8/15/2023 - feinwine Likes this wine:

Love this!

5/14/2023 - feinwine wrote:

Terrible. Tasted corked. Past it’s prime

2/18/2022 - feinwine Likes this wine:

Beautiful light and refreshing. Strawberry and mineral notes.

7/26/2020 - feinwine Likes this wine:

It really doesn’t get much (any?) better than the Quilceda Creek Columbia Valley for a special occasion, and the 2017 is drinking beautifully already. First sip out of the bottle was smooth, layered, complex and integrated, but after a solid three hour decant it opens up stunningly.

The nose is exquisitely layered like a well-written novel. Luscious plum and red cherry — but certainly no fruit bombs here — spice box, graphite, tobacco, sage, and slight hints of lavender.

The palette crescendos with similar fruits, particularly cherry and anise, cigar box, cedar, and pencil lead. Smooth, silky, pillowy tannins combine with juicy but controlled acidity, bringing the impeccable balance characteristic of Quilceda Creek’s flagship wine. The denouement comes perfectly on time — a long, clean, smooth finish. Perhaps a few more years will further polish this gem, but don’t hesitate to enjoy now if you enjoy a solid, younger, well-structured masterpiece!!!

3/28/2020 - feinwine Likes this wine:

Beautifully layered cab, squarely in its drinking window with a full bouquet of Red Mountain fruit, yet mellowing tannins and nice balance. Earthy, eucalyptus, pencil shavings, and subtle mushroom envelope dark fruit characters on the nose. On the palette, cherry blossom, blackberry, currants, floral notes, forest floor, tobacco, and warm brown spices. Still nicely structured yet softly refined tannins, full mouthfeel, juicy acidity, and a delightfully long finish. For my taste, wouldn’t wait any longer to enjoy!

3/12/2020 - feinwine wrote:

Very solid QPR < $50 for a Bourdeaux style cab punctuated by both elegance and strength. Deep purple color with black fruit, cedar and toasted oak on the nose. Full mouthfeel that coats the cheeks as concentrated blackberry, currants, and plum follow with dried herbs and subtle earthiness. Silky tannins balance with juicy acidity, culminating in a satisfying long finish.

3/8/2020 - feinwine Likes this wine:

Liked this Paso Robles cab, though not a screaming value at $47. A bit young even with 4 hr decant, and liked it much better on day two — should have nice potential in coming years, but isn’t especially layered or complex.

Deep opaque purple, with nice long legs. Nose of blackberry preserves, a touch of vanilla, and hints of baking spice. Follow through is quite fruit-forward on the palette with ripe, juicy combo of red fruit joining the dark fruits. Not overly complex, but nicely balanced with firm tannins and juicy acidity. Smooth, warm baking spices into the finish. Should age nicely.

3/2/2020 - feinwine Likes this wine:

Excellent QPR if you can find for $30! Smooth, mellow, spicy and toasty Rioja blend — a beauty! Warm baking spices on the nose, complemented by subtle red fruit. Medium body on the palette, with a dusty earthiness, strawberry/cherry/plum notes, cinnamon, nutmeg and cocoa, toasted oak. Softly refined yet structured tannins balanced with medium acidity and a warm, satisfying finish!

3/1/2020 - feinwine wrote:

Was slightly disappointed by this 100% Oakville cab as the fruit disappointed and it came out the gate tight and a bit hot; at a $70 price point left much to be desired and a poor QPR in my view.

Bourdeaux-esque on the nose with forest floor and subdued black fruits, which translate similarly to the palette... except the strong herbal, earthy, forest-floor notes dominate the typical-though-muted Napa black fruits I was looking for — black currant, fig, and black cherry. Firm tannins, medium acidity. I will drink part two tomorrow... likely age would improve the balance, but too many stronger options in this price range, and should have been blended a bit to round it out IMO.

2/14/2020 - feinwine Likes this wine:

Wow, amazed how nicely this 100% cab Shafer One Point Five is drinking already! Round, complex, layered, with silky smooth tannins. Already squarely in the drinking window IMO, as delectable Stag’s Leap fruit, mellow tannins and juicy acidity balance harmoniously.

After a 4-hr hour decant, the nose is practically bursting out of the glass with beautiful layers of dark and red fruits, a lively herbal blend, and a hint of sweet oak (20 mo. 100% new French oak). Equally assertive fruit on the attack, with blackberry, plum, and black cherry notes coupled with sage, forest floor, and subtle minerality. Mouthfeel is medium-full bodied, with round and supple tannins that coat the cheeks and culminate in a silky-smooth, long finish. Expensive but worth every penny!

2/9/2020 - feinwine Likes this wine:

Tried a bottle ASAP as we are huge fans of the Cave 7. While it would have been nearly impossible to top the legendary 2016 (100% cab, great harvest) Cave 7 IMO, the 2017 is a solid and nicely balanced blend (CS - 85%, PV - 7%, Merlot - 6%, Malbec - 2%), with great potential in the coming years.

Decanted and drank over ~4 hrs. Some dark but more red fruits on the nose with sweet oak, wet stone, and hints of cinnamon and nutmeg. Medium body with similar flavors on the palate, as a mellow opening crescendoes into warm cherry pie, a bit of tobacco, subtle tannins, juicy acidity, and a medium-long finish. Lacks the assertive attack of the 100% cab 2016 Cave 7, but arguably tickles a different itch as a nicely balanced, though still young, blend that still showcases the superb Rutherford and Oakville fruit. I’ll be curious to try it again over the next 1-5 years.

1/17/2020 - feinwine Likes this wine:

Excellent QPR. Pleasantly surprised by the complexity and force of this merlot-based classic Napa-style Bordeaux blend.

Four hour decant. Deep, inky purple. Nose opens with dried herbs, sweet forest floor, a touch of oak, a hint of graphite and understated dark fruit notes that tease and intrigue. Suddenly on the palette, bright cherry and plumb burst onto the scene as the cab franc shines (25%)! Beautiful, balanced complement to the Merlot (55%%), cab sauv (17%), and Petit Verdot (3%)! Medium mouth-feel, full acidity (though not overboard for my taste), and supple tannins that coat the cheeks lightly, as coffee and cacao nibs lead to a satisfying medium-long finish.

1/3/2020 - feinwine Likes this wine:

Sideways be darned — love this Merlot!!! We typically love California cabs including all of the Pine Ridge sun-appellations, but this Merlot is an excellent value — holds its own with fantastic fruit, complexity, and a nice albeit lighter mouthfeel than the coveted PR cabs.

Love the deep garnet color. After 2.5 hr decant, the nose is brimming with dark fruit, a tinge of red fruit, dried sage, wet stone, and lightly toasted oak. Medium bodied mouthfeel nicely coats the cheeks, and palette really brings out warm cranberry notes, a tinge of minerality, and a smooth medium finish. Excellent QPR and reminds me a lot of the beautiful Pine Ridge Rutherford cab with a lighter texture and more red fruit on the palette.

12/26/2019 - feinwine Likes this wine:

Absolutely loved this complex, powerful yet balanced, nicely layered blend after a three hour decant. Deep, opaque purple that stained the cork dark, yet very aromatic immediately after opening as the cab franc (13%) shines, adding versatility and complementing the cab Sauvignon (76%) and Petit Verdot (11%). Nose combines mixed red and black fruit, baking spices, wet stone and dried herbs. A seamless transition to the palette with full yet smooth mouth-feel, bold dark fruit unfolding to a layer of graphite, pencil lead, cedar, and subtle black pepper and spice notes. Silky smooth with a long, elegant finish!

10/12/2019 - feinwine Likes this wine:

We had it at the vineyard and bought it to be shipped home. Loved it. Beautiful wine. Looking forward to aging the other bottle we bought.

9/26/2019 - feinwine Likes this wine:

We visited the vineyard on Red Mountain and bought this bottle. We found it at our local Costco for $10 cheaper than the vineyard’s price. What a deal! This wine is amazing esp for the price. Even better on day 2.

9/25/2019 - feinwine Likes this wine:

Loved this! Would hold up to any Napa Cab in the $50-60 range but found at Costco for $28. It was really great and even better on night 2.

9/23/2019 - feinwine Likes this wine:

Love the deep color and dark fruit aromas and flavors. This wine is amazing! Even better on the second day!

9/13/2019 - feinwine Likes this wine:

Wow! Incredible. Loved it even more than what we remembered at the winery in Walla Walla. Dark fruits, deep color, smooth tannins and a long finish.

8/31/2019 - feinwine Likes this wine:

Wow!!! Incredible! Loved it even better than the 2015. Beautiful bouquet of dark fruits, dried herbs, cocoa and subtle spice. Long finish, smooth tannins and long legs. Loved everything about this wine.

8/19/2019 - feinwine wrote:

This wine was not good. Thinking the bottle was corked. We sampled it at the vineyard but the wine we brought home was awful. The wine was awesome at the vineyard so I don’t know what happened.

8/11/2019 - feinwine Likes this wine:

This wine was so delicious! Loved the dark fruits. Smooth tannins. Full body. Long legs. Deep purple color. However, this wine is totally over priced. Many other WA are $50 cheaper and taste just as good if not better.

8/6/2019 - feinwine Likes this wine:

Very delightful Napa Cab! Wonderful for the price. Love the bold flavors, oak, vanilla and dark fruits. Surely would buy again!!!

7/22/2019 - feinwine Likes this wine:

Nice Yakima Valley cab featuring 100% cabernet, very lush, Boushey vineyard fruit! Decanted 3+ hours. Jammy blackberry, anise, lightly toasted oak and a touch of baking spice on the nose. Nicely balanced with medium acidity and supple tannins complementing a pleasingly fruit-forward opening that dances to the back of the palate for a medium-long finish. Drinking surprisingly well (July 2019) — more rounded and less tight than similarly priced Red Mountain cabs at this age. Salute!

7/21/2019 - feinwine wrote:

Excellent value, but ideally needs time. Certainly drink-able now but great potential to age this 100% Red Mountain cabernet from the excellent Quintessence Estate vineyard. Having met winemaker Greg Frichette and purchased the bottle at his vineyard, we can vouch for the personal care and passion he puts into all of his wines, particularly this cab.

Frankly, this bottle is a bit young (Jul 2019) and is a little tight out of the bottle IMO. A long decant is highly recommended. After 3 hours initially, and 5 hours into the end of our meal, the wine continued to open up. Frankly, it was even better the second day as we held some back, eager to see additional layers reveal. I would love to taste it in 3-5 years.

The nose reveals trademark dark Red Mountain fruit with slight herbal hints and lightly toasted oak. Nice, full mouthfeel. The warm start to the 2016 growing season makes for an excellent fruit-forward start, while the cooler end of the summer allowed for a long harvest, creating nice balance with medium acidity. As stated, the tannins are just a touch stiff for my preference, but the wine's complexity and balance are certainly evident, leaving me no doubt that it will improve for years to come. On the second day, some redder fruit notes emerge with the black fruit, and I get some cedar notes and pencil shavings. Long, warm finish leaves me wanting another sip to be sure!

7/17/2019 - feinwine Likes this wine:

Wonderful for an every day red. It was better in day two. Definitely has the unique red Mountain fruits. Would surely buy again!!!

7/2/2019 - feinwine Likes this wine:

Very nice! Deep colors and dark fruits. Would buy again.

7/2/2019 - feinwine Likes this wine:

Loved the deep colors and dark fruits.

6/29/2019 - feinwine Likes this wine:

This is my favorite wine that we had from the tasting room at Pine Ridge. The depth and colors and aromas and flavors are extra incredible. Still remains one of my favorite all time wines. Dark fruits and vanilla and oak and dried herbs and spice make this wine super nice! Smooth and full flavors fill the mouth and is very satisfying creating a long finish. Can be sipped alone or paired with a nutty cheese.

6/26/2019 - feinwine Likes this wine:

We loved this wine. It drinks more like a Cabernet. Will get better in time. Needs a good decant before enjoying.

6/26/2019 - feinwine Likes this wine:

We enjoy wines from Red Mountain. This one is very light and not like the other Red Mountains we have had. However, it was delicious. Would probably not purchase again since we enjoy others better that are bigger Cabernets in this price range.

6/21/2019 - feinwine Likes this wine:

Great for the price for a week day Cabernet

6/13/2019 - feinwine Likes this wine:

Nice week day wine. Coloring like a Pinot Noir. Very light. Nice with a chicken and salad and light cheese.

6/13/2019 - feinwine Likes this wine:

Wow! Better than what we remembered.

5/31/2019 - feinwine Likes this wine:

We love this wine. It’s one of the most unique Cabernets we’ve ever had. We decanted for 3 hours and enjoyed over the next two. The wine opens up and evolves into a velvety smooth wine. The layers and complexity of this wine is not only on the palate up on the nose as well. We got a price on it at Costco and we wish we had bought more.

5/31/2019 - feinwine Likes this wine:

We loved this wine. Decanted for 3 hours and then enjoyed drinking over the next 2 hours. Good wine is sipped slowly. Red fruits on the nose and palate. The color is deep garnet. It’s an amazing wine for the price. We loved this blend. It’s not a bold as a typical Bordeaux blend or Cabernet but we really loved the depth of flavors and aromatics.

5/20/2019 - feinwine Likes this wine:

Very good! Strawberry, watermelon, peach aromas. Very crisp and refreshing! Very nice for the price.

5/17/2019 - feinwine Likes this wine:

Superb Napa cab at a mid-range price — excellent value. Inky purple color. Complex bouquet on the nose consisting of dark fruit, sweet creamy vanilla, tobacco and a hint of forest floor. Robust mouthfeel that coats the cheeks as bold yet refined tannins balance seamlessly with blackberry, licorice and cigar box, with moderate acidity. The smooth, medium-long finish strikes a powerful yet elegant denouement, leaving one yearning for another sip!

5/16/2019 - feinwine Likes this wine:

Great week day wine. Deep color and vanilla, oak and blueberry flavors. Good for a Merlot.

5/10/2019 - feinwine Likes this wine:

Loved this bold, deep-purple new-world Napa cab. Decanted four hours before enjoying with a spicy Middle Eastern meal. Nose combines blackberry, cassis, and boysenberry with vanilla, lightly toasted oak, eucalyptus, and a hint of smoke. Full mouthfeel on the palette, with similar dark fruits, chewy tannins, volcanic ash, and moderate acidity, culminating in a medium-long finish. Really enjoyed the mineral notes and would definitely drink it again.

5/9/2019 - feinwine Likes this wine:

Very nice! Love the flavors but wouldn’t purchase again unless we got the deal we did. Averaged $35 a bottle.

5/4/2019 - feinwine Likes this wine:

Really enjoyed this big, bold new-world Cab, though would have preferred to let it breath a few hours to mellow it out just a bit (consumed at restaurant). Deep, inky purple color foreshadows a bouquet of black fruits and lightly toasted oak on the nose. Palette follows with an explosive yet contained swirl of blackberry, cassis, smoke, vanilla, and pencil lead. Full mouth-feel and chewy tannins coat the gums with a long, warm finish. Only criticism would be a bit too hot at 15.3% ABV, thus preferable after a long decant, or better yet a few years. But for sub-$50 retail this wine offers excellent potential in another 2-5 years, and is enjoyable today for big Napa Cab lovers.

5/3/2019 - feinwine Likes this wine:

Very wonderful! Opened up nicely over several hours. Highly recommend it. This bottle tastes like much higher priced Napa wines. Deep color, dark fruits on the nose and palate and long finish. Very dry tannins which we love. Long legs and over a few hours the alcohol balanced out. Will see how it drinks on day 2.

4/27/2019 - feinwine Likes this wine:

We enjoyed this one. Baking spice on the nose with earthiness and sage and dried herbs. Palate of dark fruit but spice more than fruit. We decanted it for over three hours. It is a beautiful wine and very drinkable. Not sure if we would buy this again as we like other ones better in this same range.

4/20/2019 - feinwine Likes this wine:

Delightfully balanced high-altitude Malbec. Decanted for about three hours. Inky purple color with nose of black currant, vanilla, green pepper, sage, and a hint of smoke. Lively on the palette with explosive ripe dark fruit — evidence of the real struggle for these grapes to survive — along with minty herbs, vanilla/caramel, floral notes, silky smooth tannins (aged in concrete egg plus neutral oak), and a medium-long finish. Nicely balanced and complex already in early 2019 — surprised to find out it is 14.9% ABV! I’ve heard/read this is best consumed in the next 2-3 years and agree — I personally found it approachable yet complex, and loved the amazing high-altitude fruit!

4/19/2019 - feinwine Likes this wine:

Loved this complex cab. Opens up with toasted oak and vanilla on the nose. Palette combines dark fruits and a subtle smoke with a rich, full mouth feel, silky tannins, and a smooth finish. Would definitely buy it again.

4/15/2019 - feinwine Likes this wine:

As a cab lover who first begrudgingly started trying higher-quality merlots recently, I’m loving this Northstar 2012 Merlot and adding it to my list of good value with many of my favorite cab characteristics. Nose has a little toasty oak with slight hint of vanilla and darkish-red fruit. Mouth feel is robust, with a pleasing amount of tannin that compares to medium-bodied cab, dark cherry blend of dark/red fruit, and a nice acidity to round out the smooth finish. At half-price in a restaurant, a steal!

4/15/2019 - feinwine wrote:

This was nice but we would not buy again. A little on the lighter end and not as complex as the Napa wines we love

4/7/2019 - feinwine Likes this wine:

Lovely color. Full aromas of the vineyard’s notes. Loved this one.

4/7/2019 - feinwine Likes this wine:

Light in color. Not as complex as other ones in this price range but very drinkable and a good wine. Enjoyed with friends who love a lighter wine.