Woodward Canyon was founded in 1981, that’s pretty old by Washington standards.  They quickly made a reputation for making outstanding Washington wine.  They get their fruit from their estate, as well as Champoux, Sagemoor, and a few other select vineyards.  This Saturday we will be pouring three of their wines along with a couple of other Washington contenders to even things out.  Stop in and see us.
 
2016 Nelms Road Chardonnay $16
In 1998, Woodward Canyon Winery began producing wines under a second label, Nelms Road, from young vineyards and surplus lots of Woodward Canyon Winery production.  The Nelms Road Chardonnay has flavors of pear, pineapple, and white peach are melded together.  It is smooth and supple and surprisingly complex with neutral oak and bright acidity.
 
2016 Long Shadows Poets Leap Riesling $20
Another Walla Walla, Long Shadows winery founded in 2003, makes a wide variety of award winning wines with their bevy of winemakers. The Poet’s Leap is an off-dry Riesling with expressive, spicy aromatics and generous, lively flavors. Fresh melon, honey, ripe apricot and a hint of citrus jump on the palate leaving a vibrant, racy impression and a long, clean finish.
 
2013 Robert Karl Claret $20
55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17%, Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 9% Petit Verdot and Malbec.
Robert Karl Cellars is a boutique, Spokane winery producing handcrafted wines.  The grapes for the Claret are from Horse Heaven Hills (AVA) of the Columbia Valley.  It has pleasing aromas of baking spice, cocoa and vanilla lead to a well-proportioned palate, full of dark-fruit flavors that show a reserved styling.
 
2015 Nelms Road Red Wine  $26
53% Merlot, 31% Cabernet Franc, & the balance being other Bordeaux varieties.
Woodward Canyon Estate is the predominant vineyard for this red blend.  The very warm 2015 vintage gave beautifully ripe yet balanced fruit with enticing flavors of black cherry, mocha and baking spice. Complex aromas of roasted meat, black fruits and tobacco integrate, leading to a soft generous finish. The wine has lovely texture; and though it was bottled early to retain fruit, is quite enjoyable now. 
 
2014 Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon $50
92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot  
Fruit for this wine comes from Champoux, Sagemoor, Woodward Canyon Estate and Summit View vineyards. Each produces fantastic wine in their own right; when blended they produce extraordinary wine with a complex nose of baking spice, black olive and graham integrated beautifully with aromas of ripe black fruits.  In the mouth the wine is rich and elegant, showing subtle notes of herb and black berry.  Integrated tannins enhance the texture and give proportion; the finish is complex, generous, and long.  While this wine can be enjoyed now it will benefit greatly from additional cellaring and, with proper storage, should develop for ten years or more.

Madrona Wine Merchants offers free wine tastings featuring 4-5 selections on a theme every Saturday from 2 until the bottles run out and on Sunday we offer a mini-tasting of two wines all day from 11-5.