It is my pleasure to share one of the wineries that I first visited back in 2002. Woodward Canyon began back in 1981 when Rick and Darcey Small took a leap of faith and planted a range of grape varietals in the Walla Walla Valley. Today their son, Sager, and daughter, Jordan head Woodward Canyon, as Sager serves as vineyard manager and Jordan takes the reins as general manager. These are wines that age so gracefully. Years ago I had the opportunity to try every edition of their ‘Artist Series’ Cabernet Sauvignon and have been so impressed with how that wine ages.
It is hard to believe that they are now on their 29th edition of this wine. The 2020 Woodward Canyon ‘Artist Series’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 93) is dense, chewy and delicious — it is extraordinary wine to consume right now. Woodward Canyon have developed a nationwide reputation for great Chardonnay. I loved the 2021 Woodward Canyon ‘Washington State’ Chardonnay (OB, 93) which deftly walks the tightrope between weight and finesse I was absolutely enamored by the 2020 Woodward Canyon ‘Old Vines Washington’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 95) which shows a hedonistic bent and plenty of bright acidity and firm tannins to hold things up. This beautiful wine has decades of life ahead of it. Learn more about this historic Washington winery at https://www.woodwardcanyon.com/ Here are the gorgeous new release wines by Woodward Canyon.
2021 Woodward Canyon ‘Estate’ Sauvignon Blanc- The 2021 Woodward Canyon ‘Estate’ Sauvignon Blanc which comes from four different clones and two different blocks in their estate vineyard. The wine comes off very fresh with gooseberry, lime zest and a smooth texture. The weight and salty undertones really add to the enjoyment. Drink 2022-2027- 92
2021 Woodward Canyon ‘Washington State’ Chardonnay- This vintage is 100% sourced from the Woodward Canyon ‘Estate’ Vineyard which was stored in roughly 20% new French oak. This version did not undergo malolactic fermentation and reveals banana, brioche and salted almond notes on the palate. Delicious now, consume over the next five to seven years. Drink 2022-2028- 93
2020 Woodward Canyon ‘Syrah Mourvèdre Grenache’ Red Wine- This blends 50% Syrah with 38% Syrah and 12% Grenache. Smoked brisket, white pepper and green olives all combine on the nose. The palate is very fresh and focused with a seamless texture. Layered and showing nice lavender and salty notes, this is beautiful wine to consume now and over the next eight plus years. Drink 2022-2030- 93
2020 Woodward Canyon ‘Estate’ Cabernet Franc- The 2020 ‘Estate’ Cabernet Franc is a beautiful new wine by Woodward Canyon. Black and red florals combine with green herbs, blackberry and shades of roasted plum. The palate is soft and refined with a silky texture and serious length. Showing good weight, this is beautiful Cabernet Franc that will cellar well for another ten plus years. Drink 2022-2032- 93
2020 Woodward Canyon ‘Estate’ Merlot- The 2020 ‘Estate’ Merlot is a dense and chewy 100% varietal bottling by winemaker Kevin Moss that has some great aging potential. Cocoa powder and dense black fruits combine with clay soils on the nose. The palate is soft and inviting with great stuffing and flavor density. Finishing long with serious length, enjoy this beauty over the next ten plus years. Drink 2022-2033- 93
2020 Woodward Canyon ‘Estate Clone 4’ Cabernet Sauvignon- This 2020 single clone Cabernet Sauvignon is a beautiful expression of Walla Walla Cabernet. Once on the nose this takes on loganberry with dried herbs and shades of espresso grounds. The palate is fresh and shows good weight and finesse, with a loaded core of black fruits and bright acidity that holds everything together. Drink 2022-2035- 93
2020 Woodward Canyon ‘Artist Series’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2020 ‘Artist Series’ is a flat out fabulous blend of 76% Cavernet Sauvignon with the remainder Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and a touch of Syrah, Dolcetto and Barbera. The resultant blend is an outstanding wine that was stored in mostly new French oak before bottling. On the nose this takes on toasty oak with black currants, Turkish coffee and dark chocolate shavings. Showing deep concentration and a silky texture, this blend really makes Petit Verdot shine with its massive blue fruits, light green herbs and tannins. Drink 2022-2035- 93
2020 Woodward Canyon ‘Estate Reserve’ Red Wine- The 2020 ‘Estate Reserve’ Red Wine blends 35% Cabernet Sauvignon with 29% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Franc with a touch of Malbec and Petit Verdot that was all stored in 100% French oak. The palate is very soft and refined with lovely herbal and graphite tones alongside Asian spices, black currant jelly, and coffee grounds with firm tannins holding things brilliantly in place. This has some serious aging potential. Drink 2023-2040- 94
2020 Woodward Canyon ‘Old Vines’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The brilliant 2020 Woodward Canyon ‘Old Vines’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a sensational new bottling by Kevin Moss. The palate is dense and chewy with serious finesse and nice richness. Dark cherry cordial with mocha and shades of black licorice all combine on the palate. This has a weightless quality and an extremely long, black fruit-driven finish that completes this seamless beauty. Generous and layered, this will cellar well over the next fifteen years. Drink 2022-2037- 95