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."
100 points
"The 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley is a blend of 97% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Merlot, and 1% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-brick, it charges out of the gate with maturing scents of baked blackberries and red currant jelly, leading to a cassis, cigar box and rose oil core, plus nuances of black truffles, beef drippings, clove oil, and rusty nails. The full-bodied palate is wonderfully pure, harmonious, and plush with lots of maturing black fruit flavors and a wonderfully intact structure, finishing long and fragrant. This simply stunning Cabernet still has plenty of cellaring potential and should drink beautifully over the next 12-15 years+."
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."