Vineyards: Weinbau (59%), Spring Creek (27%), Woodward Canyon Estate (9%) and Champoux (5%)
Vintage Specific Characteristics: This 2007 Columbia Valley Merlot was produced from grapes grown at several of the finest vineyards in Washington State. The 2007 vintage was warm with fruit ripening fully by the first week in October.
Production Notes and General Characteristics: This Merlot was pumped over and punched down by hand two times per day in small stainless steel tanks. After pressing, settling and racking the various lots were moved to French barrels for aging and maturation. In the spring of 2009 following final racking, the wine was assembled and bottled and laid down in our cellars for additional development. The wine shows extraordinary complexity yet is softer and more elegant than several more recent vintages. Blending of fruit from such fantastic vineyards has produced a complex flavor profile of generous cherry, oak, spice and coffee; I pick up notes of toasted coconut and vanilla in the aroma. Rich fruit and fully mature tannins give this wine softness for drinking now yet with the proportion and structure to age well for six years or more.
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Review: Excellent
"Spring 2010. Owner/winemaker Rick Small launched this Lowden, Wash., winery in 1981 and has become world renowned for his red wines. He used fruit from four vineyards, with the majority coming from Weinbau on the Waluke Slope. He blended in 14% Cabernet Sauvignon for structure and flavor. It opens with aromas of Black Forest cake, Portobello mushrooms and black cherries, followed by luscious red and black cherries, backed by well-managed tannins and lovely texture."
Reviewer: Wine Press NW
Reviewer Publication: Wine Press NW
Review: 90 points
"August, 2010. Woodward Canyon’s red wines begin with the 2007 Merlot. It is a multi-regional blend containing 14% Cabernet Sauvignon. The majority of the fruit was sourced from the excellent Weinbau Vineyard. Medium crimson-colored it displays an excellent bouquet of balsam wood, Asian spices, violets, cassis, and black cherry with a hint of coffee/mocha in the background. Full-bodied and generous on the palate, it has plenty of ripe fruit, red and black fruit flavors, spice notes, and well-integrated tannin. It has the structure to evolve for 1-2 years but can be enjoyed now and over the next 6-8."
Lowden, Washington 99360
