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2014 Quilceda Creek - Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley

UNITED STATES / WASHINGTON /
  • 100 WA
  • 94 WS
  • Variety
    Cabernet Sauvignon
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SKU: 202233-2014
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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: 2017-2026
    Author: Tim Fish

  • Wine 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: 2018-2038
    Author: Jeb Dunnuck
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    No Washington winery commands more attention from wine collectors than Quilceda Creek, with repeated 100-point scores and subsequent appreciating bottle value. Since 1978, the Alex Golitzin and his son Paul have been lauded for their flagship Cabernet Sauvignon, which is elevated by the Bordelais practice of declassification of up to one third of production into a second label each year. The fruit for their 4,000-case production is sourced from the finest vineyards on the far side of the Cascade Mountains, and the Golitzins are meticulous in their oversight of the viticultural practices. Driven to produce the greatest wine possible, Alex and Paul "know what they want in a wine and what to do to get it."

    See other similar producers:Cadence Winery
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    In a state most often associated with rain and apples, vineyards occupy more land each year. Nearly all of this vineyard expansion has taken place in the eastern part of the state, where arid, almost desert-like conditions prevail. Winters are harsh and frost is always a threat, but such conditions, along with sandy soils, have allowed most Washington vines to grow on their own rootstocks—a rarity among wine regions throughout the world. 
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    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. 

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    Collector Data For This Wine

    • 391 bottles owned
    • 63 collectors