2004 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Washington
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Tasting notes
Becoming tertiary and slightly funky with dried black fruit aromas, the 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon also has dusty plum and elements of dried herbs with sweet oak essences on the nose. The wine also wilted violets and lilac elements with notions of high-toned dark red fruit flavors of black raspberry, wild strawberry, currants and crème de cassis. With a full body and elements of tree bark and forest floor on the palate, this wine shows oddly more appealing than the 2005 at their current states. This 2004 is performing beautifully for its age and is among the highlights of the 20-year vertical. Remaining incredibly stable, I believe the 2004 will last longer than the 2005 bottling. Completely stellar and surprising! Bravo!
Critic scores
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
(includes 3% merlot and 1% cabernet franc) Good deep red-ruby. Knockout nose offers deep notes of plum, currant, truffle, chocolate and smoky oak lifted by violet and lavender. The palate projects a nearly confectionery sweetness and huge dimension but with lovely energy giving it a rather suave texture. This has the chocolatey character of all the Quilceda 2004s. The sweet oak element helps to give the wine shape. Finishes with plenty of acid grip and ripe tannins that reach the incisors. This easily carries its 15% alcohol.
(with 3% merlot and 1% cabernet franc) Medium ruby. Aromas of cassis, black rasperry, smoke, mocha, coffee and tobacco; still a bit suppressed by SO2 Sweeter and fatter today than the 2003, with a distinct chocolatey flavor, but in its muted state this lacks the high notes of the earlier vintage and shows less obvious spine. But the terrific breadth of the wine is already obvious, and the finish is pliant and long, with building, ripe tannins.
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.