This Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon is produced from grapes selected from some of the finest and most highly regarded vineyards in Washington State and the Walla Walla Valley. Each produces fantastic wine in their own right; when blended they produce extraordinary wine.
This wine is deep ruby in color and begins with an inviting nose of black plum, slate, and red cherry that integrate seamlessly with the subtle, attractive oak. In the mouth, the wine is rich, showing a nice balance of ripe dark fruit, black currant, and olive. Integrated tannins enhance the texture leaving you with a complex, generous, and long finish. While this wine can be enjoyed now it will benefit greatly from additional cellaring and, with proper storage, should develop for ten years or more. Store and serve at cellar temperature.
94 Points- International Wine Report: A blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot, 5% Merlot, and 1% Cabernet Franc, the 2021 Artist Series Cabernet sports a neon medium-dark purple core with a glowing neon pink rim in the glass. Loads of fresh blackberries, crushed marionberries, sweet clove, dark chocolate, violet flowers, and dusty herbs aromas pop on the nose. Grippy tannins, lively acidity, and a black fruit and spice-driven finish complete this delicious wine. | 93 POINTS - Jeb Dunnuck: I was able to taste three 2021s from Woodward Canyon. The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Artist Series checks in as 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot, 5% Merlot, and 1% Cabernet Franc and was brought up in 30% new French and Hungarian oak. It's a perfumed, exotic, pretty red that has both red and blue fruits as well as some underlying sappy flowers, truffle, and leafy herb-like aromas and flavors. It's beautifully balanced, has fine tannins, and a pure, layered, seamless profile that will evolve gracefully over the coming 15 years. Maturity 2024-2039 | 93 POINTS, Cellar Stocker - Sean Sullivan NW Wine Report: Fruit for this wine, which is blended with 7% Petit Verdot, 5% Merlot, and 1% Cabernet Franc, comes from Woodward Canyon Estate, Weinbau, and Sagemoor. Aged 19 months in French and Hungarian oak (30% new), aromas of espresso, bittersweet chocolate, barrel spice, and black cherry lead to a luscious, rich pit-fruit filled palate. Firm tannins back it up. A long finish stretches out the enjoyment. It's a Washington Cabernet prototype, fruit-filled with abundant structure and flat out delicious. Best from 2026 to 2035. 14.7% alcohol. Natural cork. 2,524 cases produced. Published February 5, 2024. | 93 POINTS - Owen Bargreen: A pleasure to drink right now, the 2021 Woodward Canyon ‘Artist Series #30' Cabernet Sauvignon was stored in 60% new French oak before bottling. Nearly all Cabernet Sauvignon (87%) was mostly sourced from the Weinbau Vineyard. A plush layer of toasty oak greets you on the mid-palate, with good underlying verve. Rich mocha and creme de cassis flavors mingle well with Turkish coffee accents and dusty tannins on the palate. Drink 2023-2037 | 92 POINTS - James Suckling: I like the savory nature of this dark-fruited cabernet. Black olives, dark plums, cocoa and graphite here, with a full-bodied yet fresh and classy palate. Drink or hold. | 92 POINTS - Wine Enthusiast: Art inspires in places where words often fail. This Cabernet Sauvignon paints a picture of blackberries and seared steaks that waltz with pipe tobacco, iodine and a hint of mint. The almost creamy texture is counterpointed by elevated acidity that injects a bit of liveliness. Palette meets palate here. — Michael Alberty | 91 POINTS - VINOUS: Masses of steeped plums and crushed black raspberries and a dusting of clove and exotic spice make the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Artist Series a total pleasure on the nose. This sweeps across the palate with ease, guided by zesty acidity and ripe wild berry fruits that slowly saturate. It tapers ott with a spicy tinge, leaving an air of lavender and hints of salted licorice. Fine-grained tannins frame the experience nicely. Drink 2025- 2030. - Eric Guido |
Woodward Canyon Estate Vineyard: Planted in 1977, Woodward Canyon is the westernmost vineyard in Walla Walla Valley AVA, roughly 15 miles west of Walla Walla, Washington. There are 41 vineyard acres planted and several more acres of green belts that support native species such as western juniper, ponderosa pine, western sagebrush, arrowleaf balsamroot, and perennial wildflowers. Ritzville silt loam over fractured basalt, slope 15-18%, 750-850ft elevation. Managed by Woodward Canyon. All grapes are Salmon Safe certified. Weinbau Vineyard: Weinbau has a view of the Rattlesnake Mountains to the south and the Saddle Mountains to the north. The land slopes gently south, with elevation ranging from 710-950 feet. Weinbau is a warm site with excellent air drainage, and the soil is dominated by Kennewick silt loam with a 2 -5% slope. The consistency of soil type shows up in vine growth and subsequently in the wines. Sagemoor Vineyard: Founded in 1968, Sagemoor Vineyards was a pioneering effort that helped establish the Washington State wine industry. Its early vineyards are among the oldest plantings of vinifera grapes in the state. Rick began using Sagemoor fruit in his home winemaking days, and we continue to use it today. A significant number of 1972 plantings are still producing our Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from specific rows in Blocks 3 and 9. Quincy loamy fine sand, Sagehill very fine sandy loam, 2-10% slope. 572ft elevation.
