Wine doesn’t have to be expensive to be good. While my heart might yearn for Chateau Margaux to pair with my BBQ beef ribs, my wallet knows that’s just not an option. One of the great value brands out of California. Decoy wines is the brainchild of Dan and Margaret Duckhorn who created this portfolio of wines to appeal to a wider range of customers. Not everyone can afford 80 dollar Merlot and the Duckhorns sought to place their product for the value-driven grocery store crowd that seeks an outstanding wine for any night of the week. Decoy as a brand began back in 1985 and then much later in 2007 the new label came out as the brand soon expanded to produce Zinfandel as well as a red blend. 2020 brought the Decoy Limited collection of wines which I recently reviewed.
The new 2022 Decoy Chardonnay (OB, 90) is brimming with richness and bright acidity. It is an outstanding value. I really enjoy the ‘Limited’ collection wines. Check out the new 2022 Decoy ‘Sonoma Coast Limited’ Chardonnay (OB, 91) which is very ripe but also shows good nuance from this salty climate. Learn more about these excellent values at decoywines.com and here are my reviews of the new Decoy wines.
2022 Decoy Chardonnay- This very well-priced 2022 Chardonnay shows a smooth mouthfeel with layers of peach and baking spice dusted brioche notes on the palate, with nutty accents. It is a really good value, with solid tension, that is drinking well right now. Drink 2024-2028- 90
2022 Decoy Rose- This 2022 Rose comes off a bit lean and linear with good verve. Faint red fruits mingle with orange peel accents. Drink 2024-2026- 88
2021 Decoy Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2021 Decoy Cabernet Sauvignon offers straightforward black cherry and black raspberry flavors with shades of tar. Drink 2024-2028- 88
2022 Decoy ‘Sonoma Coast Limited’ Chardonnay- A good value, the 2022 Decoy ‘Sonoma Coast Limited’ Chardonnay offers more flavor complexity than the entry level bottling. Lime zest, rock salt and excellent tension all mark this wine that is best consumed now and over the next few years. Drink 2024-2030- 91
2022 Decoy ‘Alexander Valley Limited’ Red Blend A touch sweet, this 2021 Red Blend shows back tea and baking spice flavors alongside straightforward black fruit flavors. Lacking a bit in flavor density, enjoy now. Drink 2024-2028- 89
2021 Decoy ‘Sonoma Coast Limited’ Pinot Noir Good work in a hot vintage, the 2022 Decoy ‘Sonoma Coast Limited’ Pinot Noir delivers a smooth mouthfeel with cran-cherry, pomegranate seed and copious minerals on the palate. Drink 2024-2028- 90