Bottle Notes, Cabernet Sauvignon

2003 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon – Bottle Notes

The 2003 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon was the winning bottle in the January installment of Pick My Next Bottle.

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. Quilceda Creek also produces several single vineyard Cabernets and a Columbia Valley Red Wine.

This wine was decanted for three hours.

Bright crimson in color. 14.9% ABV. Showstopping nose of blue fruits, graphite, wet stones and violets. Massive, concentrated and powerful. Silky and seamless on the palate. Flavors of blueberries, cassis liqueur, molten licorice and tobacco. The finish is endless. Just a stunning Cabernet Sauvignon that is entering what should be a very long drinking window. Not perfect but pretty damn amazing. Happy to have another 5 bottles in the cellar. Drink over the next 6-8 years.

My rating: 97 points.

Quilceda Creek is best obtained via the mailing list and you may be able to find some at retail in late March or early April.

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

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