One of the storied Walla Walla wineries, as part of Walla Walla Wine Month we bring you a historic Washington mainstay, founded in 1981. I have long admired these beautiful, full-bodied wines. Back in 2002, I was one of the few Whitman College students going to tasting rooms and thinking about aromas and flavors of wine, but I am very glad that I did. Woodward Canyon was one of the first tasting rooms that I ever set foot in, but I can remember being impressed with the wines since my first visit. Woodward Canyon crafts some of most consistently good Cabernets and Chardonnays in Washington.
Their ‘Artist Series’ Cabernet Sauvignon has been truly one of the most consistent red wines made in Washington since their first vintage in 1993. This a wine that ages gracefully for decades. I have had several vintages of this wine in the past year, including a stellar Vertical Tasting that I did with Rick and Darcy Small that included every vintage of the wine (minus one). These wines had some amazing aging potential and even the oldest vintages of the wine were showing well. Their new edition the 2017 Woodward Canyon ‘Artist Series’ Cabernet Sauvignon (WWB, 93) is dense, layered and beautifully textured with layers of toasty oak that surround a deep core of dark fruits. This is one for the cellar. I was totally blown away by their 2017 Woodward Canyon ‘Estate Reserve’ Red Wine (WWB, 94) which is a blend that always changes but this year it relies on Cabernet Franc. This is a massive, chewy wine that has a long life to live. Learn more about this historic Washington winery at https://www.woodwardcanyon.com/ Here are the gorgeous new release wines by Woodward Canyon.
2017 Woodward Canyon ‘Artist Series’ Cabernet Sauvignon-One of the iconic Cabernet wines made in Washington state, it was an incredible experience last summer to taste through all of the vintages (minus one) of this glorious wine. The new, 2017 edition is a gorgeous new wine that has a long life ahead of it. Layers of toasty oak mingle with Black Forest Cake, black tea and exotic spices on this expressive nose. The palate is full-bodied and wonderfully textured. Creme de cassis, anise, wild blackberry cobbler and shades of milk chocolate all come together on the palate. With great length and weight, the 2017 ‘Artist Series’ Cabernet Sauvignon will cellar well for decades to come. Drink 2020-2035- 93
2017 Woodward Canyon ‘Estate’ Cabernet Franc- the 2017 Woodward Canyon ‘Estate’ Cabernet Franc is a beautiful new wine that has a long way int he cellar to go. The herbal undertones of the nose, alongside the core of black fruits and toasty oak sing in unison aromatically. Once on the palate you feel that silky texture as layers of toasty oak wrap their way around ripe blackberries, black currants and black tea flavors, with tobacco and baking spices that all meld together. Fresh and gratifying to enjoy right now, the 2017 ‘Estate’ Cabernet Franc will enjoy a long life ahead of it. Drink 2020-2032- 93
2017 Woodward Canyon ‘Estate Reserve’ Red Wine- A blend which changes each year, the 2017 edition highlights Cabernet Franc (59%) with smaller portions Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Merlot. The herbal and red bell pepper tones entice as baking spices, cocoa powder and ripe boysenberry aromatics build in the glass. The palate is dense and intense, showing a seamless texture. Layers of toasty oak wrap around the ripe dark fruits with chocolate, creosote and mineral accents on the palate. Gorgeous in its youth, this massive and chewy ‘Estate Reserve; will cellar well for decades to come. If enjoying in its youth, be sure to give this a two hour decant. Drink 2020-2038- 94