2012 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Palengat Vineyard
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Tasting notes
(100% new oak): Inviting aromas of blackcurrant, black raspberry, plum, Belgian chocolate and graphite minerality. Plump, round and mouthfilling; seriously dense and silky, showing enticing lift to the flavors of dark berries, licorice, graphite, lavender and cocoa powder. Finishes very long and vibrant, with big but fine-grained tannins and a repeating note of cocoa powder. Incidentally, the Palengat vineyard features the Golitzins' densest planting, at 2,410 vines to the acre.
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
A single-vineyard blend of 59% Merlot, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, the 2012 Palengat Vineyard offers a deep, decadent style to go with classic blackberry liqueur, blueberry, graphite, toasted spices and licorice. A big, beefy, layered and full-bodied effort, it has building tannin, a supple mid-palate and terrific length. It should evolve nicely for 2-4 years and hold for a decade or more after that.
About the producer
Founded in 1978, Quilceda Creek helped put Washington Cabernet on the world stage. Mentored by André Tchelistcheff, the family-owned winery became renowned for its powerful, age-worthy Cabernets and was the first U.S. winery outside California to earn 100 points from Wine Advocate.