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I n t e n s i t y i s t h e K e y
Woodward
Canyon Winery was one of the first two wineries to help put the Walla Walla Valley on the
Washington wine map. From its first powerful 1981 cabernet sauvignon to its current
releases, Woodward Canyon wines, as well as its winemakers Rick Small and
Kevin Mott, are invariably
described as intense.
Intensity
begins with terroir, notes Rick Small. Characteristics of climate and soil indigenous
to particular sites are brought out and enhanced in Woodward Canyon wines. From
barrel-fermented, mouth-filling chardonnays to ripe, fruity merlots and focused
cabernet
sauvignons, Woodward Canyon wines have always benefited at the hands of winemakers intent on producing the
best of super-premium wines – winemakers committed to using fruit from specific
quality vineyards.
Terroir
diversity brings a variety of flavors, texture, structure and character to Woodward Canyon wines. Old-block vineyards of Champoux Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills provide mature vines from ancient soils for big,
well-structured wines; the silty loam soil of the newer
Pepper Bridge vineyard, in the Walla Walla appellation, produces rich flavors and supple
textures; Celilo Vineyard in the Columbia Gorge appellation and other vineyards in the Walla Walla Valley
are responsible for bringing complexity to
Woodward's award-winning chardonnays.
Woodward
Canyon's own vineyard is located at nearly 900 feet of elevation three miles
north in Lowden, WA. The soils are
layered with wind-blown loess over Ritzville silt loam over fractured
basalt. The vineyard was first planted in 1977 on third-generation
family land previously used for cattle and wheat production. (Continue on next column)
Since those early years,
the vineyard has grown to the current 42 planted acres predominantly to
cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and cabernet franc. There are various
experimental northern Italian and Rhone varieties planted as well. The
Walla Walla Valley cabernet sauvignon, sauvignon blanc and estate red are
the three principle wines produced from the estate Bordeaux plantings. Very
small amounts of Barbera, Dolcetto and a Grenache blend are also produced
from the Estate. All grapes are sustainably or organically grown at
Woodward Canyon Estate Vineyard. Minimal drip irrigation is utilized
and yields are typically in the 2-ton-per-acre range.
Be sure to slow your drive on Hwy 12 as you approach "Downtown" Lowden,
just 12 miles west of Walla Walla. Stop in
at Woodward Canyon's tasting room in the historic, onsite farm house, and
taste the distinctive wines everyone is talking about. Or call ahead
and join one of the Private Tastings in the Reserve
House.
Awards and high rankings in trade publications
have built a loyal following for Woodward Canyon wines. If you want to stay current on
the wines and matters of Woodward Canyon Winery,
register
for the winery newsletter.
Featured Woodward Canyon
Wines Notes by Rick Small
10% case discount on all wines, including mixed
cases!
2008 Estate Barbera
Walla Walla Valley 100% Barbera
$24.00 750ml bottle
Order Now
All grapes are sustainably or organically grown at
Woodward Canyon Estate Vineyard. The vineyard has been certified
sustainable by LIVE and the International Organisation for
Biological Control (IOBC). The IOBC was established in 1955 to
promote environmentally safe methods of pest and disease control in
plant protection. The vineyard is also designated as Salmon Safe.
This wine is 100% from the Estate Vineyard making it a designated
Salmon Safe wine.
After growing Barbera for nearly 10 years and
tracking every vintage, this wine expresses a richer, fuller
northern-Italian version and I like it a lot. It has a deep, dark
color and a generous nose of ripe black fruits; subtle flavors of
vanilla and crisp red fruits add to the layers of complexity. This
Barbera shows fantastic balance, great concentration of fruit and
soft mature tannins; the finish is generous, silky and long. Given
the balance and proportion of this wine, I expect that it could age
for 4 to 5 years although it drinks beautifully right now. This wine
was made to enjoy with northern Mediterranean food.
Production Notes and General Characteristics:
This Woodward Canyon Estate Vineyard Barbera was produced from two
distinct clones of this northern Italian variety. The grapes were
fermented in small stainless steel tanks and the wine was punched
down two times per day. After pressing, the wine went to
predominantly 500 liter Italian barrels, as well as some new French
chateau barrels, for completion of malolactic fermentation and
further development and maturation.
2007 Cabernet Sauvignon
Walla Walla Valley Vineyards: Woodward Canyon Estate, DuBrul Vineyard
Varietal Composition: 81% Cabernet Sauvignon; 11% Syrah; 8% Cabernet
Franc
$27.00 750ml bottle
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This 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon was produced from
grapes grown at Woodward Canyon Estate Vineyard (89%) and DuBrul
Vineyard (11%). All of the grapes were harvested by hand and sorted
prior to crushing. Only perfect clusters were used.
In 2007, we saw beautiful ripening with full physiological maturity
achieved through rigorous cultural practices such as leaf stripping,
shoot thinning and green harvesting. This Cabernet was fermented in
small stainless steel tanks and was punched down and pumped over two
times per day. Aging in French chateau barrels has produced a very
complex and generous red wine.
Production Notes & General Characteristics:
This wine has a beautiful nose of subtle tobacco, complex spiced
oak and clove that integrates beautifully with ripe black
cherry/cassis fruit. The wine tastes almost sweet. A rich mouth feel
begins with black cherry leading towards a chocolate/mocha finish
that is exotic, enticing and long. While this wine may be enjoyed
now, it will benefit from additional cellaring and should continue
to develop for six years or more with proper storage.
2007
Artist Series #16 Cabernet Sauvignon
Vineyards:
Champoux (79%), Sagemoor (20%),
Woodward Canyon
Estate Vineyard (1%) Varietal Composition: 99% Cabernet Sauvignon; 1% Petit
verdot $26.00 375ml half-bottle
Order Now $49.00 750ml bottle
Order Now $109.00 1.5L Magnum
Order Now New Release
The “Artist Series” Cabernet Sauvignon is produced
from some of the finest and most highly regarded properties in
Washington State. These vineyards produce fantastic wine in their
own right. In blend, they produce extraordinary wine.
This wine has a generous nose of spicy oak and cedar integrated with
bright and very ripe black fruits and cherry. A sweet, rich mouth
feel begins with cassis and ripe black berry, leading towards
chocolate and mocha. The finish is complex, generous, and long.
While this wine can be enjoyed now it will definitely benefit from
additional cellaring and, with proper storage, should develop for
eight years or more.
The 2007 vintage was fabulous for "Artist Series,"
nicer even than the fantastic 2006. We achieved perfect ripening
with physiological maturity achieved through shoot thinning, leaf
stripping, and green harvesting and generally improved cultural
practices throughout the vineyards. All fruit was in by the third
week of October.
Production Notes and General Characteristics: This Cabernet
Sauvignon was fermented in very small stainless steel tanks and was
punched down or pumped over twice a day. Aging in French
Chateaux barrels has produced a well proportioned, complex and
generous red wine. Of our own doing, we have chosen to back off on
the use of new oak in this wine as these vineyards have gotten older
allowing them to express a sense of place.
This newest bottling of Nelms Road Merlot reflects
the 2007 vintage well. The Spring Creek and Lodmell Vineyards were
the predominant Nelms Road Merlot vineyards. Add to that some
truly phenomenal press wine from some of the oldest and most
celebrated vineyards in Washington such as Champoux, DuBrul,
Sagemoor and Woodward Canyon, and we can produce an amazing Nelms
Road Merlot.
The warm 2007 vintage gave beautifully ripe fruit with flavors of
dried black fruit and cherry. Aromas of leather, subtle oak spices
and vanilla integrate with the fruit, leading to a nice, generous
finish. The wine is dark purple in color. This wine was
bottled early to retain fruit and is quite drinkable for a wine so
young. While this wine was produced for early consumption, it
will improve substantially with additional time in bottle. With
proper storage this wine should age well for five years.
Alcohol: 14.1% Release Date: February 2009 Production: 2,679 cases
2006 Estate Red
Walla Walla Valley
$59.00 750ml bottle
Order Now $138.00 1.5L bottle
Order Now Varietal Composition: 42% Cabernet franc; 35% Merlot;
14%
Cabernet sauvignon;
9% Petit verdot
This Woodward Canyon Estate Red is from the finest
Estate Vineyard lots produced in 2006. It is wonderful to once
again produce such a classic Walla Walla Valley red wine. The
Estate Vineyard has always been a rather low-yielding property and
2006 was no different. Average yield was less than two tons
per acre. This particular vintage is soft, generous and more
approachable.
The wine was fermented in small open top tanks with native yeast and
was punched down and/or pumped over two times per day. After
pressing, this wine went directly to new French chateau barrels for
maturation and development. In June, the wine was racked from
barrel, assembled and bottled the middle of July 2008.
The vintage of 2006 gave perfect physiological
ripeness. As might be expected with such low yields, the resulting
wine is concentrated with generous black fruit and cassis. A breadth
of spices and vanilla from new oak integrate beautifully with firm
fruit. A nose of roasted game, ripe fruit and shaved chocolate
develops in the glass; the color is reddish purple. A soft, generous
texture transitions to a supple, balanced mouth feel; the finish is
rich, layered and long. In this wine I am again able to
perceive an “expression” or “sense of place” from our Estate
Vineyard, and I love that! With proper cellaring, this wine
should age for ten years.
2007 Dry White
Riesling
Yakima Valley
New Release 100% White Riesling $25.00 750ml bottleOrder Now
The Dry White Riesling is produced entirely from grapes
grown by Hugh and Kathy Shiels in their DuBrul Vineyards in the Yakima
Valley, north of Sunnyside, Washington. This very old and very fine
vineyard is located on a significant bench facing south across the
Valley. The soil, comprised of sand, silt, and calcium covered rocks, is
extremely well drained which contributes greatly to the character and
concentration of the fruit and wine.
This wine typically expresses richness of ripe peach and nectarine yet
is balanced with great natural acidity. The aromas follow the same
fragrant line and the finish is crisp, fruity and long. The pure
expression of fully mature riesling fruit allows this wine to perfectly
accompany Pacific Rim cuisine or seafood from the Pacific Northwest.
While drinkable now, this exceptional Washington Riesling will continue
to develop over the next several years.
2007 Washington
Chardonnay 100% Chardonnay $39.00 750ml bottle
Order Now 91 points - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate
90 points - Wine & Spirits
This 2007 Washington State Chardonnay was produced from
Wente clone chardonnay grown at Celilo Vineyard (50%) in the Columbia
River Gorge and Woodward Canyon Estate chardonnay (50%) in the
northwestern edge of the Walla Walla Valley. The grapes were harvested
by hand, sorted and whole cluster pressed. The yield averaged around 2.5
tons per acre with all grapes harvested by the middle of October.
This wine was fermented in 100% French burgundy barrels - 30% new and
70% older barrels. Beautifully mature flavors of ripe pear, apple and
peach marry perfectly with crisp acidity. Whole cluster pressing gives
delineated fruit which integrates beautifully with notes of vanilla,
cream and toasted hazelnut. Finally the oak is more understated by our
choice and is in wonderful proportion with the alcohol, fruit and
acidity.
Fully mature fruit shows in the mouth; the texture is smooth and silky.
The finish is complex, generous and long. And while this wine may be
consumed now, it will benefit substantially with a year in bottle and
should continue to improve for another several years with proper
cellaring.
Alcohol: 14.1% by volume Release Date: Spring 2008 Production: 841 cases 750 ml
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