Duckhorn’s budget friendly line added an upper “Limited” tier a couple vintages back, and it is a fine go to marque when you need a little something extra without reaching too much deeper in to your pockets. The 2021 vintage is making some noise in the northern part of the state as well as the central and southern reaches, and it is a beautiful noise as evidenced here. Black cherry and currant dance with toasty oak here, with pepper and bay leaf accents in aroma and flavor. A little barrel tannin shows in the finish, but it’s unobtrusive. Drink now or hold for a few years. Contains 5% Petit Verdot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 3% Syrah and 2% Malbec.
Decoy, Alexander Valley (Sonoma County, California) Merlot 2021
By Rich Cook