{"title":"Canard","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"canard-cabernet-sauvignon-reserve-napa-2012","title":"Canard Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Napa 2012","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCanard Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Napa 2012\u003c\/strong\u003e is a limited-production Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon bottled at 14.70% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Produced from only four barrels of dry-farmed Clone 7 fruit, this reserve earned an 89-point critics score on Wine-Searcher and reflects a winery that has accumulated over fifty ratings of 90 points or above across recent vintages.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuick Facts:\u003c\/strong\u003e ABV: 14.70%  |  Origin: Napa Valley, California  |  Vintage: 2012  |  Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon  |  Producer: Canard Vineyard\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eProduction \u0026amp; Heritage\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCanard Vineyard is a small-lot Napa Valley estate that dry farms its Clone 7 Cabernet Sauvignon block — a deliberate choice that forces vine roots deep into the soil, yielding smaller berries with intensely concentrated flavors and layered minerality. The 2012 Reserve underwent open-top fermentation and was then aged in the same barrel used for fermentation, a technique that preserves primary fruit character while integrating oak influence seamlessly. Total production amounted to just four barrels, making this one of Canard's most limited releases.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAroma:\u003c\/strong\u003e The nose is meaty and savory, opening with highly concentrated cassis fruit before revealing darker, more brooding layers. Extended time in the glass brings forward earthy undertones and a subtle spice complexity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTaste:\u003c\/strong\u003e The entry is dark and very rich, immediately coating the palate with chocolate-covered cherry cordial, ripe persimmon, and black plum. Mid-palate weight is substantial, with velvety but firm tannins providing architecture that carries the concentrated fruit through to a peak of savory depth. The overall impression is one of density without heaviness — the hallmark of well-ripened, low-yield fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Long, soft, and elegant, trailing off with hints of clove and black fig. The tannin structure extends the finish further, leaving a persistent, gently drying mineral quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eHow to Drink Canard Reserve\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA wine of this concentration and structure is best served at cellar temperature (60–65°F) with 30 to 60 minutes of decanting to open up its layered aromatics. Sipping it neat allows the full progression from cassis and chocolate cherry through the spiced, fig-laced finish to unfold without interference. For cocktail-curious drinkers: a structured Cabernet Sangria built with stone fruit and cinnamon leverages its dark plum intensity; a red wine Negroni variation substitutes a pour of this Reserve for vermouth, where the firm tannins stand up to Campari's bitterness; and a simple Kalimotxo-style serve over ice with cola can make a surprisingly fun warm-weather drink that highlights its chocolate and cherry notes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eBest For\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCellaring alongside other notable 2012 Napa vintages for long-term aging\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGifting a Napa Valley wine collector who values micro-production bottlings\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePairing with a grilled ribeye or braised short rib dinner\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOpening on a milestone anniversary to mark the 2012 vintage year\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does Canard Reserve taste like?\u003c\/strong\u003e It delivers a rich, layered profile of chocolate-covered cherry, ripe persimmon, and black plum supported by velvety yet firm tannins. The finish is long and elegant with lingering clove and black fig.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does Canard Reserve compare to other small-lot Napa Cabernets?\u003c\/strong\u003e Its dry-farmed Clone 7 sourcing and four-barrel production place it among the most limited Napa Cabernets available, with a savory, meaty character that distinguishes it from the more fruit-forward style typical of irrigated Napa vineyards. The open-top fermentation and single-barrel aging method also give it a more integrated oak profile than many reserve-tier Napa bottlings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Canard Reserve good for sipping neat?\u003c\/strong\u003e Absolutely — its concentrated structure, layered tasting profile, and long finish make it a wine designed for attentive, unhurried drinking. A brief decant helps reveal the full complexity of the nose and palate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere is Canard Reserve made?\u003c\/strong\u003e It is produced by Canard Vineyard in Napa Valley, California, from estate-grown Clone 7 Cabernet Sauvignon vines that are dry farmed to maximize concentration and terroir expression.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat foods pair well with Canard Reserve?\u003c\/strong\u003e Grilled ribeye steak matches its tannic structure and meaty aromatics; braised lamb shanks echo its savory, clove-spiced finish; dark chocolate truffles complement the chocolate cherry notes; aged Gouda or Gruyère bridges its fruit richness and firm tannins; and roasted portobello mushrooms resonate with its earthy, concentrated character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat sizes does Canard Reserve come in?\u003c\/strong\u003e The standard release is a 750ml bottle, consistent with Canard Vineyard's small-lot production format.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Canard Reserve worth the price?\u003c\/strong\u003e It positions as a premium, micro-production Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon — just four barrels were made — which places it in a value tier where scarcity and vineyard-specific character define the proposition rather than brand recognition alone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWhy Canard Reserve?\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2012 vintage is widely regarded as one of Napa Valley's finest growing seasons, and Canard's four-barrel Reserve captures that vintage character through a production approach that few wineries attempt at this scale: dry-farmed Clone 7 vines, open-top fermentation, and aging in the same barrel from start to finish. That single-barrel continuity yields a wine with unusually seamless integration between fruit, oak, and tannin. With an 89-point critics score and the winery's broader track record of 90-plus ratings, this bottling represents a concentrated, terroir-driven expression of Napa Cabernet that rewards both immediate drinking and patient cellaring.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Canard","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44837630607529,"sku":"27881","price":139.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0680\/1024\/6313\/files\/Canard_Cabernet_Sauvignon_Reserve_Napa__38388.jpg?v=1730488796"}],"url":"https:\/\/theliquorbarn.com\/collections\/canard.oembed","provider":"The Liquor Barn","version":"1.0","type":"link"}