2010
Quilceda Creek
Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
A classic blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot
An opulent vintage from its release, the 2010 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley is rich and velvety on the palate and filled with layers of dark chocolate, black cherry, blackberry, and plum fruit, with enticing nuances of Tahitian vanilla bean, violet pastilles, and Asian spice. Massive concentration gives the wine the structure to age gracefully over two to three decades.
The 2010 growing season produced naturally low yields, after a cool, wet spring delayed flowering and reduced fruit set. A cool summer created dramatic differences between the warmer and cooler sites throughout the state — and our vineyards (Champoux, Galitzine, Klipsun, Palengat, and Taptiel) are located in two of the state’s hottest AVAs for this very reason. The resulting wine is a classic blend of 99 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 1 percent Merlot in our 32nd vintage of Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon.
Paul Golitzin, Director of Winemaking
98 points
Rich, backwards, structured and massively concentrated, the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon comes mostly from the Champoux Vineyard (also from Galitzine, Klipsun, Palengat and Tapteil) and is comprised of 99% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Merlot that spent 22 months in all new French oak. Offering up plenty of crème de cassis, coffee bean, toasted spice, pencil shavings and violet-like qualities on the nose, it has palate staining levels of extract and tannin that come through on the mid-palate and finish. Gorgeously full-bodied, layered and textured, with perfect balance, this awesome Cabernet needs to be forgotten for 5-6 years and will have two to three decades of longevity. Drink 2018-2030.
This line up was one of the highlights of my trip through Washington and without a doubt, this awesome estate, which is run by Paul and Alex Golitzin, is producing some of the top Cabernet Sauvignon blends in the state, and I would venture, the world. While all of the wines are incredibly age-worthy, the tannins are so well managed and the textures so polished, they dish out immense pleasure even in their youth. The estate's top cuvee, Paul's Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon comes primarily from the warmer Champoux Vineyard located in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA, yet also incorporates smaller components from Klipsun, Tapteil and Galitzine. It sees roughly 22 months in 100% new French oak.