Winemaker Notes
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.
Blend: 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot, 5% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc
Professional Ratings
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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.
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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.
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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.
Washington produces so many exciting wines, and that definitely includes Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. With over 10,000 acres under vine, Cabernet Sauvignon is now the most widely-grown varietal in the state. Terrific examples hail from sub-appellations like Red Mountain, Wahluke Slope, Horse Heaven Hills and Walla Walla Valley. One of the fascinations of these Columbia Valley Cabs is that they so often seem to have one foot in the New World and one in the Old. Representing the former are characteristics like the ripe, forward fruit that results from long sunny days during the growing season (up to two hours longer than in much of California). Old World similarities include an undeniable brightness from acidity, as well as notes of herbs, graphite and a dusty, sometimes gravelly minerality.
Whether you’re looking for a budget bottle for everyday enjoyment, or a stellar, world-class wine with tremendous aging potential, Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon wines can deliver the goods! Among the many fine options are bottles from Columbia Crest, Chateau Ste. Michelle, L’ecole #41, Quilceda Creek and Leonetti.