I have been fortunate to visit each vintage of Quilceda Creek going back to the 2002 vintage. For those who have not had the chance to taste their older wines, you are in for an incredible tasting experience. A pillar of quality in the Pacific Northwest, Quicleda Creek was founded by Alex and Jeanette Golitzin back in 1978. Mentored by his father Alex Golitzin and his great Uncle Andre Tchelistcheff, Paul Golitzin took what he had learned and developed his own style that has been the most consistently world-class Cabernet Sauvignon in Washington State.
Last Friday I had the honor of being the first wine critic to taste the new wines from the 2020 vintage. So far in the red wines that I have tasted from this vintage, there is a bit of a mixed bag of excellent wines and also lean or herbal wines — or even smoke impacted wine. The 2020 wines from Quilceda Creek were remarkably clean with no smoke impact. They were utterly sensational across the board.
2018 produced some of the finest wines I have ever tasted from this estate, as I awarded two of the wines, their ‘Columbia Valley’ and ‘Galitzine Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon both 100 points. The new wines are magical, with incredible poise, weight and deep, concentrated black and blue fruits. The 2020 Quilceda Creek ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 99) is a stunning, incredibly balanced wine that is opulent and silky, with refined tannins. Even more mesmerizing is the 2020 Quilceda Creek ‘Galitzine Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 100) which is more intense and hedonistic, yet still very refined and smooth. These wines are drinking fabulously in their full-throttle youth and will surely satisfy for another two decades. Learn more about these incredible wines at quilcedacreek.com and here are my reviews of the spring 2023 release Cabernet Sauvignon wines by Quilceda Creek.
2020 Quilceda Creek ‘CVR’ Red Wine- The 2020 Quilceda Creek ‘CVR’ is a beautiful new wine that blends in 7% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc that was stored in 22 months in French oak in roughly 65% new French oak. Violets, tar and espresso grounds hit the nose, with layers of dark currants. The palate is soft and refined with silky tannins that connect with a beautiful core of black and blue fruits, with dark chocolate shavings and pencil lead. Glorious to consume now, enjoy over the next decade. Drink 2022-2032- 94
2020 Quilceda Creek ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The outstanding new 2020 Quilceda Creek ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon was sourced mainly from the Champoux Vineyard (90%) with the remainder coming from the Mach One Vineyard. This reveals very pretty black rose petals with blueberry compote, sandalwood, mocha, tar and anise notes that all meld in the glass. The palate is utterly seamless, as this glides throughout the drinking experience. Huckleberry pie, dark chocolate covered blackberry and black raspberry coulis combine with loamy soils. This is super refined and elegant Cabernet Sauvignon that is already beautifully evolved and will provide drinking enjoyment over the next fifteen to twenty years. Drink 2022-2039- 99
2020 Quilceda Creek ‘Palengat Clone 685 Mach One Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- This is single vineyard, single clone and single cooper wine (Darnajou selection 1976). The nose is beautifully floral with potpourri and black currant cordial alongside black walnut and exotic spices. The palate is very seamless and soft with refined tannins. Chocolate covered Arabica bean, blueberry compote, and espresso grounds, with creme de violette all brilliantly combine on the palate. This is powerful with incredible underlying finesse. Drink this beauty over the next twenty years. Drink 2022-2042- 99
2020 Quilceda Creek ‘Tchelistcheff Clone 412 Mach One Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The stunning new 2020 Quilceda Creek ‘Tchelistcheff Clone 412 Mach One Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the great wines of this vintage. Stored in 100% new French oak, the wine shows astonishingly good black floral character, with Asian spices, sweet pipe tobacco and wet gravel. The palate is deep and concentrated, with an underlying salty character, bright underlying acidity and a near minute-long finish. A complete wine, this is already beautifully evolved and will provide drinking pleasure over the next twenty years. Give this electric wine several hours in the decanter before enjoying. Drink 2022-2042- 100
2020 Quilceda Creek ‘Galitzine Vineyard Clone 8’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Stored in 100% new French oak, the single varietal 2020 Quilceda Creek ‘Galitzine Vineyard Clone 8’ Cabernet Sauvignon shows off its stunning aromatics with black tea, blueberry liquor, Turkish coffee and rocky soil notes alongside deep black and blue florals. The palate is deep and concentrated with intense black and blue fruit flavors. With more air intense mocha and graphite tones emerge with creme de cassis, cedar, and scorched earth flavors brilliantly combine. While very full-throttle, there is brilliant underlying finesse. Finishing exceedingly long, this is a masterpiece by director of winemaking Paul Golitzin. Be sure to give this three plus hours in the decanter before consuming. Drink 2022-2045- 100