2008 Decoy Napa Valley Merlot
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Drawing on our winemaking team's expertise working with this varietal, Decoy Napa Valley Merlot is a lush and inviting wine.
Wine Review Online
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Wine Profile
Production Notes
Varietal Content: 98% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon; Cooperage: 100% French Oak Château-Style Barrels (60 Gallons), 5% new, 95% second vintage
Winemaker Notes
For more than three decades, Duckhorn Vineyards has been crafting exceptional Napa Valley
Merlots. Drawing on our winemaking team’s expertise working with this varietal, Decoy Napa Valley
Merlot is a lush and inviting wine with aromas of plum, black cherry, Earl Grey tea and subtle spice.
On the palate, the tannins are smooth and the flavors are rich and mouthfilling, with abundant ripe
fruit and layers of vanilla and sweet oak.
Production
Though the 2008 growing season presented certain challenges—from early frosts to drought
conditions—a meticulous approach to viticulture and sorting yielded small crops with good
concentration, highlighting soft, appealing tannins for our red varietals and bright acidity for our
white grapes. A long, moderately cool summer led to a harvest that commenced in mid-August and
concluded in early November. This relatively relaxed pace allowed us to pick in numerous passes to
ensure quality, often focusing on individual rows or a single side of the vines.
Other Notes
Released: February 2010
Wine Specs
Wine Specs
Vintage
2008
Varietal
Merlot
Harvest Date
August 31 - October 15, 2008
Sugar
25.3° Brix
Acid
0.56 g/100 ml titratable acidity
pH
3.65
Aging
12 Months in Barrel
Fermentation
8-10 days fermentation at 80°F
Alcohol %
14.5
Wine Review Online
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