Is Decoy Cabernet good?
Yes, Decoy Cabernet is a polished, smooth Cabernet for about $25, a nice step up from grocery basics when you want something that feels a little special.
Decoy Cabernet Sauvignon · Cabernet Sauvignon · California · most grocery stores, Costco and wine shops
- Alcohol
- About 13.9%
- Sweetness
- Dry
- Grapes
- About 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot (2022)
- Made by
- Decoy, part of The Duckhorn Portfolio (owned by Butterfly Equity)
- From
- California (Alexander Valley, Mendocino County and the Central Coast)
- Price
- About $22 to $27
- Calories
- About 125 to 135 in a 5 oz glass (estimate)
What it tastes like
Blackberry, black cherry and a bit of vanilla and baking spice. Rich and smooth, with soft grip and a dry flavor that lingers.
- Bodylight → big
- Sweetnessdry → sweet
- Zingsoft → zippy
- Gripsmooth → grippy
Is it worth $25?
Yes, as a dinner-party or gift bottle. It is well made and consistent. For everyday drinking, Louis M. Martini gives you similar quality for a few dollars less.
Who it’s for
For people who like smooth, rich reds and want something a step above the usual. Fans of very light reds will find it a lot of wine.
How to serve it
Open 15 to 20 minutes ahead and serve just below room temperature.
The backstory
Dan and Margaret Duckhorn founded Duckhorn Vineyards in Napa in 1976 and started Decoy more than 30 years ago as their friendlier, cheaper label (a duck decoy, get it). Private equity firm Butterfly Equity bought the whole company at the end of 2024. Grapes come from a few California regions, and 18 months in French oak gives it that polished, silky feel.
How it compares
- Decoy Cabernet vs Louis Martini Cabernet
Louis Martini is a few dollars cheaper and a bit firmer, so pick Martini for steak and Decoy when you want smooth and impressive.
- Decoy Cabernet vs Josh Cabernet
Josh costs about $10 less and is softer and simpler, so Decoy is the upgrade for a dinner party or gift.
- Decoy Cabernet vs Caymus
Caymus is much richer and lusher at several times the price; Decoy gives you a taste of that polish for about $25.
What to eat with it
Questions people ask
- Is Decoy wine good?
- Yes, Decoy is a well-made, consistent brand, and the Cabernet is its best-known bottle. It is the kind of wine you can bring to a dinner and not worry about.
- Who makes Decoy wine?
- Decoy is part of The Duckhorn Portfolio, the Napa company behind Duckhorn Vineyards. Private equity firm Butterfly Equity bought Duckhorn for about $1.95 billion in December 2024.
- Where is Decoy wine made?
- The brand is run from St. Helena in Napa, but the regular Cabernet is labeled California and blends grapes from Alexander Valley, Mendocino County and the Central Coast. The pricier Decoy Limited bottles come from specific areas like Napa Valley.
- Is Decoy Cabernet sweet?
- No, it is dry. It feels round and smooth, with vanilla and blackberry, but there is no real sweetness.
- How much is Decoy Cabernet Sauvignon?
- The suggested price is $25, and you will usually see it for about $22 to $27. Costco often has it for less.
- What is Decoy Featherweight?
- A lighter Decoy line made with less alcohol than the regular bottles. Good if you want a glass that will not knock you over, though the regular Cab has more flavor.
If you like this, try
- Louis Martini CabernetCabernet Sauvignon · about $20Drink this one
- CaymusCabernet Sauvignon · about $95It's fine
- Josh CabernetCabernet Sauvignon · about $15Good buy
Where Moxie recommends it
- What wine goes with prime rib?
- What wine goes with BBQ?
- What is a good bottle of wine to give as a gift?
- What is Cabernet Sauvignon?
- Malbec vs Cabernet Sauvignon: what's the difference?
Last checked 2026-10-04. Moxie Vino isn’t affiliated with Decoy by Duckhorn; this is our honest take. Bottle photo: Decoy (Duckhorn Portfolio).