2015
Quilceda Creek
“Galitzine” Cabernet Sauvignon
The 2015 Quilceda Creek Galitzine Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is brilliantly floral and intense. Blackberry and cassis fruit abound in this rich wine, along with nuances of roasted herbs, graphite, vanilla bean, soy, cinnamon, and cocoa powder. It is 95 percent Cabernet Sauvignon from the Galitzine Vineyard and 5 percent Cabernet Sauvignon from the Lake Wallula Vineyard, and was aged in 100 percent new French oak for 20 months.
The 2015 season was the warmest recorded to date in Washington State. Fortunately, we had sufficient shoot growth early in the season that provided shading for the fruit during the hottest June days. And we installed overhead misters in all of our vineyards to help keep the fruit cool, making it possible to produce the finest grapes we can grow, even as the weather hit new extremes. Almost all of our Cabernet Sauvignon achieved its final ripening under perfect, mid-70 degree temperatures in October. The grapes were very small and concentrated, full of flavor and freshness. This ensured focused flavors and long, silky tannins that will help this wine age gracefully through 2035.
Paul Golitzin, Director of Winemaking
98 points
"Deep inky plum/purple-colored with a huge nose of blackcurrants, singed herbs, black licorice, and scorched earth, this beast of a Washington State Cabernet has building tannin, a huge mid-palate, and a great, great finish. It needs to be forgotten for 3-4 years but will keep for 2-3 decades."