This 2022 Walla Walla Valley Estate Reserve was produced from grapes grown at Woodward Canyon Estate Vineyard (Salmon Safe certified) at the western edge of the Walla Walla Valley. This wine is always produced from our finest Estate Vineyard lots and exemplifies the best of our unique location. It is very satisfying to produce such a classic Walla Walla Valley red wine.
96 Points - International Wine Report: This remarkable blend, composed of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc, 9% Merlot, 5% Malbec, and 2% Petit Verdot, reflects the pinnacle of Woodward Canyon’s Estate Vineyard. The wine displays an intense medium ruby core edged with a vibrant purple rim, showcasing its youthful energy. On the nose, it delivers a gorgeous medley of fresh boysenberries, sweet black cherries, green peppercorn, dusty herbs, lemon zest, and crushed gravel, offering both freshness and complexity. The palate is still in its formative stages, but its potential is unmistakable. Black fruits dominate, with layers of spice and savory herbal elements rounding out the profile. A full-bodied texture, crisp tannins, and elevated acidity add to its dynamic character, leading to a structured and enduring finish. This wine is highly recommended, and while it is enjoyable with aeration, it will greatly reward cellaring. Anticipate opening after 2026. Highly recommended.
95 Points - Owen Bargreen: The 2022 ‘Estate Reserve' unlike the 2021 edition is nearly all Cabernet Sauvignon (70%), utilizing five Bordeaux varietals. It is rich, viscous and beautifully textured stuff that is drinking marvelously right now. A massive wall of dark fruits greet you alongside graphite, loamy soils, sweet pipe tobacco and shades of dried herbs. Full-bodied and delicious, enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years to come. Drink 2024-2039
94 Points - Wine Advocate: The 2022 Red Wine Estate Reserve is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc, 9% Merlot, 5% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot. It has slowly unfurling scents of red and black cherry, grilled green pepper, spearmint, garrigue and graphite. The full-bodied palate is elegantly styled with complex, perfumed flavors. It has a seamless structure of velvety tannins, fireworks of fresh acidity and a long, mineral-driven finish. 385 cases were made.
93 Points - Decanter: Smoky violets and rich graphite minerality streak across the wine's aroma profile; this Reserve bottling is predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon with complimenting varieties blended from the Woodward Canyon Estate, a founding Walla Walla winery, which was first planted in 1977. Flavours of dark berries and mint leaves alongside a streaking mineral core of crushed stone and white peppercorn show an elegant finish to this wine's muscular structure.
93 Points - Vinous: The 2022 Red Wine Estate Reserve opens with a delicate blend of red plums, dusty earth and peppery florals. Round and pliant, its splashes across the palate with juicy red and black fruits underscored by tactile minerals, as a saturation of savory spice emerges toward the close. The 2022 leaves a resonance of tart black raspberry and coating of fine-grained tannins, while finishing with admirable length and concentration.
92 Points - Wine Enthusiast
92 Points - James Suckling: This offers aromas of ripe blackberries, dark cherries, toasted cedar and a hint of spice box. Medium- to full-bodied, tense and juicy on the palate with a chalky, biter-spiced finish. Drink or hold.
100% Woodward Canyon Estate Vienyard: Planted in 1977, Woodward Canyon is the westernmost vineyard in Walla Walla Valley AVA, roughly 15 miles west of Walla Walla, Washington. There are 35 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%, 750-850 ft. elevation. All grapes are Salmon Safe certified as is the wine.
