2017 Woodward Canyon Cabernet Sauvignon Old Vines
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Tasting notes
Bright ruby-red. Inky aromas of blackberry, cassis, licorice, bitter chocolate and graphite. Dense, minerally, sweet and deep, with inky black fruit flavors dominating in the early going. Finishes with broad but surprisingly suave tannins and excellent length. Sweeter than the 2018 version and likely to give pleasure earlier. Here the tannins are plusher and riper but the finish shows a bit of alcoholic warmth (this is the only one of these reds that admits to 15% on the label).
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Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Jeb Dunnuck
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The flagship here from this reference point estate is the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Old Vines, which is based on 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, and 2% Malbec aged 21 months in new barrels. The fruit comes 80% from the Sagemoor Vineyard, with smaller amounts from Champoux and Woodward Canyon. Deep purple/plum-colored with powerful notes of blackcurrants, dried earth, tobacco, lead pencil, and chocolate, this full-bodied, regal, austere beauty has a stacked mid-palate, a layered, mouthfilling texture, ripe tannins, and a great, great finish. Reminding me of a top Saint-Estephe (or Pauillac?), it needs to be hidden in the back of the cellar, but it will cruise for 30 years or more. Hats off to winemaker Kevin Mott for another gorgeous Cabernet Sauvignon that will stand up to the best out there.