It was a good bottle of wine, but nothing special. Opened it at restaurant with a friend and it went well with both of our meals, steak and seafood pasta. Brought some home and it was actually a little better the next day.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Drinking great now. Still beautiful blue fruit, but secondary notes coming through. Chocolate on the back of the palate. Very smooth with fine tannins. Can still feel a bit of the alcohol. Drink now for maximum flavor.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Quite dark red, some purple hues; nice gentle ripe blueberries, some sweet licorice; gentle harmonic medium-bodied with nice power without being too much, good acidity level; all in all a quite good wine with a quite good taste - somehow ordinary, however, in a good way
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Popped and poured about 30 minutes prior to dinner. Nose was initially oak dominated with lots of rich vanilla oak notes. By dinner this with had settled down to a big, rich wine to pair with our lamb chops seasoned with rosemary and pepper. At 2 hour mark: Nose is dark and spicy with a slight alcohol burn on the nose hairs. Palate is smooth, dark, rich and reasonably complex. The finish is hot though and really detracts from the experience. It pairs well with a big, gamey meat like lamb but really this is a big wine that's just a little off balance. I'm a little disappointed. Would not buy again.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Double blind. Dark color. Chocolate, plummy black fruit and spice notes. Medium-bodied with chalky tannins and flavors of plum, black fruit and mocha. Hints of raisin which I find distracting. (R&R)
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Quilceda reds typically pump intense flavors the way Rockford-Fosgate speakers blast rock and roll into a Camero. This bottle of 2009 offered high-fidelity and balance, but struck me that someone turned the volume down to two. I guess we'll have a nice conversation and stay on the road.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Wow, what an amazing treat. I have been trying, mostly unsuccessfully, to get these table wines to the 10 year mark and have found them to be so rewarding. Made it to 12 with this anniversary year wine and it did not disappoint. Almost like a classic Bordeaux with cigar box, graphite and still with some structure and tannin. Really fun, as always, amazing QPR!
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Pnp. Concentrated dark fruits. A freshness exists as if this wine was just a few years old. Long legs. Very long finish. Still a beast but the Oak has finally faded into the background. prime drinking window.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Needs a lot of air for awkward dustiness to resolve - typical of all QC, takes about 20 years in bottle or a day of air. Otherwise very enjoyable, a deep rich red with plenty of life in it.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Opened an hour in advance...medium dark red...nice balance of cherry, some graphite and chocolate...smooth finish...in a great spot after 11 years...one of the better CVR wines I've had.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Bottle 4 of 4. 1 1/2 hour decant - needed mainly for sediment. Still drinking magnificently. Probably another 2-3 years at peak but unfortunately this was my last 2009.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
This wine aged superbly and was almost as good as their big cab. Oak and chocolate on the nose, big red fruit with excellent balance, smooth tannins and layered. Delicious!
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Quite sweet right out of the bottle, though took on some depth afterwards. A bit pricey for what it was. The '11 was more interesting, though both have a lovely texture.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
With Spottswood Lyndenhurst ‘10 The Lyndenhurst was better. Quilceda was mature and with solid Cabernet structure. Missing the fruity style like the first.
At 10 years past vintage, this is drinking wonderfully! Cassis, tobacco, loam, black cherry, bakers chocolate. Still has some years left too. Drink now - 2022.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Seemed high in alcohol and port-like immediately upon opening, but both these characteristics dissipated with time and could be a result of the multiple moves this particular bottle has endured.
Knotty candid, followed over two hours from bottle. 90 minutes after opening there is ripe black and blue fruit on the nose. This continues on to the pallet though the wine is a bit watery not quite as Rich/structured as I have found in earlier bottles. Again, this might be due to the multiple relocations of this bottle, However it went extraordinarily well with the mussels we enjoyed this evening.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very different than my other bottles. Black and blue fruit with a very pronounced soy sauce overlay and spice, with the soy dominating the finish. This flavor profile is right in my wheel house, so highest score yet.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Chocolate - this is the aroma that hit me upon my first whiff of a Tuesday night splurge to open a 2009 QC CVR, chocolate laced with dark red fruit. Purple color, not translucent, and on first sip dry tannins were the first order of business. Round, leggy, luscious; this wine reminds me of an old girlfriend. Damn fine.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Quite an engaging wine - drinking much younger than its age. But it’s balanced with great depth of blue and black fruit. The most intriguing thing is the chocolate - and not so much baker’s chocolate as is often found in Washington cabernet but a semi-sweet chocolate both in the nose and in the mouth. Excellent acidity. Quite enjoyable. Was drinking much better 3 hours after opening. There’s a lesson there.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Strong forward nose or dark berry, pencil shavings, menthol. Somewhat viscous but silky initial taste that coats the tongue of the same flavors. Still getting some heat from the abv (15.2) but tannins have muted a bit. Still a young wine.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
81% Cab, 15% Merlot, 2% Cab Franc, 1% PV, 1% Malbec. Decanted, drank over four hours. On the nose: black cherry, vanilla and cocoa. Palate revealed blackberries and anise up front, followed by charcoal, tar and plums. A big wine which softened only slightly with a few hours of breathing, medium plus acidity with lots of tongue-gripping tannins.
Wine is really showing nicely at this point, likely entering a sweet spot for enjoyment. Plenty of structure and acidity to last for many years to come, but I sense the prime will be 2018-2022.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This bottle was unlike anything I've tasted from Quilceda Creek before. This bottle resembled the notes from minndavid60 with the nose he described as dill and green pepper verging almost on pine or conifer. Very strange nose that was not pleasant nor inviting. A bit of heat on the nose continued through the palate. The fruit was almost non-existent, just a hint of black fruit in an overall dull palate where the biggest impression was from the tart, dusty tannins and the heat from the alcohol. I did not enjoy this wine and wonder if it was a case of bottle variation. This bottle was stored in temp controlled storage from time of delivery and decanted for 40 minutes before tasting. Other bottles have been okay.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
While I've generally been a Quilceda admirer over the years, I have found this 2009 Red Wine to be weaker than most other vintages as far as my tastes go. And this bottle (my 3rd of 6) was just plain yuckers. Upon opening, a ginormous blast of oaky nastiness on the nose, throwing off dill and bell pepper and a gloppy palate mess. I forced down the first glass over the course of 60 minutes and vacu-vinned the rest for the following night. While the oaky mess had toned down by the second night, the dill and bell pepper remained, while the fruit stayed very secondary. After a couple of glasses, I decided it wasn't worth the alcohol intake and so stoppered the bottle and will use the rest as expensive cooking wine. Highly disappointing and enough to make me not buy in on the 2015 Red Wine that will be released on the 11th.
Ready to drink, accessible, dark fruit, chocolate, black cherry, bramble, blackberry, it opens with hints of buttermilk but avoids any flabbiness by quickly ascending into bloom; smooth tannins. Reasonably long finish. I wouldn't wait more than 1-2 years.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
A very good wine that gives all the signs of ability to improve markedly over the next 5 - 10 years. Tannic upon opening but within 30 minutes had opened up dramatically. Black fruits, medium-long finish, some cedar notes. An excellent choice for Christmas dinner with our small local family.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Still a great value and I'd put it up against any CA cab at double the price. Lots of life left in these wines. Still have 2007 and 2008s that are holding as well
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
P&P. Pretty good stuff on the pop. Oak aromas and flavors seem to take the front at first, but fell into the background with additional air time. Boysenberry and black cherry fruit, slight tobacco, a touch of something floral (violets?), ending in a lovely mocha. By day 3 (!) this was really singing! Still has plenty of life left...drink now with air - 2020.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Powerful with black cherry and plum fruit with cinnamon and cedar. This will have a little too much alcohol and oak for some, but it's a good Washington steak wine.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Good juice! PnP from 54F wine fridge. This opened up quite nicely but actually seemed to tighten up a bit over time & warming. Aromas and flavors of plum, graphite (subdued over time), earth, spice, mineral. A combination of new world fruit (almost Napa) with some old world aromas. Tannins are present but somewhat silky -- although I preferred the 2008 in this regard.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Not possible that its been 3 years since I last popped one of these. Classic QC red;fruit and earth blend in the nose with easy-drinking red fruit and black cherry on the finish. Writing 2 hours after uncorking and the tannins are fading; still a very easy drinker, but would like to take notes from a remaining bottle earlier in the evening.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted for almost 2 hours. Aromas of blackberry, currant, chocolate and iron. Palate on this was a bit better on than the nose, with big expansive flavors of blackberry, coffee, iron and dark cherry. Finish lasts for about 20-25 seconds with a iron note.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Big nose of milk chocolate, plum, cherry, and spicy oak. On the palate, plums, hints of cherry, lots of mocha and vanilla. Definitely some heat on the grippy finish. Well made in a style I just don't like much any more.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
This is my first of the 09. It is better than the 08 and reminds me of the 07, which was great. More integrated and balanced than previous. Needs at least two hours of decanting to pull it all together. Deep dark garnet color with a floral, strawberry nose. Lots of oak here but the finely extracted fruit will balance that in a couple years. After a couple hours this became rich, luscious vanilla, mocha, plum and dark cherry. Yes it's hot when first opened, but I like that. It mellows nicely through the evening allowing the fruit to pull huge. So glad I have more of this.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Full bodied, deep crimson color, rich, polished and accessible but a just a bit hot on the nose and finish, nose of spice, dark fruit, sweet tobacco, taste/mouth-feel is chewy, structured and fleshy. I think it is still young and will soften and integrate nicely with a little more time in the cellar.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Needed a strong wine for a rough day. Aromas of blackberry, currant, flowers, cherry and herb. This is a big, heavy bodied wine with flavors of blackberry, dark plum, mocha and coffee. Get a little burn of heat that dissipates with some time. Finish is long but a tad strange with a weird not that lingers. Should have decanted this but oh well.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
give it air, or more time in the bottle, you will be rewarded. Four hour decant, through venture. Deep, dark, coat your mouth red blend, nicely integrated, medium to long finish. Always one of the best red wine blend values
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Amazing but needs another 4 years. Opened and left for 24 hours in decanter-it finally became passible. Big with fruit, acid, and tannins- multidimensional with blackberry, cocoa , expresso, red current lush fruit. Back aspect on the nose and pallet with black tea, asian spice, and cigar tar from a full bodied cigar. Well made wine.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Another great bottle of the CVR. Decanted for an hour. The wine still needed additional time to open up fully. I wish I didn't drink these so fast, but this is such a great QPR wine. Candied fruit on the nose, and dark red fruit on the palate with a medium-long finish.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
The QC Reds are some of the most distinctive juice for me; I bet I could pick them from a blind line-up better than any other series of wines I know. No matter the age they are consistently tight & oaked coming out of the bottle, with finessed fruit fineness showing thru after aeration.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Dark purple, opaque. Fruit and alcohol on the nose. Still rustic in the mouth with alcohol sticking out. A bit of creaminess and a touch of oak are nice. Tannins medium to medium plus. Good length and fruit concentration. Day 2 nose opens up, brown sugar and lifted ripe fruit. Additional tropical notes come through on palate including coconut. Alcohol still poking through and something astringent - grapefruit skin, aniseed, gin.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
I have drank this wine many times and some have been ok and some have been really great . And this was a great one. Full bodied, multi dimensional. Delicious.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Aromas of chocolate, mint, pepper and dark cherry. A very full body, this has flavors of blackberry, bell pepper, mocha and coffee. Little closed down at the moment. Doesn't seem ready to drink. Could be served a tad cool or not open long enough.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Popped and poured...definitely more giving and fruit forward than the Biale wine, but lackluster nose compared to other Quilceda Reds...my first try of the 2009...worthy of a decant to see if this has more potential.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very nice, and a good value, especially compared to Napa alternatives. Plenty of Oak an all the classic Bordeaux attributes, with a bit of extra sweetness. Well done.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Boy, is this young. Smoke, cassis, plum, blackberry, strawberry, coconut, herbs, cedar, chocolate, a little bell pepper, a hint of eucalyptus, and earth on the nose. Plum, blueberry, cassis, cherry, coffee, spice, earth, powdered sugar, and oak on the palate. Good acidity, well integrated tannin, long finish. Flirts with alcohol. Overall, this is quite good in that big, oaky new world sort of way. If you are oak sensitive, well, you know better than to drink Quilceda Creek. The alcohol does concern me though.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
It's a big boy that is drinking well today with a little air. Likely will improve in a year or two with some burnoff of the alcohol, which shows itself early on. Good QPR.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
A serious masculine wine. Cassis, cherry, herbal notes, fine tannins, extended finish. Only took about an hour to open up - give the next bottle a year.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Once again a tour de force from this amazing winery. Balanced and approachable yet plenty of life. Deep purple color. Nice fruit and berries. Long legs. Delightful Delicious and Delectlible
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Aerated and decanted. A bit young, but drinking well now. Evolved nicely over 2 hours. Will hold onto 3 more bottles for a while, as this should continue to improve over the next 5 years or so.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Ordered this wine at dinner based mainly on the producer and also what everyone was ordering for dinner. It is a very nice wine at this point with a plush mouth feel and nice finish, dark red with a very nice balance overall. 5 years in the cellar and this would be really nice, there is talented wine making at work here. One of the best bottles of Washington wine I have had this year, even though this isn't, this wineries flagship wine.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Blueberry, graphite, hint of leather, but the alcohol comes through a bit. Got some nice structure to the tannins, they're still quite present but smooth and soft. Acidic bite of grapefruit to the finish.
Far from mature, and can sit in the cellar for a while longer. Or give it a long decant now. Still think this is a pretty good QPR at $35.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Needs time. Oak overwhelms everything. You can tell there is depth and complexity hiding behind the oak, but even 15 minutes in the glass with lots of swirling, it was difficult to coax out the fruit. Even with 15.2 abv it did not come across as hot. Let it sit for a couple more years or decant for 4-6 hours. Will revisit the 2nd half of the bottle in 24 hours.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Enjoyable QPR. Very expressive nose of black fruits. A little more extracted than what I would like but the qualify of fruit is there and wine was better on day 2 so I think it bodes well for the future. Good grip and super long finish.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Great wine; on its own or as a QPR, this is unbeatable. New world fruit bomb on the nose, with an approach thats blueberry, toasted oak, pepper and spice. Medium+ weight, mouthfeel thats youthful, yet with satiny tannins. More blue and black fruit, this wine shows a hints of a youthful complexity/depth that appear as tight layers today, and which I hope become more pronounced in the future. In any event, what a great bottle with only minimal time to come to room temp needed.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Heavily extracted and full-bodied, this is a killer young wine with tons of potential. Loads of dark fruit mingles with wood and mineral notes, with some prominent tannins that should soften with age. Excellent bargain for the price.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
this is a BEAST of a wine. so young, so angry and untamed. give it until 2015 to chill out and you will be blown away by how rich and complex this wine is. helluva bargain for the pric.e.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
This wine is still very young, decanted for 3+ hours, then started opening up in the glass. Charcoal and espresso notes on the nose, followed by faint fruit. Palate shows graphite with hints of black currant, ash and vanilla extract. Silky texture, but somewhat stoic with tannins just starting to round out - this wine needs more time. Try again in 12-18mos.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very smooth. Deep berry fruits with strong toasted almond notes. Tannins extremely well integrated. Drinking better than the 07 and 08 right now (IMHO)
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Popped open a bottle because some friends wanted to try it. This was better than the bottle we opened a few months ago. In particular, the the oak flavors have subsided enough that one feels like he is drinking wine rather than bourbon. The wine still seems very young though, and I will wait a while to open another bottle.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Big, luscious wine with a really nice silkiness and elegance on the mid-palate and finish. Definitely can smell the heat on the nose, along with some barrel spice and dark fruits. It starts integrating much better with some air--give it time at this age. Already drinking quite well, I'm looking forward to seeing it evolve over time.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
WOW! this is a really big wine. I am impressed. right out of the bottle it's big, powerful and tannic. this wine will last many years. cola, anise, leather, dark cherry, cherry cola, herbs, tobacco, sweet dark fruits, cassis, sharp tannins, tobacco. persistant 30+ second finish. pair this with red meats.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Blacks, reds, and olive brine dominate the huge nose. I get a similarity to Togni. Peppery palate, driven by black fruit, damson plum and fig. Initial attack is bombastic, then a lull in the mid palate, but the finish goes on forever. Balanced, but needs some time to calm down and integrate. Day two proves that this needs some bottle aging. It's just a mass of fruit with no focus or direction right now.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Big wine with lots of black cherry, plum, currant and obvious alcohol on the nose. On the palate big fruit with plum, black cherry, spice. Finishes with lots of heat that obscures everything else. Sorry I own more of this, will probably use it for cooking.
Popped and poured with grilled filet mignon. Nice aroma of tobacco, chocolate, dark fruit. Taste has blackberry and tobacco on the very end of the finish. Still decently tannic even after being open for 5 hours, so a good decant is recommended.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
It felt a little disjointed when I tasted it after corking it. I decanted it and tasted it over a series of hours. It took about 6 hours to really come together. The alcohol is a little elevated and prominent so it is probably best to serve it with slight chill (60 degrees) so it doesn't overpower the rest of the wine. This needs time. I won't be touching my next bottle until 2014 at the earliest.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
These are not a PNP type wine, nor do I see these as ready yet. I opened one up on memory that others were giving good high reviews. I only had half last night and expect tonight's half to be better having had some time open in the bottle and I'll serve it a little chilled and let it warm up in the glass. That should help with some of the heat that I got upon open last night. I hope I can remember to keep the rest sideways for a few years. These have good overall flavors and aromatics but need time.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Received my shipment today. Grabbed a bottle and headed to port oconnor for a weekend of fishing and wine. Opened on arrival and roughly decanted. Wow. Definitely some heat but awesome aroma of black fruit herbs and oak. Went fishing for three hours and poured a glass. This really smoothed out nicely. Black fruit minerals smoke. Excellent acidity. Balanced nicely. Decant if you drink now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Disappointing. Lots of oak and fairly hot.... seemed to overwhelm the fruit. Was still quite tasty, just lacking in elegance. Perhaps this needs to lie down for a few years, not quite sure.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
I agree that this wine needs some time - it has a fresh oak to it that should integrate very nicely. Even after 90 minutes of a decant - it was still a bit brooding - but, the acidity was great - very fresh wine - dark fruits are extremely pleasant. I see my scoring increasing a little if it evolves the way I think it will.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I know that many reviewers are proclaiming this ready to drink. I disagree, and think a year in the cellar will improve it immensely. We decanted it for 45 minutes. I have NEVER had a wine that smelled or tasted more like bourbon. The alcohol is quite prominent. Dark fruit on the front end turns to toasty oak on the midpalate and then transmogrifies into cherry on the finish. Other than that not really a lot of different flavors. It's okay now, but I'm putting my other bottles aside for a while.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
The wine arrives at my office, I dutifully log it in on CT, and when I peruse the tasting notes I figure that everyone has that "I just opened it up" euphoria that adds 2-4 points to TNs. Folks, this is a great wine that is insanely approachable today. Rich reddish-black fruit and toasted wood/smoke on the nose, along with a hint of clove or pepper. You can immediately sense the "dryness" of the tannins on the palate, yet the wine is rich in ripe dark fruits. Once again, this in one of the best QPRs out there.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Just received a case of this from QC. Had to pop one right away with a big NY Strip. Have to say that the '09's are very approachable right away. I had a bottle of the '09 QC Cab back in late Summer and felt the same about that one. Far more approachable at this stage than the '08's
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
We had this at a friends inventory reduction tasting. It had a deep, ripe and powerful bouquet of blueberry, blackberry, black currant, mocha, anise and spice aromas. The palate was big, rich and ripe with flavors that followed the nose. It has integrated and smoothed out nicely since release. 91+
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Friends and I tasted this at the release party on 3/11/12. It had a deep, layered bouquet of blackberry, blueberry, black currant, anise, spice and burnt toast aromas. The palate was sharp and angular with high acidity and flavors that followed the nose. 91+
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
on my third trip to the release event, this is the first year the red wine did not out show the flagship cab. this wine seemed a bit lighter than some of the previous vintages, although still a big wine. showed nice raspberry, plum and a hint of anise followed by vanilla oak. my favorite of the last three vintages is still the 07, but this is always a great qpr at release pricing.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
One of the best Quilceda Reds in recent memory. More forward brimming with ripe red and black fruit with a hint of cedar and smoke. Quite nice with burgers and other related fare.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
3/17/2024 - OldHick95 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Hints of cedar under fresh black cherry and vanilla cream soda. Firm tannins. Impressively fresh and vibrant at 14 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/25/2023 - Grangelady wrote: 90 Points
It was a good bottle of wine, but nothing special. Opened it at restaurant with a friend and it went well with both of our meals, steak and seafood pasta. Brought some home and it was actually a little better the next day.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/14/2023 - Wine12345 Likes this wine: 93 Points
I love this wine! Enough said.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/18/2022 - PB wino wrote: 95 Points
Drinking great now. Still beautiful blue fruit, but secondary notes coming through. Chocolate on the back of the palate. Very smooth with fine tannins. Can still feel a bit of the alcohol. Drink now for maximum flavor.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/11/2022 - BobbaWA Likes this wine: 94 Points
This bottle was packed with dark fruit, stone, plum, and was well balanced. One of the best 2009 CV experiences in recent memory.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/16/2022 - Miceri Likes this wine: 92 Points
Quite dark red, some purple hues; nice gentle ripe blueberries, some sweet licorice; gentle harmonic medium-bodied with nice power without being too much, good acidity level; all in all a quite good wine with a quite good taste - somehow ordinary, however, in a good way
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/20/2022 - hiker_guy Likes this wine:
Cork crumbled at opening and I needed to decant and filter.
Opened 1.5 hours ago
Nose Dark, high toned, really showing the 15.2 abv...
Palate is silky, rich, dark and actually very nice. Much better than the nose. There's really nice complexity and decent length.
Served with Iberico pork shoulder.
Worked well with the richness of the meat
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/29/2021 - BobbaWA Likes this wine: 93 Points
Dark and spooky - more concentrated than the 2010 we opened side by side.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/11/2021 - BobbaWA Likes this wine: 93 Points
A deep, brooding wine with dark fruit and some minerality and sandalwood.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/2/2021 - BobbaWA Likes this wine: 93 Points
Deep, dark fruit. A bit brooding, but still a fine example of CVR.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/5/2021 - hiker_guy wrote:
Popped and poured about 30 minutes prior to dinner.
Nose was initially oak dominated with lots of rich vanilla oak notes.
By dinner this with had settled down to a big, rich wine to pair with our lamb chops seasoned with rosemary and pepper.
At 2 hour mark:
Nose is dark and spicy with a slight alcohol burn on the nose hairs.
Palate is smooth, dark, rich and reasonably complex. The finish is hot though and really detracts from the experience.
It pairs well with a big, gamey meat like lamb but really this is a big wine that's just a little off balance. I'm a little disappointed.
Would not buy again.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/16/2021 - AllRed wrote: 89 Points
Double blind. Dark color. Chocolate, plummy black fruit and spice notes. Medium-bodied with chalky tannins and flavors of plum, black fruit and mocha. Hints of raisin which I find distracting. (R&R)
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/19/2021 - BobbaWA Likes this wine: 89 Points
Quilceda reds typically pump intense flavors the way Rockford-Fosgate speakers blast rock and roll into a Camero. This bottle of 2009 offered high-fidelity and balance, but struck me that someone turned the volume down to two. I guess we'll have a nice conversation and stay on the road.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/23/2021 - jkwoodward Likes this wine: 94 Points
Wow, what an amazing treat. I have been trying, mostly unsuccessfully, to get these table wines to the 10 year mark and have found them to be so rewarding. Made it to 12 with this anniversary year wine and it did not disappoint. Almost like a classic Bordeaux with cigar box, graphite and still with some structure and tannin. Really fun, as always, amazing QPR!
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/5/2021 - johnnyo wrote: 92 Points
Drinking very nice right now
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/23/2021 - Rhone Rick Likes this wine: 93 Points
As good as their first label, & better on day2.
Big round red fruit and full mouth silky tannins. Tobacco, graphite, alcohol (15.2) on a long finish.
Glad I have a bunch more.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/24/2020 - Clark W Griswold Likes this wine: 92 Points
Pnp. Concentrated dark fruits. A freshness exists as if this wine was just a few years old. Long legs. Very long finish. Still a beast but the Oak has finally faded into the background. prime drinking window.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/12/2020 - johnnyo wrote: 92 Points
Very nice right now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/11/2020 - RJWallis Likes this wine: 93 Points
Two hour decant. Dark red fruits and coffee on the nose. Beautifully balanced, round tannins, lovely dark fruit tones on the finish. Last bottle, :-(
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/27/2020 - DaneM Likes this wine:
Needs a lot of air for awkward dustiness to resolve - typical of all QC, takes about 20 years in bottle or a day of air. Otherwise very enjoyable, a deep rich red with plenty of life in it.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/14/2020 - BobbaWA Likes this wine: 94 Points
Cocoa, plums, licorice.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/23/2020 - BobbaWA Likes this wine: 93 Points
Lots of fruit on the nose, plums, chocolate & blackberries on the palate. Round, balanced, jammy. Drinking well in 2020!
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/28/2020 - hanasowner wrote: 91 Points
Opened an hour in advance...medium dark red...nice balance of cherry, some graphite and chocolate...smooth finish...in a great spot after 11 years...one of the better CVR wines I've had.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/11/2020 - no leashes wrote: 92 Points
Similar notes to last bottle. Mouth coating red fruit and chocolate with hint of coffee. Absolutely delicious.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/3/2020 - Enzo D wrote: 93 Points
Bottle 4 of 4. 1 1/2 hour decant - needed mainly for sediment. Still drinking magnificently. Probably another 2-3 years at peak but unfortunately this was my last 2009.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/18/2020 - EvanRose wrote: 94 Points
This wine aged superbly and was almost as good as their big cab. Oak and chocolate on the nose, big red fruit with excellent balance, smooth tannins and layered. Delicious!
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/18/2019 - John McCabe wrote: 92 Points
Quite sweet right out of the bottle, though took on some depth afterwards. A bit pricey for what it was. The '11 was more interesting, though both have a lovely texture.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/19/2019 - Neecies Likes this wine:
Bordeauxish complexity overshadowed by the overt, sweet fruit of a hot Washington vintage. 15.2% alcohol--OUCH.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/21/2019 - BobbaWA Likes this wine: 91 Points
Never disappoints -- big, lots of fruit, chocolate, graphite.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/10/2019 - carstenf wrote: 90 Points
With Spottswood Lyndenhurst ‘10
The Lyndenhurst was better. Quilceda was mature and with solid Cabernet structure. Missing the fruity style like the first.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
7/19/2019 - BobbaWA Likes this wine: 94 Points
Slurp!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/14/2019 - Stevethebeav Likes this wine: 93 Points
Drinking really well now. Everything dialed in.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/27/2019 - no leashes wrote: 92 Points
Mouth-coating flavors, with dark fruit, herb, smoke and tar with a hint of sweet cherry. Plush and smooth. Drinking beautifully.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/26/2019 - BobbaWA Likes this wine: 92 Points
Big, plums & dark fruit.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/11/2019 - RPerro Likes this wine: 93 Points
At 10 years past vintage, this is drinking wonderfully! Cassis, tobacco, loam, black cherry, bakers chocolate. Still has some years left too. Drink now - 2022.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/2/2019 - EvanRose wrote: 92 Points
Best value for the money
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/10/2019 - G SQUARED Likes this wine: 92 Points
This is still a beautiful wine and for the price Napa is hard pressed to beat it.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/16/2019 - BobbaWA Likes this wine: 89 Points
Balance and character, yet this wine didn't stand out as much as other QC CVR vintages in the cellar. Less fruit, less depth, yet a very nice wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/13/2019 - davidandrose Likes this wine: 91 Points
Seemed high in alcohol and port-like immediately upon opening, but both these characteristics dissipated with time and could be a result of the multiple moves this particular bottle has endured.
Knotty candid, followed over two hours from bottle. 90 minutes after opening there is ripe black and blue fruit on the nose. This continues on to the pallet though the wine is a bit watery not quite as Rich/structured as I have found in earlier bottles. Again, this might be due to the multiple relocations of this bottle, However it went extraordinarily well with the mussels we enjoyed this evening.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/3/2019 - SeaSmoke wrote: 91 Points
Similar notes to October 2018.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/26/2018 - SeaSmoke wrote: 91 Points
Decanted for 30 minutes. Flavors of blackberry, coffee, iron and dark cherries on the nose and palate. Drinking very well. Medium finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/21/2018 - skifree wrote: 93 Points
Very different than my other bottles. Black and blue fruit with a very pronounced soy sauce overlay and spice, with the soy dominating the finish. This flavor profile is right in my wheel house, so highest score yet.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/17/2018 - BobbaWA Likes this wine: 93 Points
Chocolate - this is the aroma that hit me upon my first whiff of a Tuesday night splurge to open a 2009 QC CVR, chocolate laced with dark red fruit. Purple color, not translucent, and on first sip dry tannins were the first order of business. Round, leggy, luscious; this wine reminds me of an old girlfriend. Damn fine.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/11/2018 - randyjc wrote: 91 Points
Quite an engaging wine - drinking much younger than its age. But it’s balanced with great depth of blue and black fruit. The most intriguing thing is the chocolate - and not so much baker’s chocolate as is often found in Washington cabernet but a semi-sweet chocolate both in the nose and in the mouth. Excellent acidity. Quite enjoyable. Was drinking much better 3 hours after opening. There’s a lesson there.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/11/2018 - davidandrose Likes this wine: 92 Points
Pop and pour, followed out of the bottle for 90 minutes. While there is not much of a nose this is in a great place and is very very easy to drink.
Good to drink on its own or with lighter food – pasta, chicken. Better to leave a younger wine for beef, lamb or stews. Drink up within two years.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/3/2018 - NTR wrote: 92 Points
Strong forward nose or dark berry, pencil shavings, menthol. Somewhat viscous but silky initial taste that coats the tongue of the same flavors. Still getting some heat from the abv (15.2) but tannins have muted a bit. Still a young wine.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/27/2017 - champ12oh Likes this wine: 91 Points
I'm in the 91+ camp. My bottle mirrored GA Seattle descriprion. Agree with drinking window.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/3/2017 - GA_Seattle Likes this wine: 91 Points
81% Cab, 15% Merlot, 2% Cab Franc, 1% PV, 1% Malbec.
Decanted, drank over four hours. On the nose: black cherry, vanilla and cocoa. Palate revealed blackberries and anise up front, followed by charcoal, tar and plums. A big wine which softened only slightly with a few hours of breathing, medium plus acidity with lots of tongue-gripping tannins.
Wine is really showing nicely at this point, likely entering a sweet spot for enjoyment. Plenty of structure and acidity to last for many years to come, but I sense the prime will be 2018-2022.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/28/2017 - D.Callahan Does not like this wine: 78 Points
This bottle was unlike anything I've tasted from Quilceda Creek before. This bottle resembled the notes from minndavid60 with the nose he described as dill and green pepper verging almost on pine or conifer. Very strange nose that was not pleasant nor inviting. A bit of heat on the nose continued through the palate. The fruit was almost non-existent, just a hint of black fruit in an overall dull palate where the biggest impression was from the tart, dusty tannins and the heat from the alcohol. I did not enjoy this wine and wonder if it was a case of bottle variation. This bottle was stored in temp controlled storage from time of delivery and decanted for 40 minutes before tasting. Other bottles have been okay.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/16/2017 - SeaSmoke wrote: 91 Points
Flavors of blackberry, coffee, iron and dark cherries on the nose and palate. Drinking very well. Medium finish.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/4/2017 - minndavid60 wrote: 75 Points
While I've generally been a Quilceda admirer over the years, I have found this 2009 Red Wine to be weaker than most other vintages as far as my tastes go. And this bottle (my 3rd of 6) was just plain yuckers. Upon opening, a ginormous blast of oaky nastiness on the nose, throwing off dill and bell pepper and a gloppy palate mess. I forced down the first glass over the course of 60 minutes and vacu-vinned the rest for the following night. While the oaky mess had toned down by the second night, the dill and bell pepper remained, while the fruit stayed very secondary. After a couple of glasses, I decided it wasn't worth the alcohol intake and so stoppered the bottle and will use the rest as expensive cooking wine. Highly disappointing and enough to make me not buy in on the 2015 Red Wine that will be released on the 11th.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
5/28/2017 - SeaSmoke wrote: 91 Points
Decanted for 30 minutes. Flavors of blackberry, coffee, iron and dark cherries on the nose and palate. Drinking very well. Medium finish.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/26/2017 - winetastingnote Likes this wine: 94 Points
Ready to drink, accessible, dark fruit, chocolate, black cherry, bramble, blackberry, it opens with hints of buttermilk but avoids any flabbiness by quickly ascending into bloom; smooth tannins. Reasonably long finish. I wouldn't wait more than 1-2 years.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/13/2017 - depdoc wrote: 87 Points
Uncharacteristicly bland. Did not recognize corked, but wonder if it was on the way. All other bottles of this case have been delightful
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/25/2016 - bear Likes this wine: 90 Points
A very good wine that gives all the signs of ability to improve markedly over the next 5 - 10 years. Tannic upon opening but within 30 minutes had opened up dramatically. Black fruits, medium-long finish, some cedar notes. An excellent choice for Christmas dinner with our small local family.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/2/2016 - brettlaurvick Likes this wine: 92 Points
Still a great value and I'd put it up against any CA cab at double the price. Lots of life left in these wines. Still have 2007 and 2008s that are holding as well
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/10/2016 - RPerro Likes this wine: 92 Points
P&P. Pretty good stuff on the pop. Oak aromas and flavors seem to take the front at first, but fell into the background with additional air time. Boysenberry and black cherry fruit, slight tobacco, a touch of something floral (violets?), ending in a lovely mocha. By day 3 (!) this was really singing! Still has plenty of life left...drink now with air - 2020.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/7/2016 - gmbdds wrote: 91 Points
Powerful with black cherry and plum fruit with cinnamon and cedar. This will have a little too much alcohol and oak for some, but it's a good Washington steak wine.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/10/2016 - GoBlue2002 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Good juice!
PnP from 54F wine fridge. This opened up quite nicely but actually seemed to tighten up a bit over time & warming.
Aromas and flavors of plum, graphite (subdued over time), earth, spice, mineral.
A combination of new world fruit (almost Napa) with some old world aromas.
Tannins are present but somewhat silky -- although I preferred the 2008 in this regard.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/9/2016 - Stevethebeav Likes this wine: 93 Points
consistent with previous note. getting better all the time.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/17/2016 - davidandrose Likes this wine: 91 Points
Not possible that its been 3 years since I last popped one of these. Classic QC red;fruit and earth blend in the nose with easy-drinking red fruit and black cherry on the finish. Writing 2 hours after uncorking and the tannins are fading; still a very easy drinker, but would like to take notes from a remaining bottle earlier in the evening.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/30/2016 - wjochim Likes this wine: 90 Points
Excellent QPR. Drinking well now and still has years to go. Went really well with savory grilled meats and veggies.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/30/2016 - depdoc Likes this wine: 94 Points
Really has hit its stride. Multiple layered, very smooth, long lasting aftertaste.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/9/2016 - ogres3 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Probably better on night #1 per the missus. I had a bit on night #2 post call and found a middle of the road not overly complex or interesting wine.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/9/2016 - ogres3 wrote: 92 Points
Very nice blue black fruit. Decanted about 2 hours. Drinking well. Good finish.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/23/2016 - fitchbuck Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drunk over two nights; notes consistent with prior.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/21/2016 - slywka7 wrote: 91 Points
Decanted for almost 2 hours. Aromas of blackberry, currant, chocolate and iron. Palate on this was a bit better on than the nose, with big expansive flavors of blackberry, coffee, iron and dark cherry. Finish lasts for about 20-25 seconds with a iron note.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/26/2015 - yayinski wrote: 91 Points
Juicy, chewy, with creamy tannins and notes of chocolate, dark cherries. A bit heavy on the alcohol
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/17/2015 - W2WineGuy Likes this wine: 91 Points
incredible wine, especially for $36. Smooth, integrated, soft with solid medium finish. Holds up well even on day two
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/14/2015 - lirvingham Likes this wine: 90 Points
too early
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/8/2015 - ben3723 wrote: 92 Points
Opended for an hour. Wonderful with cheeses for appetizer. Still has time left.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/10/2015 - Zinlady wrote: 91 Points
Smooth, balanced. No noticeable tannins. Delicious. Enjoyed with steak. Did not disappoint
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/23/2015 - GalvezGuy wrote: 88 Points
Big nose of milk chocolate, plum, cherry, and spicy oak. On the palate, plums, hints of cherry, lots of mocha and vanilla. Definitely some heat on the grippy finish. Well made in a style I just don't like much any more.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/11/2015 - ogres3 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Solid full bodied wine. Drinking optimally on day 2. Pleasant but not outstanding,
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/28/2015 - lirvingham wrote: 92 Points
Once again, spice, chocolate and earth. Long on palate and fabulous for the money!!
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/26/2015 - Stevethebeav Likes this wine: 92 Points
This is my first of the 09. It is better than the 08 and reminds me of the 07, which was great. More integrated and balanced than previous. Needs at least two hours of decanting to pull it all together. Deep dark garnet color with a floral, strawberry nose. Lots of oak here but the finely extracted fruit will balance that in a couple years. After a couple hours this became rich, luscious vanilla, mocha, plum and dark cherry. Yes it's hot when first opened, but I like that. It mellows nicely through the evening allowing the fruit to pull huge. So glad I have more of this.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/19/2015 - rocknroller wrote: 90 Points
Best Burger Event, Monthly Tasting Group (Jason and Tracy's, Mpls, MN): Very dark red color. Drank a 2 oz pour over 10 minutes. Showing ok for its age, some new wood, dark fruits with some hints of red fruit, spicy, firm tannins that are releasing.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/26/2015 - cabber wrote: 91 Points
Full bodied, deep crimson color, rich, polished and accessible but a just a bit hot on the nose and finish, nose of spice, dark fruit, sweet tobacco, taste/mouth-feel is chewy, structured and fleshy. I think it is still young and will soften and integrate nicely with a little more time in the cellar.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/17/2015 - slywka7 wrote: 90 Points
Needed a strong wine for a rough day. Aromas of blackberry, currant, flowers, cherry and herb. This is a big, heavy bodied wine with flavors of blackberry, dark plum, mocha and coffee. Get a little burn of heat that dissipates with some time. Finish is long but a tad strange with a weird not that lingers. Should have decanted this but oh well.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/16/2015 - W2WineGuy Likes this wine: 92 Points
give it air, or more time in the bottle, you will be rewarded. Four hour decant, through venture. Deep, dark, coat your mouth red blend, nicely integrated, medium to long finish. Always one of the best red wine blend values
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/25/2015 - Scottlmatthews Likes this wine: 93 Points
Amazing but needs another 4 years. Opened and left for 24 hours in decanter-it finally became passible. Big with fruit, acid, and tannins- multidimensional with blackberry, cocoa , expresso, red current lush fruit. Back aspect on the nose and pallet with black tea, asian spice, and cigar tar from a full bodied cigar. Well made wine.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/24/2015 - EvanRose Likes this wine: 90 Points
opened nicely, strawberry and richnred fruit, medium to long finish, smooth and tasty
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/18/2015 - skifree wrote: 92 Points
Sweet fruit on the nose and in the palate, leather, cocoa, and spice mixed with the fruit on the finish. Vibrant, big, and tasty.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/28/2015 - Troon wrote: 91 Points
Another great bottle of the CVR. Decanted for an hour. The wine still needed additional time to open up fully. I wish I didn't drink these so fast, but this is such a great QPR wine. Candied fruit on the nose, and dark red fruit on the palate with a medium-long finish.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/9/2015 - fitchbuck Likes this wine: 92 Points
The QC Reds are some of the most distinctive juice for me; I bet I could pick them from a blind line-up better than any other series of wines I know. No matter the age they are consistently tight & oaked coming out of the bottle, with finessed fruit fineness showing thru after aeration.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/9/2015 - ephorn wrote: 90 Points
Dark purple, opaque. Fruit and alcohol on the nose. Still rustic in the mouth with alcohol sticking out. A bit of creaminess and a touch of oak are nice. Tannins medium to medium plus. Good length and fruit concentration. Day 2 nose opens up, brown sugar and lifted ripe fruit. Additional tropical notes come through on palate including coconut. Alcohol still poking through and something astringent - grapefruit skin, aniseed, gin.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/16/2014 - Justinwine wrote: 93 Points
I have drank this wine many times and some have been ok and some have been really great . And this was a great one. Full bodied, multi dimensional. Delicious.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/21/2014 - slywka7 wrote: 91 Points
Aromas of chocolate, mint, pepper and dark cherry. A very full body, this has flavors of blackberry, bell pepper, mocha and coffee. Little closed down at the moment. Doesn't seem ready to drink. Could be served a tad cool or not open long enough.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/1/2014 - lirvingham Likes this wine: 91 Points
Drank over five days, and felt it was best on the last day. Great potential, but needs time.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/31/2014 - hanasowner wrote: 88 Points
Popped and poured...definitely more giving and fruit forward than the Biale wine, but lackluster nose compared to other Quilceda Reds...my first try of the 2009...worthy of a decant to see if this has more potential.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/17/2014 - Dave Dalluge wrote: 91 Points
No notes taken, but this was quite impressive. Expressive nose. Plenty of fruit with some oak on the palate. Good balance. Very nice.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/8/2014 - Mindes wrote:
A great value, for third the price of Galitzine or Palengat you get 95% of the enjoyment.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/20/2014 - Don and Pam Likes this wine: 93 Points
decanted and really enjoyed.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/30/2014 - JDRFoster wrote: 92 Points
Very nice, and a good value, especially compared to Napa alternatives. Plenty of Oak an all the classic Bordeaux attributes, with a bit of extra sweetness. Well done.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/24/2014 - rmh66 wrote: 91 Points
Boy, is this young. Smoke, cassis, plum, blackberry, strawberry, coconut, herbs, cedar, chocolate, a little bell pepper, a hint of eucalyptus, and earth on the nose. Plum, blueberry, cassis, cherry, coffee, spice, earth, powdered sugar, and oak on the palate. Good acidity, well integrated tannin, long finish. Flirts with alcohol. Overall, this is quite good in that big, oaky new world sort of way. If you are oak sensitive, well, you know better than to drink Quilceda Creek. The alcohol does concern me though.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/6/2014 - kgh wrote: 90 Points
Good structure and balance, solid fruit profile.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/10/2014 - BinVA Likes this wine: 91 Points
It's a big boy that is drinking well today with a little air. Likely will improve in a year or two with some burnoff of the alcohol, which shows itself early on. Good QPR.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/8/2013 - green-steve wrote: 91 Points
A serious masculine wine. Cassis, cherry, herbal notes, fine tannins, extended finish. Only took about an hour to open up - give the next bottle a year.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/3/2013 - Robwild wrote: 95 Points
Once again a tour de force from this amazing winery. Balanced and approachable yet plenty of life. Deep purple color. Nice fruit and berries. Long legs. Delightful Delicious and Delectlible
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/22/2013 - Enzo D Likes this wine: 92 Points
Aerated and decanted. A bit young, but drinking well now. Evolved nicely over 2 hours. Will hold onto 3 more bottles for a while, as this should continue to improve over the next 5 years or so.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/6/2013 - leadpencil wrote: 94 Points
Full bodied. Black cherry, licorice, graphite. Drinking very well.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/3/2013 - BigBoy_Sonoma wrote: 91 Points
Dark fruit, spice, cassis, pepper and smokey oak. Tannins are tight. Acidity is well balanced.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/4/2013 - kgh wrote: 91 Points
Deep and full-bodied, with nice fruit profile. Well-structured and balanced wine.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/29/2013 - bkay Likes this wine: 90 Points
Just OK. Still too young. Think this is over-priced for what it is....
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/14/2013 - Justinwine wrote: 87 Points
Closed, not fun.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/7/2013 - SkeBum Likes this wine: 92 Points
Ordered this wine at dinner based mainly on the producer and also what everyone was ordering for dinner. It is a very nice wine at this point with a plush mouth feel and nice finish, dark red with a very nice balance overall. 5 years in the cellar and this would be really nice, there is talented wine making at work here. One of the best bottles of Washington wine I have had this year, even though this isn't, this wineries flagship wine.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/27/2013 - El Tej wrote: 91 Points
Hot
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/26/2013 - Don and Pam Likes this wine: 93 Points
decanted for 30 minutes and was just as good as hoped for
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/9/2013 - wineberg Likes this wine: 91 Points
Decanted 6+ hours. 15.2% ABV
Blueberry, graphite, hint of leather, but the alcohol comes through a bit. Got some nice structure to the tannins, they're still quite present but smooth and soft. Acidic bite of grapefruit to the finish.
Far from mature, and can sit in the cellar for a while longer. Or give it a long decant now. Still think this is a pretty good QPR at $35.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/26/2013 - skinut Likes this wine: 91 Points
Needs time. Oak overwhelms everything. You can tell there is depth and complexity hiding behind the oak, but even 15 minutes in the glass with lots of swirling, it was difficult to coax out the fruit. Even with 15.2 abv it did not come across as hot.
Let it sit for a couple more years or decant for 4-6 hours. Will revisit the 2nd half of the bottle in 24 hours.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/8/2013 - Brsed Likes this wine: 91 Points
Enjoyable QPR. Very expressive nose of black fruits. A little more extracted than what I would like but the qualify of fruit is there and wine was better on day 2 so I think it bodes well for the future. Good grip and super long finish.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/18/2013 - davidandrose Likes this wine: 93 Points
Great wine; on its own or as a QPR, this is unbeatable. New world fruit bomb on the nose, with an approach thats blueberry, toasted oak, pepper and spice. Medium+ weight, mouthfeel thats youthful, yet with satiny tannins. More blue and black fruit, this wine shows a hints of a youthful complexity/depth that appear as tight layers today, and which I hope become more pronounced in the future. In any event, what a great bottle with only minimal time to come to room temp needed.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/15/2013 - phantphant wrote: 93 Points
Totally intense and yummy.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/12/2013 - brianngibson wrote: 92 Points
Great QPR and simply delicious. We couldn't help ourselves and finished the bottle. Cassis and blackberry explode from the palate.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/23/2013 - kgh wrote: 92 Points
Heavily extracted and full-bodied, this is a killer young wine with tons of potential. Loads of dark fruit mingles with wood and mineral notes, with some prominent tannins that should soften with age. Excellent bargain for the price.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/21/2013 - Nedder_travels_the_world wrote: 95 Points
this is a BEAST of a wine. so young, so angry and untamed. give it until 2015 to chill out and you will be blown away by how rich and complex this wine is. helluva bargain for the pric.e.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/13/2013 - GA_Seattle Likes this wine: 90 Points
This wine is still very young, decanted for 3+ hours, then started opening up in the glass. Charcoal and espresso notes on the nose, followed by faint fruit. Palate shows graphite with hints of black currant, ash and vanilla extract. Silky texture, but somewhat stoic with tannins just starting to round out - this wine needs more time. Try again in 12-18mos.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/10/2013 - jeffm_fla wrote: 89 Points
Very soft and round, with a "sweet" mouthfeel. A nice quaff, but didn't seem to have much complexity
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/1/2013 - RCS73 wrote: 93 Points
Very smooth. Deep berry fruits with strong toasted almond notes. Tannins extremely well integrated. Drinking better than the 07 and 08 right now (IMHO)
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/16/2013 - Troon wrote:
Needed several hours for heat to subside. I would agree with other reviewers. This wine needs more time.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/2/2013 - ckleiman wrote: 88 Points
Disappointing. Oaky and high alcohol. Needs more time. The only thing that stood out was the astonishing amount of alcohol.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/17/2013 - mreinitz wrote:
Popped open a bottle because some friends wanted to try it. This was better than the bottle we opened a few months ago. In particular, the the oak flavors have subsided enough that one feels like he is drinking wine rather than bourbon. The wine still seems very young though, and I will wait a while to open another bottle.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/16/2013 - lirvingham wrote: 90 Points
Probably too early to rate fully. Seems like it has potential, but not yet there. I will wait a year before trying another.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/6/2013 - typ993 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Nice bouquet of cassis and berries, decent structure and good finish.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/28/2012 - dpolivy Likes this wine: 92 Points
Big, luscious wine with a really nice silkiness and elegance on the mid-palate and finish. Definitely can smell the heat on the nose, along with some barrel spice and dark fruits. It starts integrating much better with some air--give it time at this age. Already drinking quite well, I'm looking forward to seeing it evolve over time.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/26/2012 - Nedder_travels_the_world Likes this wine: 94 Points
WOW! this is a really big wine. I am impressed. right out of the bottle it's big, powerful and tannic. this wine will last many years.
cola, anise, leather, dark cherry, cherry cola, herbs, tobacco,
sweet dark fruits, cassis, sharp tannins, tobacco. persistant 30+ second finish. pair this with red meats.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/21/2012 - Sauvyfan Likes this wine: 89 Points
Blacks, reds, and olive brine dominate the huge nose. I get a similarity to Togni. Peppery palate, driven by black fruit, damson plum and fig. Initial attack is bombastic, then a lull in the mid palate, but the finish goes on forever. Balanced, but needs some time to calm down and integrate. Day two proves that this needs some bottle aging. It's just a mass of fruit with no focus or direction right now.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/19/2012 - GalvezGuy wrote:
Big wine with lots of black cherry, plum, currant and obvious alcohol on the nose. On the palate big fruit with plum, black cherry, spice. Finishes with lots of heat that obscures everything else. Sorry I own more of this, will probably use it for cooking.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (11)
12/13/2012 - Wine Sparty wrote: 92 Points
Popped and poured with grilled filet mignon. Nice aroma of tobacco, chocolate, dark fruit. Taste has blackberry and tobacco on the very end of the finish. Still decently tannic even after being open for 5 hours, so a good decant is recommended.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/5/2012 - Wine Gopher wrote: 87 Points
It felt a little disjointed when I tasted it after corking it. I decanted it and tasted it over a series of hours. It took about 6 hours to really come together. The alcohol is a little elevated and prominent so it is probably best to serve it with slight chill (60 degrees) so it doesn't overpower the rest of the wine. This needs time. I won't be touching my next bottle until 2014 at the earliest.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/4/2012 - deltacop wrote: 91 Points
These are not a PNP type wine, nor do I see these as ready yet. I opened one up on memory that others were giving good high reviews. I only had half last night and expect tonight's half to be better having had some time open in the bottle and I'll serve it a little chilled and let it warm up in the glass. That should help with some of the heat that I got upon open last night. I hope I can remember to keep the rest sideways for a few years. These have good overall flavors and aromatics but need time.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/30/2012 - ntrubee Likes this wine: 93 Points
Received my shipment today. Grabbed a bottle and headed to port oconnor for a weekend of fishing and wine. Opened on arrival and roughly decanted. Wow. Definitely some heat but awesome aroma of black fruit herbs and oak. Went fishing for three hours and poured a glass. This really smoothed out nicely. Black fruit minerals smoke. Excellent acidity. Balanced nicely. Decant if you drink now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/29/2012 - IamNotDrinkingAny#@!%Merlot wrote: 88 Points
Disappointing. Lots of oak and fairly hot.... seemed to overwhelm the fruit. Was still quite tasty, just lacking in elegance. Perhaps this needs to lie down for a few years, not quite sure.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/18/2012 - Whinojb wrote: 92 Points
I agree that this wine needs some time - it has a fresh oak to it that should integrate very nicely. Even after 90 minutes of a decant - it was still a bit brooding - but, the acidity was great - very fresh wine - dark fruits are extremely pleasant. I see my scoring increasing a little if it evolves the way I think it will.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/13/2012 - mreinitz wrote:
I know that many reviewers are proclaiming this ready to drink. I disagree, and think a year in the cellar will improve it immensely. We decanted it for 45 minutes. I have NEVER had a wine that smelled or tasted more like bourbon. The alcohol is quite prominent. Dark fruit on the front end turns to toasty oak on the midpalate and then transmogrifies into cherry on the finish. Other than that not really a lot of different flavors. It's okay now, but I'm putting my other bottles aside for a while.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/11/2012 - Zinlady wrote: 92 Points
Had with tenderloin at Pacific Northwest tasting. Lovely wine. Dark. Will improve with bottle age. Balanced
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/10/2012 - davidandrose wrote: 94 Points
The wine arrives at my office, I dutifully log it in on CT, and when I peruse the tasting notes I figure that everyone has that "I just opened it up" euphoria that adds 2-4 points to TNs. Folks, this is a great wine that is insanely approachable today. Rich reddish-black fruit and toasted wood/smoke on the nose, along with a hint of clove or pepper. You can immediately sense the "dryness" of the tannins on the palate, yet the wine is rich in ripe dark fruits. Once again, this in one of the best QPRs out there.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/9/2012 - tim m wrote: 93 Points
Incredible wine for the price. Nice tannins, will last for at least a decade, medium big wine with red fruit at the core. Nice.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/29/2012 - RCS73 wrote: 92 Points
Just received a case of this from QC. Had to pop one right away with a big NY Strip. Have to say that the '09's are very approachable right away. I had a bottle of the '09 QC Cab back in late Summer and felt the same about that one. Far more approachable at this stage than the '08's
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/14/2012 - garambler wrote: 92 Points
We had this at a friends inventory reduction tasting. It had a deep, ripe and powerful bouquet of blueberry, blackberry, black currant, mocha, anise and spice aromas. The palate was big, rich and ripe with flavors that followed the nose. It has integrated and smoothed out nicely since release. 91+
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/13/2012 - pdemaio wrote: 93 Points
Big licorice. Dust. Touch of cherry. Blueberry. Intense, full mouth feel. Extracted. Moderate acid. Long finish. Much potential. For now: pdq92-93
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/11/2012 - garambler wrote: 92 Points
Friends and I tasted this at the release party on 3/11/12. It had a deep, layered bouquet of blackberry, blueberry, black currant, anise, spice and burnt toast aromas. The palate was sharp and angular with high acidity and flavors that followed the nose. 91+
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/10/2012 - skifree wrote:
Tasted at QC release party. Very good for a second wine, with lots of classic "fruit rouge" and a nice spine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/10/2012 - Gargamel wrote: 93 Points
on my third trip to the release event, this is the first year the red wine did not out show the flagship cab. this wine seemed a bit lighter than some of the previous vintages, although still a big wine. showed nice raspberry, plum and a hint of anise followed by vanilla oak. my favorite of the last three vintages is still the 07, but this is always a great qpr at release pricing.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/12/2011 - DHutch wrote: 93 Points
One of the best Quilceda Reds in recent memory. More forward brimming with ripe red and black fruit with a hint of cedar and smoke. Quite nice with burgers and other related fare.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment