Decoy, Napa Valley (California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

Doubtless one of the finest, if not the finest, $25 Cabs produced in the Napa Valley this vintage, the ’08 Decoy Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits richness and complexity on the nose, with a lush palate of ripe black and red fruits, beautifully integrated tannins, and a tantalizing finish. My hunch is that some of the Napa fruit that would normally would gave gone to Duckhorn, the sister winery, was diverted to Decoy because of the economic gridlock facing more expensive wines. Whether that’s the case or not, the 2008 Duckhorn Cabernet is money well spent.