Decoy Pinot Noir 2021 Review – A Pinot That Shows Its Hand Early
We opened this bottle over a weekend lunch, curious about Decoy’s California Pinot Noir. We expected light fruit, soft oak, and a touch of charm—but the wine showed its hand quickly: lean, oak-driven, and reluctant to reveal much else.
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Vintage: |
2021 |
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Region: |
California, USA |
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Varietal: |
Pinot Noir |
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ABV: |
14.1% |
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RRP: |
~$48–55 AUD |
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Format: |
750mL |
Appearance
A bright ruby core fading to a soft garnet rim, fully translucent with medium depth, gives this wine a classic Pinot profile. A swirl reveals fast, evenly spaced legs, reflecting the 14.1% ABV and hinting at light-to-medium body with a clean structure.
Aroma / Nose
The first impression carries a slight earthy funk, more fermentation-driven than fruity. A gentle swirl settles that edge, but the nose remains quiet and savoury, with oak and dry spice taking the lead. Fruit is just a whisper—faint red berries that fade quickly. Alcohol is well integrated, leaving the nose composed but shy rather than inviting.
Palate / Taste
On the palate, the wine is light and lifted, with a gentle grip on the cheeks and gums. Acidity leads, leaning slightly sour, while oak becomes the dominant voice, offering structure but little warmth. Fruit remains muted and fleeting, and the wine drinks like a lean, oak-driven Pinot that never truly opens up.
Finish
The moderate finish is oak-led and dry, with acidity the last impression and fruit barely a memory. Food softens the tannins, but the wine itself doesn’t transform—it remains firm, linear, and subdued.
Food Pairing
We tasted this wine alongside a simple lunch spread of cheeses, turkey, and light snacks.
Edam; Heightened acidity and let a touch of funk show through.
Red Leicester with habanero chilli; Amplified the spice; oak stayed in charge.
Lomba; Similar effect; fruit stayed hidden.
Turkey slices; Softened the edges and teased out a faint trace of fruit.
Hummus with caramelised onion; A pleasant pairing; let the food shine.
Dried apricots; Boosted acidity without clashing.
Tannins melt away with food, but the wine never fully blooms.
ATC Verdict: Is It Worth the Splurge?
Decoy Pinot Noir 2021 is polite but one-trick. Oak dominates, acidity sharpens the edges, and fruit barely whispers—even with food. It’s not unpleasant, but it isn’t memorable, and we wouldn’t reach for it again.
A one-trick pony; polite, but not persuasive.
Editor’s Note
This review reflects our personal tasting experience with Decoy Pinot Noir 2021, purchased independently and tasted at home over a relaxed lunch. No sponsorship, gifting, or promotional material influenced this article. As always, All That Is Cool focuses on what we actually tasted, how it behaved with food—and whether it felt worth the splurge.
–Adrian – Editor at All That Is Cool
Please drink responsibly.
All alcohol reviews on All That Is Cool are intended for audiences aged 18+. We support mindful, moderate consumption and only feature bottles we’ve personally tasted and evaluated.
