Winemakers: Paul Golitzin, Marv Crum, Alex Golitzin Varietal: 97% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc Vineyards: Champoux, Ciel du Cheval, Klipsun, Tapteil Barrels: 100% New French Oak Time in Barrel: 22 Months Bottled: August 2004 Case Production: 3400 Cases

Quilceda Creek's new state-of-the-art winery facility. Photograph by Jim Fagiolo Used with permission

Winemaker's comments
This wine presents a delicate balance of power versus finesse showcasing nuances of lilac, sweet dark fruits, smoke, and Asian spices. We worked very hard to make this wine rival or surpass our 2001 Cabernet. By rigorously applying the finest viticultural practices to the vineyard, meticulously selecting the best fruit, and integrating these ingredients with gentle fruit handling we arrived at this classic, age worthy wine.
 

Reviews
2002 Cabernet Sauvignon

International Wine Cellar Review

"Bright, ruby-red. Pungent nose combines black raspberry, black cherry, and baking spices. Fat and sweet but primary; delivers and impressive blast of fruit. Not yet complex but this compellingly sweet wine shows a very refined texture. Finishes with ripe, building, very suave tannins and a strong flavor of chocolate. Offers great potential: will it equal the 2001?"
Score: 93-95

Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar Nov/Dec 03

Wine Advocate Review

"Unlike some minuscule production "cult" wines or luxury cuvees culled from a winery’s primary product that have earned perfect scores over the years, Quilceda Creek’s Cabernet Sauvignon is the winery’s raison d’etre and is produced in significant quantities (3,400 cases in 2002, 3,425 in 2003). For accomplishing this feat the Golitzins should be doubley proud. Dark ruby-colored and sporting a nose of violets, sweet blueberries, dark cherries and slight undertones of asphalt, the 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon blossoms on the palate to expose a wine of ethereal delicacy yet immense power. Medium to full-bodied, it expands to reveal concentrated layers of cassis, blackberries, red cherries, raspberries, violets, spices, and touches of candied plums. This rich, exquisitely balanced, sweet, and broad wine is harmonious, graceful, and awesomely long. Projected maturity: now-2022."
Score: 100

Pierre-Antoine Rovani
Wine Advocate, Issue 164, closing date 4-24-06

Wine Enthusiast Review

Quilceda Creek 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon (Washington); $80.00. Amazing density; the aromas billow up from the glass and weave together sinuously, taking you a on a magic carpet ride before the wine even hits your mouth. This wine has the power of a monster California Cab while retaining the subtlety of a first-growth Bordeaux. It is just a massive blast of dark fruit, incredible viscosity, silky textures, and soft herbs, pepper an spice. The oak--all new, all French--is unobtrusive and perfectly integrated. Cellar Selection. Score: 97

Wine Enthusiast December 15, 2005