2021 Canvasback Red Mountain Merlot
In Stock
Home to some of Washington State’s most celebrated vineyards, Red Mountain is renowned for Merlot. With ideal southwest-facing slopes and significant day and nighttime temperature swings, this small but highly prized area in Eastern Washington produces exceptional wines. Named for the Canvasback duck, which is native to the Pacific Flyway, this wine was crafted from grapes cultivated by some of Red Mountain’s finest growers.With Canvasback, our aim is to express and develop the depth, structure and sophistication that define wines from this young and exciting appellation.
Wine Profile
Production Notes
Varietal Composition: 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon
Winemaker Notes
This captivating wine combines the fleshy, fine-grained tannins and luxurious ripe red berry flavors that make Merlot so pleasurable with a robust mountain structure. On the palate, flavors of Bing cherry, strawberry and black raspberry mingle with savory undertones and hints of sagebrush, graphite, lily and lilac as it builds to a long, layered finish.
Production
The 2021 vintage on Red Mountain will be famous for its warm growing season and its drought conditions, which combined to produce historically low yields. While budbreak was two weeks ahead of normal thanks to a warm, dry spring, blustery weather during flowering caused some shatter leading to very low yields. A late-June heatwave led to incredible phenolic development, while a second heatwave during veraison spurred the vines towards early ripening. Harvest started early, with ideal weather throughout September and October, and concluded two weeks ahead of schedule without any pressure from frost or rain. Due to the low yields and intense midsummer heat, our 2021 wines are displaying incredible power, ripeness and concentration.
Wine Specs
Wine Specs
Vintage
2021
Varietal
Merlot
Appellation
Red Mountain
Acid
0.52 g/100 ml
pH
3.86
Aging
Aged 15 months in 100% French oak 50% new, 50% neutral
Alcohol %
14.5
