Canard Estate Zinfandel
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
100% Zinfandel
Tasting Note
Structured, balanced and layered with great depth and flavor, this is not your
typical Zinfandel. Known as the great converter, this wine often changes people’s
perception of how incredible Zinfandel can truly be. Not your typical Zinfandel.
This wine has all the structure, balance and elegance of a Napa Valley Cab, but
the maintains the spice and brambly nature of the Zinfandel grape. On the nose
and upon entry, the wine is a seamless transition of rich, ripe blackberry, cedar,
exotic spices and a hint of toffee. The mid-palate is full bodied with a luscious
mouth feel of ripe red cherries and sweet black plums. The finish is long and so
with hints of vanilla bean, coriander and toasted oak.