Dec 30, 2022
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Articles About Duckhorn
More Recently Tasted California Pinot Noir & Chardonnay (11.46 6/17/2019)
Pinot Briefs (11.27 7/21/2018)
Sips of Recently Tasted California Pinot Noir (10.32 6/18/2016)
Sips of Recently Tasted Domestic Chardonnay (11.7 8/7/2017)
Small Sips of Recently Tasted Chardonnay (10.17 9/18/2015)
Reviewed Wines
2017 Duckhorn Napa Valley Chardonnay
14.1% alc., 37,700 cases, $36. Barrel fermented with lees stirring.
·
Light golden yellow color in the glass. Aromatically fine, offering scents of lemon, pineapple, honey, spice and
vanilla wafer. Straightforward flavors of lemon, grapefruit, honey and vanilla. Slightly creamy with redeeming
balance. A reliable everyday drinker.
Score: 88.
Reviewed June 19, 2019
ARTICLE »
2015 Duckhorn Napa Valley Chardonnay
14.1% alc., 13,500 cases, $35. Cellared and bottled by Duckhorn
Vineyards, Hopland, CA.. Vinified by Renée Ary, only the fourth winemaker in the four-decade history of
Duckhorn Vineyards. 90% French oak barrel fermentation with lees stirring for 10 months and 10% in stainless
steel.
·
Moderately light golden yellow color in the glass. Clean aromas of pear, cut apple, tropical fruits and
spice that fade some over time in the glass. The flavors echo the aromas in a fruit-driven style with some
richness. There is a hint of salinity and the wine ends on a lemon-lime note. Somewhat shallow and less
appealing over time in the glass. It seemed to me there may be some RS in this wine.
Score: 87.
Reviewed August 6, 2017
ARTICLE »
2014 Decoy Sonoma County Pinot Noir
13.9% alc., pH 3.65, TA 0.55, 61,000 cases, $25. From
Duckhorn Wine Company. A blend of grapes from Russian River Valley, Sonoma Coast and
Carneros. Harvest Brix 24.6º. Aged 8 months in 100% French oak barrels, 25% new and 75% onceused.
·
Moderately light crimson color in the glass. Lovely aromas of cherry and barrel that hold up
over time in the glass. Forward drinking and gentle, with slightly confected red cherry and raspberry
fruit flavors backed by silky tannins. Amazing quality considering the price and production volume,
with plenty of Pinot typicality.
Score: 89.
Reviewed June 18, 2016
ARTICLE »
2013 Duckhorn Napa Valley Chardonnay
14.1% alc., 14,000 cases, $35. Sourced from cooler vineyards in
the Napa Valley. 45% malolactic fermentation. Aged in 45% new French oak and a small amount of stainless
steel.
·
Very light golden yellow color in the glass. Nicely perfumed with scents of pear, white orchard fruits and
lemon oil. Admirable composure, with a pleasing core of white peach, pear, lemon pie and pineapple flavors
backed by a subtle mantle of nutty oak. Slightly viscous in the mouth and easy to drink, but lacking a bit of
spirited concentration on the finish.
Score: 88.
Reviewed September 18, 2015
ARTICLE »
2017 Duckhorn Napa Valley Chardonnay
14.1% alc., 37,700 cases, $36. Barrel fermented with lees stirring. · Light golden yellow color in the glass. Aromatically fine, offering scents of lemon, pineapple, honey, spice and vanilla wafer. Straightforward flavors of lemon, grapefruit, honey and vanilla. Slightly creamy with redeeming balance. A reliable everyday drinker. Score: 88. Reviewed June 19, 2019 ARTICLE »
2015 Duckhorn Napa Valley Chardonnay
14.1% alc., 13,500 cases, $35. Cellared and bottled by Duckhorn Vineyards, Hopland, CA.. Vinified by Renée Ary, only the fourth winemaker in the four-decade history of Duckhorn Vineyards. 90% French oak barrel fermentation with lees stirring for 10 months and 10% in stainless steel. · Moderately light golden yellow color in the glass. Clean aromas of pear, cut apple, tropical fruits and spice that fade some over time in the glass. The flavors echo the aromas in a fruit-driven style with some richness. There is a hint of salinity and the wine ends on a lemon-lime note. Somewhat shallow and less appealing over time in the glass. It seemed to me there may be some RS in this wine. Score: 87. Reviewed August 6, 2017 ARTICLE »
2014 Decoy Sonoma County Pinot Noir
13.9% alc., pH 3.65, TA 0.55, 61,000 cases, $25. From Duckhorn Wine Company. A blend of grapes from Russian River Valley, Sonoma Coast and Carneros. Harvest Brix 24.6º. Aged 8 months in 100% French oak barrels, 25% new and 75% onceused. · Moderately light crimson color in the glass. Lovely aromas of cherry and barrel that hold up over time in the glass. Forward drinking and gentle, with slightly confected red cherry and raspberry fruit flavors backed by silky tannins. Amazing quality considering the price and production volume, with plenty of Pinot typicality. Score: 89. Reviewed June 18, 2016 ARTICLE »
2013 Duckhorn Napa Valley Chardonnay
14.1% alc., 14,000 cases, $35. Sourced from cooler vineyards in the Napa Valley. 45% malolactic fermentation. Aged in 45% new French oak and a small amount of stainless steel. · Very light golden yellow color in the glass. Nicely perfumed with scents of pear, white orchard fruits and lemon oil. Admirable composure, with a pleasing core of white peach, pear, lemon pie and pineapple flavors backed by a subtle mantle of nutty oak. Slightly viscous in the mouth and easy to drink, but lacking a bit of spirited concentration on the finish. Score: 88. Reviewed September 18, 2015 ARTICLE »