2016
Quilceda Creek
“Palengat” Red Wine
For this vintage, we nudged the Cabernet Sauvignon up a few percentage points and adjusted the other varieties accordingly. The result is the 2016 Palengat is our best representation thus far of a Bordeaux-inspired blend. It is made with grapes grown in the Champoux, Palengat, Lake Wallula, and Wallula Gap vineyards, all in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA. It received 20 months in new French oak and is a blend of 83 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 11 percent Merlot, and 6 percent Cabernet Franc.
The 2016 refined what Palengat means to us, showing pristine black cherry, plum, and cassis fruit. Notes of tobacco, chocolate and Asian spice delineate the Old World inspiration behind the wine. Drink it now until 2039, and probably beyond.
Paul Golitzin, Director of Winemaking
96 points
"The 2016 Palengat is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon blended with 11% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc, and it's one of the smaller production cuvees. It's a rich, full-bodied effort and has wonderful purity in its crème de cassis, graphite, and ample pencil lead like nuances, with an almost Pauillac vibe. With fine, sweet tannins, a great mid-palate, and considerable elegance and finesse matched up to classic Quilceda power and richness, it's a beautiful wine to drink over the coming 15-20 years.
95 points
"The 'Palengat' red wine has been slowly moving towards having more Cabernet Sauvignon blended in. In 2016 the Cabernet Sauvignon was up to 83% and it truly shines in the blend, as this may be the most compelling release of 'Palengat' yet from Quilceda Creek. The seductive nose shows upfront non-fruit aromatics with tar and mocha aromas leading the way, followed by the decadent dark fruits and dark chocolate shaving characteristics that build in the glass. The palate is deep and layered with Turkish coffee, blueberry compote, anise and crème de cassis flavors that combine with a remarkable freshness and soft mouthfeel. The texture is nothing short of stunning, as this wine is drinking marvelously today, however readers can also expect a long life ahead for this fantastic red. Drink 2020 – 2035