Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

 

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Quilceda Creek
Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
  • Vintage : 2020
  • Country : USA
  • Region : California
  • Subregion :
  • Type : Red
  • Style : Deep Full Bodied
  • Format : 75cl
  • Alcohol : 14,8°
  • Grappes : 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

An iconic Washington State Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2020 vintage from Quilceda Creek offers depth, power, and aromatic precision with remarkable structure and age-worthiness.

Experts Score Vintage
RP Robert Parker 98 2020
JS James Suckling 98 2020
JD Jeb Dunnuck 96 2020
DCT Decanter 96 2020
VN Vinous (Antonio Galloni) 96 2020
WS Wine Spectator 96 2020
More information on wine critics and ratings

Region and Vineyards

This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from Columbia Valley, Washington’s premier AVA, known for its long growing season, dramatic diurnal shifts, and volcanic, gravelly soils. These conditions promote excellent phenolic development, natural acidity, and intensity of flavor. The region's latitude, similar to Bordeaux, offers extended daylight hours during the ripening season, allowing for slow, even maturation.

Quilceda Creek has long emphasized complete control over its vineyard sources, employing precision viticulture to achieve the highest possible grape quality. The 2020 vintage was shaped by a growing season of small berry sizes, leading to naturally low yields and a higher skin-to-juice ratio. This resulted in wines of exceptional density, concentration, and aromatic complexity. The estate’s commitment to detailed farming and site selection is evident in every glass.

Winemaking

The 2020 vintage is composed of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, aged for 22 months in 100% new French oak barrels sourced from elite coopers Darnajou and Taransaud. This intensive oak regime contributes a fine-grained structure and a luxurious overlay of spice, toast, and richness to the already powerful fruit core. After barrel aging, the wine rested for an additional 10 months in bottle before release to ensure full integration.

Director of Winemaking Paul Golitzin, nephew of Quilceda Creek’s founder, upholds a style that is both opulent and impeccably balanced. No fining or filtration is performed, preserving the wine’s purity and character. The house style is defined by bold extraction, polished tannins, and a seamless marriage of fruit and oak—qualities that have earned Quilceda Creek numerous 100-point scores and a cult following among collectors.

Tasting Notes

  • Color: Deep, opaque ruby with a near-black core and vivid clarity.
  • Aroma: Aromatically complex with blackberry, blueberry, and plum layered over sandalwood, anise, and black walnut. Accents of hoisin sauce and cocoa nibs add depth.
  • Palate: Dense and richly textured with compact layers of dark fruit, exotic spice, and a core of polished tannins. The finish is long, structured, and luxurious, promising exceptional aging potential.

Did you know?

Quilceda Creek, founded in 1978, was one of the first Washington wineries to focus exclusively on Cabernet Sauvignon. It has received seven 100-point scores from Wine Advocate, more than any other North American Cabernet outside of Napa Valley. This consistent excellence has positioned it among the most revered cult wineries in the U.S., and the 2020 vintage continues that legacy with poise and precision.

Wine Pairing Ideas

  • Roast venison loin with juniper and blackberry sauce: Matches the wine’s bold fruit and spice with gamey elegance.
  • Beef short rib with espresso glaze: The wine’s richness and oak warmth echo the meat’s deep, slow-cooked character.
  • Duck magret with hoisin glaze: Resonates with the wine’s dark plum, cocoa, and Asian spice notes.
  • Aged cheddar or Fourme d’Ambert: Offers a savory, salty contrast to the wine’s concentration and polished texture.

Robert Parker (RP) : 98 Points (2020)
The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon opens with a lush, silky, rich, round nose with fresh and ripe notes that seduce and delight. Full-bodied, fresh and yet still tight, the wine offers a balanced structure and lifting tannins that elevate the mid-palate followed by juicy, fruit-forward layers and delightful oak spices. The Cabernet continues to show its depth and breadth, compounding its natural beauty. The Cabernet lingers on the ever-evolving, food-friendly finish and will benefit from another two years of bottle aging. The wine rested for 22 months in 100% new French oak.

James Suckling (JS) : 98 Points (2020)
Beautiful fruit concentration with blackberries, blackcurrants, dark chocolate and red licorice. Encompassing and wide on the palate. Waves of plush, finely grained tannins come through, pushing the depth and unveiling dark fruit that is ripe and delicious. Salty undertones, too. Beautiful now.

Jeb Dunnuck (JD) : 96 Points (2020)
The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley is all Cabernet Sauvignon that's mostly from the Champoux Vineyard, with 10% from the Mach One Vineyard, which was planted in 2012. A big, ripe, opulent red, it has terrific aromatics of black currants, smoked tobacco, graphite, and loamy earth, medium to full-bodied richness, a round, opulent mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and a heady finish. It doesn't match the all-time greats from this team, but it’s deep, rich, and clearly up with the crème de la crème of the vintage.

Decanter (DCT) : 96 Points (2020)
Aromas of dark fruit and sandalwood announce this Cabernet, a blend of 5 clones, with 90% coming from the iconic Horse Heaven Hills site of Champoux Vineyards and the remainder from the Quilceda estate vineyard, Mach One perched above the Columbia River. Complementary bright florals deliver a real freshness and balance to the wine's aromatic profile. The palate is a study in balance and nuance if not finesse. Bright red and black fruits are interplayed against notes of graphite, tomato leaf and refreshing notes of wintergreen. (CP) (8/2023)

Vinous (Antonio Galloni) (VN) : 96 Points (2020)
The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley opens slowly. At first dark and understated, it gains lovely floral perfumes with each passing swirl of the glass, as rose-tinged black raspberries evolve, laced with nuances of sandalwood, lavender and dark, dark chocolate. This floods the palate with an elegant wave of ripe red and black fruits complemented by sweet exotic spice, all expertly lifted by a core of zesty acidity. The 2020 leaves balsamic nuances, with clove and cherry liquor, while tapering off lightly structured with fine yet silky tannins. The balance and energy here is remarkable for such a powerful young wine. The 2020 hails from 90% Champoux to 10% Mach One Vineyard’s. (EG) (10/2022)

Wine Spectator (WS) : 96 Points (2020)
This compelling red is rich and polished yet impeccably structured, offering expressive blackberry, espresso and clove flavors that build tension and texture toward refined tannins.

Wine regions guide
295,00 €
Quantity : Moins     Plus
 
 
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