2009 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley
Market price
Buying options
Tasting notes
Opening with soft aromas of crème brûlée, dusty dried blackberries and aged cocoa powder, the 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon lingers in the glass with a firm nose and alcoholic lift. Full-bodied, the palate is slightly shy and seems to be emerging from the change, as it shows the first signs of mature elements with slightly stewed black and red fruit with a rocky essence and mineral tension, not previously seen in any of the other Cabernets of the 20-year vertical. Over the next year, as this wine fully transitions out of the change, it should continue to drink well through the rest of the 2020s. Decanting is recommended.
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Anthony Mueller, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
(includes 2% merlot, 90% estate grown fruit from Champoux, the rest from Klipsun and Tapteil): Deep ruby-red. Black fruits, licorice and sandalwood on the nose. Offers uncanny sweetness and depth, not to mention great breadth of texture to the plush flavors of dark berries, chocolate and expensive oak. At once chewy and seamless cabernet, finishing extremely long and smooth, with big but thoroughly suave tannins.
Pure and impressively expressive, with focused currant, plum, blackberry and black olive aromatics turning on the palate to a more complex profile, weaving in coffee, crème brûlée and chai tea notes, all wrapped in a polished texture. The finish doesn't want to quit.
(includes 2% merlot; 90% estate grown fruit from Champoux, the rest from Klipsun and Tapteil): Deep ruby-red. Black fruits, licorice and sandalwood on the nose. Offers uncanny sweetness and depth, not to mention great breadth of texture to the plush flavors of dark berries, chocolate and expensive oak. At once chewy and seamless cabernet, finishing extremely long and smooth, with big but thoroughly suave tannins. (ST)
About the producer
Founded in 1978, Quilceda Creek helped put Washington Cabernet on the world stage. Mentored by André Tchelistcheff, the family-owned winery became renowned for its powerful, age-worthy Cabernets and was the first U.S. winery outside California to earn 100 points from Wine Advocate.