Decoy Pinot Noir from Duckhorn: 10 Best Wines, Flavors, Prices

by Hunter Robillard

Decoy Pinot Noir is a delicious red wine made by the famous Napa Valley winery Duckhorn Vineyards.

The first Decoy red blend wine was released in 1985 and it is the estate’s second label.

Now the prestigious Decoy brand has a range of wines made from Pinot Noir and other grapes sourced from vineyards in Sonoma County.

In this article, we’ll discover the 10 best Decoy Pinot Noir wine bottles and their taste. We’ll also reveal some interesting facts about the Duckhorn Vineyards Estate and Decoy.

10 Best Decoy Pinot Noir Wine Bottles to Buy

Here are the top 10 Decoy Pinot Noir wines to purchase in 2022:

1. 2018 Decoy California Pinot Noir ($23)

This is one of the most popular Decoy Pinot Noir vintages with rich red fruit notes of cranberry, red cherry, and raspberry.

If you love low tannin levels and balanced acidity, this California vintage is for you.

2. 2019 Decoy California Pinot Noir ($19)

This Pinot Noir is smooth and dry with balanced acidity and delicate fruity aromas. It has beautiful layers of lush pure fruit and subtle notes of spice.

Wilfred Wong gave this wine 90 points highlighting the wine’s exquisite cranberry, red currant, plum, and ripe berry flavors intertwined with the pleasing aroma of strawberry.

3. 2018 Decoy Limited Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir ($27)

This Sonoma County Pinot Noir has red and dark fruit notes. The fresh strawberry, black cherry, plum, and raspberry flavors are accompanied by more complex oak, cedar, and sweet baking spice underlayers.

4. 2013 Decoy California Pinot Noir ($20)

This aged Decoy Pinot Noir gives off earthy and ripe strawberry aromas.

Other delightful fruit flavors include cherry, blueberry, and plum with hints of white pepper, mushroom, and lavender.

5. 2014 Decoy California Pinot Noir ($37)

This Decoy wine is very smooth on the palate with a long finish. Its delicious fruit flavors include strong cherry, strawberry, black cherry. On the nose, vibrant aromas of violet, pepper, and rose petal rise elegantly from the glass.

6. 2019 Decoy Limited Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir ($27)

This is another elegant wine produced by the legendary vintners Dan and Margaret Duckhorn. It presents a silky smooth texture with dominant raspberry and red cherry flavors followed by hints of rustic forest floor.

The wine is aged for 10 months in 40% new French oak.

William Spector gave this wine 90 points for its fine-edged texture and enchanting currant, cherry tart, and plum paste flavors.

7. 2017 Decoy California Pinot Noir ($29)

This 100% Pinot Noir varietal wine has bold black cherry flavors. And one can’t miss the oak inspired hints of vanilla.

The wine also has supple tannins that transition into a long and smooth finish.

8. 2020 Decoy Limited Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir ($25)

This Sonoma County Pinot Noir has cherry and blackberry-rich flavor. As for its aromas, expect subtle notes of oak, anise, and vanilla.

It also has silky tannins and a very smooth finish.

9. 2011 Decoy California Pinot Noir ($20)

This is a great California Pinot Noir wine with balanced acidity. It’s a smooth and dry wine offering rich strawberry and oak aromas, followed by loads of fruit flavors.

This red wine is medium-bodied and can work as a perfect dinner wine.

10. 2016 Decoy California Pinot Noir ($29)

This Sonoma County wine is aged for 8 months in an oak barrel. The aging imparts clove, spice, and nutmeg notes.

The tasting notes include a predominant strawberry, plum, and cherry with hints of cola.

Wilfred Wong awarded this wine 89 for its great balance and elegance.

Interesting Facts About Duckhorn Vineyards and Decoy

Here are some fascinating facts about Duckhorn Vineyards and the Decoy label:

Who Founded Duckhorn Vineyards?

Duckhorn Vineyards was founded by the legendary vintners Dan and Margaret Duckhorn near St. Helena, and soon became one of the most prestigious wineries in Napa Valley.

Which are the Duckhorn Vineyards wine styles?

It’s the Merlot (both varietal and blend wines) that put Duckhorn Vineyards on the map. But the winery also produces other classic California wines like Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Sauvignon Blanc.

Besides Decoy, the winery also created the labels Paraduxx, Goldeneye, Calera, and Migration.

Which are the Decoy wine styles?

Decoy is known for its attractively priced wines from exceptional vineyard sources and a wide range of options apart from Pinot Noir. Some of the wines include:

They also sell wine sets that you can purchase as gifts - for example, a boxed set of 3 to 6 half-bottles featuring Decoy’s flagship wines.

Savor a Glass of Decoy Pinot Noir Now!

Decoy has a wide range of delicious, light Pinot Noir wines to choose from.

If you wish to explore more wines from Duckhorn Vineyards, the other labels, including Paraduxx, Goldeneye, and Calera, won’t disappoint.

Now, if you want to access an array of fine wines worth investing in, visit the Vinovest website. There you’ll easily buy, store, and sell authentic Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, and other fine wines from across the globe.