There are a small number of varietal wines that have been produced and bottled continuously every year for two decades, and Woodward Canyon Winery’s Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon is a consistent winner. Since the 1992 vintage, their award-winning Artist Series has featured a different talent each year, focusing mainly on artists from the Northwest.
To celebrate the 20th vintage of this acclaimed wine, owners Rick Small and Darcey Fugman-Small invited artist Melissa Webster, who designed their first label featured on Woodward Canyon’s inaugural 1981 vintage, to create a new interpretation of her original label.
The original label featured a woodblock print of Walla Walla Valley wheat fields. For the Artist Series 20th anniversary, Webster developed a piece that is similar to the original in style yet can also stand on its own. This label will be featured on the 2011 Artist Series #20 to be released December 6, 2013.
“When approached this spring about creating the 20th Anniversary Artist Series label, of course I was eager to join the project,” said Webster. “The painting done for this anniversary label is in the tradition of my landscapes of this area, emphasizing space, color, and abstract design. I will be very pleased if it reveals my familiarity and love for Walla Walla Valley.”
Winemaker’s Notes: Complex nose of baking spice, ripe olive and thyme integrated beautifully with aromas of black fruits and cassis. In the mouth the wine is firm but rich showing notes of pepper, herb and berries. 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. (Release date: December 2013)