Woodward Canyon Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
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Dunnuck
Jeb -
Suckling
James -
Enthusiast
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Spirits
Wine & - Decanter
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Blend: 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The flagship here from this reference point estate is the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Old Vines, which is based on 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, and 2% Malbec aged 21 months in new barrels. The fruit comes 80% from the Sagemoor Vineyard, with smaller amounts from Champoux and Woodward Canyon. Deep purple/plum-colored with powerful notes of blackcurrants, dried earth, tobacco, lead pencil, and chocolate, this full-bodied, regal, austere beauty has a stacked mid-palate, a layered, mouthfilling texture, ripe tannins, and a great, great finish. Reminding me of a top Saint-Estephe (or Pauillac?), it needs to be hidden in the back of the cellar, but it will cruise for 30 years or more. Hats off to winemaker Kevin Mott for another gorgeous Cabernet Sauvignon that will stand up to the best out there.
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James Suckling
Plenty of chocolate and coffee character to the dark fruit here. It’s full-bodied with a velvety texture. Big wine, yet toned and polished. 93% cabernet sauvignon, 5% petit verdot and 2% malbec. Drink after 2022.
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Wine Enthusiast
As always, this wine is a blend of fruit from Champoux and Sagemoor vineyards, both first planted in the early 1970s. The aromas are reserved, with notes of blackberry, vanilla, spice and cigar box not yet ready to reveal themselves. Full, palate-coating, layered flavors follow, showing a lot of intensity. It packs a big punch, with a warm finish following. It's all about opulence but keeps it in balance.
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Wine & Spirits
Unabashedly old-school, this wine is all caramel and cedar, its black-fig fruit heavily paneled with oak. Don’t touch it for a decade, and decant it before serving.
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Decanter
Rich and full, with fresh, lifted notes of lively, engaging dark fruits. Balanced oak and violets, and a complex finish.
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2020-
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The winery has consistently produced premium, age-worthy, award-winning Cabernet Sauvignons and Merlots as well as Chardonnays. From the outset, Rick determined that quality would take precedence over quantity.
Consequently, Woodward Canyon has remained small. Woodward Canyon is located in Lowden in the Walla Walla Valley appellation. The tasting room is a restored 1870's farmhouse.
Woodward Canyon is a founding member of the Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance and VINEA, the Walla Walla Valley Winegrowers' Sustainable Trust.
Washington produces so many exciting wines, and that definitely includes Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. With over 10,000 acres under vine, Cabernet Sauvignon is now the most widely-grown varietal in the state. Terrific examples hail from sub-appellations like Red Mountain, Wahluke Slope, Horse Heaven Hills and Walla Walla Valley. One of the fascinations of these Columbia Valley Cabs is that they so often seem to have one foot in the New World and one in the Old. Representing the former are characteristics like the ripe, forward fruit that results from long sunny days during the growing season (up to two hours longer than in much of California). Old World similarities include an undeniable brightness from acidity, as well as notes of herbs, graphite and a dusty, sometimes gravelly minerality.
Whether you’re looking for a budget bottle for everyday enjoyment, or a stellar, world-class wine with tremendous aging potential, Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon wines can deliver the goods! Among the many fine options are bottles from Columbia Crest, Chateau Ste. Michelle, L’ecole #41, Quilceda Creek and Leonetti.