Today we share the amazing wines of Woodward Canyon — one of Washington’s oldest wineries. For years I have admired these wines as I have tasted at the property for more than 20 years. Rick Small is the original vintner and his children have taken over the business in the past five plus years. For several decades winemaker Kevin Mott has crafted a range of beautiful wines. Taking over in 2003, he made his mark as one of the bright talents of Washington. They have recently hired a new winemaker, Marcus Rafenlli who was formerly head winemaker at L’Ecole No. 41 and made some beautiful wines there.
Check out the stunning 2024 Woodward Canyon Chardonnay (OB, 94) which is lush, concentrated and filled with flavor density. I adore the 2023 Woodward Canyon ‘Estate’ Cabernet Franc (OB, 95) which is an amazing follow-up to the gorgeous 2022. Learn more about these fantastic new wines at woodwardcanyon.com and here are my reviews of the beautiful new wines by Woodward Canyon.
2024 Woodward Canyon ‘Washington State’ Chardonnay- The 2024 ‘Washington State’ Chardonnay is a beautiful new bottling that was stored in a small portion of new French oak before bottling. Rich pear and peach flavors collide with copious minerals on the palate, with vanilla creme brûlée accents. This is totally dazzling stuff that is best enjoyed over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2026-2034- 94
2023 Woodward Canyon ‘Estate Reserve’ Red Wine- The 2023 ‘Estate Reserve’ is mainly Cabernet Sauvignon (59%) with smaller portions Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Merlot. This is concentrated and wonderfully finesse- laden. Rich mocha and tar notes combine with bright red and dark fruits, with coffee ground accents on the palate. Seamless and elegant with good length, enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2026-2041- 95
2023 Woodward Canyon ‘Artist Series #32’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The outstanding 2023 Woodward Canyon ‘Artist Series #32’ Cabernet Sauvignon was stored in a combination of French and Hungarian oak before bottling. It is a rich and viscous rendition, loaded with kirsch and black raspberry flavors that meld well with milk chocolate and fresh sage. A gorgeous rendition, this is already beautifully defined stuff that will deliver drinking enjoyment over the next fifteen years. Drink 2026-2041- 94
2023 Woodward Canyon ‘Estate’ Cabernet Franc- A glorious rendition of this wine, that is both herbal and highly gratifying in terms of flavor density, the 2023 ‘Estate’ cabernet Franc leads with green bell pepper and rabbitbrush notes on the nose alongside suggestions of Linzer torte. Lush and round on the mouth with terrific tension, this glides throughout the drinking experience, offering a generous core of red and dark fruits that parade with espresso grounds and herbal accents. Drink 2026-2042- 95
2023 Woodward Canyon ‘Old Vines’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Another stunning edition, the 2023 ‘Old Vines’ is a hedonistic and massive bottling that needs about 1-2 hours in the decanter before enjoying. Once aroused, this offers violet rose petals, scorched earth and wintergreen notes on the nose alongside heady dark fruits. The pallets is plush and refined with a sinfully good mouthfeel and bright underlying acidity. Glorious in its heady youth, watch this beauty evolve over the next two decades. Drink 2026-2046- 96