Canard Vineyard
2016 Cabernet Sauvignon
Calistoga
Auction 22 | Lot No. 6
Vintage: 2016
Canard Vineyard
Cabernet Sauvignon
Calistoga
5 cases produced
Highlights
- From one of Napa's historic vineyards, this is 100% Clone 7, dry-farmed, estate Cabernet Sauvignon
- Whole-cluster pressed, barrel fermented and aged in Fleur de Quintessence French oak for two years
- A culmination of painstaking vineyard practices and winemaking techniques that push the envelope
- A handcrafted, small-scale wine of distinction that will truly be memorable for years to come
Description
The wines created over the years for Premiere Napa Valley are some of the best in the world. Sparing no expense, it's an opportunity to showcase what can be done when you use the finest grapes from the estate, the best French oak barrels and winemaking techniques that push the envelope. The result is nothing less then a spectacular expression of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.
Wine Facts
- Wine was dry farmed
- Sustainably produced
- Wine is 100% estate grown and bottled
Brian Graham
Winemaker, Canard Vineyard
Brian grew up in Denton, Texas which is just north of Dallas. His father was a real estate lawyer
and spent his hard-earned dollars on three things: his family, golf and wine.
At age 14 Brian’s father gave him his first experience with wine during the celebration of a large
real estate deal Brian’s dad had just closed:
After dinner the family raised their glasses and toasted success. Brian thought his drink was a
shot and downed the whole glass as if it were Jose Cuervo. Feeling pretty proud of himself, Brian
looked up with a beam on his face, only to see his dad’s face the color of a strawberry daquiri. He
explained to Brian that wine was meant to be savored and enjoyed, not pounded like a lunatic. He
added that Brian was not allowed to have any more wine with him until he learned the true
meaning of wine.
Brian’s embarrassment prompted an eager discourse with his father on a regular basis. That first
wine, a 1963 Dow port, launched an intense study and love of the elixir.
During college and several years after, Brian managed wine stores. After five years in retail,
Brian moved into the distribution field of the industry, feeling that he would be closer to the
source of his passion.
A year later, Brian called in a favor to a friend named Francois who owned a Chateau in
Bordeaux and asked if he could help Brian find a job and place to stay. Francois welcomed Brian
to work with him and his winemaking family for as long as he liked. Brian sold everything he
owned, purchased a one-way plane ticket to France then set off to learn how to grow grapes and
make wine.
Brian attended the University of Bordeaux while working at several small Chateaux including
Chateau Roquefort in Bordeaux. He also worked harvest in Burgundy at an extremely small
winery named Domaine Serrigny - Jean-Pierre & Fils in Savigny-Les-Beaune. Hands on, all of
the machines were powered by hand, Brian loved working the land. Brian traveled France and
surrounding countries eating, tasting and soaking in the old world style of winemaking.
Wanting to learn more, while still living in France, Brian attended the Wine and Spirits
Educational Trust in London. The school specializes in teaching retailers every detail of each
wine region around the world. He was able to learn about techniques, terroirs and significant
nuances not attainable in any other way. Brian’s challenge was not in absorbing this volume of
information but flying to London to attend school, then flying back after class in order to continue
work in Bordeaux.
Brian moved to Napa in 1997, continuing his education and working for several wineries and
winemakers of distinction before focusing his attention on a special piece of land in Calistoga
called Canard Vineyard.
All of Canard’s single vineyard wines are produced from dry farmed, estate grown grapes which
are skillfully transformed into the finest expression of each varietal and showcase the unique
terroir from which they are grown. Brian’s French training straddles a fine line between Old
World elegance and the vibrancy of the fruit produced from this historic vineyard in Calistoga. In
just the last few vintages, Canard has received over fifty ratings of 90 points or above. Brian is
dedicated to creating wines of distinction with an emphasis on consistently producing quality
wines year after year.
Country born: United States
Education: Studied in Bordeaux. Interned at Chateau Roquefort .
Years in the wine industry: 10-15 years
Winemaking Philosophy:
Make the best wine possible from the whatever Mother Nature gives me. Every year is different and that's what makes winemaking so exciting. It's not too difficult to make good wine when all the conditions are perfect. The measure of a good winemaker is to see how he or she handles the difficult vintages.
Brian Graham
Winemaker, Canard Vineyard
Brian grew up in Denton, Texas which is just north of Dallas. His father was a real estate lawyer
and spent his hard-earned dollars on three things: his family, golf and wine.
At age 14 Brian’s father gave him his first experience with wine during the celebration of a large
real estate deal Brian’s dad had just closed:
After dinner the family raised their glasses and toasted success. Brian thought his drink was a
shot and downed the whole glass as if it were Jose Cuervo. Feeling pretty proud of himself, Brian
looked up with a beam on his face, only to see his dad’s face the color of a strawberry daquiri. He
explained to Brian that wine was meant to be savored and enjoyed, not pounded like a lunatic. He
added that Brian was not allowed to have any more wine with him until he learned the true
meaning of wine.
Brian’s embarrassment prompted an eager discourse with his father on a regular basis. That first
wine, a 1963 Dow port, launched an intense study and love of the elixir.
During college and several years after, Brian managed wine stores. After five years in retail,
Brian moved into the distribution field of the industry, feeling that he would be closer to the
source of his passion.
A year later, Brian called in a favor to a friend named Francois who owned a Chateau in
Bordeaux and asked if he could help Brian find a job and place to stay. Francois welcomed Brian
to work with him and his winemaking family for as long as he liked. Brian sold everything he
owned, purchased a one-way plane ticket to France then set off to learn how to grow grapes and
make wine.
Brian attended the University of Bordeaux while working at several small Chateaux including
Chateau Roquefort in Bordeaux. He also worked harvest in Burgundy at an extremely small
winery named Domaine Serrigny - Jean-Pierre & Fils in Savigny-Les-Beaune. Hands on, all of
the machines were powered by hand, Brian loved working the land. Brian traveled France and
surrounding countries eating, tasting and soaking in the old world style of winemaking.
Wanting to learn more, while still living in France, Brian attended the Wine and Spirits
Educational Trust in London. The school specializes in teaching retailers every detail of each
wine region around the world. He was able to learn about techniques, terroirs and significant
nuances not attainable in any other way. Brian’s challenge was not in absorbing this volume of
information but flying to London to attend school, then flying back after class in order to continue
work in Bordeaux.
Brian moved to Napa in 1997, continuing his education and working for several wineries and
winemakers of distinction before focusing his attention on a special piece of land in Calistoga
called Canard Vineyard.
All of Canard’s single vineyard wines are produced from dry farmed, estate grown grapes which
are skillfully transformed into the finest expression of each varietal and showcase the unique
terroir from which they are grown. Brian’s French training straddles a fine line between Old
World elegance and the vibrancy of the fruit produced from this historic vineyard in Calistoga. In
just the last few vintages, Canard has received over fifty ratings of 90 points or above. Brian is
dedicated to creating wines of distinction with an emphasis on consistently producing quality
wines year after year.
Country born: United States
Education: Studied in Bordeaux. Interned at Chateau Roquefort .
Years in the wine industry: 10-15 years
Winemaking Philosophy:
Make the best wine possible from the whatever Mother Nature gives me. Every year is different and that's what makes winemaking so exciting. It's not too difficult to make good wine when all the conditions are perfect. The measure of a good winemaker is to see how he or she handles the difficult vintages.
Nos Caves Vin
2501 Wroxton
Houston TX 77005
713-722-0181
Premiere Napa Valley Wine Collection
| Winery | Vintage | Variety | Appellation | Fanciful | Auction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chandon | 2007 | Sparkling Wine | Yountville | Yountville Vintage Brut - Library Selection | 28 |
| Jean Edwards Cellars | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Four of a Kind | 28 |
| Hyde Estate | 2021 | Pinot Noir | Los Carneros | Larry Hyde | 26 |
| Matthiasson | 2019 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley | Phoenix Vineyard | 25 |
| Etude | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Coombsville | Clone 4 Meteor Vineyard | 24 |
| Gandona Estate | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 24 | |
| Spoto Family Wines | 2018 | Cabernet Franc | Oakville | Oakville Station | 24 |
| Volker Eisele Family Estate | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Chiles Valley District | 24 | |
| Boich Family Cellar | 2017 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Proprietor's Barrel | 23 |
| Ehlers Estate | 2017 | Cabernet Franc | St. Helena | 23 | |
| Canard Vineyard | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Calistoga | 22 | |
| von Strasser & Lava Vine Winery | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Diamond Mountain District | So Sori, Sori Bricco Vineyard | 22 |
| Cairdean Estate | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Coombsville | Acquaintance Vineyard | 20 |
| Chase Cellars | 2015 | Zinfandel | St. Helena | Hayne Vineyard | 20 |
| Cliff Lede Vineyards Napa Green Winery | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | Cinnamon Devil | 20 |
| Larkmead Vineyards | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | A5W | 20 |
| Pride Mountain Vineyards | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Summit Select | 20 |
| Spottswoode Estate Vineyard & Winery Napa Green Winery | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 20 | |
| THE GRADE Cellars | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Calistoga | Fourteener | 20 |
| Paoletti Estates Winery | 2012 | Malbec | Calistoga | 18 | |
| Oakville East Exposure | 2011 | Cabernet Franc | Oakville | Majek | 17 |
| Clos Pegase | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Antipodes | 16 |
| Derenoncourt California | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | A Tale of Two Terroirs | 16 |
| Meteor Vineyard | 2009 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Celestia (90% Cabernet /10% Petite Verdot) | 15 |
| Spring Mountain Vineyard | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Spring Mountain District | The Pearl | 15 |
| Tayson Pierce Estate Wines | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Cuvée Rothchild | 15 |
| Meander | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | The Twist | 14 |
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