Decoy California Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 750ml

Dan and Margaret Duckhorn started Decoy in 1985 as a more affordable label from the same St. Helena family, and the California Cabernet is now its best-known wine. It's made by Decoy's winemaker Dana Epperson, within The Duckhorn Portfolio.

The 2023 is 76% Cabernet Sauvignon and 24% Merlot, from vineyards across California including the company's own estates. The Merlot is what makes it so soft. The season had a wet winter and a cool spring, followed by a long harvest that let the grapes ripen slowly.

The winery describes dark cherry, raspberry, baking spice and cola with a little toasty oak, then juicy blackberry, silky tannins and bright acidity on the palate. It is 14.1% alcohol.

This is the bottle to buy when you want Duckhorn's style without Duckhorn's price. When the occasion calls for more, Duckhorn Napa Valley Cabernet is the step up.

Serve it a few degrees below room temperature; a Cab with this much Merlot loses its freshness when it's warm. It suits roast chicken as well as beef.

Browse more Cabernet Sauvignon, or see every California wine we stock. Pick it up at our Brooklyn store or get same-day delivery across NYC.