Winemaker's comments
The 2006 growing season started off as a wet spring with heat spikes toward the end of May and June reducing
vigor. This was followed by a hot July and a mild Sept/Oct with some light precipitation allowing the fruit
to come off the vine in great condition. After a very stringent selection of the best barrels, we were able
to produce a classic Cabernet Sauvignon.
The 2006 Quilceda Creek Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is an intense and floral wine
that is packed with violets, blackberry, cassis, plum and chocolate. The wine has sublime purity, texture
and balance. Approachable now, it should reach maturity around 2015 and age for 25 or more years. While
we are particularly proud of the last four vintages of our flagship wine, the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon
is one of the best wines our estate has ever produced, rivaling 2002, 2003 and 2005 in quality.
The flagship 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon comes predominantly
from the famous Champoux Vineyard in which the winery is a partner. It was aged
in 100% new oak. It sports a deep purple-color with a captivating nose of spice
box, sandalwood, truffle, Asian spices, incense, black cherry, and black
currant. Opulent on the palate (but elegant as well), it already reveals
serious complexity, density, and succulence of fruit. Enjoyable now but with at
least 8-10 years of cellaring potential, this marvelous effort should have a 30
year lifespan.
In 1990, in Issue 69, after tasting a complete vertical of Quilceda Creek
Cabernet Sauvignon, I wrote that the winery was producing Washington’s (and
possibly America’s) finest Cabernet Sauvignon. Little has changed in the
intervening years. The winery has been upgraded and the portfolio has been
expanded, while quality remains at the summit.
As a postscript, I was able to taste barrel samples of the 2007 collection. The
Golitzins describe it as an “exceptional vintage” a conclusion that I cannot
dispute. The latest releases are from the 2006 vintage, a bit more challenging
than 2005 or 2007, but a solid year by any standard. – 99 points by Wine Advocate
