Red - Merlot

Since the inaugural vintage of the Decoy Napa Valley Red Wine more than a quarter century ago, Decoy has taken an important place in the Duckhorn Wine Company family of wines. With a reputation for delivering great quality at a remarkable price, Decoy has established a loyal following for its distinctive style, which emphasizes ready-upon-release wines that are capable of expressing their full charm and complexity in their youth. After several years of working with its sought-after grapes, they acquire the renowned Ridgeline Vineyard in the Alexander Valley appellation—Sonoma County’s best region for growing Bordeaux varietals. Located on Oak Mountain, Ridgeline Vineyard is a steep mountainside vineyard with elevations ranging from 100 to nearly 2,000 feet.

The core blend for this appealing Decoy Red Wine 2016 pairs the elegance of Merlot with the complexity of Cabernet Sauvignon. Reflecting the character of each growing season and the diversity of our vineyard sources, Decoy has established itself as a wine of distinction. Rich and concentrated, this wine reveals voluptuous layers of blueberry, cassis and dark chocolate. On the palate, hints of salted caramel and exotic spices add depth and complexity to the fresh fruit flavors, while carrying the wine to a long and silky finish. 51% Merlot, 23% Zinfandel, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petite Sirah, 2% Petit Verdot.

Frenchtown, Walla Walla Valley’s first settlement, was founded by French Canadians in the early 1800s. A thriving viticulture and wine making community was established in the Valley by the 1860s. This Frenchtown wine salutes these pioneers. The 2016 vintage was one of the warmest vintages for Washington, rivaling 2003 and 1998, with slightly lower yields due to smaller berry size. The L'Ecole No. 41 Frenchtown 2016 shows aromas of wild berries, fresh plum, black currant and baking spice. The generous dark fruit flavors stay bright and focused through an integrated finish. 41% Merlot 14% Syrah 28% Cabernet Sauvignon 9% Grenache 5% Malbec 3% Cabernet Franc.

The Rabble Red Blend 2016 comes from the Mossfire Ranch Vineyard in Paso Robles.  Aged in French oak, it is made up of 90% Merlot and 10% Syrah. Brooding purple with dark rimmed color. The nose blooms first with red cherry, ripe plum to dark raspberry with hints of anise seed and ending dusty suede. The palate is explosive, lush ripe fruits give way to supple tannin, layers of dark and bright berries with balanced acidity and firm yet restrained structure. The strong finish lingers of black tea and plum.

You don’t know what it wants and you’ve underestimated its character. But you can feel it watching your every move. A cunning presence lingers, like a thorn in your side. It isn’t going anywhere.

While working with their growers in Napa Valley, The Prisoner team came across small, premium vineyard lots of Merlot, which served as their inspiration to create Thorn 2014. The Merlot was blended with Syrah to create depth in the body while Malbec accentuates the fruit. Earthy aromas open up into cocoa, blackberry, cedar, and anise. The entry is smooth with flavors of cherry, chocolate, vanilla, and a mild toastiness. The finish is long with balanced acidity. 77% Merlot; 23% Blend of Malbec and Syrah.