2021 Cabernet Sauvignon

Quilceda Creek knocked their 2021s out of the park. These may not be the utterly classic 2018s or the radiant yet edgy 2019s, instead, the 2021s excel through their sheer energy and vivid fruit. These wines have tannins and structure. I have no doubt they will enjoy a long life in a cold cellar. The 2021 bottles I tasted were opened almost two days prior and double decanted–and yet, each one was remarkably fresh. Personally, I find the 2021s to be a breath of fresh air; with their high-toned aromatics and lively personalities, these are not the big, dark, brooding giants that some recent vintages have produced. They are instead transparent to terroir and classic to the core. Speaking of terroir, expect to see the quantity of Tchelistcheff Cabernet Sauvignon (Clone 412) grow in the coming years (2024-2025) up to 1,000 cases as new parcels enter maturity. This is great news for collectors who love the dark, haunting, often savory depths of this bottling.