Decoy is Duckhorn’s entry level wine. This Pinot Noir is sourced from 8 vineyards in Anderson Valley, in the coastal region of Mendocino, California. The wine is aged for 13 months in French oak. The interesting element concerning this Pinot is that Anderson Valley was plagued by forest/brush fires last year and the resulting smoke has gotten into the grapes. Some wines from Anderson Valley have what has been described as a “wet ashtray” taste, but not the Decoy.
The color is a clean crisp light see-thru crimson red. The nose is smokey dark fruit and the scent of meat cooking on the grill. It tastes of tart cherries, tobacco and dark chocolate. A long vanilla cola finish. Firm tannins and a well structured wine.
The accidental smoke damage brings attention getting flavor to the Decoy Pinot Noir, if you like it, buy several bottles of the 2008 vintage, because I don’t think they are going to start a few fires to recreate this taste.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Laura Altimari. Laura Altimari said: RT @cheapwinefinder Smoke Gets In Your Pinot Noir http://tinyurl.com/26g8hno [...]