Woodward Canyon Winery owners, Rick Small and Darcey Fugman-Small, are proud to announce the inauguration of the 2010 Walla Walla Valley ERRATIC. Inspired by the French Provence region, ERRATIC is composed of 57% Mourvèdre, 29% Grenache and 14% Syrah.
Woodward Canyon, has been quietly experimenting with Mediterranean varieties, clones and rootstock for nearly ten years, however this is the first vintage of ERRATIC that has been produced. All grapes were sustainably grown at the Woodward Canyon Estate Vineyard which is Certified Sustainable by LIVE and by the International Organisation for Biological Control (IOBC). As a part of that certification the Vineyard is also designated Salmon-Safe, as is this wine.
The 2010 Walla Walla Valley ERRATIC fruit was sorted and harvested by hand prior to destemming; fermentation took place in small stainless steel open top tanks. After fermentation, the various lots were basket pressed and moved directly to small French oak barrels for maturation and development.
Tasting notes: This wine is deep purple in color with aromatics of ripe black fruits, anise, herbs and roasted meat. In the mouth there are complex flavors of dried black fruits, spiced espresso and herbs de Provence. The texture is silky, yet firm and the finish is generous and long. It is fascinating to smell and taste the expression of Woodward Canyon Estate Vineyard in this blend. With proper cellaring this wine should age easily for five years.
The blend of Mourvèdre, Grenache, and Syrah will vary as the vintage, varieties and winemaking dictate so the results will, in fact, be rather “erratic.” To that end, and in tribute to the ice-rafted granite boulder brought to the Estate Vineyard during the last ice age flood, it was named ERRATIC.
For more information, please contact Nichole Whitchurch at 509-525-4129 or email at getthedirt@woodwardcanyon.com.