Rush Country).
Nobody accidentally sources wine from all these locations, the winemaker had a very definite idea of what he wanted this Cabernet Sauvignon to be.
The warmer growing regions in the North Coast had their harvest conclude on October 15th while the cooler Central Coast grapes were picked until November 6th. It was a warm vintage with lower yields but excellent grapes.
The Decoy Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 was aged in 100% French oak barrels for 18 months with 40% new oak and 60% neutral barrels. A neutral barrel does not impart oak influence, but wine aged in a neutral oak barrel has different characteristics than wine aged in a stainless steel vat.
The Decoy Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 is a wine from a winery that knows how to produce Cabernet Sauvignon and was produced to high standards. The alcohol content is 13.9%.
The Decoy Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 Tasting Notes
The color is black cherry red with black highlights. The nose is bright and juicy blackberry, spice, a little herbs, mocha, plum, and a soft floral edge. Decoy Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 is sleek and smooth with ripe fruit and an interesting structure.
This Cabernet Sauvignon tastes like blackberry, raspberry, edgy spice, licorice, soft plum, and herbs. The mid-palate brings tart cranberry, blueberry, rougher-edged spice, and dusty tannins.
The acidity is well-balanced and offers an excellent backbone to support the flavors and textures.
The Summary
- The Decoy Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 is an excellent Cabernet Sauvignon.
- I found it on sale in Chicago for $13.99 which looks to be 46 less than normal, so look for summer holiday sales.
- This is a versatile, well-made Red that is well worth drinking.
