One of the shining stars of world wine, Quilceda Creek is arguably the Pacific Northwest’s most famous wine brand. It had been roughly a year since I sat beside and tasted with Paul Golitzin, one of North America’s great winemakers. I’ve tasted every vintage of Quilceda Creek and this new edition of wines are the finest overall lineup I have ever had.
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 has been spending a great deal of focus on his Mach One, Champoux and Galitzine Vineyards which are producing sensational grape clusters that I saw firsthand during the past several harvests. Paul got his start in wine when he was 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.
Yesterday I was honored to the first wine critic to try the new 2021 Quilceda Creek wines. I tasted the wines at the winery and also later that night at home. The 2021 Quilceda Creek ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 100) is a wine that embodies perfection. This wine will go down with the 2018 as the finest ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernets that have ever been made. This is seamless, silky Washington Cabernet Sauvignon that does not get any better than this. Just as good is the more heady and hedonistic 2021 Quilceda Creek ‘Galitzine Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 100) which will easily be a 20 year wine. This massive beast really needs another year in the cellar but will appeal to literally every lover of world-class Cabernet Sauvignon. Learn more about these incredible wines at quilcedacreek.com and here are my reviews of the sensational 2021 pre-release Cabernet Sauvignon wines by Quilceda Creek.
2021 Quilceda Creek ‘CVR’ Red Wine- Arguably the finest ’CVR’ yet produced, this 2021 edition is composed of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon with 5% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and the remainder Cabernet Franc — which is a departure from the 2020 vintage which was nearly all Cabernet. The wine spent 20 months in 50% new French oak before bottling. This displays intriguing herbal notes from the Petite Verdot and Cabernet Franc. This displays more aromatic layers than the 2020 bottling. The texture is really outstanding as this is silky smooth throughout the drinking experience. Layers of mocha, tar and anise collide with copious minerals and great tension considering the warmth of the vintage. Drink 2023-2035- 95
2021 Quilceda Creek ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2021 ‘Columbia Valley’ mainly comes from the Champoux Vineyard (90%) with the remainder coming from the Mach One Vineyard. A range of Cabernet Sauvignon clones are blended into this wine that spent 20 months in all new French oak before bottling. The aromatics really pop here with violets alongside potpourri and Turkish coffee, sandalwood, allspice dusted dates and shades of black licorice. The palate is generous, weightless and very generous as this is a total show stopper. Concentrated blue and black fruits with walnut, with creme de violette all brilliantly combine with the elegant mid-palate mouthfeel. Finishing extremely long, this is nothing short of perfection in a bottle. I don’t say this lightly but this is arguably the finest ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon that I have ever tasted. Give this three hours or more in the decanter if enjoying now. Drink 2024-2044- 100
2021 Quilceda Creek ‘Palengat’ Caberent Sauvignon- The 2021 ‘Palengat’ comes from the Mach One Vineyard which utilizes Clone 685 Cabernet Sauvignon. Stored in all new French oak for 20 months, this offers insane power and aromatic range on the nose. Iodine and creme de cassis tones combine with espresso grounds, purple rose petals, scorched earth and tobacco leaf notes. The palate is plush and loaded with black and blue fruit flavors. Showing its seamless mouthfeel, the wine effortless glides throughout the drinking experience. Weightless, yet showing serious force, with bright underlying tension, enjoy this beauty now and over the next twenty years to come. Give this at least three hours in the decanter if savoring in its heady youth. Drink 2024-2044- 100
2021 Quilceda Creek ‘Tchelistcheff’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2021 ‘Tchelistcheff’ is a tribute to after Paul Golitzin’s uncle, Andre Tchelistcheff, who was a United States wine icon. Stored in all new French oak barrels, this wine comes from the Mach One Vineyard and utilizes Clonal 412 selections. The nose is incredibly complex with anise and black currant jelly alongside Arabica bean and suggestions of creosote. The palate is plush, soft and very refined with silky tannins that frame a core of deeply concentrated black fruits. With more air cedar, sweet pipe tobacco and suggestions of toasted hazelnut and salty accents all add to the enjoyment. Enjoy this beauty now and over the next twenty years to come. Drink 2024-2044- 99
2021 Quilceda Creek ‘Galitzine’ Cabernet Sauvignon- A total stunner, the 100% varietal 2021 Quilceda Creek ‘Galitzine’ Cabernet Sauvignon utilizes Clonal 8 selection and was stored in all new French oak before bottling. On the nose this takes on heady dark rose petal notes alongside tar, black licorice and smoldering stones. The palate is very dense and layered with fabulous concentration and underlying freshness. Huckleberry, dark chocolate shavings, pencil lead and shades of anise with glorious length greets you on the palate. This will easily be a 20 plus year wine. Enjoy this total heavyhitter now and over the next twenty years to come. Drink 2024-2044- 100