2002
Quilceda Creek
Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
This wine represents a delicate balance of power versus finesse, showcasing nuances of lilac, sweet dark fruits, smoke, and Asian spices. We worked very hard to make this wine rival or surpass our 2001 Cabernet. Fruit was sourced from Champoux, Ciel du Cheval, Klipsun, and Tapteil vineyards and the blend was 97 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 2 percent Merlot, and 1 percent Cabernet Franc. We continued to refine our viticultural practices and meticulously selected the best fruit. Gentle handling upon arrival at the winery and 22 months of age in new French oak allowed us to produce this multilayered, age-worthy wine. We made 3,400 cases. —
Paul Golitzin, Director of Winemaking
100 points
"Unlike some minuscule production "cult" wines or luxury cuvees culled from a winery’s primary product that have earned perfect scores over the years, Quilceda Creek’s Cabernet Sauvignon is the winery’s raison d’etre and is produced in significant quantities (3,400 cases in 2002, 3,425 in 2003). For accomplishing this feat the Golitzins should be doubley proud. Dark ruby-colored and sporting a nose of violets, sweet blueberries, dark cherries and slight undertones of asphalt, the 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon blossoms on the palate to expose a wine of ethereal delicacy yet immense power. Medium to full-bodied, it expands to reveal concentrated layers of cassis, blackberries, red cherries, raspberries, violets, spices, and touches of candied plums. This rich, exquisitely balanced, sweet, and broad wine is harmonious, graceful, and awesomely long. Projected maturity: now-2022."
98 points
Almost as good as the 2003, the 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of 97% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc that spent 22 months in 100% new French oak. Its youthful purple/ruby color is followed by gorgeously complex and intense aromas of wild herbs, exotic spices, caramelized beef, licorice and layers of sweet black fruits and creamy black cherry-like nuances. Full-bodied, rich and incredibly youthful, it opens up beautifully in the glass and is a total thrill ride of a Washington State Cabernet. I'd enjoy bottles over the coming decade, but it will hold longer." Drink now-2027.
95 points
"Bright, ruby-red. Pungent nose combines black raspberry, black cherry, and baking spices. Fat and sweet but primary; delivers an impressive blast of fruit. Not yet complex but this compellingly sweet wine shows a very refined texture. Finishes with ripe, building, very suave tannins and a strong flavor of chocolate. Offers great potential: will it equal the 2001?"
95 points
"Quilceda Creek 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon (Washington); $80.00. Amazing density; the aromas billow up from the glass and weave together sinuously, taking you a on a magic carpet ride before the wine even hits your mouth. This wine has the power of a monster California Cab while retaining the subtlety of a first-growth Bordeaux. It is just a massive blast of dark fruit, incredible viscosity, silky textures, and soft herbs, pepper and spice. The oak--all new, all French--is unobtrusive and perfectly integrated. Cellar Selection."