Founding winemaker Brian Rudin, and his successor, Joseph Czarny, worked with nine vineyards along the slopes of Red Mountain, including renowned Quintessence and Duckhorn’s own young Longwinds site — established in 2014 and managed by the famed Dick Boushey. It can be awkward for Duckhorn to extol the virtues of the Canvasback project because a Cab with this quality may cost exponentially more if it came from one of their Napa brands. The 20-month barrel program in 45% new French oak helps build a classic profile of black cherry, vanilla bean, anise, pipe tobacco, dusty sagebrush and black pepper. It’s a remarkable Cab built for now and the future, and its production will make it easy to acquire. Qualifying award: Los Angeles International (gold)
Rating: Double Platinum • 95 points
Production: 11,864 cases
Alcohol: 14.5%
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