One of the outstanding new Washington wineries formed by Duckhorn pioneers Dan and Margaret Duckhorn in 2011, Canvasback utilizes the vineyard management talents of Dick Boushey and winemaking abilities of Brian Rudin in creating rich and layered Washington Cabernet Sauvignon. Canvasback sources from some of Washington’s great vineyards such as the grapes from some of Red Mountain’s most acclaimed vineyards, including Klipsun, La Coye, Shaw and Quintessence Vineyards. Their debut wine from the 2012 vintage was outstanding and they have impressed with their next series of wines. They now produce a ‘Grand Passage’ Cabernet Sauvignon, entirely sourced from Red Mountain and have planted an exciting new estate vineyard, the Longwinds Vineyard, on Red Mountain right above Col Solare.
Great photo of the Longwinds Vineyard on Red Mountain.
The Longwinds Vineyard was planted in 2013 and has 13.5 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon and 4.5 acres of Merlot, with the Cabernet grown in the rockier, exposed soils at the top of the vineyard, and the Merlot grown near the bottom, where the soils have higher water-holding capacity.
Brian Rudin is a hugely talented winemaker. Originally from Eastern Washington, Brian has previously worked for famed winery L’Ecole No. 41 and served as head winemaker for four years at Cadaretta and Buried Cane before coming to Canvasback in 2014. Both of his new releases by Canvasback were glorious and impressive considering the heat spikes and challenges of the 215 vintage. I was absolutely blown away by the 2015 Canvasback ‘Grand Passage’ Cabernet Sauvignon (WWB, 93) which has a marvelous combination of richness and tension. This will cellar marvelously for a decade or more. Learn more about these great new wines at https://www.canvasbackwine.com Here are the beautiful new Cabernet Sauvignon releases by Canvasback.
2015 Canvasback ‘Red Mountain’ Cabernet Sauvignon- This largely Cabernet based Red Mountain wine starts off with aromas of toasty oak, cigar box and creme de cassis. There is a wonderful purity of fruit here, with boysenberry cobbler, milk chocolate and cassis flavors showing full force. With good weight and structure, this is built for at least ten years in the cellar. If enjoying young, be sure to give this an hour decant. This is an outstanding effort by the talented Brian Rudin. Drink 2018-2030- 92
2015 Canvasback ‘Grand Passage’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The ‘Grand Passage’ Cabernet Sauvignon is entirely sourced from the Red Mountain AVA. The wine shows nice aromatic richness with black tea, sagebrush, wild blackberry jam and coffee grounds on the nose. The palate delights, showing good richness and tension. I love the finish that complements the black fruits with mouth-watering acidity that impresses from this hot vintage. Drink 2018-2030- 93