Wine Advocate Scores Announced

We are happy to share the latest scores and reviews from Jeb Dunnuck of The Wine Advocate: 

2012 Woodward Canyon Columbia Valley Merlot - 90+ points

I think there’s some upside to the 2012 Columbia Valley Merlot. Coming from the Weinbau and Woodward Canyon estate vineyards, it has lots of oak in its black cherry fruit, scorched earth, graphite and coffee bean-like aromas and flavors. These give way to a medium to full-bodied, plump, layered and nicely concentrated wine that will be better in another year or two, and have a decade or more of longevity. Drink: 2015-2035. 

2012 Woodward Canyon Estate Reserve - 95 points (Watch for Release)

A sensational Bordeaux blend, the 2012 Estate Reserve checks in as a blend of 28% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Franc, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon and the balance Petit Verdot that spent 21 months in 100% new French oak. It offers thrilling cassis, caramelized black cherries, licorice and toasted bread notes to go with a full-bodied, ultra-pure, multidimensional feel on the palate. This is Walla Walla at its finest, and while it’s approachable today, it won’t hit maturity for 7-8 years and will evolve for a decade or more past that. Drink: 2023-2033. 

2013 Woodward Canyon Chardonnay- 91 points

The only white presented, Woodward Canyon’s 2013 Columbia Valley Chardonnay offers lots of ripe white peach, citrus blossom, white flowers, toasted bread and hints of brioche in a medium-bodied, elegant, pure and beautifully balanced package. Fermented and aged in 20% new French oak, this is downright classy, and will offer plenty of pleasure over the coming 2-3 years. Drink: 2015-2018. 

2012 Woodward Canyon Erratic -91 points

There are 173 cases of the 2012 Erratic (53% Mourvedre, 33% Syrah and 14% Grenache, aged in 2- to 3-year old barrels) and it has lots of Mourvedre-influenced minerality, earth, pepper and dark fruit characteristics on the nose. These flow to a full-bodied, nicely structured, balanced and age-worthy wine that can be drunk today or cellared for a decade. Drink: 2015-2025. 

2012 Woodward Canyon Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon - 95 points

The biggest, most rich, mineral-laced and massive wine in the portfolio, the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Old Vines gives up lots of currants, charcoal, smoke earth and chocolate to go with a full-bodied, concentrated, structured and backward profile. This has lots of oak, lots of tannin, and lots of potential, but it should only be purchased by patient consumers. Give it 5-7 years and enjoy bottles over the following two decades. This is 91% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Petit Verdot, mostly from the crème de la crème Champoux Vineyard, which spent 21 months in 100% new French oak. It’s up with the top wines of the vintage and readers looking for a classic, serious and age-worthy Bordeaux blend from Washington need look no further. Drink: 2022-2042.

2012 Woodward Canyon Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon - 93 points

A beautiful Bordeaux blend, the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Artist Series checks in as a blend of 100% Cabernet, from a number of vineyards (mostly Woodward Canyon, Champoux and Spring Creek), that spent 21 months in 50% new French oak. It’s a classy, full-bodied, seamless and sexy 2012 that exhibits lots of black cherry, black raspberry, toasted spices, licorice and dried herbs. The most approachable and forward of the Bordeaux blends, it will still have two decades of longevity. Drink: 2015-2035.

Travel Time for Rick and Darcey

Rick and I made a whirlwind trip to the west side last week. We started in Seattle with lunch with our son at one of our favorites, Tom Douglas' Dahlia Lounge. Rick had the crab cakes, which we think are hands down the best around, I had the curried clams – yum – and Sager worked his way through the burger. It was on a trip to Italy a number of years ago with Tom, Peter Dow and Michael Teer that Rick fell in love with Barbera and Dolcetto, then came home and planted those varieties in our Estate Vineyard.

Rick and I followed with a dinner at Volterra that Tamara Donaghy, the proprietor of the downtown Seattle women's clothing store Sway and Cake, purchased at the Seattle Hotel Association's Evening of Hope auction. Chef Don Curtiss and his crew put together a wonderful menu matched to Woodward Canyon wines. My favorite course was the Braised Pork Cheeks and Potato Gnocchi with the 2006 Columbia Valley Merlot. A good time was had by all and a great charity, the Plymouth Housing Group, benefited.

Then the next morning it was on to Moclips on the Washington Coast. As a young child I had spent time there with my parents so it was interesting to go back after so many years. The Ocean Crest Resort sits on a ridge above the ocean with wonderful views – particularly sunsets. The restaurant there produces a regular calendar of winemaker dinners and has an award-winning wine list, primarily NW wines, many of them nicely aged. It is always a surprising treat to find such a wine list in an off-the-beaten-path place.

On our day "off" we drove up to the Quinault Lodge at the edge of the Olympic National Park. After a short hike to see the world's largest spruce, we headed to the lodge for lunch. It is a beautifully maintained 1930's lodge that overlooks the lake. If you have not been there, it is worth the trip. For whatever reason, every time Rick and I have been in the rain forest it has been clear and warm and this was no different.

Then back to the coast for a nice long walk on a sunny beach before the winemaker dinner which was paired with many of our older wines from the Resort's cellar. My favorite course there was the Chocolate Chili with Citrus Pepper Puffs matched with the 2004 Merlot. I have to get that recipe!

It was a long haul home the next day to cloudy and gray Walla Walla, but we had met some nice folks, had plenty of good food and got an invigorating dose of salt air and sunshine so it was well worth it.

Darcey / Woodward Canyon Winery.