Canvasback Wine 2014 Grand Passage Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain, $80
Duckhorn’s Longwinds plantings above Col Solare on Red Mountain were just getting started when Brian Rudin selected his top 10 barrels for this reserve program. Fruit from the Williams family of Kiona fame, as well as historic Klipsun and emerging Quintessence vineyards, has contributed to Canvasback along the way, and the warm 2014 vintage allowed vineyard manager Dick Boushey to get both the Cabernet Sauvignon (80%) and Merlot (20%) off by Sept. 30. Still, those berries achieved more than 26 Brix. The 22 months in 90% new French oak barrels help account for aromas of plum, pomegranate, bittersweet chocolate and chalkboard dust. Those descriptors hold true for the palate, too, where blackberries and bold tannins are joined by juicy blueberries, making for a mouthfilling finish. Suggested pairings include this recipe for Turkey Chili.
Rating: Excellent
Production: 232 cases
Alcohol: 14.5%
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