Yesterday I had the great opportunity to come back to Quilceda Creek and taste their pre-release 2023 wines. I arrived and tasted all of their Cabernets as well as their incredible 2023 ‘CVR’ Red Wine that has to be up there with the finest ‘CVRs’ made.
2023 was a warm vintage that had few major heat spikes. So far the wines I have tasted from 2023 have great depth and concentration, with more body and less tension than the ‘22s. 2023 is clearly a better overall vintage for Bordeaux style wines in Washington than ’22 — a cooler, later-ripening vintage that has a lot more variation in terms of overall quality for Bordeaux varietals.
No Merlot was made at Quilceda Creek in 2023 as they felt that no stand alone Merlot could be made. The instead blended Merlot into their ‘CVR’ as the Merlot and the ‘Champoux Vineyard’ Cabernet Franc add to the impressive floral character in this wine.
I’ve tried every vintage of these wines and I can confidently say that these are the best wines that have ever been made at this historic Washington house. The overall quality was nothing short of insanely good. In terms of flavor density, flavor complexity and varietal character Quilceda Creek stands alone in this state for Cabernet Sauvignon. This is the first time I have ever awarded perfect 100 point scores for four or more wines at any house in North America. The four Cabernets are actually quite different and would make for a thrilling side by side for a collector to see the similarities and differences between them.
There is little question that Paul Golitzin is one of the great North American winemakers. Golitzin took over winemaking for Quilceda more than two decades ago. I have been fortunate enough to taste every vintage of Quilceda Creek. Golitzin 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. The hiring of Mark Kaigas in 2022 has shown to be a great move for Golitzin and his team. Formerly the winemaker at Colgin, Kaigas works closely with President and Director of Winemaking Paul Golitzin and Vineyard Manager Dan Nickolaus.
I think you are going to be blown away with the 2023 Quilceda Creek ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 100) which is every bit as good as the ’22 and ’21. It is a show-stopping wine that is velvety and smooth, with a killer floral profile. Every Cabernet lover is going to be enamored by the scintillating 2023 Quilceda Creek ‘Galitzine Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 100) which is a hedonistic beast of a wine that really does need another year or two in the cellar. Your patience will be rewarded! Learn more about these incredible wines at quilcedacreek.com and here are my reviews of the sensational 2023 pre-release Cabernet Sauvignon wines by Quilceda Creek.
2023 Quilceda Creek ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2023 Quilceda Creek ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon mirrors the blend from ’22, with 90% coming from the Champoux Vineyard and the remainder sourced from the Mach One Vineyard. Stored in all new French oak barrels once on the nose this takes on creme de violette, and graphite notes alongside beautiful purple rose petals, walnut and shades of Black Forest cake. The palate is weightless and seamless throughout the drinking experience, as this has immense depth, and flavor complexity and flavor density with serious verve and length. A complete wine, enjoy this mesmerizing Cabernet Sauvignon over the next twenty years. If savoring now be sure to give this several hours in the decanter. Drink 2026-2046- 100
2023 Quilceda Creek ‘Palengat’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2023 ‘Palengat’ comes from the Mach One Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA. This 100% variety wine utilizes clone 685. The nose is uniquely floral with black rose and shades of black licorice, sandalwood and tar notes alongside wafts of Arabica bean and dark chocolate shavings. The palate is impeccably balanced and elegant with refined tannins that frame a glorious core of black and blue fruits alongside espresso bean, beef drippings and rocky nuances. This has to be the finest edition of this wine ever crafted. Explore this beauty over the next two decades. Drink 2026-2046- 100
2023 Quilceda Creek ‘Tchelistcheff’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The spellbinding 2023 Quilceda Creek ‘Tchelistcheff’ Cabernet Sauvignon comes from the Mach One Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills. Stored in all new French oak, this delivers a concentrated melange of cassis, Oud, anise and ripe fig notes with bay leaf, salted wet rock and shades of blueberry pie on the palate. This comes off ultra-refined on the tongue, seamlessly gliding throughout the drinking experience. With good tension and nerve, enjoy this heady, viscous gem now and over the next twenty years to come. Drink 2026-2046- 100
2023 Quilceda Creek ‘Galitzine’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2023 Quilceda Creek ‘Galitzine’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a powerful, massive and muscular edition of this wine that is up there with the finest ‘Galitzine’ bottlings in my memory. Incredibly intense on the nose this shows off a cornucopia of dark florals that combine with fresh sage, scorched earth and blueberry compote. The plate leaves you breathless as this is both elegant and insanely powerful — your velvet glove in an iron first. A total heavyhitter, enjoy this mesmerizing bottling over the next twenty plus years to come. Drink 2026-2050- 100