2004
Quilceda Creek
“CVR” Red Wine
Valley Red Wine. From the beginning, this bottling has benefitted from the seriousness of the selection process we developed to choose the grapes for our flagship Cabernet Sauvignon releases. Grapes from younger vines, and barrels not used for that blend, are redirected into our Columbia Valley Red Wine, our bottling dedicated to producing a high quality, high value wine intended for early drinking.
Our CVR receives 22 months in French oak. In 2004, it was 81 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 13 percent Cabernet Franc, and 6 percent Merlot, all sourced from the blocks farmed for us in the Champoux, Ciel du Cheval, Galitzine, Klipsun, and Tapteil Vineyards. It is an engaging wine, one of the best Red Wine we’ve made to date. We produced 2,100 cases.
Paul Golitzin, Director of Winemaking
92 points
"The Golitzins describe 2004 as "difficult." There was a winter freeze (which wiped out much of the production in nearby Walla Walla Valley), more wine was declassified than normal, and it was a high yield vintage. Nevertheless, the beat went on at Quilceda Creek. The 2004 Red Wine is a blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Cabernet Franc, and 6% Merlot from declassified fruit and may be considered a second label. Purple-colored, it gives up a toasty nose of vanilla, violets, cassis, black currants, and blackberry. This leads to a rich, layered, black fruit-flavored, and smoothly textured wine that offers considerable elegance. There is enough ripe tannin to support 3-4 years of further evolution and it should drink well through 2022. It is an excellent introduction to the style of Quilceda Creek."
90 points
"($35; 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Cabernet Franc and 6% Merlot) Good deep ruby-red. Sexy aromas of plum, chocolaty oak and spicecake. Suave, fat and sweet, with a lovely layered texture to the plum and milk chocolate flavors. Very harmonious use of oak here."