Duckhorn. Decoy. Migration. Paraduxx. Canvasback. Calera. Chances are high, in case your wine preferences migrate towards west coast of america, you’ve crossed paths with a number of from this well-known flock of award-winning wines. Now there’s Featherweight, a low-calorie, low-alcohol entry into the Decoy household, seeking to preserve style afloat. Christopher reviewed a number of Decoys earlier in 2025, and infrequently did they run afoul of expectation. In the present day, we’re constructing on that basis with a have a look at newer choices, in addition to revisiting others. Let’s see if the model nonetheless has its geese in a row for 2026.
2024 Greenwing Pinot Noir Willamette Valley – Opening with aromas of darkish cherry and dried cranberry, this pinot leans instantly into an autumnal temper. Because it settles, notes of raspberry and vanilla add youthful ripeness. The raspberry dominates on the palate, accompanied by delicate baking spice, and lingers on a longer-than-anticipated end. On this case, it’s extra of a characteristic than a bug within the system. Recent acidity retains every thing targeted, with silky tannins offering construction with out altering the expertise right into a boring profile of predictability. It delivers sufficient character to remain fascinating whereas remaining approachable sufficient to revisit with none remorse. A- / $20
2023 Decoy Chardonnay California – This Chardonnay takes a sideways strategy, easing in with toasted almond and pear earlier than pivoting right into a citrus core that takes the driving force’s seat and doesn’t actually let up. Lemon and honeysuckle drive the clear and targeted palate, whereas the end wanders off towards inexperienced apple and honeysuckle. Vanilla is current all through, but it surely’s saved on a brief leash by sharp acidity, refusing to permit this wine to get complacent. The result’s brisk with out being extreme, layered with out turning into heavy, and interesting from begin to end. It’s layered, relentless and works favorably with a dish of spicy Thai noodles. A- / $20
2022 Decoy Cabernet Sauvignon Restricted Paso Robles – Blackberry proper up entrance, leaving little or no room for a lot else. From there, it dives into deeper shades of nutmeg and a touch of cola earlier than darkish chocolate and a streak of herbs try a gentle takeover in opposition to the darkish fruit. To its credit score, the berry core regains management and restores stability earlier than issues drift too far into cloying extra. It lands drier than the opening act would recommend, which helps preserve it aligned to a recognizable body with lingering tannins. It’s proper at residence with one thing off the grill, with smoke assembly sweetness in a mutually helpful association. A- / $30
2023 Decoy Featherweight Chardonnay California – Strolling a high-quality line between exuberant and extreme, that is an approachable expression of Chardonnay that checks off a lot of the applicable bins and stops wanting simply tipping over the road. It’s constructed to please and largely succeeds, delivering pear and vanilla cream, with sharp notes of orange slices and pink apple offering wanted acidity towards the end. This isn’t a solo sipper, because the minerality on the end is fairly sharp. However bringing to the dinner desk and pairing it with roast hen or pasta in a heavy cream sauce and the mineral snap turns into an asset, slicing by the heaviness and letting the fruit present its finest aspect. B+ / $15
2022 Decoy Pinot Noir California – This equal alternative, all-California Pinot Noir presents with layers of pink and black cherry on the onset, adopted by boysenberry and pink currant, with violets and roses for a last fragrant impact over time. Delicate oak notes, anise and burnt toast make a well mannered appearances on the palate however by no means actually elevate the noise degree or add to the dialog. Nothing right here lunges for profundity, and albeit, the restraint works in its favor. It has the script memorized: be nice and versatile, be poured once more. In comparison with the 2021 classic, that is higher assembled. Not revolutionary. However reliably, appreciably higher. B+ / $25
2023 Greenwing Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley – Aromas of blackberry, clove, and pepper are properly outlined on the primary strategy, and set a constant tone for what’s to come back. The blackberry stays the anchor on the palate, however it’s finally complemented by a trio of leather-based, clove, and rosemary. With a little bit time within the glass, the wine broadens barely, revealing a restrained be aware of darkish chocolate that turns into extra obvious because the end fades. The construction is balanced, with sufficient acidity and tannin to maintain from feeling heavy whereas nonetheless offering form. It may possibly actually be loved by itself, but it surely reveals improved dimension when paired with a dish on the savory aspect. B+ / $20
2023 Decoy Featherweight Cabernet Sauvignon California – Unexpectedly substantial for a wine diminished in caloric rely, this wine arrives with extra heft than marketed. Aggressive notes of black cherry and raspberry verge on punchy with out tipping into syrup territory. Give it a couple of minutes within the glass and it begins to kind itself out: tannins recede barely and a blackberry begins to take form. There’s a reprise of the black cherry be aware on the end, tempered over time by mild baking spice and toasted oak. There’s sufficient motion from begin to end to seize consideration and, at this value, earns its place as a stable worth seize that barely exceeds expectations. B / $15
2024 Decoy Featherweight Sauvignon Blanc California – It steps flippantly at simply 9% ABV, providing a breezier tackle a well-known favourite. Crafted from the identical fruit as the usual Sauvignon Blanc however gently dialed again by alcohol discount, it manages to carry its footing with out sacrificing character. The entire affair leans vigorous, stuffed with white nectarine, yellow apple and a faint contact of orange blossom. With time, there’s additionally a little bit of grapefruit slicing by midpalate. It’s approachable and at occasions onerous to consider that is low-cal and low-alcohol. B / $15
2022 Decoy Cabernet Sauvignon California – This equal alternative, all-California Cabernet opens with a heaping scoop of blackberry jam and retains its foot firmly on the accelerator. Bittersweet chocolate follows shut behind, clearly dedicated to the dessert-adjacent way of life, whereas vanilla threads by every thing. A faint be aware of licorice on the end provides simply sufficient variation to recommend the thought of complexity. Is it nuanced? Not particularly. Is it attempting to be? Additionally not particularly. Nonetheless, as a budget-friendly, weeknight dinner pour, it asks for little or no and delivers as marketed: it will get the job executed with enthusiasm, albeit a bit sweetly. B / $20
2024 Decoy Featherweight Sauvignon Blanc California
USD15
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