2022 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley

The head-turning 2022 Quilceda Creek ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon has 10% Mach One Vineyard fruit blended in, with the remainder coming from the famed Champoux Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA. The nose is beyond alluring with toasted walnut and gorgeous purple rose petals that combine with boysenberry cordial, Turkish coffee and shades of dark licorice. The crazy complex aromatics bring you back to the glass for more enjoyment. Pillowy and opulent on the mouth, the seamless texture leads alongside outstanding weight and finesse. This is a perfect wine in a vintage that shows what can be accomplished in a slightly cooler year. Savor this remarkable achievement over the next twenty plus years to come. ~100 Owen Bargreen

The 2022 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from Quilceda Creek is another release for this exceptional Cabernet, which was sourced from Champoux and Mach One. It begins with captivating aromas of ripe blackberries and red/dark currants, intertwined with nuances of crushed florals, graphite, tobacco, and a touch of licorice all unfolding as it opens. On the palate, the wine showcases a rich, full-bodied character, perfectly structured with finely polished tannins that create an incredibly smooth and seamless texture. The balance between power and finesse is remarkable, with concentrated flavors harmonized by a subtle, refreshing acidity that brings a lift to the experience and extends through the luxurious finish. While already impressive in its youth, this Cabernet promises to age gracefully for decades. Quilceda Creek continues to define excellence in Washington Cabernet, and this release is a testament to their well-earned reputation. ~99 Int. Wine Review

The 90% Champoux grapes in the 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley contribute classic Cabernet aromatics of sandalwood and dried herb, while the full-bodied palate builds a richness of raspberry and cassis. (The other 10% of the grapes are sourced from Mach One.) The texture and tannins are elegantly polished, beautiful, and sexy, the oak providing a frame for the wine but not impeding otherwise. With a lengthy finish, it should easily age another 20-30 years. ~98 Jeb Dunnuck

This delivers a broad spectrum of aromas, from very pure, perfectly ripened dark fruit, including back cherries, currants and wild blackberries, to stoney, mineral nuances, spice box, fine cedar and a touch of graphite. Beautiful texture. It shows tense and compact but very fine, almost silky tannins on a full and broad palate. Classy and very precise. Very long. 90% Champoux vineyard and 10% Mach One vineyard. Better from 2029. ~98 James Suckling

A minty flourish gives way to dusty blackberries, lavender, violets and hints of crushed stone as the delicate and refined 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley blossoms in the glass. Elegant and silken in form, this impresses most for its graceful persona, more red fruit than black, as a crunch of minerality adds traction throughout. The 2022 comes across as totally classic, leaving fine-grained tannins to flex upon the palate as blue and purple inner florals resonate over tinges of sweet spice and dried blueberries. This is a gorgeous interpretation of the vintage, yet patience is required." ~ 97 Vinous Media