02 Feb Highly-rated red – Decoy Limited Napa Valley Red
Should we trust wine ratings?
That’s difficult to say.
Wine ratings have always been
and will always be subjective, not scientific.
Every wine drinker has their own palette.
The major publications such as Wine Advocate, Wine Enthusiast
and Wine Spectator go to great lengths to legitimize
their tasting protocols and evaluation methods.
Will you always agree with their opinions?
Probably not.
Nonetheless, their reviews serve as solid reference points
when you’re trying to determine what to buy
or what to pass by.
It’s Wine Thursday!
Every Thursday, we check out a good wine
that sells at a reasonable price
and is easy to find in store or online.
“Good” wine?
We think so.
But one of those major magazines
believes this week’s featured wine is
very good.
Wine Spectator recently announced their
Top Ten wine values of the past 12 months.
Our Wine Thursday! featured wine
came in at #2 on the Wine Spectator list.
Where it’s from
Decoy started as the second label of Duckhorn wines.
But Decoy has evolved into its own distinctive brand.
With a winemaking facility in Hopland, California,
north of Sonoma County, Decoy has established itself
as a significant producer of mid-level wines
including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon
and this week’s featured wine, the Decoy Red Blend.
What it is
Decoy Red is a California version of what is known
as a Bordeaux blend, a mix of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Here’s where that aforementioned subjectivity comes into play.
If you don’t like Merlot, chances are you won’t
agree with the lofty ratings this wine has received.
But if you are a fan of the Bordeaux blend,
this is a terrific example of the genre.
It’s full-bodied and bold…Zinfandel plays a role here
coming in at 16% of the blend…but it’s quite well balanced.
Bursting with blackberry and vanilla flavors,
it has medium tannins and body.
All in all, it’s very drinkable on its own
while it would pair well with roast beef, lamb or veal.
The price is near the top end of our scale…
depending on where you buy it,
you’ll pay $25 plus…
but 75% of the fruit in Decoy Red
comes from coveted Napa Valley vineyards
which probably explains the higher price tag.
Where to buy it
Total Wine and Safeway have Decoy Red for $24.99.
The price at QFC is $25.99.
Bev Mo’s price is $27.99.
Kroger and Fred Meyer stores have it for $28.99.
You can order it from Empire Wine for $22.99
Wine.com lists it at $20.99
The price at Buy Wines Online is $24.95
Same price at K & L…$24.95