Today on WWB we share a great producer of Cabernet Sauvignon on Red Mountain. I have been really impressed with the Canvasback wines since the winery’s inception, created in 2011 Duckhorn pioneers Dan and Margaret Duckhron. Now producing a larger range of wines, 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. Canvasback crafts their ‘Grand Passage’ Cabernet Sauvignon, entirely sourced from Red Mountain and also has a relatively new estate vineyard, the Longwinds Vineyard, on Red Mountain right above Col Solare. 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 at the Canvasback helm, and is originally from Eastern Washington. Having worked for, Walla Walla stalwart L’Ecole No. 41, Brian served as head winemaker for four years at Cadaretta and Buried Cane before coming to Canvasback in 2014. The new wines from Canvasback were downright awesome across the board. I loved the new 2016 Canvasback ‘Grand Passage’ Cabernet Sauvignon (WWB, 93) which is a dense, masterful Cabernet Sauvignon that is drinking marvelously in its youth and has a long way to go in the cellar. Learn more about these great new wines at https://www.canvasbackwine.com Here are the beautiful new Cabernet Sauvignon releases by Canvasback.
2016 Canvasback ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2016 Canvasback ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a really good effort by the talented Brian Rudin of Canvasback. Rich dark cherry compote with anise and exotic spices and herbal undertone aromatics meld in the glass. The silky texture really entices. Rich and layered with gobs of dark fruits and a good mineral backbone greets you on the palate. Refined yet massive, this beautiful wine will cellar well for the next fifteen years. Drink 2020-2045- 92
2016 Canvasback ‘Red Mountain’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Sourced from the Red Mountain AVA, the Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc that was largely aged in natural oak before bottling. Forward dark fruits with espresso tones combine on this decadent nose. The palate is dense, delivering straightforward dark fruit flavors with tobacco leaf and Turkish coffee tones. Drink 2020-2032- 91
2016 Canvasback ‘Ciel du Cheval Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The ‘Ciel du Cheval Vineyard’ is one of Red Mountain’s storied sites for Bordeaux varietals. Showing no aromatic restraint, this opens with copious dark fruits that are woven together with sagebrush and tobacco tones on this expressive bouquet. The palate is dense and focused, with a bright acidity that accompanies the layers of dark fruit flavors. Fantastic now, the 2016 ‘Ciel du Cheval Vineyard’ Cabernet will cellar well for a decade or more. Drink 2020-2033- 92
2016 Canvasback ‘Grand Passage’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2016 Canvasback ‘Grand Passage’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a great new blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot that was stored in French oak (80% new) prior to bottling. Deep creme de cassis, tar and anise aromas fill the glass. The palate has a silky texture and wonderful sense of balance, showing a nice purity of fruit. Copious dark fruits dance with black licorice and chocolate covered espresso bean flavors. Fabulous now, this expressive effort will have a long life in the cellar. Drink 2020-2035- 93