2014 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley
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Wine Spectator | Rating: 94
Refined and structured, with expressive dark berry and toasted clove aromas and richly layered plum, stony mineral and thyme flavors that gain depth toward polished tannins. Drink now through 2026. 4,050 cases made.Drink Dates: 2017-2026Author: Tim FishIssue: Jul 31, 2017Wine Advocate | Rating: 100
The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon is another tour de force from this estate that's reminiscent of first growth Bordeaux from a vintage like 2009. Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and aged in new barrels, it offers incredible notes of blackcurrants, graphite, lead pencil shavings and crushed rocks in a full-bodied, decadent, insanely layered and seamless style. This beauty possesses ultra-fine tannin, no hard edges and a forward, already hard to resist style, yet it's going to keep for more than two decades.Drink Dates: 2018-2038Author: Jeb DunnuckIssue: 231Vinous | Rating: 96
(made without press wine; Paul Golitzin referred to this wine as the estate's "extra virgin olive oil"; 100% new oak): Bright ruby-red; not hugely saturated. Sexy scents of cassis, blackberry and violet. Wonderfully fine-grained black and purple fruit flavors are quite primary without being at all hard. Boasts terrific inner-mouth energy and clarity of flavor. The very slowly building whiplash of a finish offers a strong element of spicy lift and terrific grip. This beauty should be long-lived, but even today it's not austere.Drink Dates: 2019 - 2034Author: Stephen TanzerIssue: Oct 2017
See other similar producers:Cadence Winery
Cabernet Sauvignon is a thick-skinned variety that is high in color, flavor, tannin, and body, displaying aromas of black currant, blackberry, violet, bell pepper, and black cherry. It is late-ripening and therefore struggles to grow in cool climates. Quality can vary tremendously depending on terroir, vineyard management, and winemaking style, with the highest quality wines coming from the Haut-Médoc and Graves in Bordeaux, and Napa and Sonoma in California.
The powerful flavors, tannin, and body of Cabernet Sauvignon make it well suited to ageing and allow it to stand up to a large proportion of new oak without overpowering the wine. 225-litre barriques are the most popular size barrel and French oak is commonly used by the best producers to add structural complexity and flavors of chocolate, vanilla, and clove to the nose and palate. The best wines, many of which are below, can age further in the bottle for decades.
Old-World Cabernet Sauvignon is often blended with Merlot, which ripens earlier than Cabernet and adds plum, softer tannin, and lighter body to this Bordeaux blend. These wines typically have earth-driven aromas such as wet leaves and truffle along with bell peppers and leather. First-Growth producers such as Château Lafite-Rothschild, Château Latour, and Château Margaux consistently produce some of the highest-quality Cabernet Sauvignon-based blends.
New-World Cabernet Sauvignon is seen both as a blend and single varietal. Warmer climates and long sunlight hours result in an extended growing season, bearing grapes with richer fruit, bigger tannin, higher alcohol, and lower acidity than their Old-World counterparts. Some of the best expressions of these full-bodied wines come from producers like Screaming Eagle, Hundred Acre, Schrader and Scarecrow.
All Cabernet Sauvignon pairs phenomenally well with meat-forward dishes such as rib-eye steak, short ribs, lamb shank, or a cheeseburger. Vegetable-forward dishes featuring mushrooms are also a great choice for this variety.
Collector Data For This Wine
- 391 bottles owned
- 63 collectors