You might be surprised to know that Washington State is the second largest wine producer in the U.S. behind California. And yet Washington wine is still something of a mystery. Sure, grapes were first planted in 1825 in the Evergreen State, but it has not been able to brand itself the way California, even Oregon’s Willamette Valley, have done.
But that is changing with a place called Red Mountain, an American Viticultural Area (AVA) within the larger Yakima Valley AVA. Canvasback is committed to producing Cabernet Sauvignon from arguably the states’ best region. Canvasback, comprising mainly Cabernet Sauvignon with some Merlot and small amounts of Petite Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc, spent 20 months aging in oak barrels
The result is a wine offering black cherry, blackberry, blueberry compote, cedar and like many Washington wines, an earthier quality with less bright fruit and with a bit more acidity than Cabernet from, say Napa. There is a richness to this wine, a velvetiness on the palate. I’ve had the Canvasback each vintage since its initial release in 2013 and it keeps getting better, more refined and more harmonious and balanced.
Score: 91 Points
SRP? $40/ 750ML
What Can I Pair it With? Hangar steak with sautéed mushrooms; Smoked and grilled tofu with brown rice and sweet peas; Traditional ragu Bolognese.
14,000 cases
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