The California Wine Tasting Notes
DUCKHORN
VINEYARDS
GOLDENEYE, ANDERSON VALLEY, PINOT NOIR 2019
Composition
100% Pinot Noir
Tasting Notes
This exuberant wine displays fresh, enticing aromas of juicy raspberry, summer strawberry and red plum, as well as hints of bramble, black tea, anise, sweet saddle leather and a touch of salinity. On the palate, bright acidity and firm, chewy tannins converge to create a supple texture that accentuates the Bing cherry and blackberry pie flavors, with sophisticated notes of nutmeg, cardamom and savory umami emerging on the finish to create a sumptuous and cerebral drinking experience.
POSTMARK, NAPA VALLEY, CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2018
Composition
96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot
Tasting Notes
From its deep crimson color to its velvety texture and alluring layers of fresh blackberry, boysenberry and cassis, you can taste the warm Napa Valley sun in this luxurious Cabernet. On the palate, hints of violet, lavender and dark chocolate add to the delicious depth of this wine, with a pleasing touch of acidity bringing brightness and poise to a lush fruit-driven finish.
DECOY, CHARDONNAY 2020
Composition
100% Chardonnay
Tasting Notes
This beautiful Chardonnay offers luscious aromas of fresh lemon zest, Mandarin orange, honeysuckle, vanilla and caramel. On the palate, it is silky and rounded, with a creamy mouthfeel that adds depth and richness to the alluring citrus and tropical flavors. The finish is long and refreshing, with bright natural acidity carrying the wine to a vibrant fruit and spice finish.
DECOY, "LIMITED" SONOMA COAST, CHARDONNAY 2020
Composition
100% Chardonnay
Tasting Notes
Graceful, pure and polished, this enticing Chardonnay offers tantalizing aromas of green apple, nectarine and candied citrus, with fragrant hints of roasted nuts and acacia blossoms. On the palate, it is rich and lushly textured, with a flowing elegance that frames the fresh citrus and stone fruit flavors, while carrying the wine to a long, silky finish.
Acclaim
– 91 Points – Wine & Spirits
DECOY, CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019
Composition
86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot
Tasting Notes
From its aromas of vibrant red and blue fruit to its silky tannins and balanced acidity, this is a lush and alluring Cabernet Sauvignon. On the palate, rich flavors of raspberry, ripe plum and blueberry carry the wine to a long, luxurious finish, with nuanced hints of oak and sweet baking spices.
DECOY, "LIMITED" NAPA VALLEY, CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019
Composition
92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot
Tasting Notes
Elegantly structured and impeccably balanced, this gorgeous Cabernet Sauvignon displays voluptuous dark fruit aromas of blackberry and black cherry, with hints of lavender and rustic savory spice. The rich berry notes are echoed on the palate, where silky, fine-grained tannins and enlivening acidity carry the flavors to a lush, lingering finish.
DECOY, MERLOT 2019
Composition
80% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc
Tasting Notes
From its plush, refined tannins to its rustic undertones, this alluring Merlot offers juicy layers of black cherry, raspberry and plum. On the palate, the flavors are pure and polished, with a mouth-coating texture that carries the wine to a luxurious, fruit-filled finish.
DECOY, PINOT NOIR 2020
Composition
100% Pinot Noir
Tasting Notes
This vibrant Pinot Noir embodies its cool-climate roots with enticing aromas of wild strawberry, Bing cherry and plum, as well as subtle undertones of dried herb, forest floor, sweet vanilla and baking spices. On the palate, the lush red berry flavors are framed by smooth, refined tannins and a silky texture, with a tantalizing hint of bright acidity lingering on the long, focused finish.
Acclaim
– 92 Points – Wine Enthusiast
DECOY, “LIMITED” SONOMA COAST, PINOT NOIR 2019
Composition
100% Pinot Noir
Tasting Notes
This alluring Pinot Noir offers vibrant aromas of red cherry and raspberry, as well as hints of savory spices and forest floor. On the palate, silky smooth tannins and refined notes of toasted French oak accentuate the lush flavors, while carrying the wine to an elegant red berry and spice finish.
Acclaim
– 90 Points – Wine Spectator
– 90 Points – Wine Enthusiast
DECOY, RED WINE 2019
Composition
35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 16% Zinfandel, 8% Petite Sirah, 5% Malbec, 5% Petit Verdot, 2% Syrah, 2% Carigan
Tasting Notes
This enticing wine displays gorgeous aromas of blackberry, plum, dark red fruit and cranberry, with hints of caramel and exotic spices. The luxurious berry notes are echoed on the palate, where they are supported by supple, refined tannins and an energetic mouthfeel that carries the wine to a long, lush finish.
DUCKHORN VINEYARDS, NAPA VALLEY, CHARDONNAY 2018
Composition
100% Chardonnay
Tasting Notes
Both complex and alluring, this radiant Chardonnay opens up with aromas of pineapple, stone fruit and lime, as well as hints of white flowers and sweet French oak. On the palate, it is round and silky, with lively acidity and abundant minerality balancing the underlying richness and adding poise to the lush flavors of apple, peach and creamy lemon curd.
DUCKHORN VINEYARDS, NAPA VALLEY, SAUVIGNON BLANC 2020
Composition
84% Sauvignon Blanc, 16% Semillon
Tasting Notes
This luxurious Sauvignon Blanc displays gorgeous aromas of mango, pineapple, Key lime pie and honeydew melon, as well as fragrant hints of orange blossom and elderflower. On the palate, a delicate, silky texture accentuates the generous tropical, citrus and stone fruit flavors, with energetic acidity and undercurrents of minerality carrying the wine to a bright, focused finish.
Acclaim
– 90 Points – Wine Spectator
– 90 Points – James Suckling
DUCKHORN VINEYARDS, NAPA VALLEY, CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019
Composition
83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot
Tasting Notes
Beautifully rich and complex, this wine offers enticing aromas of huckleberry jam, black cherry and cinnamon spice, with hints of bay leaf, maple and violets. The lush dark berry and sweet baking spice notes are echoed on the palate, where the flavors are framed by a firm underlying structure and fine, dusty tannins that add depth and nuance to a long, robust finish.
DUCKHORN VINEYARDS, ‘HOWELL MOUNTAIN’ NAPA VALLEY, CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2017
Composition
90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot
Tasting Notes
The nose offers an explosion of dark mountain fruit with decadent aromas of raspberry-filled chocolates, black currant, mulberry and huckleberry jam, as well as more savory notes of cedar and spice. On the palate, firm mountain tannins underscore this wine’s opulence and ageability, framing the blackberry, fig and black currant flavors, with bright underlying acidity providing poise and finesse to the long, layered finish.
Acclaim
– 95 Points – Wine Review Online
– 92 Points – Wine Spectator
– 92 Points – Wine & Spirits
DUCKHORN VINEYARDS, NAPA VALLEY, MERLOT 2019
Composition
90% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot
Tasting Notes
From its tantalizing aromas of ripe cherry and black plum to its fine-grained tannins and lively complexity, this is a lovely expression of Napa Valley Merlot. On the palate, the flavors are rich and fleshy, with luxurious layers of black currant, red licorice, fig compote, blueberry and crushed rose petal flowing to a long, elegant finish.
DUCKHORN VINEYARDS, NAPA VALLEY, "THREE PALMS" MERLOT 2018
Composition
89% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc, 0.5% Petit Verdot, 0.5% Malbec
Tasting Notes
Once again, the famed Three Palms Vineyard has yielded a fascinating and luxuriously full-bodied Merlot. Aromas of huckleberry, black cherry, chocolate and fig rise from the glass, followed by hints of graphite, graham cracker, bay leaf and sage. On the mouth-watering palate the flavors are intense and complex, with velvety tannins and voluptuous fruit balanced by earthy undertones and Three Palms’ classic minerality, all of which carry the wine to a rich and remarkably long finish.
Acclaim
– 94 Points – Wine Spectator
DUCKHORN VINEYARDS, THE DISCUSSION, NAPA VALLEY, RED WINE 2017
Composition
51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc
Tasting Notes
The 2017 vintage of The Discussion is a majestic and elegant wine that immediately demands attention with alluring aromas of black cherry compote, chocolate-covered blueberry, fig and cinnamon. As it opens up, hints of clove, toasted hazelnut and espresso bean emerge. On the palate, juicy blueberry, raspberry and pomegranate flavors meld with creamy oak to create a generous palate structure, with focused tannins and hints of sage and savory spice adding complexity to a long, stately finish.