2015 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Palengat Vineyard
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Tasting notes
(this wine and Quilceda's Cabernet Sauvignon and Galitzine Vineyard bottlings were aged in 100% new oak): Bright medium ruby. Very ripe, slightly high-toned aromas of blackberry, blueberry, loganberry, espresso and cocoa powder. Wonderfully dense and alive, with harmonious acidity and an element of violet perfume leavening the superripe, briary berry and chocolate flavors. The pH here is a rather high 3.9, but Paul Golitzin assured me that this is typical for this bottling. Finishes spicy, savory, suave and long, with firm but refined tannins and terrific staying power on the palate. (15.2% alcohol)
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
The 2015 Palengat Vineyard is already quite expressive, wafting from the glass with sweet aromas of ripe red and black cherries, pencil lead, licorice and a nicely integrated framing of toasty new oak. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, supple and expansive, cutting a broad swath across the palate, with its ample chassis of velvety tannins concealed by a generous core of succulent fruit. The finish is long and subtly oak inflected. It's already drinking well and should be worth following for a dozen years. Unabashedly pleasure giving and texturally polished, the Palengat is one of the highlights of Quilceda Creek's 2015 portfolio. It's a blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, and 6% Cabernet Franc that spent 20 months in 100% new French oak.
The 2015 Palengat is a Cabernet Sauvignon-heavy blend that includes 13% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc. This gorgeous red offers a deep, rich, opulent style in its blackcurrants, baking spice, tobacco leaf, and graphite aromas and flavors. Possessing beautiful purity, ultra-fine tannin, a big, rich, concentrated style that somehow stays light and graceful, it's a sensational, elegant wine that will keep for 15-20 years. I wasn’t able to taste the 2016s from Snohomish, WA based Quilceda Creek, but their 2015s are serious, sexy, opulent wines that check-in near the top of the vintage.
About the producer
Quilceda Creek of Washington State has a track record of absolute excellence matched by very few producers from anywhere in the world. With incredibly impressive scores, the consistent quality they get into the bottle is astonishing.