Woodward Canyon Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon 2003

Wine Enthusiast rating: 93

This 2003 Columbia Valley Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon is produced from grapes that were planted in the very early 1970's. The grapes were harvested by hand from Champoux Vineyard (98%) and Sagemoor Vineyard (2%) both on benches overlooking the Columbia River in southeastern Washington. The 2003 vintage was the warmest on record for Washington State. The wine was pumped over and punched down two to three times per day in small stainless steel tanks. Average fermentation was between seven and twelve days with one or two tanks given extend maceration time. After pressing and racking, the read more...various lots were moved to new French chateau barrels for aging and maturation. Later, in August of 2005, this wine was racked from barrel, assembled and bottled just before harvest started in early September 2005. This 2003 Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon is a rich and powerful red wine. It expresses the purity of fully mature Washington Cabernet Sauvignon from a warm vintage incredibly well. Flavors of dried black cherry and cassis marry with spicy new oak and vanilla toast coats the mouth. The texture is soft and silky yet there are firm mature tannins in the finish. The color is dark reddish purple; the complex aromas leap from the glass. This red wine will benefit greatly from additional cellaring and, with proper storage, should last for twelve years or more.    (hide)

Parker's Wine Advocate 91 points: "Produced from vines planted in 1972, 1979, and 1981 in the world-class Champoux vineyard, the 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Old Vines explodes from the glass with scents of spiced black fruits. Concentrated, powerful, and medium to full-bodied, it displays outstanding depth in its blackberry, cassis liqueur, black currant, and menthol flavors. Projected maturity: 2007-2017."

"Unlike recent vintages of Woodward Canyon's reds, neither this top-notch effort nor any of the other wines I tasted during my visit exhibited read more...any hard edges. It seems this old winery (by Washington standards) is reclaiming its rightful place among the state's top producers."
Wine Enthusiast 93 points: "This wine is immediately fascinating. A rich mix of fruits, ripened to compote intensity, offers both power and detail. Subtle streaks of herb, leaf and wet hay suggest old-vine complexity, and the acids are naturally firm and supportive. Everything is nicely knit together, full-bodied and deep." - Paul Gregutt

Tastings 94 points: "Brilliant ruby red-violet hue. Black currant, black cherry, leather and carnation aromas. Medium-full with excellent concentration, this offers layers of flavor with delicious varietal fruit and a lengthy, beautifully structured finish offering great persistence of fruit, youthful tannins, nicely integrated oak and a lively streak of acidity. Classy!"

The Winery Says: "This 2003 'Old Vines' Cabernet Sauvignon is a rich and powerful red wine. It expresses the purity of fully mature Washington cabernet sauvignon from a warm vintage incredibly well. Flavors of dried black cherry and cassis marry with spicy new oak and vanilla toast coats the mouth. The texture is soft and silky yet there are firm mature tannins in the finish. The color is dark reddish purple; the complex aromas leap from the glass. This red wine will benefit greatly from additional cellaring and, with proper storage, should last for twelve years or more."

This 2003 Columbia Valley 'Old Vines' Cabernet Sauvignon is produced from grapes that were planted in the very early 1970 s. The grapes were harvest by hand from Champoux Vineyard (98%) and Sagemoor Vineyard (2%) both on benches overlooking the Columbia River in southeastern Washington. The 2003 vintage was the warmest on record for Washington State.

The wine was pumped over and punched down two to three times per day in small stainless steel tanks. Average fermentation was between seven and twelve days with one or two tanks given extend maceration time. After pressing and racking, the various lots were moved to new French chateau barrels for aging and maturation. Later in August of 2005 this wine was racked from barrel, assembled and bottled just before harvest started in early September 2005.    (hide)

October 2009

Owner/Winemaker Rick Small continues a tradition of great Cab dating back to his first vintage in 1981. His latest effort opens with aromas of cloves, leather and oak with bold, mouth-filling lflavors of blueberries and blackberries. A brash wine with plenty of depth.

Platinum Medal

Owner/winemaker Rick Small’s most famous wine is his Old Vines Dedication Series Cab. Made since the winery’s inaugural vintage in 1981, each release honors a Walla Walla Valley pioneer. This shows off aromas of coffee, vanilla and ripe blackberries and complex flavors of mint, black read more...cherries and earthy midtones. Its underlying jammy viscosity gives it approachability in its youth, yet its well-structured acidity will help it age for a decade or more. Earned an “Outstanding” rating in Wine Press Northwest’s Fab Cab judging.    (hide)

The Wine Advocate rating: 91

Rating: 88/100 - As reviewed by Wine Spectator on 06/30/06