Woodward Canyon Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
From the winery:
Woodward Canyon Winery was established in 1981 by Rick Small and his wife, Darcey Fugman-Small.
The winery was named for the canyon where Rick's family farmed for multiple generations and where the Woodward Canyon Estate Vineyard is now located. Woodward Canyon was the second winery in the Walla Walla Valley, and the Smalls were instrumental in the process of obtaining federal approval of the Walla Walla Valley Appellation in 1984. The winery has consistently produced premium, age-worthy cabernet sauvignons, Bordeaux-style blends and merlots as well as chardonnays. From the outset, it was determined that quality would take precedence over quantity.
The family’s roots run deep in the land that they have farmed for four generations. Rick and Darcey’s children, Jordan and Sager, share in the ownership of Woodward Canyon and are now in leadership roles in the winery and vineyard as their parents step back from the day to day operations. Winemaker Kevin Mott was made a partner in 2011 as well.
Rick planted the first of thirty-five acres of the Woodward Canyon Estate Vineyard in 1977 on his family’s dryland wheat ranch. The hillside vineyard now includes cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, merlot, cabernet franc, sauvignon blanc and syrah. The Woodward Canyon Estate Vineyard is Certified Salmon Safe. The Smalls are also experimenting with organic and regenerative farming practices. The winery purchases grapes from select growers and is a partner in Champoux Vineyard which lies above the Columbia River in the Horse Heaven Hills appellation. Woodward Canyon has a strong belief that the quality of the wine starts in the vineyards; grape-growing and winemaking after all, are still agriculture.
The next generation—Jordan and Sager—is humbled to keep this bold dream alive and to celebrate all the hard work our parents have done building our winery and creating wines of influence over the last 40 years. As it’s now our turn to run our family business, we’re leaning back on all those years we spent running in the vineyards as kids. While leadership might look a little different, we’re committed to leading our family business into the future with that same commitment to quality and integrity. We always have and always will make wine with one foot in the vineyard
96 POINTS, Cellar Selection- Wine Enthusiast: Aged for nearly two years in 100% new French oak, this baby is going to need air, time or both to unwind. Cool earth and black raspberry aromas are punctuated by notes of blueberry fruit leather and brownie mix batter. An earthy elderberry flavor is joined by lemon zest, espresso shots and cedar. Drink 2025–2038. — Michael Alberty
96 POINTS - Owen Bargreen: The 2021 ‘Old Vines’ is a stunning new wine by winemaker Kevin Mott. Refined tannins frame a gorgeous wall of black and blue fruit flavors with Arabica bean, sandalwood, and notes of scorched earth. Showing serious length, weight, and verve, enjoy this beauty now and over the next twenty years. Drink 2023-2040
96 POINTS, Editor's Choice - International Wine Report: The Old Vines Cabernet from Woodward Canyon consists of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, 3% Malbec that was aged for 21 months in 100% new French oak barrels. Incredibly youthful, with grippy tannins and ripe acidity, it delights with notes of black cherries, sweet marionberries, tobacco leaves, sandalwood, dried thyme, and hints of Blood orange zest. A lovely finish that will only improve with age. Better in 2025 and then enjoy for the next 15 years. Highly recommended and editor’s choice.
95+ POINTS - Jeb Dunnuck: The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Old Vines is a smaller production release and is based on 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, and 3% Malbec raised all in 100% new French oak barrels. It has a tight, reserved, yet incredibly promising style in its smoky black fruits, truffly earth, iron, and tobacco-driven aromas and flavors. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied and concentrated, with a stacked mid-palate and ripe, building tannins. It needs air to show at its best today, and this beauty deserves 4-5 years of bottle age. I wouldn't be surprised to see it have over two decades of overall longevity. MATURITY 2028 - 2048
94+ POINTS - Vinous: Notes of sweet sage and cedar elevate a dark mélange of mocha and plum sauce as the alluring 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Old Vines grumbles up from the glass. This tricks the palate with its soothing textures, juicy personality and ripe red and black fruits. Gritty tannins slowly mount toward the close. The 2021 clamps down hard through the finale, youthfully structured and intense yet incredibly long. A bump of residual acidity adds unexpected freshness. This will require patience, but it will be worth the wait. Drink 2026- 2037. - Eric Guido
93 POINTS - James Suckling: A compact and flavorful cabernet showing roasted herbs, charred bark and blackberry fruit on the nose. Some walnuts and espresso. It’s full-bodied and dense with broad tannins. Drink or hold.
93 POINTS - Sean Sullivan's NW Wine Report: Sagemoor Vineyard provides much of the fruit for this wine (62%). The rest is from Weinbau (30%) and Woodward Canyon Estate. It was aged 21 months in 100% new French oak. Espresso and dark chocolate notes are in the lead on the aromas, followed by black cherry, bountiful herb, and barrel spice. Ripe, luscious, creamy-feeling fruit and barrel flavors follow, dipping in the middle before coming up. It’s rich and well-proportioned, all about hedonism. The finish hangs. It’s got an extremely long life in front of it, as well as a wide drinking window. Best from 2026 to 2038
