2018
Quilceda Creek
“CVR” Red Wine
The 2018 releases are particularly special for us: They mark the 40th vintage of Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon, and our CVR was the debut for the entire vintage. That we were also granted a particularly good growing season makes us even prouder of this landmark release.
The year started out with one of the warmest Mays on record, followed by a temperate summer and cool September — all creating ideal conditions for perfect final ripening. The CVR draws from the Champoux, Galitzine, Mach One, and Palengat vineyards and has the classic Quilceda Creek profile: lush black, blue, and red fruits with nuances of cocoa nib, vanilla bean, tobacco, and spice. This blend of 95 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 4 percent Merlot and 1 percent Cabernet Franc is our best CVR to date and will develop beautifully over the next 15 years.
Paul Golitzin, Director of Winemaking
95 points
"A compelling wine, beautifully proportioned and detailed, with a polished texture and expressive flavors of blackberry, toasty mocha and orange zest. Gathers speed and tension toward fine-grained tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2031. From Washington."
94 points
"Always one of the top values in high-end Cabernet Sauvignon out there, the 2018 CVR Columbia Valley Red Wine boasts a healthy ruby/plum hue to go with a smoking bouquet of crème de cassis, toasted spice, licorice, graphite, and crushed rock-like minerality. Rich, full-bodied, and beautifully textured, almost seamless, on the palate, it has a great mid-palate and a powerful, ripe, yet balanced and lengthy vibe making it a joy to drink. It should have 10-15 years of longevity, if not more. This is unquestionably another brilliant set of releases from Quilceda, and these 2018s show the classic opulence this estate is known for backed up by beautiful purity and lots of underlying structure. In addition, their CVR Cuvee remains one of the great values in Cabernet Sauvignon out there."
94 points
"The 2018 'CVR' by Quilceda Creek is a gorgeous wine that is showing brilliantly even at the two-year mark. A blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon with 4% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc. The nose shows wonderful florals with violets and red rose petals, combining with sagebrush and a deep core of dark fruits with underlying blueberry cobbler. The palate is fresh and viscous with a wonderful veil of tension. Ripe blackberries and blueberry compote flavors mingle with cassis tones and light tannins. Drink 2020-2032.