Walla Walla Wine Month might be over but that doesn’t stop us from sharing some of the world class wines from this special region. Incredibly, Woodward Canyon was founded back in 1981 when Rick and Darcy Small bet on planting grape vines in the southwestern edge of Walla Walla and founded Woodward Canyon. I have personally tasted at this winery since 2002. For years I have admired the quality of not only their red wines but their white wines that are very age-worthy. T
At the helm is Kevin Mott who first came to Woodward Canyon back in 2003 and has been a shareholder since 2011. Rafa Sifuentes who worked as cellar master for 16 years serves as his assistant winemaker. Woodward Canyon have a special reputation for deep and concentrated red wines with good balance. I was massively impressed with their new wines mainly from the 2018 vintage. Their 2018 Woodward Canyon ‘Estate’ Cabernet Franc (OB, 94) is dense with amazing varietal character and herbal tones that make this distinctly Washington Cabernet Franc. I just love this wine. Even better is the incredible 2017 Woodward Canyon ‘40th Anniversary’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 95) which is intense and showing good richness from both the Champoux and Woodward Canyon Estate Vineyards. This gorgeous effort will cellar well for another twenty years. Learn more about this historic Washington winery at https://www.woodwardcanyon.com/ Here are the gorgeous new release wines by Woodward Canyon.
2018 Woodward Canyon ‘Estate’ Red Wine- Made from Syrah, Mourvedre and Grenache grapes, this unique wine for this producer shows flinty and smoky tones on the nose with a good core of red and dark fruits that all mingle together in the glass. The palate is soft and very generous with a terrific sense of mouthfeel. Red currant jelly, smoked pork shoulder and blackberry cobbler flavors all marvelously meld together, with a dusting of white pepper. This is really good stuff even at the three year mark. Drink. 2021-2031-93
2018 Woodward Canyon ‘Estate Reserve’ Red Wine- The ‘Estate Reserve’ is a big wine that really needs some air to tame. Truly unique, the final blending was 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 12% Petit Verdot, 8% Syrah and 5% Malbec. After a few hours the wine shows really good viscosity and freshness with dark currants, dried herbs and black cherry cordial tones, giving this an air of decadence. The beautiful length adds to the enjoyment. Drink 2022-2038- 94
2018 Woodward Canyon ‘Estate’ Cabernet Franc- I completely adore the new 2018 ‘Estate’ Cabernet Franc. This shows amazing varietal character with red bell pepper, dried sage and red currants that march on with spicy undertones on this beautiful bouquet. The palate is fresh and viscous with a great sense of mouthfeel. This finishes exceedingly long. Gorgeous in its youth, this has another fifteen or twenty years to go. Drink 2021-2036- 94
2017 Woodward Canyon ‘40th Anniversary’ Cabernet Sauvignon- In honor of their 40th anniversary, Woodward Canyon founder Rick Small has chosen to make a limited production bottling that is equal parts Champoux Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon and Woodward Canyon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine is gorgeous on the mouth with its silky texture and wonderful sense of verve and viscosity. Ripe dark currants collide with minerals, smoke, sagebrush and blackberry compote on the palate. Full-bodied and delightful even at the four year mark, this beautiful wine will cellar well for another fifteen to twenty years. Drink 2021-2038- 95