The Old Vines series of Cabernet (originally called the Dedication series), which has been produced since the winery was founded in 1981, is made primarily from grapes from Sagemore Vineyards, the oldest Cabernet vineyard in Washington State.
The 1987 vintage of this wine was the first Washington wine to make Wine Spectator's Top 10 list.
It is a full-bodied Cabernet and, in the right cellar conditions, can generally be aged for 15 years or more from the vintage.
The wine is produced and bottled at Woodward Canyon Winery.
In the glass it is a dense, deep purple color.
Aromas of cocoa, blackcurrant and anise unfold alongside a rich concentration of ripe black fruit and molasses.
New French oak barrels bring the fruit, acidity and alcohol together, creating great weight, texture and overall mouthfeel.
Furthermore, the smooth yet firm tannins provide a seamless, rich and lingering finish.
This wine expresses the purity of ripe Cabernet Sauvignon that can only be achieved from old vineyards.
It pairs wonderfully with beef short ribs, filet mignon and dark chocolate cake.
Store at cellar temperature and enjoy.
Vineyards Sagemore Vineyards (63%) Established in 1968, Sagemore is a pioneering vineyard that helped establish Washington's wine industry and is one of the oldest vinifera vineyards in Washington State.
Rick has been using Sagemore fruit since he was making wine at home and still does today.
Planted in 1972, grapes from specific rows in blocks 3 and 9 are still made into "Old Vines" Cabernet Sauvignon wine today.
Quincy loamy fine sand, Sage Hill very fine sandy loam, 2-10% slope.
Altitude 174m.
Weinbau Vineyards (31%) is located between the Rattlesnake Mountains to the south and the Saddle Mountains to the north.
The land slopes gently southwards and ranges from 7,216 to 290 metres above sea level.
Weinbau is a warm, well-drained region with soils consisting primarily of Kennewick silt loam and a slope of 2-5%.
The consistency of soil type is reflected in the growth of the vines and subsequently in the wines.
Woodward Canyon Estate Vineyards (6%) Established in 1977, Woodward Canyon is currently the westernmost vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley AVA, located approximately 15 miles west of Walla Walla, Washington.
The 17 hectares of vineyards and several hectares of parkland are planted with native species such as western juniper, ponderosa pine, western sage brush, arrowleaf balsam root and perennial wildflowers.
Ritzville silt loam over fractured basalt, slopes 15-18%.
Altitude 229-260m.
Managed by Woodward Canyon Winery.
Salmon-safe certified organic grapes.
Owner and winemaker Rick Small's family has been farming the area where Woodward Canyon vineyards are now located for three generations.
He planted vines there in the late 1970s and founded Woodward Canyon in 1981, the second winery in Walla Walla after Leonetti.
Rick Small has deep roots in the region and is one of a handful of Washington State veterans who has dedicated his life to producing world-class fine wines.
Woodward Canyon wines are imbued with his uncompromising rigor and passion for winemaking, which includes personally witnessing every stage from the vine to the bottle.
From canopy and irrigation management in the vineyards to the natural drying of oak barrels in the winery, great care is taken at every stage of the winemaking process.
His vision for wine has always been quality over quantity, and his long-standing reputation as one of Washington State's best winemakers is testament to that.
Woodward Canyon wines are lovingly crafted and bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Rick Small's deep knowledge of the land and passion for quality are expressed in his wines.