Decoy Chardonnay 2023

The Decoy Chardonnay 2023 is a wine I found selling for $14.99; Duckhorn has it listed for $20. Decoy is the entry-level wine brand (if a $20 wine can be called entry-level) for Duckhorn Winery.







The Story















Duckhorn Winery was founded in 1976 and was known for its Merlot. They had ten wine brands, which may be reorganized since an equity company bought them for almost two billion dollars. The Duckhorns are no longer involved with the company, but they have had only four head winemakers in 49 years.







The Decoy Chardonnay 2023 is 100% Chardonnay sourced from 42% Sonoma. 30% Central Coast, 12% Mendocino, 8% Yolo County (in the north of the Central Valley), and 8% other (don't know why they can't specify).







The 2023 growing season was cool early, which caused the grapes to ripen late, but a late heat spike did the job of bringing the grapes to maturation.







The oak barrel program was 8 months in French oak, with 30% of the barrels new and 70% in neutral oak. The wine in the new barrels underwent malolactic fermentation.







Malolactic fermentation is almost always used with Red wine, and Chardonnay is one of the few White wines that use the procedure. It turns the tart, naturally occurring acid in the grapes into lactic acid, which is softer and rounder. It is thought that doing malolactic on Chardonnay helps to incorporate the oak influence.







The alcohol content is 13.9%.







The Decoy Chardonnay 2023 Tasting Notes







The color is a sunshine yellow. The nose is interesting, there is lemon, melon, spice, tropical fruit, and pear. coconut, stonefruit, and a floral edge. The Decoy Chardonnay 2023 is soft on the palate and full of flavor.







This Chardonnay tastes like ripe apple, Anjou pear, a shot of spice, a hint of creamy vanilla, lime, lemon, nectarine, and faint tangerine.







The acidity does its job well and allows the flavors to fully unfold.







The Summary









* The Decoy Chardonnay 2023 is one tasty Chardonnay.







* It handles its oak influence well; this is not a butter bomb.







* This Chardonnay has enough body to pair well with food. Take a sip and be inspired.









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