Excellent. A rich, cool climate cab. Subtle nose of dark cherry, menthol, tobacco and earth. Dark cherry, blackberry, cinnamon, tar, black pepper, and white pepper on the palate. Amazing length on the finish, especially with the zesty spice. Notable complexity and depth. Give this a 2 hour decant at least.
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Second bottle I’ve had in last 6 months and my notes from first bottle still apply. Still very high tannin levels that overpower the fruit. Tannin lasts at least a minute in my mouth anyway. Back end of this wine is still almost sour and comes across with very high alcohol. Maybe this comes around but for me one of the least desirable Quilceda I’ve had.
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Opened to celebrate the FROST win. Not as good as my previous bottle, consumed in July, which was absolutely fantastic. Withholding rating as my last bottle was a solid 96+, this one a 93-94. I'll wait and see what the next one brings, and I will write a full tasting note then. On this bottle the cork was not completely sound but also not compromised beyond function; however, I suspect there was more opportunity for a slow entry/exit of air. Overall the wine was still quite excellent, but not as.compellingly exceptional as the bottle.opened when we purchased Bear Trace.
For this bottle, blackberry, tobacco, cinnamon, clove, cedar, charcoal, and mild white and black pepper on the palate. Stingy on the nose.
I remember that the last bottle grew exceedingly better with air. This one is getting somewhat better with a longer decant.
SO - I definitely recommend a decant!
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I’ve had many a qc all the way back to 1990. The 94 still stands as a favorite American wine for me.
This is no ‘94…. Yes, the wine is big…. It also shows a lot of latex and blueberry . Overall, it just doesn’t show as complete an interesting a wine as one would expect for $100.
We drank this over two nights, so airtime was given and yet the secondary improvement was marginal. If I had this in the cellar, I would be a seller!
Better wines for the money: clos des papes, vajra, Baudana and scavino from Italy.
Granted, this is my opinion and what my palate prefers.
Cheers.
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Splash decant. There maybe some minor bricking around the rim, otherwise wine is a dark but not opaque red-purple in the glass. Nose is slightly muted, and the fruit is also a bit subtle on the palate. Flavors are predominantly earthy ... forrest soil, tobacco, maybe some leather. Very dry, with early development of some fun and interesting secondary characteristics. There is a slight "zang" to the wine (not otherwise sure how to describe it) that is a far cry from barnyard but not entirely fresh, potentially endemic to the region but I'm not knowledgeable enough to say for sure. This did not bother me in the slightest. Overall an interesting and rather delicious experience, acknowledging the style of this wine is not in my wheelhouse, and I wonder if this particular bottle might be in a slightly awkward phase of maturity. Have a few more bottles and will be interesting to track the progression.
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Got this on the cheap at a bin sale of late and have to say, I was not super impressed given the hype and price tag. Big, fleshy New Worlder with very round corners and a lot of heat on the finish. I couldn't detect any significant secondary characteristics other than a hint spice, just lots of oak and tannin. To each their own, this is definitely not my style.
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Expressive blackberry fruit with complex notes of cassis, lavender, espresso and dark chocolate on the finish. Perfectly balanced and silky smooth with its tannins wonderfully integrated into the dark fruit. This is drinking very well right now and is an amazing cab that can hang with some of the best Napa has to offer.
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I rarely write reviews because I do not have the writing skills or the tasting acume to detect all the different flavors and describe them in intimate detail. However I can distinguish good wines from bad and all those along the spectrum. This wine was acquired direct from the winery and stored in perfect conditions. Despite the professional reviews at 96 + this is not a particularly memorable or even good wine let alone great. It tastes green like it was made from unripe grapes and has no character or anything memorable about it and even has a bitter component after sitting in the glass for like two hours. Just a HUGE disappointment. Happy I did not give as a gift!!
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Purchased direct from winery & cellared since. Dense dark fruit with well integrated tannin & oak. Not heavy, just dense fruit but smooth & balanced. Excellent wine & in a good place with an hour decant.
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This is just massive still at this age! I have been a list member for 12 years and decided maybe I should try a bottle since I have almost 4 cases now. Well I gave it an hour decant and gave it a sip and it was still tight as a drum. Really just now into two hours decanted and it is really starting to sing. Too bad my Snake River Farms Wagyu ribeye is long gone. I am sipping on it little by little just taking it all in. Looking forward to opening a few bottles now and in the future each year. Amazing wine.
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It is a large scale Cabernet Sauvignon which opens up with distinctive fruits, beautiful sweet oak and plenty of graphite minerality. At 15.2% abv, it is actually quite refined on palate with excellent focus. Blackcurrant, dried fig, tobacco, sweet & bitter liquorice, sandalwood, cedar, graphite, leather, sweet vanilla, espresso. Sweet soft tannins. Lingering on and on as expected.
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Decanted over 8 hrs and wow — what a difference that and even 2 yrs can make! Lots of graphite, flint, dark fruit, dried fruit, and even hints of sweeter red fruit, plenty of acidity and fantastic structure, loads of complexity and a good 45 second finish. This one paired so well with filets that I can’t wait to see how this develops further in the coming year or two. Definitely hitting its stride now.
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Enjoyed with friends. Decanted for 2 hours. Fair amount of sediment. Showing very well. Nice balance of fruit and remaining structure. Dark fruits, oak was well integrated. Better than a 06 opened several months ago
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This wine is still going strong. A heavy and rich bottle throughout vertical, but in balance and not syrupy. Black fruit with some earthy licorice notes that penetrate the sinuses. Long, clean finish. It is a 15.3% alcohol wine and you can feel it (make sure to share a bottle with friends).
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Wonderfully complex and balanced - deep dark fruit but light enough on its feet to appeal to those with old-world preferences. Waves of flavor and a long, satisfying finish. Really enjoyed.
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This was quite a bit more mature than I expected with no fruit remaining. Leather, tobacco, menthol, graphite, and licorice. Poorly stored bottle I imagine.
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Dark garnet to purple color in the glass, clear looking throughout. Nose of cinnamon stick, mulled wine spices, violets and currants. Flavors of berries, cherries plums and raspberries. Medium acidity, medium to firm tannin, full bodied. Drink with air or hold.
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New Year's Eve Reds (Magnolia): Cork broke in half but was extracted without issue. Decanted for 90 minutes and run once through a Vinturi. A delicious reminder of why we all love cabs! Room-filling aromas of violets and roses. Tight and focused beams of graphite, dried cherries, and sweet tobacco. I expected more opulence give the 15.2% alcohol, but the fruit is surprisingly restrained. Tannins are finely present but not distracting, providing a refined frame to the midpalate and lengthy finish. Fabulous now but I look forward to finishing these off over the next 10+ years.
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Dark fruits very forward on the nose. Full bodied and jammy palate with hints of residual oak. Ample acidity. Not my style. No decant needed but no rush.
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Decanted 1 hour at home, and funneled back into the bottle. Reopened at RingSide Steakhouse with the boys and paired with...you guessed it, STEAK! Amazing wine, just so silky smooth and at the same time absolutely in your face with body. Cassis and raspberry fruits, violets, loamy earth, vanilla and dark chocolate on the finish. Definitely my favorite wine of the night, among a stellar lineup. Drink now - 2029.
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This wine is in an amazing spot. Drank over 2 nights. Very creamy mouthfeel displaying typical cool quilceda fruits (muted blackberry, blueberry and cassis). Nice concentration. Day 2,,No hard edges, beautiful midpalate, and very long finish. Best 2009 i’ve had.
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Quilceda seems to be moving more toward everything I dislike about Napa - really big, extracted, thick and high alcohol. The underlying flavors are lovely but they come in a package I’m finding difficult to appreciate. There is a reason the only Quilceda I buy any longer are the CRV designations which I regard as quite the bargain. We drank this alongside a 2009 Latour a Pomerol and the Quilceda had no chance. Now, it’s possible that some additional time will help but my early 2000-era QCs are trending toward port-like, so I’m not optimistic.
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Big extraction, richness, and as usual with this producer, lactic tones. Still quite dark in the glass with lots of wood tannins (mint, pencil shaving) left to shed. Hold on…
Slow ox for 45 minutes. This needed even a little more time to come together. Black currants, plums, licorice, cake, tobacco weed come through. The wine is structured, layered and complex with substantial and well integrated tannins. This will last a long time and continue to evolve. Excellent.
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Nose of chocolate, tobacco, Chinese five spice, and campfire. Huge mouthfeel, cherry, menthol, gravel, long finish. This wine has a long life ahead of it, but drinking well although a pinch young. Did not decant, which would have helped.
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Decanted for 90 minutes. Earth and aged wood on the nose. Definitely shows it’s maturity, but still has lots of life ahead.
Two hours after opening this is very well balanced. There’s weight on the palate with tannins present, but soft, smooth and well integrated. Fruit shows it’s maturity but there’s still presence by to hang on for another 10-15 years. Very impressive
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So the night before Mothers Day I opted to make a simple roast chicken and I wanted a wine that would shine and this is a serious bottle of wine. The cork broke upon extraction which always gets me a little nervous as back in 2009 I was not a member of the club and I bought these bottles in the secondary market. I have since joined the club and have been getting my own allocations. Anyway I decanted through a vinturi and let it sit for a few hours. The nose was all dark fruit. The palate was blackberry, plum, fig, expresso and hints of menthol that came out on the long smooth finish. Just a beautiful bottle of wine. Happy Mothers Day everyone.
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Decanted for two hours. Black fruit, vanilla and cassis are present on the nose and palate. Long finish. This wine is certainly at it's peak or close. Drinking so well now.
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Magnum from Arnie. Decanted about six hours. Definitely at peak. Soft tannins, showing vanilla and dark fruits. Lacks the brightness from previous bottle two years ago but still excellent. Need to make magnums standard bottle going forward.
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Decanted over 4 hrs, incredible nose on opening held throughout, flavor profile not quite as complex as nose suggests but incredibly rich and soft, lots of dark fruits, great acidity and structure, very pleasant finish, good minerality
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On open, had a lot of heat but incredible legs (which didn’t change at any point.)
Closed down for 2 hours following open, then started to open up - was a lot of fun to see how it evolved every 15 minutes or so after that.
The fruit didn’t really come out until 4 hours in. As with almost all QC, this had the creamy finish that is awfully unique. Medium-plus body, finish was extraordinary, not perfectly integrated but certainly very pleasant/high quality. Currant, plum, coffee and other dark fruit.
I’d hold, if you can - the acid and the tannins will further subside with time, and the wine will open faster. This is extraordinary wine, but requires more time and effort than is ideal right now.
In 5 years, this could be upper 90s.
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This is for my Sept 1-2 tasting. Consistent with my Dec 2018 tasting. Concentrated, leathery and dark fruit. The fruit is hidden behind the tannins. Ideal if you're not looking for too fruit forward a cab.
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Wonderful expression of Cabernet from Washington State. A creamy finish that is unique to this winery. Perfect pairing with boneless rib-eye and filet on the grill.
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Drank with the in-laws. Unfortunately didn't move the needle. Not the ripe complex fruit I remember from earlier vintages. Smooth and easy, paired with duck, but average for the price.
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Decanted half the bottle for 45 minutes and unlike my last tasting, this time the wine definitely benefited from the air. These notes are from the non-decanted portion, 3+ hours after pulling the cork.
Tight nose of cassis, dark leather, tobacco and spice. Velvety approach with gobs of lush, dark fruit still maturing and evolving. Vanilla, pencil shavings and alcohol also present.
This shows considerable life ahead of it but was a great Father’s Day treat from the cellar!
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Drank over several days from 750. Deep purple in the glass. Huge bouquet with blueberry, pencil shavings, bramble, blackberrry, black cherry. Medium to full body, long finish. Showing very well at 11 years, but has another 10-15 left to go.
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Dense tar and licorice. Brooding stewed black fruits with menthol and eucalyptus. Some alcohol on the finish. Tannins barely noticeable in the sense body. 3 hour decant and still feels somewhat closed. Might merit a higher score in 5-10 years.
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(mostly a) 2009 international cabernet tasting: Tasted blind, popped corks 2 hours before drinking. My favorites in order: 1. 2009 Leoville Poyferre (96): Ripe, concentrated, dark fruits, oaky, tasted new world 2. 2009 Dominus (95): Oaky, dark fruit profile, less old world than expected 3. 2009 Quilceda (93): Oaky, big, darkest fruit profile 4. 2009 Sheridan Block 1 (91): Ripe, sweet but balanced 5. 2010 Ornellaia (?): Slight brett taint, which I’m sensitive to 6. 2009 Leoville Las Cases (90): Acidic, lean, austere compared to others
Wow and whoa!!! Nice Washington cab with rich dark red fruit, wonderful game and a little pencil shavings and extremely long silky finish. This magnum was THE house favorite of the evening
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Dark purple and aromas of black fruits, leather, cigar box and mineral rise from the glass.
Nicely balanced with fruits still front and center complimented by dusty earth, leather and classic QC cigar box. The finish was decently long and as soon as the taste diminish you want more.
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Deep garnet color with a muted bouquet and flavor of cassis, dark cherries, and eucalyptus. The wine never completely opened up but was still very pleasant and better than our somewhat clumsy Italian meal, but the splendor of Florida's Emerald Coast with its white sand and green water, made up for it, despite the 95 degree temperature.
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Compared to a Napa and Sonoma Cab, the nose on these always seems to go more Sonoma-style IMO. Lots of roasted red cherry, black cherry fruit but the front of this one was a bit muted and a bit flat on the front. This one was definitely asleep initially, but did open up after 1-2 hours to show some cola and brambly quality. Finish with chewy tannin. I don't think there is ANY rush on this wine. Easily has another 10 years in it. I'd hold this one, or serve with a 1-2 hour decant.
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My first bottle of this beauty drank with a slow cooker pot roast. Delicious as expected.. Concentrated fruit. licorice, well integrated tannin. Drink or hold.
Sweet cherry, raspberry, cedar on nose -still fruit primary. Tasted much, much younger than an '07 Col Solare that it was paired with. Full body, medium acidity, medium+ tannins and long finish. Guessed this was Quilceda Creek, but thought this was the '15 CVR (2nd wine) given how prominent the fruit was. This wine will age for an extremely long time based on this showing as it's still a baby. Very enjoyable but needs a very long decant (or more time) to shine. 92+/-
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Lovely garnet color with a bouquet and flavor of cassis, plums, eucalyptus, and vanilla oak. Balance just slightly off, needing more fruit and less herbal notes, but overall very pleasant with good nuance and depth and quite a long finish. This winery is certainly capable of making very good wines and I would advise trying some if you haven't already.
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It's getting there. Consistent with earlier notes. Decanted for 90 min, continued to develop for next few hours. Wonderful floral, dark berry nose. pencil lead, gravel, green olives are present with darker fruit such as plum and dark cherry. I am a big fan of QC wine, but this vintage does not yet have the depth and full body of others. Still excellent with mouth coating texture and tongue tingling length. Great balance of acidity and alcohol.
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Sadly a pop and pour. Aromas of blackberry, currant, mint, chocolate and touch of iron. Flavors of blackberry, black cherry, currant, chocolate and touch of olive. Ends with a long finish of 35-40 seconds with blackberry and mocha notes. This may improve through dinner so may update the note. These are always huge wines. Has a bit of a tannic bite still on this so wish I had enough time to decant.
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Sadly forgot to record notes on this Dec 2018 tasting. I gave it a 4.6 out of 5 at the time but didn't record why. Will have additional opportunities to score/note this wine.
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97+pts. How can you pack so much complexity and 15.2% alcohol in such an elegant and balanced wine is beyond me. One of the great Cabernets I've ever had. Silky, mouth-filling, a wine that makes one appreciate the good things in life. And ready to drink now without decanting. Stunning!
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I opened this for our 2/16/19 Cabernet Sauvignon tasting. It had a deep, rich, elegant nose of black currant, blueberry, blackberry, anise and spice aromas. The palate was rich, dense and dry with flavors of black currant, blueberry, blackberry, licorice, spice and minerals.
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Very smooth. Layers of flavors with red fruits, herbs, pencil shavings and tobacco. There is a structure of tannins and acid to age for years but it is smooth right now with a long lasting finish. Big but well balanced.
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First time I’ve had a QC magnum and and the first time it actually aged better than a 750. Incredible balance, restrained red fruit and silky smooth. Perfect with beef tenderloin
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Wow, absolutely brilliant. Decanted for an hour and a half. Silky smooth. Layers of texture and flavor. Perfect balance. This might be the best QC I have tasted.
I opened this this when our neighbor came over for cards on 12/22/18. It had deep, rich nose of cassis, blueberry, blackberry, anise, spice and mineral aromas. The palate was rich, dense, elegant and dry with flavors of black currant, blueberry, blackberry, licorice, spice and minerals.
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Pop and pour, followed over 3+ hrs. 2.5 hrs after opening, subtle nose of leather, tea, spice box and earth. A near ideal balance between fruit and structure, with Lots of layering and a sweetness on the sides of the tongue The center palate shows crushed stone with black and red cherry. A really nice bottle, almost criminal to pair w meatloaf, but Rose always makes a helluva meal
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Wine party in the yard with the crew, too many wines for notes so only providing scores. 2011 Fairchild G3 95 pts 2009 Sassicaia 95 pts(1.5L) 2009 Quilceda Creek 95 pts(1.5L) 2010 Larkmead Solari - 94 pts 2009 N&N Sullenger - 93 pts(3.0L) 2011 Far Niente - 91 pts (1.5L) 1994 Quinto do Vesuvio Porto - 95 pts
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Opened on my 40th at Prime & Provisions. This decanted an hour or so while we worked through The Judge. I’ve had the CVR many times but this was my first dance with the QC Columbia Valley. The style is vaguely similar but the scale is of course hugely different. Massive nose of blue/black fruit seasoned with Pauillac-like pencil shavings. The tannins are huge but silky and approachable. For a wine that boasts 15.2% alcohol, there’s no evident heat at all. This is enormously enjoyable now but clearly has decades to go if anyone is so inclined. 97+.
This is first bottle of 2009 QC I’ve drank. Bottle was bought on release and stored in cellar. Deep ruby color leads to a somewhat muted nose of dark fruit and hints of graphite. Nose did continue to open throughout evening. Medium large mouthfeel with lots of blue and black fruits, some chocolate and a hint of bell pepper. Seemless finish lasts forty five seconds.
A really impressive bottle of wine. This easily has another 10-15 years of prime drinking window. This was decanted 2 hours prior to service which I suggest. Enjoy!
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Revisiting this wine after my last tasting in 2016. The nose is a tad more expressive with violets, blackberry, menthol, and dark flowers. The palate presence still leaves a bit to be desired, although it has filled out a bit in the last 2 years. Good crunchy black fruit, some cassis, and cherry overtones. Tannin still not fully resolved.
My opinion stands that there are much better Cabernet offerings from CA/WA for considerably less coin. Producers such as Avennia, Bevan, Woodward Canyon, McGah, and Tor K come to mind. The QPR is out of balance here unless you are a trophy collector.
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Oak, spices, alcohol, cocoa on the nose. Med tannin, high alcohol. Oak/Vanilla, cassis, cocoa, bitter notes, a little spice/pepper notes. Big wine that definitely would stand out if tasted with other wines but would not call this elegant or balanced. Alcohol and oak are overwhelming, not sure if just needs more time or maybe just this wines profile. Not my style of Cab but well made and would easily please those who like big high octane wines.
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Decanted for only about 2 hours. Wanted to decant for 5+, but the afternoon got away from me. Delicious for sure, but seemed a little immature. Next bottle 2020+.
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This has a lot going for it, but it still needs time. Having just had an 06 that was wonderfully integrated and complex, this is still hot and oaky. Too closed to really get a glimpse of what is there. As usual for Golitzin wine, this will come around and probably as awesome as the others...but let it sit for a while.
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Decanted for two hours before service. In the glass, medium to dark purple. On the nose, raspberries, cassis, and dried herbs. On the palate, smooth, with fine tannins in the background, and a full bodied expression of raspberries, currants, and potpourri on a dry finish. The dry mouthfeel on the finish and the persistent herbal notes are what separate this from something like a Napa cab, at least for me. It's approachable now, but I'm finding it quite difficult to project where this will be in 5, or 10, or 20 years.
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Big Wines (Casa Gill): Not really in the same league as the other wines in this flight, but I have a place in my heart for these wines. Loads of sweet tobacco on the nose and waves of ripe black and blue fruit. Thick and unctuous on the palate, but the oak seems well-integrated and supports the fruit. Sweet cola and a touch of tar on the palate and dense tannic finish. Still very youthful, and I'm always amazed at how these wines don't show alcoholic heat even at 15.2% abv...
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We drank this after a wonderful paella and seafood dinner at a friends vacation house near Torreperogil Spain on 6/18/17. It had a deep, rich and complex bouquet of smoke, cassis, blackberry, blueberry, black cherry, licorice and spice aromas. The palate was rich, dense, smooth and layered with flavors of black cherry, black currant, blueberry, mocha, licorice and spice.
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Clear, medium purple/garnet. Dark fruits on the nose, dark ripe cherry, blueberry with a touch of forest floor. Medium body with a great dark fruit concentration. Some green on the palate with good acidity and medium developed tannins. Surprisingly shorter finish given the palate. But a really nice mouthfeel. I'm not sure if this will get much better with age. *Decanted for 2 hours*
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Drank at a dinner party alongside a 96 Quilceda Creek. They both had similar noses and palates although the 1996 was more rounded and softer. Bordeaux in style with anise, cassis and dark blue fruit. The 2009 had a longer and more palate coating finish. Great effort although the price is hefty.
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My 3 of a 4 bottle lot I purchased direct from the winery. I continue to love this wine. But I plan on holding the last bottle for a few more years, to see how it is around the 10 year mark. Had it in a restaurant. Opened, but not decanted for 30 minutes before pouring. It was the first Cabernet of the night, and it was followed by a 2002 Shafer Hillside Select and then a 1997 Phelps Insignia. It held up really well against the older wines, without overpowering them with younger fruit. Definitely more blue fruits than the CA wines. Long finish. Big mouth feel, great nose.
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Pulled about a 2 ounce pour using the Coravin and let it sit on the counter. Would check in about every 1/2 hour just sniffing to see if the nose would wake up. After about 3 hours detected some dark fruit notes and cocoa but no other elements. Took a few sips and the finish was nice but needs time. Put the bottle back in the cool, dark cellar. Score is based on today's impression but think cellar dwelling will easily bump it up 2-3 points.
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The first night, this felt a bit disjointed, with distinct black fruits and cassis in the mouth and then espresso on this finish. After a day in bottle, the flavors knit together very nicely, so the wine was much better. It even had some tannins lingering on the finish. Very plush and full bodied. The high alcohol level did not detract from the taste, though I did notice it of course.
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Rose color. Blackberries on the nose. Strong blackberry, bramble, and cassis notes. Really swells at the end palate with secondary black fruit notes, coffee,and a little tar. Silky texture. Really delicious, and should last another decade, easy.
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Washington State Cabernet Sauvignon (Lake Stevens, Washington): This had a fabulously deep and rich bouquet of smoke, cassis, blueberry, blackberry, black cherry, mocha, licorice and spice aromas. The palate was rich, layered and complex with flavors that followed the nose. This was the unanimous WOTN with an average score of 94.83 points from our group.
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Removed from cellar and let stand open for 1 hour. Splash decanted to wide bowl and let rest for another half hour. Dark inky purple to the core. Muted nose of blackberry, menthol, and not much else. Albeit young not the powerful fruit expression I was expecting. Seemed to lack richness and generosity for a wine of this supposed pedigree. Slightly coarse tannin still integrating. Not very pleased with the QPR here. Have 2 more bottles of this vintage in the cellar and holding out some hope that this is in a dumb phase. When drinkng Columbia Valley Cabernet, I much preferred a Woodward Canyon Old Vines at half the tariff. In fact the Woodward Artist at $39 would give this a run on the quality meter.
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A deep dark inky purple color. On the nose it's a bit muted but hints of cassis and violets. On the palate this is huge wine with explosions for black fruit and strong tannins. Also a kinda chalky taste that takes away a point for me. The finish is long and smooth. Really nice.
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Big and powerful, this demonstrates the best of WA cab. A bit bigger and more complex than the 08, it is also a bit more interesting. Smooth and easy to drink despite its girth on the palate.
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S&E Wine Society - New World Reds 95+ Rating (S&E): Blind Tasting MOT=90 Color: Solid red Nose: Anise, nothing else really, I think it needed more time to open up Palate: Very strong tannins, loads of fruit and very well balanced. Opinion: Very impressive body compared to what I expected after smelling the wine. Maybe more time would increase the score a few points.
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Probably drank this a year early, as it seems like it still could develop a bit more in the bottle. But that being said, it was great. Lots of Blueberry and some other dark berry fruits. There was a lot going on here, after you got past the initial hit of fruit. Long finish. Definitely different than the big Napa Cabs.
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Drinking nicely right now but I am going to hold off on my remaining bottles for another 3-4 years. Matched up against a 2004 Matriarch and it just did not have the finese the other wine had at this stage. Excellent wine, just hold off if you can!
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Purple color in the glass, clear looking throughout. Nose of flowers, white pepper, plums, currants and a hint of basil oil. Flavors of currants, plums, black berries and black cherries. Medium acidity, firm tannin, full bodied. Drink with air or continue to hold.
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Decanted for over four hours, but it'd be better to just let it rest for another 5 years. Rich, smooth flavors and blueberry and plum with some cedar and tobacco notes. Big wine. Very, very good now and I see it only getting better.
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Decanted 2 hours - big nose of blueberry and plum with spice and tobacco. Vanilla. Little alcohol on the nose. Very big explosive fruit on the palate. Very tight tannins, very youthful. Maybe a little closed. A little hot. This should really improve over the next 3-5 years.
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Opened by Dave at the Peking Duck House offline in NY. As expected, this had a big structure with firm tannins at only 5 years old but was not as closed as I first suspected. On the nose it showed a little alcohol but that mellowed with a little air. Creamy texture. Young primary fruit with chocolate, charcoal and black fruit notes. I liked this better than the 2000 or 2002 and about as much as the 1994. 94+ points.
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First snif, smells like rutherford dust from Napa way, take a sip, smooth, full round of cab flavors all checking in, tanins are just below the fruit where they should be
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Same as last summer: primary tannin overpowers the fruit initially, but venturi aeration and 4 hours in the decanter helped. Gorgeous wine with incredible power and fruit. Wait, I say knowing that I won't.
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With filet mignon. While young, also drinking well already - great bouquet, young fruit, and hearty tannins with a lengthy finish. Tasted against the '08 and while this wasn't the winner, it was a phenomenal wine.
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Plum, blueberry, blackberry, tobacco, licorice, toasted oak and spice. Very smooth and well balanced, with truly velvety tannins. Long, long, long on the finish. This is a glorious Cab with a luscious mouth-feel.
This wine was ranked as the No. 60 wine of the Top 100 for 2012, and given 96 points by Wine Spectator.
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Decanted for three hours, utilizing a funnel. The nose is extremely diverse: Plum (a true Quilceda CV trait), blueberry, licorice, sweet tobacco, red licorice, toasted oak and spice. A chamber-filled palate of scrumptious and velvety tannins. Purity and balance, with an aftertaste of mixed fruit. Still primary, however, delightful at the same time. The lingering tannins are very attractive; I am reminded of the fact that Quilceda is truly the Aphrodite of Washington Cabernet. A better '04. Drink 2016 - 2037.
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This is fabulous wine. The tannin is still way primary and overpowers the fruit a bit. But I acknowledge that I didn't give this enough time in the decanter. Maybe try another bottle soon but let it sit in the decanter overnight! But I won't wait for the years that this wine may need.
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smell was concentrated. Taste was initially refined, very smooth. Finish left me cold. For a wine and vintage rated this highly, I was a little disappointed. Great wine, but I was hoping it would be a memorable one.
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Closed tight for hours (with decant) on the first day, really opened up the second day. Don't have detailed notes handy, but this was quite nice, indeed.
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It has all the right stuff for the score to go up a few points, needs a bit more time for the tannins to become less primary and to integrate with the massive fruit and minerality.
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Color was opaque and almost black, seemed to be full of particulates.
Nose was a bit restrained with cherries, dark fruits, plums and sweet tobacco. Caught some leather and a bit of cinnamon in there as well.
Taste was medium to full bodied, wrapped in a minerallic and nicely integrated tannic structure that was full of ripened black cherries, plums and other dark fruits (blackberries, Osoberry, etc). I also picked up the slightest hint of chocolate and raisins.
Finish was medium with a pleasantly dry cherry palate accompanied by a good mineral structure that lasted a while, but I wouldn't call it a long finish by any means.
This wine is obviously young and should age for a while before it is opened, though if you have to, it isn't too bad right now.
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Nose still tight. Cherry, red rasberry and baking spice. Extracted but elegant and restrained. Medium to full body. Moderate and very well integrated acids. Very long finish. Very polished. Pdq94-95.
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Friends and I tasted this at the release party on 3/11/12. It had a deep, ripe and layered bouquet of blackberry, blueberry, black currant, burnt toast, charcoal, sage and spice aromas. The palate was dense, balanced, layered and tasty with flavors that followed the nose. The fruit flavors were also slightly roasted.
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Tasted at release party. QC popped and poured the wine. Very sweet, with lots of chocolate and baking spice. Fine tannins evident at the end. Excellent.
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tasted at the release party, so not decanted. it took a lot of swirling for the nose to start to open up, but as it warmed a bit the typical quilceda fruit profile started to emerge. started with a dose of heat but as the wine warmed in glass, the heat balanced a bit better with the fruit. to me this was similar in approachability as the 08 vintage, but seemed to have just a touch more tannic structure. this would be my pick of the most well rounded vintage of the last three. this was my third trip to the release, and the first time the flagship cab clearly outshined the red wine upon release. 94-95 points, hard to call it.
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Popped & poured & good to go. Dark purple in color with a nose that just screams young cab fruit. Plenty of blueberries & cassis on the palate with baking spice laden oak keeping stride with the generous fruit extract. Flavors deepened and intensified with pan seared strip steaks. If you have these, drinking one young with no decant is time well spent.
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4/22/2024 - dsimmons Likes this wine: 96 Points
Drank this beauty last night with grilled tenderloin. Delicious as usual. QC is so consistently delicious. It is my all time favorite Cab producer.
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3/16/2024 - Amerique wrote: 93 Points
Fully mature, soft, restrained bing cherry fruit, somewhat disappointing
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3/15/2024 - CabinConnoisseur Likes this wine: 95 Points
Excellent. A rich, cool climate cab. Subtle nose of dark cherry, menthol, tobacco and earth. Dark cherry, blackberry, cinnamon, tar, black pepper, and white pepper on the palate. Amazing length on the finish, especially with the zesty spice. Notable complexity and depth. Give this a 2 hour decant at least.
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1/20/2024 - bobadopolis Likes this wine: 94 Points
Brief decant, then spectacular
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12/2/2023 - TonyCanova Likes this wine: 90 Points
Second bottle I’ve had in last 6 months and my notes from first bottle still apply. Still very high tannin levels that overpower the fruit. Tannin lasts at least a minute in my mouth anyway. Back end of this wine is still almost sour and comes across with very high alcohol. Maybe this comes around but for me one of the least desirable Quilceda I’ve had.
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10/27/2023 - Tsliwinski Likes this wine: 96 Points
Really coming of age. Rich gripping deep red fruit with forest floor and game and long finish make this superior.
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10/24/2023 - CabinConnoisseur wrote:
Opened to celebrate the FROST win. Not as good as my previous bottle, consumed in July, which was absolutely fantastic. Withholding rating as my last bottle was a solid 96+, this one a 93-94. I'll wait and see what the next one brings, and I will write a full tasting note then. On this bottle the cork was not completely sound but also not compromised beyond function; however, I suspect there was more opportunity for a slow entry/exit of air. Overall the wine was still quite excellent, but not as.compellingly exceptional as the bottle.opened when we purchased Bear Trace.
For this bottle, blackberry, tobacco, cinnamon, clove, cedar, charcoal, and mild white and black pepper on the palate. Stingy on the nose.
I remember that the last bottle grew exceedingly better with air. This one is getting somewhat better with a longer decant.
SO - I definitely recommend a decant!
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9/4/2023 - BradA wrote: 90 Points
I’ve had many a qc all the way back to 1990. The 94 still stands as a favorite American wine for me.
This is no ‘94…. Yes, the wine is big…. It also shows a lot of latex and blueberry . Overall, it just doesn’t show as complete an interesting a wine as one would expect for $100.
We drank this over two nights, so airtime was given and yet the secondary improvement was marginal. If I had this in the cellar, I would be a seller!
Better wines for the money: clos des papes, vajra, Baudana and scavino from Italy.
Granted, this is my opinion and what my palate prefers.
Cheers.
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8/24/2023 - bobadopolis Likes this wine: 92 Points
Splash decant. There maybe some minor bricking around the rim, otherwise wine is a dark but not opaque red-purple in the glass. Nose is slightly muted, and the fruit is also a bit subtle on the palate. Flavors are predominantly earthy ... forrest soil, tobacco, maybe some leather.
Very dry, with early development of some fun and interesting secondary characteristics. There is a slight "zang" to the wine (not otherwise sure how to describe it) that is a far cry from barnyard but not entirely fresh, potentially endemic to the region but I'm not knowledgeable enough to say for sure. This did not bother me in the slightest. Overall an interesting and rather delicious experience, acknowledging the style of this wine is not in my wheelhouse, and I wonder if this particular bottle might be in a slightly awkward phase of maturity. Have a few more bottles and will be interesting to track the progression.
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8/21/2023 - CRUSHER Likes this wine: 94 Points
very good . but in my opinion not deserving of 99 WA score
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8/11/2023 - SnobNouveau Likes this wine: 95 Points
Three hour decant required. Integrated, concentrated, elegant with a long finish. Currants and dark fruit. Tobacco and leather.
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8/4/2023 - deadwax Likes this wine: 96 Points
This was excellent. Double decanted for sediment. Continued to open up in the glass. Drink or hold.
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7/15/2023 - peterk Likes this wine:
Still going strong - years and years ahead of this beauty
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7/15/2023 - dsimmons Likes this wine: 96 Points
Typical delicious QC. Loads of fruit. Still developing. Drink or hold
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7/3/2023 - JGinMO wrote: 93 Points
Still quite young , but after 90 mins was really showing better balance, with great secondary flavors. No rush.
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6/3/2023 - jkwoodward Likes this wine: 95 Points
Fantastic after 3 hour decant. Tar, cocoa, tobacco and a smooth finish. In the sweet spot starting tertiary notes.
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6/2/2023 - D'Yquembe Mutumbo wrote: 91 Points
Got this on the cheap at a bin sale of late and have to say, I was not super impressed given the hype and price tag. Big, fleshy New Worlder with very round corners and a lot of heat on the finish. I couldn't detect any significant secondary characteristics other than a hint spice, just lots of oak and tannin. To each their own, this is definitely not my style.
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3/30/2023 - Schiffy Likes this wine: 97 Points
Expressive blackberry fruit with complex notes of cassis, lavender, espresso and dark chocolate on the finish. Perfectly balanced and silky smooth with its tannins wonderfully integrated into the dark fruit. This is drinking very well right now and is an amazing cab that can hang with some of the best Napa has to offer.
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3/9/2023 - mellison Does not like this wine: 91 Points
I rarely write reviews because I do not have the writing skills or the tasting acume to detect all the different flavors and describe them in intimate detail. However I can distinguish good wines from bad and all those along the spectrum. This wine was acquired direct from the winery and stored in perfect conditions. Despite the professional reviews at 96 + this is not a particularly memorable or even good wine let alone great. It tastes green like it was made from unripe grapes and has no character or anything memorable about it and even has a bitter component after sitting in the glass for like two hours. Just a HUGE disappointment. Happy I did not give as a gift!!
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2/26/2023 - gbbwino Likes this wine: 94 Points
Purchased direct from winery & cellared since. Dense dark fruit with well integrated tannin & oak. Not heavy, just dense fruit but smooth & balanced. Excellent wine & in a good place with an hour decant.
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2/11/2023 - mlawren1 wrote: 92 Points
Light and smooth. Floral notes of currants and strawberries. Nice wine.
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1/22/2023 - Wine12345 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Drank over steak dinner with Susan Bonner and Joe Bennet. A wonderful dinner and evening!
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12/4/2022 - ibglowin Likes this wine: 96 Points
This is just massive still at this age! I have been a list member for 12 years and decided maybe I should try a bottle since I have almost 4 cases now. Well I gave it an hour decant and gave it a sip and it was still tight as a drum. Really just now into two hours decanted and it is really starting to sing. Too bad my Snake River Farms Wagyu ribeye is long gone. I am sipping on it little by little just taking it all in. Looking forward to opening a few bottles now and in the future each year. Amazing wine.
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11/24/2022 - MVW Likes this wine: 94 Points
Nice, big not huge but finishes really long.
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11/21/2022 - MK9786 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Great depth.
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11/21/2022 - wineappellation Likes this wine: 98 Points
It is a large scale Cabernet Sauvignon which opens up with distinctive fruits, beautiful sweet oak and plenty of graphite minerality. At 15.2% abv, it is actually quite refined on palate with excellent focus. Blackcurrant, dried fig, tobacco, sweet & bitter liquorice, sandalwood, cedar, graphite, leather, sweet vanilla, espresso. Sweet soft tannins. Lingering on and on as expected.
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11/20/2022 - bhrubin Likes this wine: 98 Points
Decanted over 8 hrs and wow — what a difference that and even 2 yrs can make! Lots of graphite, flint, dark fruit, dried fruit, and even hints of sweeter red fruit, plenty of acidity and fantastic structure, loads of complexity and a good 45 second finish. This one paired so well with filets that I can’t wait to see how this develops further in the coming year or two. Definitely hitting its stride now.
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9/11/2022 - deadwax wrote: 96 Points
Enjoyed with friends. Decanted for 2 hours. Fair amount of sediment. Showing very well. Nice balance of fruit and remaining structure. Dark fruits, oak was well integrated. Better than a 06 opened several months ago
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5/14/2022 - Brolawa Likes this wine: 92 Points
This wine is still going strong. A heavy and rich bottle throughout vertical, but in balance and not syrupy. Black fruit with some earthy licorice notes that penetrate the sinuses. Long, clean finish. It is a 15.3% alcohol wine and you can feel it (make sure to share a bottle with friends).
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5/7/2022 - acc_123 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Wonderfully complex and balanced - deep dark fruit but light enough on its feet to appeal to those with old-world preferences. Waves of flavor and a long, satisfying finish. Really enjoyed.
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3/18/2022 - Stevethebeav Likes this wine: 96 Points
Wow. This is singing right now.
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3/12/2022 - jgreco Does not like this wine: 92 Points
This was quite a bit more mature than I expected with no fruit remaining. Leather, tobacco, menthol, graphite, and licorice. Poorly stored bottle I imagine.
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2/8/2022 - Elkcims Likes this wine: 95 Points
3 hour decant: Earthy, cedar, black fruits. Drank half on Day 2 and it was slightly better.
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1/29/2022 - dougchavez Likes this wine: 90 Points
Balanced, earthy, mineral tones and subtle currant and jam flavors. Low tannic acidity
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1/25/2022 - wineismylife wrote: 92 Points
WIML92
Tasted non blind.
Dark garnet to purple color in the glass, clear looking throughout. Nose of cinnamon stick, mulled wine spices, violets and currants. Flavors of berries, cherries plums and raspberries. Medium acidity, medium to firm tannin, full bodied. Drink with air or hold.
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12/31/2021 - Magnolian Likes this wine: 96 Points
New Year's Eve Reds (Magnolia): Cork broke in half but was extracted without issue. Decanted for 90 minutes and run once through a Vinturi. A delicious reminder of why we all love cabs! Room-filling aromas of violets and roses. Tight and focused beams of graphite, dried cherries, and sweet tobacco. I expected more opulence give the 15.2% alcohol, but the fruit is surprisingly restrained. Tannins are finely present but not distracting, providing a refined frame to the midpalate and lengthy finish. Fabulous now but I look forward to finishing these off over the next 10+ years.
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12/31/2021 - Shugs_Claret wrote: 90 Points
Dark fruits very forward on the nose. Full bodied and jammy palate with hints of residual oak. Ample acidity. Not my style. No decant needed but no rush.
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12/18/2021 - RPerro Likes this wine: 97 Points
Decanted 1 hour at home, and funneled back into the bottle. Reopened at RingSide Steakhouse with the boys and paired with...you guessed it, STEAK! Amazing wine, just so silky smooth and at the same time absolutely in your face with body. Cassis and raspberry fruits, violets, loamy earth, vanilla and dark chocolate on the finish. Definitely my favorite wine of the night, among a stellar lineup. Drink now - 2029.
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10/8/2021 - EvanRose Likes this wine: 99 Points
Silky smooth, perfect balance, luxurious finish, lots of fruit, layer upon layer of flavor.
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10/2/2021 - mlawren1 wrote: 94 Points
Bit closed then releases currants berries and cherries.
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9/25/2021 - jkwoodward Likes this wine: 94 Points
A bit closed at the start, opened after a couple of hours in the decanter. Pencil, cassis, mild grip. Great with wagyu ribeye.
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9/23/2021 - beau11 wrote: 97 Points
This wine is in an amazing spot. Drank over 2 nights. Very creamy mouthfeel displaying typical cool quilceda fruits (muted blackberry, blueberry and cassis). Nice concentration. Day 2,,No hard edges, beautiful midpalate, and very long finish. Best 2009 i’ve had.
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9/5/2021 - Radboy wrote: 92 Points
Nice wine.
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8/29/2021 - randyjc wrote: 90 Points
Quilceda seems to be moving more toward everything I dislike about Napa - really big, extracted, thick and high alcohol. The underlying flavors are lovely but they come in a package I’m finding difficult to appreciate. There is a reason the only Quilceda I buy any longer are the CRV designations which I regard as quite the bargain. We drank this alongside a 2009 Latour a Pomerol and the Quilceda had no chance. Now, it’s possible that some additional time will help but my early 2000-era QCs are trending toward port-like, so I’m not optimistic.
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8/15/2021 - jviz wrote: 92 Points
Big extraction, richness, and as usual with this producer, lactic tones. Still quite dark in the glass with lots of wood tannins (mint, pencil shaving) left to shed. Hold on…
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7/14/2021 - mclanew Likes this wine: 95 Points
Slow ox for 45 minutes. This needed even a little more time to come together. Black currants, plums, licorice, cake, tobacco weed come through. The wine is structured, layered and complex with substantial and well integrated tannins. This will last a long time and continue to evolve. Excellent.
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7/11/2021 - phandley66 Likes this wine: 97 Points
Nose of chocolate, tobacco, Chinese five spice, and campfire. Huge mouthfeel, cherry, menthol, gravel, long finish. This wine has a long life ahead of it, but drinking well although a pinch young. Did not decant, which would have helped.
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7/4/2021 - davidandrose Likes this wine: 95 Points
Decanted for 90 minutes. Earth and aged wood on the nose. Definitely shows it’s maturity, but still has lots of life ahead.
Two hours after opening this is very well balanced. There’s weight on the palate with tannins present, but soft, smooth and well integrated. Fruit shows it’s maturity but there’s still presence by to hang on for another 10-15 years. Very impressive
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5/25/2021 - Redteeth wrote:
Was not able to decant. But the wine opened up nicely and was fantastic. It seems to have plenty of life left.
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5/25/2021 - brianngibson wrote: 98 Points
In a perfect drinking window. This wine is beautiful, luscious and expressive. Lead pencil, mint, sage, cassis. A finish that goes on and on.
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5/9/2021 - markcic Likes this wine: 94 Points
So the night before Mothers Day I opted to make a simple roast chicken and I wanted a wine that would shine and this is a serious bottle of wine. The cork broke upon extraction which always gets me a little nervous as back in 2009 I was not a member of the club and I bought these bottles in the secondary market. I have since joined the club and have been getting my own allocations. Anyway I decanted through a vinturi and let it sit for a few hours. The nose was all dark fruit. The palate was blackberry, plum, fig, expresso and hints of menthol that came out on the long smooth finish. Just a beautiful bottle of wine. Happy Mothers Day everyone.
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3/14/2021 - BinVA Likes this wine: 98 Points
In a fantastic place right now. Opened and let aerate in the bottle for 2 hours before dinner.
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2/26/2021 - SMagowan Likes this wine: 98 Points
Near perfection. An absolute joy to drink.
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2/12/2021 - SeaSmoke wrote: 94 Points
Decanted for two hours. Black fruit, vanilla and cassis are present on the nose and palate. Long finish. This wine is certainly at it's peak or close. Drinking so well now.
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1/30/2021 - traderspartan Likes this wine: 97 Points
Drank 12/20
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1/2/2021 - Daisy1995 Does not like this wine: 84 Points
I love this wine but this bottle was off.
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12/26/2020 - bonedoc wrote: 92 Points
Xmas eve tasting w pellet grill prime rib, and retaste 2nd night.
2010 larkmead LMV
2008 Nicolas catena zapata
2009 insignia
2009 QC
I’m shocked to say that the best wine was the catena... ripe, balanced, not a blockbuster, but no flaws.
Insignia was flat, the palate was of little interest.
LMV was second best, a little more round on the palate.
QC is always solid, but the fruit profile (to my palate) delves into burnt, black fruits which is not my favorite.
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12/25/2020 - tjross Likes this wine: 97 Points
Magnum from Arnie. Decanted about six hours. Definitely at peak. Soft tannins, showing vanilla and dark fruits. Lacks the brightness from previous bottle two years ago but still excellent. Need to make magnums standard bottle going forward.
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12/19/2020 - beau11 wrote: 96 Points
Decanted for a hour and drank over 4 hours. This wine is at peak but should stay at peak for 4-6 years. Tannins are very soft.
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12/8/2020 - bhrubin Likes this wine: 96 Points
Decanted over 4 hrs, incredible nose on opening held throughout, flavor profile not quite as complex as nose suggests but incredibly rich and soft, lots of dark fruits, great acidity and structure, very pleasant finish, good minerality
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11/26/2020 - Esmags7 wrote: 93 Points
Magnum with Thanksgiving dinner.
On open, had a lot of heat but incredible legs (which didn’t change at any point.)
Closed down for 2 hours following open, then started to open up - was a lot of fun to see how it evolved every 15 minutes or so after that.
The fruit didn’t really come out until 4 hours in. As with almost all QC, this had the creamy finish that is awfully unique. Medium-plus body, finish was extraordinary, not perfectly integrated but certainly very pleasant/high quality. Currant, plum, coffee and other dark fruit.
I’d hold, if you can - the acid and the tannins will further subside with time, and the wine will open faster. This is extraordinary wine, but requires more time and effort than is ideal right now.
In 5 years, this could be upper 90s.
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10/16/2020 - dsimmons Likes this wine: 97 Points
Super concentrated fruit. Integrated tannin. Really delicious with wild duck gumbo. Drink or hold.
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10/11/2020 - Tsliwinski Likes this wine: 95 Points
whoa again. Beautiful Columbia Valley with nuanced bright red fruit and game with a hair of flower. Yum
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9/5/2020 - mdvillaverde Likes this wine: 94 Points
This is for my Sept 1-2 tasting. Consistent with my Dec 2018 tasting. Concentrated, leathery and dark fruit. The fruit is hidden behind the tannins. Ideal if you're not looking for too fruit forward a cab.
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8/6/2020 - Arch57 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Wonderful expression of Cabernet from Washington State. A creamy finish that is unique to this winery. Perfect pairing with boneless rib-eye and filet on the grill.
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8/3/2020 - ogres3 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drank with the in-laws. Unfortunately didn't move the needle. Not the ripe complex fruit I remember from earlier vintages. Smooth and easy, paired with duck, but average for the price.
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7/4/2020 - dsimmons Likes this wine: 96 Points
Delicious. Drank with rib roast. Concentrated blue fruits. Drink or hold.
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6/21/2020 - davidandrose Likes this wine: 94 Points
Decanted half the bottle for 45 minutes and unlike my last tasting, this time the wine definitely benefited from the air. These notes are from the non-decanted portion, 3+ hours after pulling the cork.
Tight nose of cassis, dark leather, tobacco and spice. Velvety approach with gobs of lush, dark fruit still maturing and evolving. Vanilla, pencil shavings and alcohol also present.
This shows considerable life ahead of it but was a great Father’s Day treat from the cellar!
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6/17/2020 - subir Likes this wine: 96 Points
Drank over several days from 750. Deep purple in the glass. Huge bouquet with blueberry, pencil shavings, bramble, blackberrry, black cherry. Medium to full body, long finish. Showing very well at 11 years, but has another 10-15 left to go.
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6/11/2020 - nywine68 wrote: 91 Points
Dense tar and licorice. Brooding stewed black fruits with menthol and eucalyptus. Some alcohol on the finish. Tannins barely noticeable in the sense body. 3 hour decant and still feels somewhat closed. Might merit a higher score in 5-10 years.
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5/19/2020 - bonedoc wrote:
(mostly a) 2009 international cabernet tasting:
Tasted blind, popped corks 2 hours before drinking. My favorites in order:
1. 2009 Leoville Poyferre (96): Ripe, concentrated, dark fruits, oaky, tasted new world
2. 2009 Dominus (95): Oaky, dark fruit profile, less old world than expected
3. 2009 Quilceda (93): Oaky, big, darkest fruit profile
4. 2009 Sheridan Block 1 (91): Ripe, sweet but balanced
5. 2010 Ornellaia (?): Slight brett taint, which I’m sensitive to
6. 2009 Leoville Las Cases (90): Acidic, lean, austere compared to others
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5/16/2020 - Tsliwinski Likes this wine: 97 Points
Wow and whoa!!! Nice Washington cab with rich dark red fruit, wonderful game and a little pencil shavings and extremely long silky finish. This magnum was THE house favorite of the evening
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3/28/2020 - Zetterman Likes this wine: 91 Points
Decanted. Extremely tough and alcoholic at first.
Started to open up after 20+ hours in the decanter
Hold 5+ years
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3/21/2020 - brouigu1 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Oh this is drinking very well at the moment...
Dark purple and aromas of black fruits, leather, cigar box and mineral rise from the glass.
Nicely balanced with fruits still front and center complimented by dusty earth, leather and classic QC cigar box. The finish was decently long and as soon as the taste diminish you want more.
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2/7/2020 - Miceri Likes this wine: 96 Points
Dark red; deep rounded nose of dark berries; rounded rich chocolate liquid, well balanced, a tiny hint of dry tannins, very long aftertaste; excellent
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1/11/2020 - DotJonas wrote: 88 Points
Very disappointing, never opened up...maybe a storage issue
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9/9/2019 - tcosgriff Likes this wine: 93 Points
Deep garnet color with a muted bouquet and flavor of cassis, dark cherries, and eucalyptus. The wine never completely opened up but was still very pleasant and better than our somewhat clumsy Italian meal, but the splendor of Florida's Emerald Coast with its white sand and green water, made up for it, despite the 95 degree temperature.
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9/6/2019 - mflesh wrote: 93 Points
Compared to a Napa and Sonoma Cab, the nose on these always seems to go more Sonoma-style IMO. Lots of roasted red cherry, black cherry fruit but the front of this one was a bit muted and a bit flat on the front. This one was definitely asleep initially, but did open up after 1-2 hours to show some cola and brambly quality. Finish with chewy tannin. I don't think there is ANY rush on this wine. Easily has another 10 years in it. I'd hold this one, or serve with a 1-2 hour decant.
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8/30/2019 - dsimmons Likes this wine: 95 Points
My first bottle of this beauty drank with a slow cooker pot roast. Delicious as expected.. Concentrated fruit. licorice, well integrated tannin. Drink or hold.
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8/11/2019 - CWilliam wrote: 92 Points
Atlanta no-name Wine Tasting Group; 8/10/2019-8/11/2019 (BB House): Wine #2 in Blind Tasting - Domestic non-Napa Cab/Bordeaux blends. Tasted in pairs and then revealed.
Sweet cherry, raspberry, cedar on nose -still fruit primary. Tasted much, much younger than an '07 Col Solare that it was paired with. Full body, medium acidity, medium+ tannins and long finish. Guessed this was Quilceda Creek, but thought this was the '15 CVR (2nd wine) given how prominent the fruit was. This wine will age for an extremely long time based on this showing as it's still a baby. Very enjoyable but needs a very long decant (or more time) to shine. 92+/-
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8/4/2019 - tcosgriff Likes this wine: 93 Points
Lovely garnet color with a bouquet and flavor of cassis, plums, eucalyptus, and vanilla oak. Balance just slightly off, needing more fruit and less herbal notes, but overall very pleasant with good nuance and depth and quite a long finish. This winery is certainly capable of making very good wines and I would advise trying some if you haven't already.
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7/27/2019 - jkwoodward Likes this wine: 95 Points
Awesome with prime ribeye. In a good place. Tons of currant
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7/21/2019 - skifree wrote:
Took to a big party, very rich wine with tons of fruit and some cigar box. Still quite tight, however.
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5/27/2019 - Stevethebeav Likes this wine: 93 Points
It's getting there. Consistent with earlier notes. Decanted for 90 min, continued to develop for next few hours. Wonderful floral, dark berry nose. pencil lead, gravel, green olives are present with darker fruit such as plum and dark cherry. I am a big fan of QC wine, but this vintage does not yet have the depth and full body of others. Still excellent with mouth coating texture and tongue tingling length. Great balance of acidity and alcohol.
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5/14/2019 - norsktorsk wrote: 96 Points
awesome. drinking well now.
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4/26/2019 - BostonSteve wrote: flawed
Bummer. Just received a case of this from auction. Crumbled cork. Spoiled. Hope it’s just this one.
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4/22/2019 - Levinsb wrote:
Very rich oaky smoky long finish. Solid, but not sure I enjoyed this as much as others do.
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4/15/2019 - slywka7 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Sadly a pop and pour. Aromas of blackberry, currant, mint, chocolate and touch of iron. Flavors of blackberry, black cherry, currant, chocolate and touch of olive. Ends with a long finish of 35-40 seconds with blackberry and mocha notes. This may improve through dinner so may update the note. These are always huge wines. Has a bit of a tannic bite still on this so wish I had enough time to decant.
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3/30/2019 - Radboy wrote: 94 Points
Drinking well, should get even better.
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3/22/2019 - Daisy1995 Likes this wine: 96 Points
Amazing!
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3/10/2019 - mdvillaverde wrote: 94 Points
Sadly forgot to record notes on this Dec 2018 tasting. I gave it a 4.6 out of 5 at the time but didn't record why. Will have additional opportunities to score/note this wine.
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3/9/2019 - br_winelover Likes this wine: 97 Points
97+pts. How can you pack so much complexity and 15.2% alcohol in such an elegant and balanced wine is beyond me. One of the great Cabernets I've ever had. Silky, mouth-filling, a wine that makes one appreciate the good things in life. And ready to drink now without decanting. Stunning!
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2/16/2019 - garambler Likes this wine: 94 Points
I opened this for our 2/16/19 Cabernet Sauvignon tasting. It had a deep, rich, elegant nose of black currant, blueberry, blackberry, anise and spice aromas. The palate was rich, dense and dry with flavors of black currant, blueberry, blackberry, licorice, spice and minerals.
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2/9/2019 - Thralow wrote: 98 Points
Silk
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2/8/2019 - robertek wrote: 94 Points
Consistently good
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1/12/2019 - Wine Gopher wrote: 95 Points
Very smooth. Layers of flavors with red fruits, herbs, pencil shavings and tobacco. There is a structure of tannins and acid to age for years but it is smooth right now with a long lasting finish. Big but well balanced.
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12/31/2018 - EvanRose Likes this wine: 98 Points
First time I’ve had a QC magnum and and the first time it actually aged better than a 750. Incredible balance, restrained red fruit and silky smooth. Perfect with beef tenderloin
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12/26/2018 - tjross Likes this wine: 97 Points
Wow, absolutely brilliant. Decanted for an hour and a half. Silky smooth. Layers of texture and flavor. Perfect balance. This might be the best QC I have tasted.
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12/23/2018 - J-Sho Likes this wine: 96 Points
Absolutely beautiful. Well balanced with soft tannins but structure. Nice fruit and amazing nose. If this was a Napa wine it'd be called Harlan.
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12/22/2018 - garambler Likes this wine: 94 Points
I opened this this when our neighbor came over for cards on 12/22/18. It had deep, rich nose of cassis, blueberry, blackberry, anise, spice and mineral aromas. The palate was rich, dense, elegant and dry with flavors of black currant, blueberry, blackberry, licorice, spice and minerals.
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10/24/2018 - davidandrose Likes this wine: 94 Points
Pop and pour, followed over 3+ hrs. 2.5 hrs after opening, subtle nose of leather, tea, spice box and earth. A near ideal balance between fruit and structure, with Lots of layering and a sweetness on the sides of the tongue The center palate shows crushed stone with black and red cherry. A really nice bottle, almost criminal to pair w meatloaf, but Rose always makes a helluva meal
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9/9/2018 - phattyjrb Likes this wine: 94 Points
wonderful steakhouse stunner
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8/10/2018 - D3S Likes this wine: 97 Points
Fantastic wine!, great color, nose, fruit, spice and well integrated balance tannins. Amazingly long finish.
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6/27/2018 - bonedoc wrote: 94 Points
Well made medium body Washington cab
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6/10/2018 - AAJR Likes this wine: 95 Points
Decanted & let sit for 5 hours prior to serving.
Wine party in the yard with the crew, too many wines for notes so only providing scores.
2011 Fairchild G3 95 pts
2009 Sassicaia 95 pts(1.5L)
2009 Quilceda Creek 95 pts(1.5L)
2010 Larkmead Solari - 94 pts
2009 N&N Sullenger - 93 pts(3.0L)
2011 Far Niente - 91 pts (1.5L)
1994 Quinto do Vesuvio Porto - 95 pts
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6/9/2018 - robertek wrote: 94 Points
Very good and balanced. Still some rough tannins but plenty of fruit to carry this into the future. Enjoyable now but will grow.
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4/15/2018 - jmull Likes this wine: 97 Points
Opened on my 40th at Prime & Provisions. This decanted an hour or so while we worked through The Judge. I’ve had the CVR many times but this was my first dance with the QC Columbia Valley. The style is vaguely similar but the scale is of course hugely different. Massive nose of blue/black fruit seasoned with Pauillac-like pencil shavings. The tannins are huge but silky and approachable. For a wine that boasts 15.2% alcohol, there’s no evident heat at all. This is enormously enjoyable now but clearly has decades to go if anyone is so inclined. 97+.
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4/14/2018 - flashvictor Likes this wine: 96 Points
This is first bottle of 2009 QC I’ve drank. Bottle was bought on release and stored in cellar. Deep ruby color leads to a somewhat muted nose of dark fruit and hints of graphite. Nose did continue to open throughout evening. Medium large mouthfeel with lots of blue and black fruits, some chocolate and a hint of bell pepper. Seemless finish lasts forty five seconds.
A really impressive bottle of wine. This easily has another 10-15 years of prime drinking window. This was decanted 2 hours prior to service which I suggest. Enjoy!
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4/13/2018 - Thralow wrote: 96 Points
Excellent, wine that impresses everyone who tries it.
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4/4/2018 - drdan8 wrote: 91 Points
Revisiting this wine after my last tasting in 2016. The nose is a tad more expressive with violets, blackberry, menthol, and dark flowers.
The palate presence still leaves a bit to be desired, although it has filled out a bit in the last 2 years. Good crunchy black fruit, some cassis, and cherry overtones. Tannin still not fully resolved.
My opinion stands that there are much better Cabernet offerings from CA/WA for considerably less coin. Producers such as Avennia, Bevan, Woodward Canyon, McGah, and Tor K come to mind. The QPR is out of balance here unless you are a trophy collector.
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3/27/2018 - mklasing Likes this wine: 96 Points
Stunning wine, a whisper of tannin and full body fruit, blackberry, dark cherry, with touches of vanilla and rich cocoa. Really amazing!
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3/4/2018 - West Coast Wine wrote: 90 Points
Oak, spices, alcohol, cocoa on the nose. Med tannin, high alcohol. Oak/Vanilla, cassis, cocoa, bitter notes, a little spice/pepper notes. Big wine that definitely would stand out if tasted with other wines but would not call this elegant or balanced. Alcohol and oak are overwhelming, not sure if just needs more time or maybe just this wines profile. Not my style of Cab but well made and would easily please those who like big high octane wines.
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3/3/2018 - bobadopolis Likes this wine: 93 Points
Decanted for only about 2 hours. Wanted to decant for 5+, but the afternoon got away from me. Delicious for sure, but seemed a little immature. Next bottle 2020+.
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1/12/2018 - Stevethebeav Likes this wine: 92 Points
This has a lot going for it, but it still needs time. Having just had an 06 that was wonderfully integrated and complex, this is still hot and oaky. Too closed to really get a glimpse of what is there. As usual for Golitzin wine, this will come around and probably as awesome as the others...but let it sit for a while.
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1/12/2018 - Bigfresser wrote: 95 Points
Wonderful smooth berry flavors and very rich mouthfeel
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1/7/2018 - jshufelt wrote: 92 Points
Decanted for two hours before service. In the glass, medium to dark purple. On the nose, raspberries, cassis, and dried herbs. On the palate, smooth, with fine tannins in the background, and a full bodied expression of raspberries, currants, and potpourri on a dry finish. The dry mouthfeel on the finish and the persistent herbal notes are what separate this from something like a Napa cab, at least for me.
It's approachable now, but I'm finding it quite difficult to project where this will be in 5, or 10, or 20 years.
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11/18/2017 - Amerique wrote: 94 Points
Rich bing cherry fruit
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9/15/2017 - Aravind Asok wrote:
Big Wines (Casa Gill): Not really in the same league as the other wines in this flight, but I have a place in my heart for these wines. Loads of sweet tobacco on the nose and waves of ripe black and blue fruit. Thick and unctuous on the palate, but the oak seems well-integrated and supports the fruit. Sweet cola and a touch of tar on the palate and dense tannic finish. Still very youthful, and I'm always amazed at how these wines don't show alcoholic heat even at 15.2% abv...
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9/12/2017 - "H" wrote:
Mackinac island with Van Hoomissen's. Fabulous and the master sommelier at the Grand Hotel was very impressed with the bottle.
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8/20/2017 - brianngibson wrote: 97 Points
Tremendous expression of fruit. Not overpowering or hot, but yet every sip is rich in flavor and mouthfeel.
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7/30/2017 - Don and Pam wrote: 99 Points
Close to perfect
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7/7/2017 - Amerique wrote: 93 Points
Tight, restrained, dense bing cherry fruit, excellent structure, ample tannins, needs time to open
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6/18/2017 - garambler Likes this wine: 95 Points
We drank this after a wonderful paella and seafood dinner at a friends vacation house near Torreperogil Spain on 6/18/17. It had a deep, rich and complex bouquet of smoke, cassis, blackberry, blueberry, black cherry, licorice and spice aromas. The palate was rich, dense, smooth and layered with flavors of black cherry, black currant, blueberry, mocha, licorice and spice.
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5/17/2017 - akim_hobo wrote: 94 Points
Clear, medium purple/garnet. Dark fruits on the nose, dark ripe cherry, blueberry with a touch of forest floor. Medium body with a great dark fruit concentration. Some green on the palate with good acidity and medium developed tannins. Surprisingly shorter finish given the palate. But a really nice mouthfeel. I'm not sure if this will get much better with age.
*Decanted for 2 hours*
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4/16/2017 - WindTree Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drank at a dinner party alongside a 96 Quilceda Creek. They both had similar noses and palates although the 1996 was more rounded and softer. Bordeaux in style with anise, cassis and dark blue fruit. The 2009 had a longer and more palate coating finish. Great effort although the price is hefty.
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3/22/2017 - SMHalps Likes this wine: 96 Points
My 3 of a 4 bottle lot I purchased direct from the winery. I continue to love this wine. But I plan on holding the last bottle for a few more years, to see how it is around the 10 year mark. Had it in a restaurant. Opened, but not decanted for 30 minutes before pouring. It was the first Cabernet of the night, and it was followed by a 2002 Shafer Hillside Select and then a 1997 Phelps Insignia. It held up really well against the older wines, without overpowering them with younger fruit. Definitely more blue fruits than the CA wines. Long finish. Big mouth feel, great nose.
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3/8/2017 - Zinlady Likes this wine: 94 Points
Had with tenderloin. Dark delicious. Smooth. Opened in glass. Smokiness. Touched all of mouth. Long finish.
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1/17/2017 - Arch57 wrote: 92 Points
Pulled about a 2 ounce pour using the Coravin and let it sit on the counter. Would check in about every 1/2 hour just sniffing to see if the nose would wake up. After about 3 hours detected some dark fruit notes and cocoa but no other elements. Took a few sips and the finish was nice but needs time. Put the bottle back in the cool, dark cellar. Score is based on today's impression but think cellar dwelling will easily bump it up 2-3 points.
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1/15/2017 - Don and Pam Likes this wine: 95 Points
one of our best so far. tasting great and still should last a long time
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12/24/2016 - Gene_Mo Likes this wine: 95 Points
Decanted for a couple hours. Extremely drinkable, chocolate, currants. Subdued nose but all good.
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11/30/2016 - skifree wrote: 93 Points
The first night, this felt a bit disjointed, with distinct black fruits and cassis in the mouth and then espresso on this finish. After a day in bottle, the flavors knit together very nicely, so the wine was much better. It even had some tannins lingering on the finish. Very plush and full bodied. The high alcohol level did not detract from the taste, though I did notice it of course.
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11/3/2016 - TexasBob Likes this wine: 95 Points
Rose color. Blackberries on the nose. Strong blackberry, bramble, and cassis notes. Really swells at the end palate with secondary black fruit notes, coffee,and a little tar. Silky texture. Really delicious, and should last another decade, easy.
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9/21/2016 - Levinsb wrote:
Absolutely delicious now with room to run.
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5/1/2016 - brianngibson wrote: 97 Points
Perfumed sweet tannins, blackberry, cassis, lead pencil. Beautiful execution.
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4/20/2016 - SMHalps Likes this wine: 96 Points
Champoux Tasting (83 1/2 Restaurant, 345 E. 83rd Street, NY, NY 10028): My second bottle of this vintage. Part of a Champoux tasting and it might have been the WOTN. As we didn't taste blind, the reputation and/or price may have influenced my group.
Much better almost a year later, but I'll stay with the same grade anyway. A long finish.
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4/9/2016 - garambler Likes this wine: 95 Points
Washington State Cabernet Sauvignon (Lake Stevens, Washington): This had a fabulously deep and rich bouquet of smoke, cassis, blueberry, blackberry, black cherry, mocha, licorice and spice aromas. The palate was rich, layered and complex with flavors that followed the nose. This was the unanimous WOTN with an average score of 94.83 points from our group.
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4/9/2016 - drdan8 wrote: 90 Points
Removed from cellar and let stand open for 1 hour. Splash decanted to wide bowl and let rest for another half hour. Dark inky purple to the core. Muted nose of blackberry, menthol, and not much else. Albeit young not the powerful fruit expression I was expecting. Seemed to lack richness and generosity for a wine of this supposed pedigree. Slightly coarse tannin still integrating. Not very pleased with the QPR here. Have 2 more bottles of this vintage in the cellar and holding out some hope that this is in a dumb phase. When drinkng Columbia Valley Cabernet, I much preferred a Woodward Canyon Old Vines at half the tariff. In fact the Woodward Artist at $39 would give this a run on the quality meter.
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4/1/2016 - jnocera Likes this wine: 94 Points
A deep dark inky purple color. On the nose it's a bit muted but hints of cassis and violets. On the palate this is huge wine with explosions for black fruit and strong tannins. Also a kinda chalky taste that takes away a point for me. The finish is long and smooth. Really nice.
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3/13/2016 - pdemaio wrote: 95 Points
Big and powerful, this demonstrates the best of WA cab. A bit bigger and more complex than the 08, it is also a bit more interesting. Smooth and easy to drink despite its girth on the palate.
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3/11/2016 - jeffm_fla Likes this wine: 91 Points
Not the Wow factor I expected. Flavors were nice, mouthfeel was a little thin. Good, but I've had better bottles from Quilceda Creek
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2/14/2016 - erikm9 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Very young but drinking great. Drink or hold.
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9/18/2015 - Millennial Drinkers Likes this wine: 90 Points
S&E Wine Society - New World Reds 95+ Rating (S&E): Blind Tasting MOT=90
Color: Solid red
Nose: Anise, nothing else really, I think it needed more time to open up
Palate: Very strong tannins, loads of fruit and very well balanced.
Opinion: Very impressive body compared to what I expected after smelling the wine. Maybe more time would increase the score a few points.
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8/17/2015 - peterk Likes this wine: 95 Points
2 years since my last bottle - this wine has come together beautifully and is perfectly ready to drink. The tannin is now nicely integrated.
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8/9/2015 - JJA Likes this wine: 94 Points
Deep dark color. Brown sugar and spice. Full bodied, almost buttery texture. Elegant and powerful at the same time. Long finish. Outstanding.
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6/16/2015 - SMHalps wrote: 96 Points
Probably drank this a year early, as it seems like it still could develop a bit more in the bottle. But that being said, it was great. Lots of Blueberry and some other dark berry fruits. There was a lot going on here, after you got past the initial hit of fruit. Long finish. Definitely different than the big Napa Cabs.
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5/31/2015 - El Tej wrote: 98 Points
Loads of cassis, burnt embers with layered pop on the mid
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12/20/2014 - jhieb Likes this wine: 93 Points
Great, but this needs another 5+ years.
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11/30/2014 - Cycle Man Likes this wine: 93 Points
Drinking nicely right now but I am going to hold off on my remaining bottles for another 3-4 years. Matched up against a 2004 Matriarch and it just did not have the finese the other wine had at this stage. Excellent wine, just hold off if you can!
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11/21/2014 - JJA Likes this wine: 93 Points
Let this beauty rest for a while. It's just big, tannic and unresolved. Has great potential though.
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10/23/2014 - wineismylife wrote: 93 Points
WIML93
Tasted non blind.
Purple color in the glass, clear looking throughout. Nose of flowers, white pepper, plums, currants and a hint of basil oil. Flavors of currants, plums, black berries and black cherries. Medium acidity, firm tannin, full bodied. Drink with air or continue to hold.
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10/6/2014 - RedLoverJim Likes this wine: 96 Points
Decanted for over four hours, but it'd be better to just let it rest for another 5 years. Rich, smooth flavors and blueberry and plum with some cedar and tobacco notes. Big wine. Very, very good now and I see it only getting better.
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5/24/2014 - NTR wrote: 94 Points
Decanted 2 hours - big nose of blueberry and plum with spice and tobacco. Vanilla. Little alcohol on the nose. Very big explosive fruit on the palate. Very tight tannins, very youthful. Maybe a little closed. A little hot. This should really improve over the next 3-5 years.
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3/5/2014 - Cadby wrote: 97 Points
2009 Quilceda Creek Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon +++++ $150
Ink, pencil-lead, menthol. lengthy yet nubile. Omnipotent tannins
http://8wordsonwine.blogspot.com/2014/03/2009-quilceda-creek-columbia-valley.html
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1/31/2014 - Vino Me wrote: 94 Points
Opened by Dave at the Peking Duck House offline in NY. As expected, this had a big structure with firm tannins at only 5 years old but was not as closed as I first suspected. On the nose it showed a little alcohol but that mellowed with a little air. Creamy texture. Young primary fruit with chocolate, charcoal and black fruit notes. I liked this better than the 2000 or 2002 and about as much as the 1994. 94+ points.
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1/11/2014 - JJB1 Likes this wine: 94 Points
this wine opened up beautifully but needs a few more years in the bottle. Still a great experience.
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12/25/2013 - shadow wrote: 97 Points
First snif, smells like rutherford dust from Napa way, take a sip, smooth, full round of cab flavors all checking in, tanins are just below the fruit where they should be
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7/10/2013 - peterk wrote: 95 Points
Same as last summer: primary tannin overpowers the fruit initially, but venturi aeration and 4 hours in the decanter helped. Gorgeous wine with incredible power and fruit. Wait, I say knowing that I won't.
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6/28/2013 - soyhead wrote: 93 Points
nose - sweet oak
mouth - licorice, chocolate, chocolate covered blueberry, cassis. delicious and big. needs time.
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6/28/2013 - spaciello wrote: 100 Points
Exceptional! I can't believe how good this is at such a young age!
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6/24/2013 - forcumba Likes this wine: 95 Points
With filet mignon. While young, also drinking well already - great bouquet, young fruit, and hearty tannins with a lengthy finish. Tasted against the '08 and while this wasn't the winner, it was a phenomenal wine.
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1/19/2013 - The13thGryphon Likes this wine: 94 Points
Plum, blueberry, blackberry, tobacco, licorice, toasted oak and spice. Very smooth and well balanced, with truly velvety tannins. Long, long, long on the finish. This is a glorious Cab with a luscious mouth-feel.
This wine was ranked as the No. 60 wine of the Top 100 for 2012, and given 96 points by Wine Spectator.
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11/11/2012 - GZ3 wrote: 98 Points
The duck did not die in vain when paired with this monster.
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8/10/2012 - Matt Scott wrote: 97 Points
Decanted for three hours, utilizing a funnel. The nose is extremely diverse: Plum (a true Quilceda CV trait), blueberry, licorice, sweet tobacco, red licorice, toasted oak and spice. A chamber-filled palate of scrumptious and velvety tannins. Purity and balance, with an aftertaste of mixed fruit. Still primary, however, delightful at the same time. The lingering tannins are very attractive; I am reminded of the fact that Quilceda is truly the Aphrodite of Washington Cabernet. A better '04. Drink 2016 - 2037.
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8/5/2012 - peterk wrote: 95 Points
This is fabulous wine. The tannin is still way primary and overpowers the fruit a bit. But I acknowledge that I didn't give this enough time in the decanter. Maybe try another bottle soon but let it sit in the decanter overnight! But I won't wait for the years that this wine may need.
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7/14/2012 - Mondial wrote: 93 Points
smell was concentrated. Taste was initially refined, very smooth. Finish left me cold. For a wine and vintage rated this highly, I was a little disappointed. Great wine, but I was hoping it would be a memorable one.
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5/13/2012 - atubbs wrote: 98 Points
Closed tight for hours (with decant) on the first day, really opened up the second day. Don't have detailed notes handy, but this was quite nice, indeed.
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5/13/2012 - traderspartan wrote: 96 Points
It has all the right stuff for the score to go up a few points, needs a bit more time for the tannins to become less primary and to integrate with the massive fruit and minerality.
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4/27/2012 - bothellwineguy wrote:
Tasted at a wine shop tonight:
Color was opaque and almost black, seemed to be full of particulates.
Nose was a bit restrained with cherries, dark fruits, plums and sweet tobacco. Caught some leather and a bit of cinnamon in there as well.
Taste was medium to full bodied, wrapped in a minerallic and nicely integrated tannic structure that was full of ripened black cherries, plums and other dark fruits (blackberries, Osoberry, etc). I also picked up the slightest hint of chocolate and raisins.
Finish was medium with a pleasantly dry cherry palate accompanied by a good mineral structure that lasted a while, but I wouldn't call it a long finish by any means.
This wine is obviously young and should age for a while before it is opened, though if you have to, it isn't too bad right now.
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3/13/2012 - pdemaio wrote: 95 Points
Nose still tight. Cherry, red rasberry and baking spice. Extracted but elegant and restrained. Medium to full body. Moderate and very well integrated acids. Very long finish. Very polished. Pdq94-95.
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3/11/2012 - garambler wrote: 94 Points
Friends and I tasted this at the release party on 3/11/12. It had a deep, ripe and layered bouquet of blackberry, blueberry, black currant, burnt toast, charcoal, sage and spice aromas. The palate was dense, balanced, layered and tasty with flavors that followed the nose. The fruit flavors were also slightly roasted.
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3/10/2012 - skifree wrote:
Tasted at release party. QC popped and poured the wine. Very sweet, with lots of chocolate and baking spice. Fine tannins evident at the end. Excellent.
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3/10/2012 - Gargamel wrote: 95 Points
tasted at the release party, so not decanted. it took a lot of swirling for the nose to start to open up, but as it warmed a bit the typical quilceda fruit profile started to emerge. started with a dose of heat but as the wine warmed in glass, the heat balanced a bit better with the fruit. to me this was similar in approachability as the 08 vintage, but seemed to have just a touch more tannic structure. this would be my pick of the most well rounded vintage of the last three. this was my third trip to the release, and the first time the flagship cab clearly outshined the red wine upon release. 94-95 points, hard to call it.
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3/6/2012 - suttonri wrote:
Popped & poured & good to go. Dark purple in color with a nose that just screams young cab fruit. Plenty of blueberries & cassis on the palate with baking spice laden oak keeping stride with the generous fruit extract. Flavors deepened and intensified with pan seared strip steaks. If you have these, drinking one young with no decant is time well spent.
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