November 22, 2023 - 14.9% abv. Dark plum color, purple core, extremely viscous staining of tears. Example of mature WA state Cabernet: blackberry, Christmas cake, menthol on nose. Tannins still present but very much in background. German chocolate cake, macerated dark berries, hint of spice, dirt, pronounced sweet finish, smooth and fades slowly and wistfully. Took on weight after 1hr open. Cork was perfect, no leakage, tartrate crystals covered the end. Minor signs of sediment. Peak drinking imo.
August 6, 2023 - Love this
April 8, 2023 - blueberry with chocolate notes
December 8, 2022 - Color is dark red with limited transparency when held to the light. Initial sip was very tight so decanted for 30-45 minutes before the meal. After decanter time, this opened up really nicely and showed currant, cherry and some sweet tobacco on the nose. The palate was ripe and round with good integration of structure, great underlying acidity, and a long finish. Left a glass+ for day two to see if it changes. Drink or hold.
November 1, 2022 - quite tannic. I would wait on this one another 5 years
August 15, 2022 - Dark berries. Went well with Italian sausage
June 3, 2022 - Quilceda Creek's 2005 Galitzine Vineyard bottling is a blend of 95.5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4.5% Merlot, aged for 22 months in French oak (100% new). Purchased upon release and cellared under ideal conditions, this bottle was decanted off of its sediment and allowed two hours in carafe prior to funneling back into the cleansed bottle. The wine was subsequently enjoyed in a restaurant, where it was consumed over two hours. Deep-to-opaque garnet in color, it unleashes an intense bouquet of cassis, kirsch, lavender, baking spices, tobacco and bittersweet chocolate. Full-bodied on the palate, fresh and with plentiful sweet tannins, it delivers flavors mirroring the aromas, adding a proportional aliquot of creamy oak. As was the case when last tasted 5/11/2012, the alcohol (listed as 14.9%) mandates that this wine be served at approximately 60°-65°F, as anything much higher makes it step to the forefront. Impressively dense on the mid-palate and lengthy on the back end, this is fleshing out beautifully. Comparably cellared bottles should show well throughout the remainder of the decade. Drink now-2030.
April 11, 2022 - Perfect drinking window. Black cherry but the baking spices really starting to come out. Cedar and chocolate on the nose and pallet.
January 14, 2022 - At pheromones for lunch
Big nose of red fruits, vanilla, cinnamon, and cedar. On the palette it’s full bodied, intense, with noticeable but fine tannins. Good balance between fruit and acidity, with prominent notes of molasses that come with a port-wine like finish. A pretty big and complex wine that paired really well with steak.
Nice wine!
December 18, 2021 - This is a real power-hitter of a wine, with a supremely concentrated wall of flavor. Nose is heavy on leather, smoke, chocolate, and blueberry. Might still be on the young side, as it seemed “huge” even when paired with a grilled New York strip. Believe the drinking window - I expect it will still seem fresh in 2025.