2010
Quilceda Creek
“Galitzine” Cabernet Sauvignon
The 2010 Quilceda Creek Galitzine Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon offers incredibly deep aromas and flavors of blackberry and cassis fruit, violets, anise, sage, smoky cedarwood embers, tobacco, vanilla bean, and minerals. We followed our regular élevage regimen by ageing the wine in 100 percent new French oak barrels for 22 months, but in this vintage, rather than use a dollop of Merlot or Petit Verdot, we opted for a different blend from our family-owned vineyards: 98 percent Cabernet Sauvignon from Galitzine and 2 percent Cabernet Sauvignon from Palengat Vineyard. Although still 100 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, combining fruit from the two sites brought some additional complexity and aromatic lift to the finished wine. Even with the dash of Palengat Cabernet, this wine stands as a wonderful example of the Galitzine Vineyard terroir, showing what can be accomplished in the Red Mountain AVA. It’s drinking beautifully now, and can be enjoyed through 2030.
Paul Golitzin, Director of Winemaking
97 points
"Even more concentrated, structured and dense than the Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Galitzine Vineyard (99% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Merlot[sic] all from the Red Mountain AVA) delivers an incredible array of black currant, dark chocolate, cedar, tobacco and assorted spring flower-like nuances that give way to a massively concentrated, tannic and structured 2010 that has brilliant mid-palate depth, integrated acidity and a pure, detailed and energetic texture that carries through the finish. As with the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, this is more fun to taste than to drink presently and needs 5-6 years or more of bottle age to round into form. It too will have two to three decades or more of ultimate longevity. Drink 2018-2035.
This line up was one of the highlights of my trip through Washington and without a doubt, this awesome estate, which is run by Paul and Alex Golitzin, is producing some of the top Cabernet Sauvignon blends in the state, and I would venture, the world. While all of the wines are incredibly age-worthy, the tannins are so well managed and the textures so polished, they dish out immense pleasure even in their youth. The estate's top cuvee, Paul's Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon comes primarily from the warmer Champoux Vineyard located in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA, yet also incorporates smaller components from Ciel du Cheval, Klipsun, Tapteil and Galitzine. It sees roughly 22 months in 100% new French oak."