Every so often I have a chance to dig deep into my cellar and uncork a beauty. Such was the case when I was on vacation in Las Vegas and I brought along a 2005 Quilceda Creek Merlot. For years I had admired this wine which was first discontinued and then later brought back with the 2019 vintage. For me, Quilceda Merlot was as soft and pillowy as it gets, truly rivaling any Merlot bottling in North America. I think that Quilceda Merlot would give any top wine from Napa or Sonoma a run for its money.
2005 had near perfect growing conditions in Washington State. This vintage remains one of my all time favorites, rivaling 2012 and 2018 for red wines. Sometimes older wines have cork issues but this beauty was cellared since release so it showed remarkably well.
Paul Golitzin had a penchant for Merlot. I was always sad when he stopped making the 100% Merlot bottlings. Since they have brought back this wine, there is a ton of promise, as I have been blown away with the new wines just as I was with the older wines. Learn more at quilcedacreek.com. Here is my review of the incredible 2005 Quilceda Creek Merlot.
2005 Quilceda Creek Merlot- Pillowy and soft as it gets, this opulent 2005 Merlot is still standing tall at nearly twenty years of age. Once on the nose this takes on layers of tobacco leaf, cocoa powder dusted dark cherry, loganberry liquor and exotic spices laced with espresso grounds. On the mouth this is soft and generous, revealing its trademark silky texture. Finishing long with deep dark fruits, shades of huckleberry and minerals alongside toasty oak, this is truly an astonishingly good wine to consume now. Drink 2023-2030- 97