Decoy by Duckhorn Merlot (75cl, 13.9%)

A Sonoma County red wine from Duckhorn Vineyards, headquartered in St. Helena in Napa Valley, blending fruit from multiple California appellations. Fruit is sourced from vineyards across Sonoma County, Mendocino County and San Luis Obispo County, then vinified and barrel-aged separately by vineyard set. The winemaking team draws from nearly 200 individual sets and an extensive barrel program sourcing 25 different types of oak from 13 separate cooperages. The wine spends 12 months in 100% French oak barrels, with 40% new wood. The nose leads with black currant and boysenberry, followed by ripe black cherry and sweet baking spices, with cedar and a faint floral lift. The palate is plush and polished, with dark berry fruit — blackberry, plum and cassis — alongside creamy mocha and bittersweet chocolate with a touch of vanilla. The finish is soft and smooth, with well-integrated tannins and lingering cocoa, sweet spice and dark cherry.