Varietal Composition: 42% cabernet franc 35% merlot 14% cabernet sauvignon 9% petit verdot Alcohol: 14.8 % by volume Bottling Date: July 15, 2008 Release Date: Spring, 2009 Production: 294 cases 750 ml 25 cases 1.5L
Vineyard: Woodward Canyon Estate Vineyard Sustainable; Salmon-Safe, LIVE and Vinea Certified. All grapes are sustainably or organically grown at our Walla Walla Valley Woodward Canyon Estate Vineyard. The vineyard has been certified sustainable by 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.
Production Notes and Vintage Specific Characteristics:
This Woodward Canyon Estate Red is from the finest Estate Vineyard lots produced in 2006. It is wonderful to once again producing 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.
This 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.
"Smooth, focused and generous with its coffee-and tobbacco-accented cherry, blackberry and savory meat flavors. The finish sails, remaining poised and expressive. Cabernet franc, merlot, cabernet sauvignon and petit verdot. Drink now through 2014."
Reviewer: Harvey Steinman
Reviewer Publication: Wine Spectator
Review: 91 points
"Gold Medal, World Wine Championship. "Dark garnet color. Reserved aromas of berry compote, wax, pork rind, chocolate covered nuts, and white pepper follow through on a supple, plush entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with great balance and smoothness. Finishes with a long, evolving fade of peppery spice, leather, and cocoa dusted berries.'
Reviewer: Tastings
Reviewer Publication: Tastings
Review: 95 points
"Cellar Selection, May 2009. "This is Woodward Canyon's reserve – the best lots of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot creates this very limited wine. It is built to age, and reflects the tight and muscular style that Rick Small has developed over the years. There is a strong mineral-metal vein running through the black and blue fruits, and some very lively spice highlights. Tannins are ripe but firm, and this is a wine that will benefit from further cellaring.'
Reviewer: Paul Gregutt
Reviewer Publication: Wine Enthusiast
Review: 92 points
"The purple-colored 2006 Estate Red is a blend of 42% Cabernet Franc, 35% Merlot, and the balance Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot which spent 22 months in new French oak. The aromatic array includes toasty oak, pencil lead, espresso, black currant, and blackberry. On the palate it is medium to full-bodied, exceptionally concentrated, and layered. Notes of spice, game, and chocolate emerge adding complexity to this nicely balanced and lengthy effort. It should age gracefully for another 8-10 years and drink well through 2030."
Reviewer: Jay Miller
Reviewer Publication: The Wine Advocate
Review: 94 points
"Year's Best Cabernet-based Blends, December 2009.
This estate blend of cabernet franc, merlot and cabernet sauvignon starts out quietly, giving up little more than carob, olive, a bit of pencil lead. With air the wine begins to show black cherry and plum fruit, its savory flavors of mocha and salted caramel richly augmented by oak. The finish gathers force, and seems impossibly long. Give it time in the cellar before uncorking with a roast."
Reviewer: Wine & Spirits
Reviewer Publication: Wine & Spirits
Review: 91 points
"November / December 2009. A blend of 42% cabernet franc, 35% merlot, 14% cabernet sauvignon and 9% petit verdot) Good deep red. Sweet oak and coffee grounds on the nose. Sweet, fat and full, with moderate nuance but very good breadth and early accessibility. The strong smoky oak component carries through to the sweet finish, which features substantial toothdusting tannins."
Reviewer: Stephen Tanzer
Reviewer Publication: Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
Lowden, Washington 99360
