Established in 1985 by legendary vintners Dan and Margaret Duckhorn, our roots run deep at Decoy. Building on our rich winemaking heritage, we invite you to experience Decoy Limited. Crafted using grapes from some of the most acclaimed Alexander Valley vineyards, including our own estate properties, this is the ultimate expression of Decoy Cabernet Sauvignon, displaying robust layers of blackberry, plum, dark chocolate and violets, with French oak-inspired hints of vanilla and spice.
Wine Profile
Production Notes
Varietal Composition: 98% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Merlot
Winemaker Notes
Embodying the luxurious beauty of great Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, this alluring wine draws you in with complex aromas of black cherry, ripe plum, blackberry, and sweet baking spices. On the palate, the tannins are supple and round, framing juicy layers of dark berries and chocolate, with sophisticated hints of white pepper and toasty oak emerging throughout the long, resonant finish.
Production
The season began with a warm winter with less than 50% of our average rainfall, leading us to take early drought precautions, including suckering, careful cover crop management, targeted irrigation and pruning for crop load. Budbreak occurred mid-March to early-April with bloom in mid-May. Summer temperatures fluctuated from 85º F to 105º F, which ensured excellent ripening, and we began harvesting Sauvignon Blanc in mid-August, with Chardonnay and Merlot following soon after. The remaining Bordeaux varietals were all picked by October 15th. The quality of our white grapes was superb, with ideal acid profiles and lush tropical flavors at lower-than-normal berry sugar levels. Red grapes were also surprisingly concentrated at lower sugar levels, while still displaying wonderful depth, complexity and juicy flavors.