Woodward Canyon Estate Red 2003
Bordeaux Red Blends
from Walla Walla Valley, Washington
winemaker's notes:
This 2003 Woodward Canyon Estate Red is produced from the finest lots that we produced from the Woodward Canyon Estate Vineyard in 2003. The Estate Vineyard always is low yielding and 2003 was no exception, with yields in the two tons per acre range. Given that 2003 was the warmest vintage on record for the Walla Walla Valley, the average brix at harvest was high at well over 25 degrees yet the wine is firm, polished and in proportion.
With such low yields, the resulting wine is deeply concentrated with black fruits and cassis. The warmer vintage of 2003 gave deep complex flavors of fruit from perfect physiological ripeness. The nose while slightly restrained at first develops greatly in the glass. Spice and vanilla from new oak integrate beautifully with cabernet franc-merlot dominated fruit. The texture, while firm initially, transitions to complex suppleness; the finish is rich, layered and long. With proper cellaring, this wine should age for ten years from vintage.
These wines showcase fruit from Woodward Canyon Estate Vineyard. The blend changes every year and typically consists of merlot, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and petit verdot. These wines age 8+ years from vintage.
critical acclaim:
"The 2003 Estate Red Wine is composed of 44% Cabernet Franc, 41% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 1% Petit Verdot. It was fermented with native yeasts and was aged in 100% new oak. The product of the warmest vintage on record for Walla Walla, the wine is dark ruby-colored and offers up an excellent nose of toasty black currants, blackberry, spice box, and fresh herbs. This is followed by a firm, layered, well-balanced wine which is built to last. There is moderate, ripe tannin leading to a long, pure finish. Give this Saint-Emilion look-alike 5-7 years of additional bottle age and drink it through 2035. "
92 Points
The Wine Advocate
