2012 Woodward Canyon Cabernet Sauvignon Old Vines
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Tasting notes
(91% Cabernet Sauvignon from Champoux and Sagemoor vineyard; the 9% Petit Verdot component is from the estate vineyard behind the winery in Lowden; aged in 100% new French oak): Deep, bright ruby. Brooding aromas of blackberry, cassis, dark spices and bitter chocolate. Broad, rich and sweet, boasting terrific breadth and depth to its dark fruit, spice and leather flavors. This mouthcoating wine finishes with serious but sweet building tannins and excellent length. Rick Small noted that he uses the small-berried Petit Verdot from his home vineyard as a natural acidifier, noting that it also accentuates the wine's structure. This wine was racked only a total of three times, according to Small.
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Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate
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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.