2004
Quilceda Creek
Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The 2004 vintage showed it all right from the start.
Remarkable aromas, flavors, and texture: The 2004 vintage showed it all right from the start. After a growing season that was on the hot side for most of the year, a cool fall stretched out the harvest and graced the grapes with full, rich flavors. The 2004 Quilceda Creek Cabernet is a blend of 96 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 3 percent Merlot, and 1 percent Cabernet Franc, aged in new French oak for 22 months prior to bottling in July 2006. The flavors of juicy blueberries, blackberries, violets, cocoa, and minerals coat the palate with complex layers and accents of wood smoke and Asian spice. This wine has been maturing gracefully since release and should continue doing so for at least another 10 to 20 years. We made 3,400 cases. —Paul Golitzin, Director of Winemaking
99 points
"The 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon contains 3% Merlot and 1% Cabernet [Franc] with the wine sourced from the Champoux, Klipsun, and Tapteil Vineyards. It was aged for 22 months in 100% new French oak. There are 3400 cases produced, most of it sold through the winery's mailing list and the rest in a handful of markets. Opaque purple-colored, it delivers a remarkable array of aromas including pain grille, violets, pencil lead, truffle, Asian spices, black currant, and blueberry. This leads to a lustrous, layered, velvet-textured wine with gobs of spicy, ripe black fruits and beautifully integrated oak, tannin, and acidity. The long, pure finish goes on for well over a minute. It will evolve for a decade and drink well through 2045. I was able to retaste the 2001, 2002, and 2003 vintages and can only say that Monsieur Rovani’s notes and scores are right on the bulls-eye."
98 points
"Also offering off-the-charts richness, with a flamboyant, hedonistic profile, the 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon (96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc) possesses spice-laced aromas and flavors of cassis, smoke tobacco, roasted meats, dried licorice and wild herbs that are to die for. Full-bodied, incredibly layered, rich and textured it has no hard edges, masses of tannin and a finish that won't quit. I've been lucky enough to taste this cuvee three times (rated 96 and 97) in the past handful of weeks and this was the best showing yet. From a cool vintage, it is still youthful and vibrant, and will continue to shine for another 15+ years. Drink now-2028."