Accolades & Acclaim
"This wine screams 'Drink me!' from the first sniff. It's an 18-wheeler running down a steep grade. It explodes on the palate with a cloudburst of fruit, chocolate, and oak descending via soft, smooth tannins into a ripe, seductive, extended finish."
— Wine Enthusiast
Woodward Canyon on the “Top 100” Lists
We are honored every time Woodward Canyon is recognized on a national level. We sincerely thank the critics and publications that have taken the time to experience our wines and share their thoughtful reviews.
You can find a selection of our many accolades below. For our most recent scores and news, we invite you to follow us on social media or join our mailing list. We truly appreciate every outlet that shines a light on our award-winning portfolio.
#10, Top 100 of 1990: 1987 “Dedication Series #7” Cabernet Sauvignon Deliciously fruity, rich, supple, and complex, with tiers of black currant, cherry, plum, and anise flavors; finishing with a toasty, earthy aftertaste that adds dimension to the fruit. 95 Points. (This was the first Washington wine to land in Wine Spectator’s Top 10.)
#19, Top 100 of 1992: 1988 Charbonneau Red Tight and firm, seductive and elegant, with sharply focused black cherry and toasty currant flavors that are enticing and beautifully integrated. Plenty of fine tannins bode well for cellaring. 95 Points.
#56, Top 100 of 1992: 1989 “Dedication Series #9” Cabernet Sauvignon A Washington wine that’s bold, ripe, and intense, with layers of plum, cedar, spice, anise, and currant flavors that are rich, deep, and concentrated. Firm but polished tannins lead to a long, lingering aftertaste. 92 Points.
#22, Top 100 of 1995: 1991 “Dedication Series #11” Cabernet Sauvignon Ever since Small hit his stride with the 1986 vintage, he has been cranking out one outstanding Cabernet after another—all of them, like this one, packed with exotic, ripe, spicy flavors. 93 Points.
#35, Top 100 of 1998: 1995 “Artist Series #4” Cabernet Sauvignon One of Washington’s established wineries, Woodward Canyon is a consistent source of delicious Cabernet, though winemaker Rick Small shows a nice touch with Chardonnay, too. Since the 1987 vintage, Small’s Cabernets have rarely missed outstanding ratings. 92 Points.
Best of Year 1998: 1995 “Old Vines” Cabernet Sauvignon Distinctively spicy aromas follow through on a concentrated palate, showing precision and intensity through the finish. Very deep flavors are matched by supple but abundant tannins. #99, Top 100.
Best of Year 2000: 1998 “Artist Series” Cabernet Sauvignon An intensive, deeply extracted wine with a powerful bouquet of blackberry jam, red-fruit preserves, and plenty of new oak. This wine screams “Drink me!” from the first sniff; it’s an 18-wheeler running down a steep grade. It explodes on the palate with a cloudburst of fruit, chocolate, smoke, and oak, descending via soft, smooth tannins into a ripe, seductive, extended finish. 93 Points.
Best of Year 2000: 1999 Celilo Vineyard Chardonnay Stunningly rich on the nose, with roasted nuts, creamy butter, and lime/kiwi/apple fruit. Truly amazing structure and balance, with the kind of extra dimensions typical of a top Burgundy. 93 Points.
Best of Year 2001: 1998 “Old Vines” Cabernet Sauvignon The old vines in question hail from what used to be the Mercer Ranch Vineyard (now Champoux) and date back to the 1970s, making them ancient for Washington State. Spicy and deep, this is a sensational wine that manages to be both elegant and powerful. Dense, ripe fruit, detailed spices, balanced oak, and perfect tannins make this a textbook Washington Cabernet. 94 Points.
Best of Year 2001: 1999 “Artist Series #8” Cabernet Sauvignon Earthy aromas are intertwined with dried meat. Rich, chewy flavors are of blackberries and caramel. The balance of fruit, acid, and tannins is exceptional, and the finish is extremely complex. 92 Points, Editor’s Choice.
Best of Year 2003: 2000 “Artist Series #9” Cabernet Sauvignon Comes on like the big dog it is, with powerful scents of brash berries, cassis, and smoky oak. Meaty, big, and bouncy, this is a flavor-laden explosion of power and grace. Still young and relatively tight, this is a polished, textured wine with immense potential over the next decade. 92 Points.
#97, Top 100 of 2009: 2006 Columbia Valley Merlot A silky, yet muscular style of Merlot. The fruit is concentrated with deep blue and black berry and cassis flavors, augmented by lead pencil. Beautiful polish and concentration characterize this wine, yet it’s quite approachable. 94 Points.
#12, Top 100 Cellar Selections of 2009: 2006 Estate Red This is Woodward Canyon’s reserve—the best lots of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot create this very limited wine. It is built to age, reflecting a tight and muscular style. There is a strong mineral vein running through the black and blue fruits, with very lively spice highlights. 95 Points, Cellar Selection.
#29, Top 100 of 2010: 2009 Washington State Chardonnay Luscious, rich, and balanced, this stunning effort may well be the best Chardonnay ever produced in Washington. Two-thirds old-vine Celilo Vineyard grapes are blended with estate-grown fruit from even older vines planted in 1976. Most amazing is that this wine stays fresh after being opened for days, much like a Grand Cru Burgundy. 96 Points, Editor’s Choice.
#78, Top 100 Cellar Selections of 2012: 2009 “Artist Series” Cabernet Sauvignon Thick, ripe, and richly endowed, it keeps its black fruit, ripe tannins, and liquorous barrel notes all in proportion. Earth, cedar, and tobacco notes highlight the extended finish. 95 Points, Cellar Selection.
Best of 2014: 2011 Columbia Valley Merlot Plush and dusty, this splendid Merlot offers unusual depth and texture. Along with black cherry fruit come highlights of herb and olive, spicy oak, and rich earth. The density and detail carry through a long finish. 92 Points.
Best of 2014: 2012 Celilo Vineyard Chardonnay This single-vineyard wine shows both the warmth of the vintage and the coolness of the site. It brings notes of apple, peach, and lees with light barrel accents and a creamy feel. Enjoy with shrimp stir-fried in olive oil for pairing nirvana. 92 Points.
Best of 2014: 2013 Estate Sauvignon Blanc From vines now a dozen years old, this unusual Walla Walla AVA Sauvignon Blanc is a brilliant straw color—aromatic with light scents of ripe grain and tangy fruits. Complex and engaging, it finishes dry but leaves an impression of slight sweetness. 91 Points.
#74, Top 100 Cellar Selections of 2015: 2012 “Old Vines” Cabernet Sauvignon A blend of Champoux (62%), Sagemoor (26%), and Woodward Canyon (12%) Estate vineyards. The palate is supremely rich, dense, and layered, with milk chocolate, coffee, and cherry flavors. Tannins are expertly managed, combining richness and elegance. Best from 2025 to 2035. 94 Points, Cellar Selection.
#82, Top 100 Cellar Selections of 2016: 2013 “Old Vines” Cabernet Sauvignon Barrel notes of vanilla and spice take the lead, followed by dried herbs and dark fruit. The flavors are pitch black, coating the palate from end to end with layers of fruit, tannins that go the distance, and a graphite-filled finish. 94 Points, Cellar Selection.
100 Best Wines of 2010: 2006 Estate Red This estate blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon starts out quietly, offering notes of carob, olive, and a hint of pencil lead. With air, the wine begins to show black cherry and plum fruit; its savory flavors of mocha and salted caramel are richly augmented by oak. The finish gathers force and seems impossibly long. Give it time in the cellar before uncorking with a roast. 94 Points, Year’s Best Cabernet-based Blends.
#1, Top 100 NW Wines of 2008: 2005 “Old Vines” Cabernet Sauvignon We often think of ourselves as California’s wine-growing baby brother, but this Cabernet—made with fruit from the legendary Champoux Vineyard—proves we’re no longer the new kid in town. With flavors of anise, black cherry, and cassis, it is a wine to enjoy as the complex scents and flavors emerge over time.
#69, 100 Best Washington Wines of 2011: 2010 Washington Chardonnay A vibrant 100 percent Chardonnay from Walla Walla Valley stalwart Woodward Canyon. It features alluring aromas of spice and melon, a rich palate with touches of tropical fruit, and a crisp, acidic finish. 91 Points.
#2 Chardonnay, Best Wines of 2013: 2011 Washington Chardonnay Grapes are sourced from Celilo Vineyard and the winery’s estate vineyard, both from the cool 2011 vintage. It’s more Burgundian in style than Washington usually produces, showing elegant notes of pear, citrus, and light spices. Understated new oak lets the fruit shine.
#3, Top 10 Washington Wines of 2014: 2012 Washington Chardonnay An exquisite blend of fruit from Woodward Canyon Estate (71%) and Celilo Vineyard. It shows mesmerizing aromatics of corn silk, cream, and spice with a textured, creamy feel and an open finish. Drink while vacationing on the coast, feasting on crab cakes.
#4, Top 10 Washington Cabernets (Best 100 Wines of 2014): 2011 “Old Vines” Cabernet Sauvignon A blend of fruit from Champoux, Sagemoor, and Woodward Canyon Estate aged in new French oak. It is a hedonist’s delight, with rich notes of butterscotch, milk chocolate, coffee beans, vanilla, and candied cherries. Drink this straightaway after dinner; no need for dessert.
#7 Top White, Top 100 of 2015: 2012 Celilo Vineyard Chardonnay Celilo Vineyard is known for the nervy acidity of its Chardonnays. The site is perfectly captured in this breathtaking bottle that shows richness and vibrancy with notes of apple, peach, and lees.
#10, Top 100 Washington Wines of 2016: 2012 Estate Reserve One of the state’s oldest wineries also happens to create some of Washington’s most age-worthy wines. This red blend is near equal parts Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc, along with a healthy dollop of Petit Verdot. Expect it to be at its best for a full 20 years.
#7 White, Top 100 Washington Wines of 2016: 2014 Washington Chardonnay Year after year, count on Woodward Canyon to produce Chardonnay both nuanced and profound. The 2014 vintage is the latest example from this “Old Faithful” of Washington winemakers.
Best Cabernet Sauvignon over $20 (2009): 2005 “Old Vines” Cabernet Sauvignon The aromas of this wine are both classic Cabernet—ripe, lush blackberry and dried herbs—and uniquely local, with the scent of recently rained-on wheatfields. Soft tannins and mouthwatering acidity balance this luscious wine, which comes from one of the best vintages Washington has seen. It will age well for several years and is a perfect match for beef short ribs.
#39, 100 Best Bottles of Washington Wine: 2009 “Artist Series” Cabernet Sauvignon While the majority of Washington wineries have set up shop only recently, Woodward Canyon is a veteran of the valley. This vintage of the Artist Series boasts luscious cherry and coffee flavors with moderate tannins. Though high in alcohol, the wine is expertly balanced and holds its weight beautifully. 92 Points.
#2 Cellar-Worthy, Top 100 Wines of 2015: 2012 “Old Vines” Cabernet Sauvignon Since its founding in 1981, Woodward Canyon has been responsible for some of the state’s best and most age-worthy wines. Barrel notes of coffee and vanilla take the lead, but with time, dense cherry and herb notes take over. Give it a good 10 years in the cellar—or several days of decanting.
#2 Top Merlot, Top 100 Washington Wines of 2015: 2012 Columbia Valley Merlot This 100 percent varietal wine comes from equal parts Weinbau and Woodward Canyon Estate vineyards. It shows a pleasing interplay of fruit and barrel, with aromas of chocolate, cherry, and spice followed by full-bodied fruit and tightly wound tannins.
#7 Top Whites, Top 100 Washington Wines of 2015: 2012 Celilo Vineyard Chardonnay Positioned in the western part of this dynamic growing region, Celilo Vineyard is known for the nervy acidity of its Chardonnays. The site is perfectly captured in this breathtaking bottle that shows richness and vibrancy with notes of apple, peach, and lees.
Best Chardonnay, Great NW Wine Competition (2013): 2012 Washington Chardonnay Winemaker Kevin Mott used grapes from the Estate Vineyard in the northern Walla Walla Valley and blended them with Chardonnay from Celilo Vineyard in the Columbia Gorge. A hint of mint, apple, and pineapple leads the aromas, followed by apple, pineapple, and lemon on the palate. The fruit flavors linger, slowly fading as a firm, crisp acidity clears the palate and leaves you ready for another delightful sip. Gold Medal.
#82, Top 100 Wines of 2015: 2011 Estate Reserve
#3, Top 100 Wines of 2015: 2012 “Old Vines” Cabernet Sauvignon
Best White / Best of Class, Great NW Wine Competition (2018): 2017 Washington Chardonnay
Recent Features
Looking for Understated Cabernet? Try Washington State – Wine Enthusiast
Cabernet Sauvignon has firmly planted itself as the premiere grape of Washington. Here are the wines to know.
The Pioneering Family-Run Wineries of Washington – Wine Enthusiast
Washington State may be a fairly new wine-producing region, but several of its wineries have generations of history. Here are a few pioneers who put the state’s wines on the map with their high-quality bottlings.
Why Wine Lovers Should Visit this Tiny Town in Rural Washington – Travel + Leisure
Walla Walla, Washington, known for apples and wheat, has also become a compelling wine destination. Ray Isle experiences its top-notch Cabs and Syrahs, homegrown restaurants, and refreshingly down-to-earth spirit.
Crushing It: The Best Washington Wines of 2019 – Seattle Magazine
All the winners from the 14th Annual Seattle magazine Wine Awards.
Woodward Canyon Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon Vertical Tasting – Washington Wine Blog
A few weeks back I had the wonderful opportunity to go back into time and taste through the entire lineup of Woodward Canyon ‘Artist Series’ Cabernet Sauvignon wines, starting with the 1992 vintage. – Dr. Owen Bargreen
Special Report: The Daughters of Washington Wine – Washington Tasting Room Magazine
As family-owned wineries transition into the next phase of leadership, we hear from a second generation of daughters who are taking command in various roles, bringing fresh ideas and new directions
