2017 Quilceda Creek Columbia Valley Red (CVR)
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Tasting notes
Bright red-ruby. Expressive aromas of blackcurrant, dark raspberry, blueberry, licorice, menthol, cedar and tobacco leaf. Juicy, fine-grained and quite firm on the palate, showing a bitter chocolate quality to its sweet, plush dark berry and fresh herb flavors. Wonderfully harmonious for a second wine, as there are no obvious signs of overripe fruit. Finishes dense, firm and suave, with a smooth dusting of building tannins and excellent chocolatey length. Drink now or hold.
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
A blend of 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc, the 2017 CVR Columbia Valley Red Wine jumps out of the glass with aromas of dusty red cherry skin, luscious baking spice, dark plum and cassis. Full-bodied, the wine still has the same attention to detail as its bigger brothers in the range, just at a keener price. In the mouth, the CVR offers up structured tannins with energetic acidity, subtle spice with red and black berry tones. The wine concludes with a delightful and lingering finish. Just under 7,000 cases produced.
The 2017 Columbia Valley CVR is smoking stuff. Based on 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot, and 1% Cabernet Franc sourced from the Champoux, Galitzine, Palengat, and Wallula Vineyards, it has loads of cassis, toasted spice, graphite, and dried tobacco notes as well as full-bodied richness, a broad, expansive mouthfeel, and sweet tannins. It’s not far off the top releases here, and it remains a stunning value in world-class Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink it any time over the coming 15 years or more.
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.