I was able to taste three 2021s from Woodward Canyon. The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Artist Series checks in as 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot, 5% Merlot, and 1% Cabernet Franc and was brought up in 30% new French and Hungarian oak. It's a perfumed, exotic, pretty red that has both red and blue fruits as well as some underlying sappy flowers, truffle, and leafy herb-like aromas and flavors. It's beautifully balanced, has fine tannins, and a pure, layered, seamless profile that will evolve gracefully over the coming 15 years.

Art inspires in places where words often fail. This Cabernet Sauvignon paints a picture of blackberries and seared steaks that waltz with pipe tobacco, iodine and a hint of mint. The almost creamy texture is counterpointed by elevated acidity that injects a bit of liveliness. Palette meets palate here. — Michael Alberty

Masses of steeped plums and crushed black raspberries and a dusting of clove and exotic spice make the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Artist Series a total pleasure on the nose. This sweeps across the palate with ease, guided by zesty acidity and ripe wild berry fruits that slowly saturate. It tapers off with a spicy tinge, leaving an air of lavender and hints of salted licorice. Fine-grained tannins frame the experience nicely.