2018 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon

BY ERIC GUIDO |&nbsp;SEPTEMBER 19, 2022There are very few wines that I personally seek out year after
year. For a wine to become a recurring purchase for my cellar, it takes a
proven track record, unparalleled quality among peers, vintage-to-vintage
consistency and relative value. The Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon is such a
wine, even with a steady price increase over the past ten years. Labeled simply
with the Columbia Valley AVA, this dark beauty actually hails from two
vineyards, both located in the more-defined Horse Heaven Hills AVA within
Columbia Valley. Ninety percent of the blend is sourced from the highly
regarded Champoux vineyard, with the 10% balance coming from the Mach One vineyard
that sits 50 feet up on a plateau above the Columbia River. The 2018 is a
gorgeous expression of the vintage, showing radiance mixed with fruit intensity
and energy that will promise two decades or more of pleasurable
evolution.&nbsp;<img alt="" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.vinous.com/uploads%2F1663358309436-CF_September192022_article.jpg">World-class by any definition, the 2018 Quilceda Creek Cabernet
Sauvignon makes a strong statement for Washington state and the vintage
itself. It is captivating and exotic from the first tilt of the glass; a dusting
of crushed violet mints gives way to vivid blackberry accentuated by dried
citrus peels, steeped ginger tea and rosy dark chocolate. This radiant beauty
impresses further with seamlessly silken textures. Stimulating acidity dazzles the
senses, adding both verve and a mid-weight spiciness to the mix, while keeping
things wonderfully fresh despite the masses of mineral-inflected black fruits
within. The finish goes on and on, as silky tannins frame the wine without
hindering its momentum. Currants, blueberry and hints of graphite keep me coming
back to the glass for more. Readers can enjoy the 2018 now with a good decant; however,
having followed this for over 24 hours, I am sure that the best is yet to come.
The 2018 is a towering effort, that also marks the 40th vintage of Quilceda
Creek’s Cabernet Sauvignon. 98/Drink 2024-2040. <div></div>© 2022, Vinous. No portion of this article may be copied, shared or re-distributed without prior consent from Vinous. Doing so is not only a violation of our copyright, but also threatens the survival of independent wine criticism.

Content

Engage

Vinous

Social