Not a lot of talk about the 2023 Quilceda Creek release.
Big scores as always:
100-pointsInternational Wine Report , Nov. 2025 100-pointsOwenBargreen.com , December 2025 98-pointsVinous , October 2025 98-pointsThe Wine Palate , December 2025
At $160 per contemplating but a lot of releases hitting right now and I don’t know if QC excites me like it once did but I haven’t opened a bottle in years.
Anyone in?
The 2023 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is nothing short of extraordinary. This vintage highlights our Champoux Vineyard fruit quality and why this vineyard is so special with its unique purity and sense of place. Blackberry, plum, and cassis are intertwined with nuances of sandalwood, black tea, walnut, and exotic spice. A stunning wine.
Quilceda Creek Columbia Valley is my “rock of Gibraltar” for Washington State Cabernet Sauvignon. Good vintage or challenging vintage, it never disappoints. This is the one Washington State wine I will buy until the day I die.
BTW, I’m sitting on 1 bottle each of QC Sauvignon Blanc Horse Heaven Hills 2020 and QC Columbia Valley ‘White Wine’ 2020, the only white wines QC has ever made or (states that it) intends to make, with the proceeds going to Ukraine relief. Has anyone opened theirs yet?
Had a disappointing delivery experience with my my 23 CVR order so not so sure I want to risk it on this $160 wine. The CVR delivery was during high heat, 80-85 degrees if I remember correctly, and spent 10 hours on the UPS truck. I had to email them 3 times before a response and then it was the generic “wine should be fine if the cork is not sticking out”. They don’t offer a climate controlled nor ice pack option so I don’t really want to take the risk for such a nice wine. It’s a shame as I really do like their wines.