Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley 2015
| Country: | United States |
| Regions: | Washington Washington (Columbia Valley) |
| Grape Type: | Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Winery: | Quilceda Creek Vintners |
The 2015 growing season was the warmest ever recorded in Washington State. We achieved sufficient shoot growth early in the season to provide the fruit shading during the hottest June days. We have also installed overhead misters in all of our vineyard sites to cool the fruit, if needed, to produce the finest grapes we can grow, regardless of extreme weather. Almost all of our Cabernet Sauvignon achieved its final ripening under perfect, mid-70 degree Fahrenheit temperatures in October. The results were very small and concentrated berries full of flavor and freshness.
The 2015 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley is a truly majestic wine with great purity, class and breed. The wealth of blackberry, blueberry and black cherry fruit is remarkable, with hints of spring flowers, cocoa powder, roasted herbs, forest floor and minerals. This wine will have a large drinking window due to the seamless integration of all its elements. Drink now through 2037. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon.
- Paul Golitzin, Director of Winemaking
Review:
"The flagship is the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon, 100% Cabernet Sauvignon mostly from Champoux with the balance from Palengat and Wallula vineyards. Crème de cassis, graphite, black licorice, unsmoked tobacco, and hints of chocolate and emerge from this beauty and it continues to gain depth and nuance with time in the glass. Full-bodied, deep, and layered with an incredible purity and elegance on the palate, it's already accessible but has more than enough tannin, depth, and balance to evolve for two decades or more."
- Jeb Dunnuck (April 2018), 99 pts
The Quilceda Creek Vintners Estate
The winery was founded in 1978 and is dedicated exclusively to produce world-class Washington State Cabernet Sauvignon.
“Alex Golitzin, nephew of famed enologist André Tchelistcheff, focues on Cab alone with spectacular results; cult wines sold via mailing list.” - Anthony Dias' blue pocket guide to wine 2006
"Quilceda Creek Vintners remains a model of consistency. In the outstanding 2005 vintage, Quilceda Creek’s Cabernet Sauvignon remains the benchmark for what can be achieved in Washington and the United States. Some good news from the winery is that beginning with the 2006 vintage, there will be a new vineyard designate, a Cabernet Sauvignon from the Palengat Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA. The vines are only 7 years old but the potential is enormous as a taste from barrel attests." - Wine Advocate (Issue 177, July 2008)
The Quilceda Creek Vintners Vineyard
The grapes are sourced from 5 different vineyards: Champoux, Ceil du Cheval, Klipsun, Tapteil, Galitzine Estate, all in Benton City. They produce Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Columbia Valley Red Wine.
CLOSEOUT!
Les Pieds dans les Galets Chateauneuf du Pape Rouge Vieilles Vignes is made from 60% Grenache Noir, 30% Mourvedre and 10% Syrah.
Fruity : on the red and fresh fruits (strawberries, raspberries, cherries...) - Spicy (pepper) – Intense and rich flavours, as to the nose as to the mouth, on the red fruits. Real beautiful balance and freshness. Excellent tannic structure which provides a wine with a particularly good ageing potential.
Made from 80 years old vines (the oldest vines are 100 years old).
They are using temperature controlled tanks in order to keep the must at 30°C during fermentation.
The winemaking process lasts about 20-25 days before starting the Ageing Process in oak kegs.
100% of the wine goes through Malolactic Fermentation.
The wine is bottled without filtration.
Pairs wines:
- red meats (lamb, beef, ...)
- game (duck, rabbit, ...)
- cheese
– traditional cooking, as a meal made of seasonal vegetables, a beautiful piece of meat and a creamy or spicy sauce with some mushrooms.
Review:The 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Pieds dans les Galets Vieilles Vignes delivers raspberry and garrigue notes, a medium to full-bodied palate and supple, velvety tannins. It's really drinkable, a far cry from super ripe and highly extracted examples of the appellation, but it's still delicious and a pure joy to drink, now and for the next decade. - Joe Czerwinski Wine Advocate 92 Points
The wine is reminiscent of a northern Rhone wine that is fermented with 2% Viognier, which lifts the aromas of pepper, spice and dark fruit. This full-bodied wine finishes with fine tannins and structured spicy fruit. It should be aged for 3 to 8 years.
- back
What this vineyard captures, more so than any other Pinot Noir site that I have tasted, is both power and elegance. Bright and forceful Bing cherries and dark berries along with the slightest hue of roasted coffee bean on the nose. Immediate and broad textured tannins cover the palate as flavors of black raspberries, licorice and black tea leaves unravel. Oak-inspired overtones of crispy charred marshmellows and fall spice with balance acids elongate a finish that reverbs for hours.
What this vineyard captures, more so than any other Pinot Noir site that I have tasted, is both power and elegance. Bright and forceful Bing cherries and dark berries along with the slightest hue of roasted coffee bean on the nose. Immediate and broad textured tannins cover the palate as flavors of black raspberries, licorice and black tea leaves unravel. Oak-inspired overtones of crispy charred marshmellows and fall spice with balance acids elongate a finish that reverbs for hours.
The Soberanes Vineyard is the latest exciting joint venture between the Pisoni and Franscioni Families. The site features tightly spaced vines and is planted to 33 acres of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah and sits on the Santa Lucia Highlands Bench adjacent to the Garys' Vineyard. The clonal material planted in the loamy, rocky soil is very diverse and features over a dozen of the most renowned heritage selections from California and Burgundy in pursuit of the finest wine quality.
Review:
The vineyard is famous for producing ripe, luscious Pinots stuffed with massive fruit. Many wineries have dipped into it over the years. Krutz’s rendition is dry, balanced and full-bodied, with relatively high alcohol framing raspberry, cherry, cola, red plum, exotic spice and sandalwood flavors. It should age well through 2020–2022.
- Wine Enthusiast 92 Points
Trouillet Lebeau Pouilly-Fuisse Aux Chailloux is made from 100% Chardonnay.
Tasting Notes: Red juice orange flavors, spices. Ample in the mouth, rich and full, with fresh finish on citrus fruits.
Excellent with poultry and fresh water fish. Delicious also with goat cheeses.
