Duckhorn Wine Company - 2014 "Decoy" red blend [Sonoma County, CA]

I've been posting a lot of beer lately, so here's something of the grape variety - it's a red blend from Duckhorn Wine Company out of Sonoma County, California. I've had this in the cellar for a few years now, so time to enjoy. Remember - some wines last a long time, but most wines available at the store are meant to be enjoyed within a year or two of being purchased.

When a wine is labelled "red blend" or "red wine", we typically don't know the grape blend. Sometimes they say, and sometimes they don't. This one doesn't say, but online research reveals that it it is comprised of the following:

• 52% Merlot
• 22% Cabernet Sauvignon
• 10% Petit Syrah
• 8% Cabernet Franc
• 8% Petit Verdot

So a mix-master. Duckhorn is particularly known for making good Merlots, and I haven't reviewed too much of that grape over the years, so looking forward to this.

Generates a nice aroma, very even and lively. Bright red in the glass, no bricking.

Interesting - the wine is definitely on the darker end of things, with some full black cherry and grape skin flavors. A bit oily, it coats the mouth and presents lingering flavors of oak and a bit of tannic bite, with a slight metallic tinge developing on the aftertaste. I'm not detecting any smoke or salt or leather flavors. As it opens and the wine aerates it softens up, with more cherry juice flavors coming through. Finish is long and aftertaste is of cherry skins, a touch of wood, and a bit of copper. 

I paired with some Trader Joe's butternut squash pasta, bathed in Kerrygold and topped with cracked black pepper and black truffle salt. The wine is available at most wine retailers (I got mine at Harris Teeter for $14.99) but I've definitely seen it at Giant and elsewhere. Definitely on the fuller end, but would be a fine choice for pasta or pizza.