2003
Quilceda Creek
“CVR” Red Wine
The 2003 vintage is widely known as the year that had the best grape-growing conditions in the history of Washington State. Hot weather arrived at the exact right time, followed by cool conditions at harvest. This allowed us to keep the grapes on the vine longer, giving them additional time to add complexity.
We work hard to ensure that only the finest fruit made it to our top wines, but in a vintage such as this even the declassified barrels are quite special. Our 2002 Red Table Wine is 88 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 9 percent Cabernet Franc, and 3 percent Merlot, coming from the Champoux, Ciel du Cheval, Klipsun, and Tapteil vineyards. On release it showed spicy black cherry fruit overlaying savory notes of smoke and cocoa. There was a hint of vanilla from the French oak barrels, and although it would be considered medium-bodied, it lacks for nothing in the categories of power and complexity. We made 1,325 cases.
Paul Golitzin, Director of Winemaking
92 points
"The finest Red Wine the Golitzin’s have fashioned to date, the 2003 Red Wine (1,300 cases) is an assemblage of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Merlot. It burst from the glass with black currants, violets, blackberries, and notes of dark cherries. Dense, medium-bodied, silky-textured, and intense, this black fruit-packed wine bears Quilceda Creek’s trademark marriage of power with elegance and sweet tannin. Projected maturity: now-2020."