By Canvasback
2021 Red Mountain Merlot

Estate
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, we aim to express and develop the depth, structure, and sophistication that define wines from this young and exciting appellation.

Vintage Notes
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.

Winemaking 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.

Winemaking
Appellation: Red Mountain
Vineyards: Ciel du Cheval, Longwinds
Varietal Composition: 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon
Oak Profile and Aging: Aged 15 months in 100% French oak; 50% new, 50% neutral
Key Coopers: Nadalie, Seguin Moreau, Boutes
Alcohol: 14.50%
pH: 3.86
Acidity: 0.52 g/100ml
[Information provided by The Duckhorn Portfolio]

Wine: Canvasback Merlot Red Mountain 2021
Score/Rating: 93
Review Date: 12/19/2024
Reviewed By: James Suckling
Tasting Notes: Savory and brooding aromas of mulberries, plums, cassia bark and mocha, The palate is full-bodied with fine tannins and bright acidity, giving notes of pomegranates, graphite, sage and dried herbs. Soft and generous with a fine structure. Drink or hold.

Wine: Canvasback Merlot Red Mountain 2021
Score/Rating: 91
Suggested Drinking Window: Drink now through 2031
Review Date: 12/23/2024
Reviewed By: Tim Fish
Tasting Notes: A tightly structured red, with a sturdy backbone of tannins and acid framed by currant, licorice and tobacco flavors that firm up the finish. Best from 2026 through 2031.

Wine: Canvasback, Merlot, Red Mountain, Washington, USA, 2021
Score/Rating: 91
Suggested Drinking Window: 2024 - 2033
Review Date: 12/04/2024
Reviewed By: Clive Pursehouse
Tasting Notes: Red Mountain has long been home to some of Washington's top Merlot, with this fruit sourced from the iconic Ciel du Cheval and Longwinds vineyards. A spicy blueberry note kicks off the aromatics, followed closely by chocolate and dried anise. The palate is pleasing and plumply fruited, with candied blueberries, intensely ripe black plums, and ample spice with a note of roast cinnamon stick to finish.

Wine: Canvasback 2021 Merlot Red Mountain
Score/Rating: 90
Suggested Drinking Window: 2024 - 2028
Review Date: 10/2024
Reviewed By: Eric Guido
Tasting Notes: The 2021 Merlot Red Mountain casts notes of wild berry, lavender and crushed violets up from the glass. It's juicy and round with ripe red and blue fruits and mineral tones elevated by cooling acidity. This tapers off classically dry, yet not overly tannic, leaving flowery perfumes and hints of spice.

Wine: 2021 Canvasback Merlot Red Mountain
Score/Rating: 87
Suggested Drinking Window: 2025 - 2028
Review Date: 04/03/2025
Reviewed By: Erin Brooks
Tasting Notes: The 2021 Merlot Red Mountain was blended with 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and matured for 15 months in 50% new French oak. It’s scented of red and black cherries and plums, cinnamon, vanilla, dried herbs and aniseed. The full-bodied palate is firm with soft acidity, and its flavors are overwhelmed by new-oak spice, which lingers on the finish. [...]