Bottle Notes, Merlot

2005 Quilceda Creek Merlot – Bottle Notes

Quilceda Creek Vintners was founded in 1978 by Alex and Jeanette Golitzin. Alex Golitzin is a nephew of André Tchelistcheff, the legendary winemaker who put Beaulieu Vineyard at the forefront of Napa Valley Cabernet in the 1960s and 70s. He credits summer trips to visit his uncle in St. Helena, California with developing his early interest in wine. Alex’s son, Paul Golitzin is now chief winemaker at the winery.

Quilceda Creek Vintners Cabernet Sauvignon has earned some of the highest scores of any wine produced in the United States. The 2002, ’03, ’05 and ’07 vintages all scored 100-point ratings from Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate. The 2003 vintage of Quilceda Creek’s Cabernet Sauvignon was named the No. 2 Wine of the Year by Wine Spectator. Quilceda Creek produces several single vineyard Cabernets, and they also bottled a Merlot through the ’06 vintage.

Purple in color. 14.9% ABV. Great nose of blue fruits, violets and molten licorice. Plush and silky on the palate. Flavors of blueberries, graphite and creme de cassis. Beautiful finish. What a delicious Merlot. Only a slight step down from the flagship Cabernet Sauvignon. I do wish Quilceda Creek still bottled a Merlot. Drink over the next 2-4 years.

My rating: 95 points.

The last Quilceda Creek Merlot was made in 2006.

I’ve blogged about Quilceda Creek previously in The Zinfandel Chronicles Power Rankings.

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