2002 Quilceda Creek Merlot Washington
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Tasting notes
Containing 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2002 Merlot (200 cases) offers a deep, inviting aromatic profile of sweet cherries and flowers. Medium to full-bodied and hugely concentrated, this wine broadens on the palate to reveal a suave, pure, rich core of red cherries, blackberries, and hints of cassis. Pure, well-structured, and persistent, it displays wonderfully round, almost melted, tannin in its impressive finish. Drink it over the next 12-15 years. Congratulations Alex and Paul, welcome to the big leagues. Tel. (360) 568-2389; www.quilcedacreek.com
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Full red-ruby. Captivating, pungent nose melds black raspberry, redcurrant, pomegranate, minerals and milk chocolate. Lush, suave and minerally; broad and dry. Nicely perked up by tangy pomegranate and cranberry notes. Finishes with chocolatey oak and firm tannic spine. Elegant and distinctive merlot, blended with 25% cabernet sauvignon. Shows little obvious sign of the 14.9% alcohol.
(the wine's 75% merlot comes from Champoux Vineyard, with 25% cabernet sauvignon from Klipsun; aged entirely in new Taransaud barrels) Full ruby-red. Explosive, perfumed aromas of black raspberry, cassis, minerals and chocolatey oak. Fat, supple and aromatic in the mouth, with flavors of plum, black cherry and chocolatey torrefaction. Lush and deep, with impressive body and personality for American merlot. Finishes very ripe and long, with sweet, fine-grained tannins. Promises to be the best merlot to date from this elite producer, but there will be only 100 cases of this juice.
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.