‘Power and finesse’ Paul Golitzin said with a twinkle in his eye as he glanced across the room at me. As I tasted his beautiful 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon wines, I couldn’t agree more. Seated across from Paul, one of North America’s great winemakers, it had been several months since we had visited and talked about his new wines as well as the most recent vintage. I have been fortunate enough to revisit every vintage of Quileda Creek over the past year, going back to the 2004 vintage. This kind of quality control helps me shape where this winery stands not only on the Pacific Northwest stage, but amongst the finest Cabernet Sauvignon producers in North America. For decades my family have been members at the winery, affording me the opportunity to visit these wines back in my early 20s, long before I was taking tasting notes on wines. Paul and his family talked about the new developments in the vineyards, particularly new developments in both Champoux and Galitzine Vineyards which will be exciting to see how that develops in the glass. Paul got his start in wine very young, and was particularly inspired following a trip to France at age 15. Mentored by his father Alex Golitzin and his great Uncle Andre Tchelistcheff, Paul took what he had learned and developed his own style that has been the most consistently great Cabernet Sauvignon in Washington State. I can’t say I knew I wanted to be a wine journalist on my first visit to France at age 17 (1997). But what I do remember is being consistently blown away with the food and wine culture throughout the two week visit. I think there is something remarkable about going to France at a young age and seeing the daily passion about food and wine that rings true regardless of generation there.
Back in September I was honored to the first wine critic to try the new 2018 Quilceda Creek wines wines — and while I felt the Cabernet wines needed a few more months of bottle age to come to my full conclusions, I found the wines to be absolutely magical. I spent time tasting these beautiful wines over several hours last night. Both wines are as good as it gets for Washington Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2018 Quilceda Creek ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 100) is a wine that embodies opulence, yet possesses incredible tension and finesse, with a pillowy mouthfeel and texture. The purity of fruit here is just extraordinary, as this wine is a must-purchase for any serious collector of Washington Cabernet Sauvignon. Just as good is the more hedonistic-driven 2018 Quilceda Creek ‘Galitzine Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvingon (OB, 100) is a massive, chewy and dense, wine that is sinfully good right now. Extremely powerful, this has cellaring potential that will eclipse two decades. Learn more about these incredible wines at quilcedacreek.com and here are my reviews of the nothing short of epic 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon wines by Quilceda Creek.
2018 Quilceda Creek ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- This is now the second time in the past six months that I have had the opportunity to try the gorgeous 2018 ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon which marks the 40th vintage of this iconic Washington wine. This edition is as good as it gets for Washington Cabernet Sauvignon. Right away the gorgeous creme de violette and creme de cassis tones alongside blackberry. cordial, exotic spices with dark chocolate shavings that all take shape in the glass. The pillowy texture provides an exotic appeal. The finesse is just incredible here as it effortlessly glides cross the mid-palate. Over more time the seamless texture becomes even more pronounced. Sweet pipe tobacco and creme de cassis flavors are woven together with Black Forest Cake, fresh blueberries and graphite with shades of tar take shape on the palate. Truly sensational even at the two year mark, the 2018 ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon will provide drinking enjoyment over the next twenty plus years. Drink 2022-2040- 100
2018 Quilceda Creek. ‘Galitzine. Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The heady, intense and decadent 2018 ‘Galitzine Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon is just an incredible showing from this fantastic vintage on Red Mountain. A glass-staining purple, the bouquet is pure Red Mountain, showing off gorgeous scorched earth with violets, tar and tobacco leaf tones that all take shape in the glass. The dense palate is plush and full-bodied taking you on a full-throttle joyride. Gorgeous Turkish coffee and creme de violette flavors deftly combine with black currants, pipe tobacco, and cocoa dusted black cherry flavors. Given more air this becomes even more magical. 2018 ‘Galitzine Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon will cellar well for two plus decades. Drink 2023-2045- 100