The 2017 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon from the Columbia Valley in Washington is a complex and robust wine, crafted with precision and care. This wine is composed entirely of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes and is aged in 100% new French oak barrels, primarily sourced from the Taransaud and Darnajou cooperages. With an alcohol content of 14.8%, this wine presents a bold yet refined profile.
Professional reviewers have praised this vintage highly. James Suckling awarded it an impressive score of 97, describing it as "really juicy and savory" with "beautiful freshness and linear tightness." He noted the presence of flavors like "currants, coffee, and walnuts" while highlighting the polished tannins that make it both accessible now and promising for aging.
Jeb Dunnuck, also giving it a score of 97, emphasized its "beautiful crème de cassis, graphite, spice box, and lead pencil notes," appreciating its "full-bodied, soft, elegant" nature. Dunnuck highlighted its "seamless texture" and predicted it will "evolve for 20+ years," showcasing the wine's aging potential.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded it a 96, noting its "bold and structured" character with "layers of dusty blackberry essence and juicy plums." The review commended the wine's "rich, juicy and intense finish," suggesting that additional aging has allowed the tannins to round.
Other notable reviews include Vinous and Wine Enthusiast, both giving it a score of 96. Vinous praised its "very ripe aromas" and "outstanding palate-staining length," while Wine Enthusiast noted its "dense, focused, layered" flavors, suggesting it will be best enjoyed between 2030 and 2037.
In summary, the 2017 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon is a wine of outstanding quality, characterized by its depth, complexity, and potential for long-term aging.