Woodward Canyon Artist Series #22 Cabernet Sauvignon
Full-bodied dry red wine. This is a classic 'Washington style' Cabernet, balancing the ripeness of the New World with structure and acidity reminiscent of the Old World. · Woodward Canyon Winery. Founded by Rick Small in 1981, they are pioneers of the Walla Walla Valley. They are family-owned and widely considered a top-tier Washington State producer known for high-quality, long-lived Bordeaux blends and single-varietal wines.
Vintage: 2013 (Artist Series #22 specifically corresponds to the 2013 vintage). 2013 was a warm and early vintage in Washington, resulting in riper fruit profiles, high sugar accumulation, and robust structures, generally considered an excellent year for reds.
Type
Full-bodied dry red wine. This is a classic 'Washington style' Cabernet, balancing the ripeness of the New World with structure and acidity reminiscent of the Old World.
Producer
Woodward Canyon Winery. Founded by Rick Small in 1981, they are pioneers of the Walla Walla Valley. They are family-owned and widely considered a top-tier Washington State producer known for high-quality, long-lived Bordeaux blends and single-varietal wines.
Country
United States. Washington is the second-largest wine producer in the US, known for its high-latitude vineyards that provide long daylight hours and cool nights, resulting in wines with concentrated fruit and significant natural acidity.
Vintage
2013 (Artist Series #22 specifically corresponds to the 2013 vintage). 2013 was a warm and early vintage in Washington, resulting in riper fruit profiles, high sugar accumulation, and robust structures, generally considered an excellent year for reds.
Region & Appellation
Washington State, Columbia Valley AVA. While the winery is located in Walla Walla, the Artist Series typically sources premium fruit from various top vineyards throughout the broader Columbia Valley, often including Sagemoor and Champoux.
Grape Varieties
Predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon (usually ~90% or more), often blended with small amounts of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. The blend utilizes the structural power of Cabernet with the aromatic lift of the minor constituents.
Color & Appearance
Deep ruby to garnet. Given its age (bottled around 2015), it will show great clarity with a slightly fading rim from purple to brick/ruby, indicating the development of its maturity.
Aroma Profile
Intense aromatic profile of black cherry, crème de cassis, and scorched earth, followed by secondary notes of tobacco leaf, espresso, and dried herbs. Hints of vanilla and cedar from oak aging.
Tasting Notes
The palate opens with rich, dark fruit layers. It is well-structured with a mid-palate that shows savory complexity—olives, graphite, and cocoa. The finish is remarkably long, driven by a balance of ripe fruit and integrated oak.
Flavor Profile
Dominant flavors of blackberry, plum, and blackcurrant. Secondary notes include anise, bittersweet chocolate, and a dusty mineral quality often associated with the Columbia Valley's volcanic soils.
Body & Texture
Full-bodied with a broad, plush mouthfeel. The texture is velvety but maintains a firm core that provides a sense of lift and prevents the wine from feeling heavy or cloying.
Acidity & Tannins
High acidity for a New World Cabernet, typical of Washington's diurnal shifts. Tannins are high but fine-grained and well-resolved, providing a polished and elegant structural framework.
Sweetness Level
Bone dry. Minimal residual sugar (less than 1g/L), though the ripeness of the fruit can provide a perceived sweetness on the initial attack.
Alcohol Content
Approximately 14.5% to 15.0%. The alcohol is well-integrated, contributing to the wine's weight and warmth without being 'hot' or intrusive.
Aging & Oak
Aged for approximately 22 months in French oak barrels, with a high percentage of new oak (roughly 50-60%). This imparts characteristic spice, toast, and structural support.
Food Pairings
Grilled ribeye steak with a peppercorn crust, braised lamb shanks, or aged hard cheeses like Manchego or sharp Cheddar. The wine's tannins cut through fats, while the fruit complements chars and umami.
Serving Suggestions
Serve at 60-65°F (16-18°C) in a large Bordeaux glass. Decanting for 45-60 minutes is highly recommended to allow the aromatics to fully open and the tannins to soften.
Price Range
$50 - $65 USD. It represents a premium tier of Washington wine and is considered a 'blue chip' value compared to similar quality Napa Valley Cabernets.
Quality Assessment
92-94 points. It is a super-premium wine known for its consistency and high critical reception. It sits just below the 'Old Vines' estate bottling in the winery's hierarchy.
Production Methods
Hand-sorted fruit, fermented in small lots, and aged in French oak. The winemaking emphasizes extraction but with a focus on 'elegance over power' to ensure the wine reflects its site and vintage.
Terroir
Sourced from diverse sites featuring wind-blown loess over basalt soils. The semi-arid climate and large diurnal temperature swings produce grapes with thick skins and concentrated tannins.
History & Heritage
Woodward Canyon was the second winery established in the Walla Walla Valley. The 'Artist Series' features a unique label every year showcasing work by local artists, a tradition that began in the 1990s.
Interesting Facts
The 'Artist Series' was initially created to showcase the best of the Columbia Valley rather than just their estate grapes. It has since become one of the most collectible and recognizable labels in Washington wine history.
Cellaring Potential
Excellent. This wine is likely at its peak drinking window now through 2028. It has the structure to age for 15-20 years from the vintage date if stored in cool, stable conditions.
Similar Wines
L’Ecole No. 41 Perigee, Quilceda Creek CVR, Betz Family Winery Père de Famille, or Hall Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.