Woodward Canyon Estate Merlot 2021

Tasting notes

Bold aromas of red currant and plum mingle with hints of cedar and aromas reminiscent of freshly turned earth after a summer rain. A full-bodied mouthfeel delivers complex flavors of fig, interlaced with berries and earthy undertones. The wine is well structured with a nice balance of tannin and acidity. Enjoy now, but this wine has the complexity and structure to age well for at least six years. 

Pairing

Pair with baked pasta dishes, grilled cheeseburgers or roasted Italian peppers and sausage.
 

Terroir

Woodward Canyon Estate Vineyard
Established in 1976, Woodward Canyon is the westernmost vineyard in Walla Walla Valley AVA, roughly 15 miles west of Walla Walla, Washington. There are 41 vine-yard 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%, 750-850ft elevation. Managed by Woodward Canyon. All grapes are Salmon Safe certified as is the wine.

Vinification

Hand harvested
Barrel fermented in 33% new
French & Hungarian Barrels, 20 months
Spontaneous malolactic fermentation

Winery Description

Owner and winemaker Rick Small’s family has been farming the same land where Woodward Canyon’s vineyards now lie for three generations. Rick first planted vineyards here in the late 1970’s, and Woodward Canyon was the second winery to be established in the Walla Walla appellation in 1981, after Leonetti. With deep roots in the land, Rick Small is one of a handful of the Washington wine industry’s ‘elder statesmen’ that have devoted their lives to producing some of the world’s finest wines in Washington. Woodward Canyon wines express the passion and intensity of Rick Small’s devotion to his work - he personally oversees the crafting of each of his wines from vine to bottle. Painstaking effort is taken in each step of the winemaking process, from canopy and irrigation management in the vineyard to ageing oak in order to make his own barrels at the winery. Rick’s vision for his wine has always been quality over quantity, and his enduring reputation as one of Washington’s finest winemakers is testament to his success. Woodward Canyon wines are never fined nor filtered and are always expertly handcrafted. Rick Small’s intimate knowledge of the land and passion for quality can be tasted in every glass.