Let’s face it – “everyday meals” are given that name for a reason: They’re quick and easy, call for commonly available ingredients and, most important of all, they work. Most meals are every day, while celebratory or holiday meals are few and far between.
So why not drink an “everyday” wine with an everyday meal and save that more complex (and expensive) bottle for a special occasion?
A pair of Duckhorn Merlot wines will give you those options. In Part II of California Dreamin’ for #MerlotMe Month, I paired a 2019 Decoy with three “everyday” meals and a 2018 Duckhorn with one meal I’d call more special. Three to one – that’s a fair proportion for the price differential.
Please note that while the wines for this post were provided, opinions are my own.
Dreamin’ of Duckhorns
Dan and Margaret Duckhorn founded Duckhorn Vineyards, one of the first 40 Napa Valley wineries, near St. Helena in 1976. Unlike its neighbors, Duckhorn is most famous for its Merlot. Altogether, Duckhorn makes wines from more than 1,000 acres of estate vineyards, as well as bringing in fruit from independent growers.
Duckhorn expanded into Washington state with its Canvasback line and an inaugural, 2012 vintage of Red Mountain AVA Cabernet Sauvignon. In 2016, Duckhorn Vineyards, along with its five additional wine brands, was sold to San Francisco-based strategic equity investor, TSG Consumer Partners.
- 2018 Duckhorn Merlot, Napa Valley
82% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1.4% Cabernet Franc, 0.4% Petit Verdot, 0.2% Malbec.
Inspired by a visit to Bordeaux, Dan Duckhorn produced the first vintage of Duckhorn Vineyards Napa Valley Merlot in 1978. The 2018 vintage was aged 15 months in 100% French oak, 40% new.
My tasting notes: Ruby in color. Cherry, black cherry and fennel on the nose. Silky, integrated tannins on a palate of plum and black pepper with vanilla and a hint of mocha at the end of a long finish. Alcohol: 14.5%. Average price: $48.
- 2019 Decoy Merlot, California
80% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc
Decoy Wines was established as Duckhorn’s second brand in the 1990s. Decoy now produces a number of value wines from a variety of grapes. For the 2019 vintage, 60% of grapes were sourced from Sonoma County, 32% from the Central Coast and 8% from Mendocino County. Aged 12 months in 100% French oak, 35% new.
My tasting notes: Ruby in color. Mostly cherry on the nose with some earth and a hint of fennel. More cherry on the palate with a bit of smoke and hint of vanilla. Medium acidity. Medium+ finish and smooth tannins. More rustic than the Duckhorn Merlot. Alcohol: 13.9%. Average price: $19.
Food, glorious food
Two years ago, I held a trial run of Thanksgiving dinner to pair with these two wines in the Duckhorn portfolio. On the menu was turkey, of course, as well as several crowd-pleasing sides, including herb stuffing, potatoes and a green beans and roasted onions dish. Instead of pies, I baked a not-too-sweet banana chocolate cake. Both wines were pairing perfection for Thanksgiving dinner.
This year’s wines were just as food friendly and the pairings seamlessly delicious. Got to appreciate consistency in a brand!
