Rating 85
Style Red
Variety
Vintage 2015
Appellation
North Coast
California
USA
ABV 13.9%
Price $20.00  Buy This Wine
Print Shelf Talker
Reviewed By
Reviewed 2018-12-19

Perfect For

Dinner Parties, Party Wine, Pleasing A Crowd

Drink If You Like

Merlot, Pinot Noir , Syrah / Shiraz

Decoy Sonoma County Merlot 2015 Review

In Cali if it says Merlot on the bottle and it's not from an estate, it only has to have 75% of Merlot in the wine. I am not exactly sure what else is in this second label of Duckhorn, but it's doing the job of keeping everything in check. With only 13.9% alcohol it sits right where wines from "Merlot" should sit to have good balance. This bottle, with soft blueberry fruit, a hint of well-integrated vanilla and quiet tannins to maintain a good structure, won't win any awards for complexity but is a great crowd-pleaser in a pinch.

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Learn About Merlot

· Merlot 101

85
POINTS
Decoy Sonoma County Merlot 2015
In Cali if it says Merlot on the bottle and it's not from an estate, it only has to have 75% of Merlot in the wine. I am not exactly sure what else is in this second label of Duckhorn, but it's doing the job of keeping everything in check. With only 13.9% alcohol it sits right where wines from "Merlot" should sit to have good balance. This bottle, with soft blueberry fruit, a hint of well-integrated vanilla and quiet tannins to maintain a good structure, won't win any awards for complexity but is a great crowd-pleaser in a pinch.

Reviewed On: 12-19-2018
85
POINTS
Decoy Sonoma County Merlot 2015
In Cali if it says Merlot on the bottle and it's not from an estate, it only has to have 75% of Merlot in the wine. I am not exactly sure what else is in this second label of Duckhorn, but it's doing the job of keeping everything in check. With only 13.9% alcohol it sits right where wines from "Merlot" should sit to have good balance. This bottle, with soft blueberry fruit, a hint of well-integrated vanilla and quiet tannins to maintain a good structure, won't win any awards for complexity but is a great crowd-pleaser in a pinch.

Reviewed On: 12-19-2018