2010

At Quilceda Creek, we are obsessed with quality. In some vintages we have declassified 30 percent of the fruit we received, all of it from renowned vineyards, and this highly selective process continues when we blend the barrels to create our flagship wines. These barrels are redirected into our CVR program, our version of the traditional Bordeaux second label. These labels are made in the producer’s usual style and sourced from the same vineyards, but are meant to be enjoyed sooner than the house’s ultra-premium wine and are priced accordingly. They are considered true values in the wine realm, and we’re proud that the Quilceda Creek CVR follows in their footsteps.

The 2010 CVR was made with fruit grown in the Champoux, Discovery, Galitzine, Klipsun, Palengat, and Tapteil vineyards and is 81 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 16 percent Merlot, 2 percent Cabernet Franc, and 1 percent Malbec. It is loaded with black cherry fruit, star anise, roasted herbs, cedar, and other savory notes. The wine is medium-bodied but has a long finish and is lush and smooth on the palate after 22 months in French oak barrels. It drank well on release, but will gain complexity with time in the cellar and reach its peak in five to 15 years, compared with 20 to 25 years for our Columbia Valley or Galitzine Cabernet Sauvignon bottlings.

Paul Golitzin, Director of Winemaking