2005
Quilceda Creek
Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The Columbia Valley’s growing seasons are remarkably consistent year to year, but 2005 was exceptional. Summer temperatures were quite warm, resulting in extremely small berry size, and then the heat backed off just enough in September to ripen the grapes without rushing physiological maturity. All of that produced a deeply colored, beautifully balanced wine with tremendously dense, ripe aromas and flavors.
A blend of 97 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 3 percent Merlot, the 2005 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley is loaded with blackberry, blueberry, plum, and cassis and nuances of dark chocolate and violets. Classically structured, this complex wine has remarkable elegance and persistence on the long, pure finish. Approachable upon release, it reached maturity around 2012 and we expect it to continue to develop for 25 or more years. We believe that the 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the all-time best wines our estate has ever produced.
Paul Golitzin, Director of Winemaking
100 points
"From a hot vintage and incredible any way you look at it, the 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon has that laser-like focus of a cooler year, yet the voluptuousness and richness of a warmer year. Smoked black fruits, coffee, truffle and pen ink-like aromas and flavors all emerge from this massive, incredibly full-bodied effort and on the palate, it carries itself perfectly with a weightless, yet decadent texture, masses of polished tannin and blockbuster length. More classic and textbook than the 2007, it is every bit as good. Enjoy it over the coming two decades or more. Drink now-2033. "
100 points
"The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon contains 3% Merlot. The principal component comes from the Champoux Vineyard (in which the winery is a partner) with contributions from the Klipsun and Tapteil Vineyards, outstanding in their own right. It, too, was aged for 22 months in 100% new French oak. Opaque purple-colored, it has a splendid perfume of violets, wood smoke, truffle, Asian spices, black cherry, and black currant preserves. Opulent and mouth-coating, the layers of complex flavors nearly hide enough tannin to support 8-10 years of additional cellaring. The oak, tannin, and acidity are beautifully integrated and the lengthy finish lasts for well over a minute. Purchasers no doubt will want to try a bottle immediately but this towering effort will not reach its peak until 2015 at the earliest and provide pleasure through 2040. I say this with confidence because a 1983 Quilceda Creek Cabernet tasted in May 2008 is at its peak now and should carry on for another 10-15 years.
Quilceda Creek Vintners remains a model of consistency. In the outstanding 2005 vintage, Quilceda Creek's Cabernet Sauvignon remains the benchmark for what can be achieved in Washington and the United States. Some good news from the winery is that beginning with the 2006 vintage, there will be a new vineyard designate, a Cabernet Sauvignon from the Palengat Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA. The vines are only 7 years old but the potential is enormous as a taste from barrel attests."
97 points
"Saturated deep ruby. Brooding, backward nose hints at deep black plum, cassis, graphite and nutty, spicy oak. Fat, sweet and super concentrated, with an almost citric suggestion of acidity and chewy dry extract contributing to the impression of structure. Wonderfully bright for such a ripe wine, and explosively long on the aftertaste. Along with its considerable power, this promises to deliver great class in an almost Medoc-like way."