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| Community Tasting Notes (average 91.4 pts. and median of 92 pts. in 364 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by La Cave d'Argent on 2/27/2024 & rated 93 points: Quilceda Creek's 2008 Columbia Valley Red Wine is a blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 1% Malbec. Still a youthful deep ruby/red in color, it remains packed with dark bramble fruits, fig, anise, baking spices, bark, savory herbs and loamy earth. Full-bodied, fresh and with well-tamed alcohol (despite being listed as 15.2%), its oak and tannins have now beautifully integrated. The flavors build on the mid-palate and the finish is impressively long. This wine has evolved into something quite special. Decanted off of its sediment and sampled over a five-hour period from a bottle that had been purchased upon release and cellared in pristine fashion, this showed best after the first two hours in carafe. Be sure to serve at 60-65°F to ensure that the alcohol lurks quietly. Comparably cellared bottles will last longer than previously projected when last tasted 7/4/2015. Drink now-2030. (348 views) | | | Tasted by Rhone Rick on 9/22/2023 & rated 92 points: Drinking very well. Same consistent profile. (563 views) | | | Tasted by DaneM on 11/7/2021: Finally in a good place. Been drinking one bottle per year since release, waiting for the tannic edge to dissipate. Big fruit profile, oak has faded, really softened up with age. (2328 views) | | | Tasted by hiker_guy on 3/5/2021: Not sure of the QPR being great but this wine was smooth as silk and disappeared fast.
Decanted for 2 hours prior to drinking.
No hint of the 15.2% ABV. Nicely integrated.
Everything was in it's place and the wine was well made.
I will say there wasn't alot of complexity. It was a very silky smooth, one note wonder. The one note was a darn good note though.
Would buy again. (2849 views) | | | Tasted by no leashes on 1/20/2021 & rated 91 points: Really delicious, drinking beautifully, smooth and velvety with long finish. Unfortunately last bottle of the 2008, can't wait to try to Cab. (2776 views) | | | Tasted by akpace on 12/6/2020 & rated 93 points: Complete wine, great nose, peppery and spice some berry and toast (2700 views) | | | Tasted by gbbwino on 11/12/2020 & rated 91 points: Purchased direct from winery. Decanted & poured back into bottle after 15 minutes. Heat on the nose reflecting alcohol from the warmer vintage. Palate of sweet fruit with fully resolved & smooth tannins. The oak that normally is off putting with this wine in its youth is fully integrated. Good balance despite a more brooding profile. Nice 2nd label by QC! (2595 views) | | | Tasted by Rhone Rick on 9/7/2020 & rated 92 points: Drinking well per prior note.... (1719 views) | | | Tasted by BobbaWA on 3/23/2020 & rated 90 points: Velvety, plums. That's it. Velvety plums. Oh, and earthy. Kind of Middle Earthy. More dwarvish than elf-like. (1719 views) | | | Tasted by Rhone Rick on 1/26/2020 & rated 93 points: Drinking beautifully. Others describe the profile well, just seems to be fuller.. more leather and graphite than light red fruit and light wood. (1797 views) | | | Tasted by BobbaWA on 1/19/2020 & rated 90 points: Leather, flint, guts, and love. (1609 views) | | | Tasted by BobbaWA on 12/17/2019 & rated 93 points: Blackberry bramble, blueberry, lead pencil. Round and jammy, some stony tannins. I'd do that again. (1682 views) | | | Tasted by jfkwines on 11/22/2019 & rated 89 points: Better than the June bottle. Still has a strong backbone with a hint of tannin, leather but still nice fruit like berries and plums. Drink now I think (1598 views) | | | Tasted by Rhone Rick on 11/1/2019 & rated 91 points: Not as bright and rich as the 07 but still a spark of the greatness of the first label. Leather and tobacco and faded red fruit. Will be great with burgers. Good value for $35! (1460 views) | | | Tasted by noni15 on 8/19/2019 & rated 92 points: No formal notes. However, I enjoyed the wine more towards the end of the bottle. Almost no sediment. Garnet Color. Long Finish. The alcohol level a little bit too high. (1507 views) | | | Tasted by williamswhine on 8/6/2019 & rated 91 points: Dark inky hue. Dark fruit, pencil lead, blackberry nose. Fruit forward, dark cherry, cassis, stone, dark fruits, slightly prune/raisin. Like others, believe this bottle is peaking or past peak. Drink up. (1556 views) | | | Tasted by halgeo on 7/10/2019 & rated 88 points: Pnp. Bright and peppery during first hour, then faded into perfume, berry, maybe touch sweet. (1097 views) | | | Tasted by jfkwines on 6/28/2019 & rated 89 points: Gave this a long ( 2hrs) decant in a big flat bottomed decanter. The wine was paired with a rib eye and did a fine job. Not much fruit, but nice leather, tobacco and slight pepper. Not robust or youthful however, and I therefore fear this wine might be approaching its end. (1462 views) | | | Tasted by jfkwines on 2/19/2019: Pop and poured.. Definetly needs air. Not at the finish line yet. I will post a further notes after drinking one properly decanted (1894 views) | | | Tasted by slywka7 on 12/7/2018 & rated 91 points: Decanted and drank. Aromas of blackberry, currant, mint, black cherry and touch of iron. Flavors of currant, blackberry, iron, mint and black cherry. Ends with blackberry and iron infused finish of 25 seconds. Tad tight and needs air. Still drinkinging young. (2118 views) | | | Tasted by johnnyo on 9/15/2018 & rated 92 points: I agree with WAWINEFAN! (2184 views) | | | Tasted by WAWINEFAN on 9/14/2018 & rated 92 points: Delicious- very smooth and well rounded. (1992 views) | | | Tasted by hiker_guy on 9/4/2018: Big, rich and still on the youthful side. Oak is just starting to integrate. There is a liquor like consistency to the finish that probably has something to do with the 15.2% abv. No burn though, very smooth. Good depth of flavor and length o finish. (1993 views) | | | Tasted by johnnyo on 9/3/2018 & rated 91 points: Still quite youthful. Full bodied with rich black fruit and firm tannins. Very nice mouth feel and finish. (1716 views) | | | Tasted by SeaSmoke on 8/23/2018 & rated 92 points: Dark fruits, toasted oak and tobacco on the nose and palate. Finish is medium. This wine is drinking beautifully now. (1576 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| By Sean Sullivan
Washington Wine Report (3/23/2011)
(Quilceda Creek Red Wine Columbia Valley) Abundant aromas of oak spice, blackberry, chocolate, cherries, and licorice on an appealing, classically Quilceda Creek aroma profile. The palate is rich and silky with the tannins slightly less assertive than in recent vintages. Dips slightly in the middle but picks back up and sails on to an extended finish. 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Malbec. 15.2% alcohol. Sampled at 68 degrees. **** 1/2 points |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of Washington Wine Report. (manage subscription channels) |
| Quilceda Creek Producer website2008 Quilceda Creek Red Wine Columbia ValleyWinemaker's Notes: The 2008 Quilceda Creek Columbia Valley Red Wine is a blend of declassified lots from an extraordinary vintage. The resulting medium-bodied wine displays black cherry fruit, vanilla extract, roasted herbs, lead pencil and smoke. Approachable now, this blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 1% Malbec, from Champoux, Discovery, Galitzine, Klipsun, Palengat, and Tapteil Vineyards, will best be enjoyed over the next 15 years.Red Bordeaux BlendRed Bordeaux is generally made from a blend of grapes. Permitted grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec and rarely Carménère.Today Carménère is rarely used, with Château Clerc Milon, a fifth growth Bordeaux, being one of the few to still retain Carménère vines. As of July 2019, Bordeaux wineries authorized the use of four new red grapes to combat temperature increases in Bordeaux. These newly approved grapes are Marselan, Touriga Nacional, Castets, and Arinarnoa.
Wineries all over the world aspire to making wines in a Bordeaux style. In 1988, a group of American vintners formed The Meritage Association to identify wines made in this way. Although most Meritage wines come from California, there are members of the Meritage Association in 18 states and five other countries, including Argentina, Australia, Canada, Israel, and Mexico.USAAmerican wine has been produced since the 1500s, with the first widespread production beginning in New Mexico in 1628. Today, wine production is undertaken in all fifty states, with California producing 84% of all U.S. wine. The continent of North America is home to several native species of grape, including Vitis labrusca, Vitis riparia, Vitis rotundifolia, and Vitis vulpina, but the wine-making industry is based almost entirely on the cultivation of the European Vitis vinifera, which was introduced by European settlers. With more than 1,100,000 acres (4,500 km2) under vine, the United States is the fourth-largest wine producing country in the world, after Italy, Spain, and France.Washington Washington Wine Commission | Credit to Washingtonwine.org for this article
Washington Wine
Washington State is a premium wine producing region located in the northwest corner of the United States. Although a relatively young wine industry, it is now the nation's second largest wine producer and is ranked among the world's top wine regions. Washington wines are found nationally in all 50 states and internationally in more than 40 countries.
Wineries
With 30,000+ acres planted, the state has ideal geography and conditions for growing premium vinifera wine grapes. Primarily grown on their own root stocks, the vines produce grapes of consistent quality, resulting in strong vintages year after year. While its focus is on Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, the region also produces a wide range of other spectacular whites and reds.
Growers
Winemakers from all over the world have chosen to establish themselves in Washington, where they can create wines reflecting this region's unique characteristics. Their hand-crafted wines are receiving wide acclaim from critics regionally, nationally and internationally for their consistently high quality. Many of them have received scores of 90 and above from the major wine media. Overall this is a higher percentage than other leading wine regions.
Regions
As the state's fourth largest fruit crop, the Washington wine industry is an important contributor to the long-term preservation of Washington agriculture. The industry is committed to sustainable agricultural practices and conservation of water resources.
Washington State is a premium wine producing region located in the northwest corner of the United States. Although a relatively young wine industry, it is now the nation's second largest wine producer and is ranked among the world's top wine regions. Washington wines are found nationally in all 50 states and internationally in more than 40 countries.
Varieties
Washington produces more than 20 wine grape varieties - a ratio of 56 percent white to 44 percent red. As the industry matures and experiments, it finds many grape varieties that thrive throughout Washington's microclimates. There are more than 16,000 vineyard acres of red wine varieties statewide.
History & Vintages
Washington's wine future is limitless. As consumers discover the quality of Washington wines, demand continues to grow nationally and internationally. New acreage and wine varietals are being planted and new wineries are opening at a remarkable pace. Washington State is recognized as a premium viticultural region around the world.
State Facts
Washington's wine industry generates more than $3 billion to the state economy. It employs more than 14,000 people, directly and indirectly, with projections to add nearly 2,000 more jobs by 2006. In terms of tax revenues accrued to the state and federal government, wine grapes are among the highest tax generators of any agricultural crops. Furthermore, Washington wine tourism attracts nearly two million visitors annually contributing to the positive growth of local and regional economies.
Washington State - the perfect climate for wine = ideal growing conditions, quality wines, business innovation, lifestyle, and social responsibility. All are key elements of this world-class wine industry.
Vintages
"2008 and even more so 2010 and 2011 were cool, even cold vintages (think: 2002 in the Barossa) without the extreme ripeness, extract and higher alcohol that had become the norm in the state’s post 1995 world. 2008 was manageable but the duo of 2010/2011 nearly caused a “great depression” in Washington State." - Jon RimmermanColumbia Valley Columbia Cascade Winery Association
The Columbia Valley AVA lies mostly in Washington state, with a small section in Oregon. The Cascade Range forms its western boundary with the Palouse regions bordering the area to the east. To the north, the Okanogan National Forest forms a border with the AVA and Canada. It encompasses the valleys formed by the Columbia River and its tributaries, including the Walla Walla River, the Snake River, and the Yakima River. The Columbia valley stretches between the 46th parallel and 47th parallel which puts it in line with the well known French wine growing regions of Bordeaux and Burgundy. The northern latitude gives the areas two more hours of additional daylight during the summer growing season than wine regions of California receive. The volcanic and sandy loam soil of the valley offers good drainage and is poor in nutrients, ideal in forcing the vine to concentrate its resources into the grape clusters.Columbia Valley Columbia Valley Winery Association |
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