2021 Estate Reserve
Walla Walla Valley
This 2021 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.
In Stock
Wine Specs
Vintage
2021
Varietal
Red Blend
Appellation
Walla Walla Valley
Vineyard Designation
Woodward Canyon Estate Vineyard
Aging
22 months | 72% new French oak barrels, 17% new Hungarian Petraea oak 59 gal barrels, and 11% neutral 2 year-old French oak.
Bottling Date
June 22, 2023
Alcohol %
14.8
Wine Enthusiast
92
Wine Profile
Tasting Notes
Intensely ruby, this elegant wine exhibits high-toned aromatics of cranberry, pomegranate and dried herbs with notes of vanillin and anise from new oak. This deeply concentrated and generous wine has ripe fruit with our classic Walla Walla structure that provides a nice texture and transitions to a well-balanced mouthfeel.
Awards
95 POINTS - Owen Bargreen: The ‘Estate Reserve’ is sourced from what the winemaking team feels are the best lots from the year. The blend is 38% Cabernet Sauvignon with 27% Cabernet Franc and the remainder Malbec, Petit Verdot, and Merlot. Highly perfumed with beautiful red florals, this leads with serious tension and a smooth mouthfeel. Layers of espresso grinds and dark currants combine with tar and anise notes. Simply gorgeous, this has both the finesse and weight to cellar well for another fifteen-plus years. Drink 2023-2038 |
94 POINTS - Jeb Dunnuck: Lastly, the 2021 Estate Reserve is a blend of 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Cabernet Franc, 16% Merlot, 11% Malbec, and the rest Petit Verdot that spent 22 months in 72% new French oak, with a small amount in Hungarian oak. Its deeper ruby/plum hue is followed by a more upfront, perfumed, and floral red that has both red and blue fruits, a supple, medium to full-bodied, elegant mouthfeel, a terrific sense of freshness, and enough tannins and structure to keep it drinking nicely for 10-15 years if well stored. It's another impeccably made, impressive wine from this estate. MATURITY 2024 - 2039 |
94 POINTS - International Wine Report: The 2021 Woodward Canyon Estate Reserve is a blend of 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Cabernet Franc, 16% Merlot, 11% Malbec, and 8% Petit Verdot and rested in 72% new French oak and part Hungarian oak. Offering up stunning notes of sweet candied blackberries, tobacco leaf, sweet vanilla bean, and forest herbs, it is incredibly fruit-forward but not in a bad way. Medium plus acidity and crunchy tannins help move forward the long finish. |
93 POINTS - Sean Sullivan's NW Wine Report: Cabernet Sauvignon comprises 38% of this wine, with Cabernet Franc 27%, Merlot 16%, Malbec 11%, and Petit Verdot 8%. The aromas are subdued, with high-register notes of cherry, fresh green herb, wheat, and flower. Soft, supple, ripe cherry and chocolate flavors follow. Barrel notes speckle the extended finish. It’s all about sophistication and class and brings both in abundance. As always with Woodward, this is more about the future than the present. Best from 2027 to 2037. |
92 POINTS, Cellar Selection - Wine Enthusiast: Rarely does a wine's aroma make me this hungry. This blend smells like warm waffles slathered in blackberry jam, with a woody touch of cigar box. The wine's blueberry popsicle and black coffee flavors don't ease the hunger pangs. Nice acidity and grippy tannins provide support. Drink 2024–2033. — Michael Alberty |
92 POINTS - VINOUS: The 2021 Red Wine Estate Reserve wafts up with mentholated freshness, boasting a bouquet of crushed raspberry and dusty rose. It's silky-smooth, with supple red fruits and sweet spices cascading across a core to vibrant acidity. This tapers off long and lightly structured, leaving a bitter twang while keeping the mouth watering for more. Drink 2025- 2031. - Eric Guido |
2024 TEXSOM Awards - Gold medal |
Vineyard Notes
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.
Winemaker Notes
Varietal Composition: 38% Cabernet Sauvignon,
27% Cabernet Franc, 16% Merlot,
11% Malbec, 8% Petit Verdot
Food Pairing Notes
Pair with roasted lamb, black bean veggie burgers or Peking Duck.
Production
Case Production: 440 cases
Other Notes
The wine will benefit from more bottle aging; with proper cellaring, this wine should age well for a decade or more. Store and serve at cellar temperature.