Canard Adam’s Blend Cabernet Franc
The History
Situated on the Northwest corner of Dunaweal Lane and the Silverado Trail in Calistoga, the twenty-five acre property is considered a historic vineyard in Napa Valley. The estate was the original homestead of Reason P. Tucker, who gained notoriety for leading the efforts to rescue the survivors of the ill-fated Donnor Party. The residence at Canard was built in 1859 and quickly became the center of social activity in the area during the late 1800’s. Zinfandel was planted over 135 years ago and remarkably those dry farmed vines still stand, yielding a small quantity of incredibly elegant fruit, which goes into our highly coveted Estate and Estate Reserve Zinfandel. Over the years, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and, of course Cabernet Sauvignon were planted and have been meticulously cared for using painstaking but extremely effective vineyard practices. Creating wine at this level demands a great deal of discernment and sacrifice and most of it takes place in the vineyard. The result is the culmination of what man and nature can do when they work together in harmony.
The Grape
91% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot, 4% Cabernet
Sauvignon
Tasting Note
This Cabernet Franc dominant blend “bridges” the two main varietals from Bordeaux, the
Le Bank which favors Cabernet Sauvignon and the Right Bank which favors Merlot and
completes the series of proprietary blends from Canard Vineyard. This wine is complex yet
medium bodied with long so tannins. Perfumed nose with hints of strawberry jam, red
plums and violets. A smooth delicate entry yields to great structure and a long finish of
ground rose buds, cocoa, rhubarb, sweet cranberries and cherries. Aged in French oak to
create a long-term, age-worthy blend, this will easily cellar well for 10+ years.