Woodward Canyon Artist Series #27 Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Artist Series is a gem and well worth seeking out. Based on 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot and Syrah, brought up in 28% new oak, it offers an outstanding nose of blackcurrants, toasted spice, chocolate, and bouquet garni. Concentrated, firm and structured, with medium to full-bodied richness, it's another age-worthy wine in the lineup that needs to be forgotten for 3-5 years.

Bright ruby-red. Pure, youthfully medicinal scents of cassis, boysenberry, blueberry, licorice, menthol, bitter chocolate and pungent herbs. Brisk, delineated, high-pitched and tightly wound, with classic medicinal Cabernet Sauvignon character in the early going. Dominant flavors of cassis, licorice, menthol and dark chocolate. I did not taste this bottle alongside its 2017 sibling, but the two wines strike me as quite similar in style and quality. This one is perhaps a bit sweeter and may open sooner but is still quite firm and tactile on the finish.

This wine isn't ready to reveal itself right now, with locked up aromas of chocolate, cocoa, cherry and spice. Coffee and cherry flavors follow. Give it some additional time in the cellar to blossom.