2021 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Palengat Vineyard
Buying options
Tasting notes
All clone 685 from a great site in the Horse Heaven Hills, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Palengat's deep ruby/purple hue is followed by a killer bouquet of crème cassis and black raspberry-like fruits that give way to a darker, more inward wine that has full-bodied richness, a concentrated, structure mouthfeel, ample mid-palate depth, and background notes of smoky oak, tobacco, and lead pencil. Give this big, rich, powerful Cabernet Sauvignon 4-5 years of bottle age, and it's going to cruise for over two decades in cold cellars. While Quilceda Creek has had some substantial changes in their winemaking team over the past few years, with both Alex Steward and Hal Overson departing to work at Matthews, it certainly hasn’t affected the quality, and 2021 is going to go down as one of the all-time great vintages for this estate.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Eric Guido, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Grown at the Mach One vineyard, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Palengat Clone 685 boasts a devastatingly beautiful nose overflowing with freshness and wonderful floral essences. Soft in style, it exudes a restrained elegance, seducing with fragrant cherry essences and perfumed oak tones. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is gorgeously round and fresh, with juicy red fruit essence, proving bigger isn't always better. The power of this year's Palengat lies in its freshness and focus. Seductive and elegant, this beauty will continue to charm for decades to come. Only 12,900 bottles were made and will be released in April 2024. I'm going back for more; this gorgeous juice is stealing my heart.
Hauntingly dark and floral, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Palengat Clone 685 entices with an array of incense and clove, evolving into a mix of dried black cherries and a dusting of cocoa. Sleek and racy in style, this boasts a gorgeous inner sweetness contrasted by mineral-tinged red and black fruits, taking on a bit of a confectionary air without feeling cloying or extroverted. Instead, the 2021 comes across as completely classic, nearly crunchy, with chiseled tannins and a caking of liquid stone enriched by hints of tobacco and graphite. This elegant beauty will require patience but will be worth the wait.
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.