Question for the Quilceda Creek Experts

WINE TALK
1

Those that have a long history drinking QC wines, I am curious if you have been diving into any of your 02/03/04 wines (IIRC those are the big 100 pter or near 100pt wines) and how you think those are aging versus older vintages…

Not a big drinker of QC but jason h’s note saying he popped and poured the 02 and it was terrific versus my experience about 18 months ago where I double decanted 4-5 hours prior to drinking before it really came alive…

Jason’s note seems to suggest this may be aging rather quickly…or at least coming to maturity rather quickly (it may hold there for years, but I don’t know)

2

I’m not touching anything, anytime soon that’s not 2000 or earlier.

3

I have had the 98 a couple times in the last few months and it is flippin awesome! Showing really well at this stage with the stuffing to go for another 5+.

4

Tony, the only QC I opened early was the 2001 which I opened in 2004. Like the others I am waiting on the 02-05’s. I did go to their release party for 03, 04 and 05 and tasted them. Based on that those tastings I decided not to open them early. As I said in the other thread, these wine IMO are better when they have some age on them. However, if you have enough of them, I would surely suggest you try one of the 02’s now.

I did have a QC 2005 CV red last year and it was good. The only complaint I had was it was a bit hot (alcohol) but otherwise I liked it.

5

Tried the '03 tonight and it wasn’t very good. First poor experience with this wine/this winery. Loads of oak, hot finish.

6

They have a definite “ugly duckling” phase where the oak and ripeness stand out. I am leaving my 2002-onward alone for now and starting to play more with 1999-2000. I even popped a 2001 the other night amidst a horizontal of Washington 2001’s and it was showing great. Pop and pour, I thought it would be hard as nails, but it was actually pretty fun.

7

Faux Hawk regularly pops 100 pointers on Tuesday evenings. That’s just how he rolls.

8

I was thirsty . . . this was probably better though: 2008 Ameztoi Getariako Txakolina Rubentis . . . not that I have any idea what you drink French Toast.

9

Yeah, when I’m thirsty, I go for a thick, high ABV WA cabernet, not a slightly spritzy Rosé. I find melted chocolate also satisfies my thirst quite well. Corn meal, too!

10

I would listen to Eric. He has been drinking them even longer than me. My rule is usually 10-12 years and a good decant. It is still hit or miss sometimes. [shrug.gif]

11

THAT stuff is THE real shit. I think it is the best Rose in the world outside of Tempier and a MUCH better deal at that.

12

You have the rule of thumb right. But starting with 1998 these have gotten a lot bigger and more ripe, so we are in slightly uncharted territory. However that 1998 does seem to be shaping up VERY well.

13

I’m not expert but…

The couple of older ones (93 and 98?) that I had at Eric’s place were quite nice (except for the corked one) :slight_smile:

I had an 05 last year that was boggdiddlyogglingly good. I think when they are really young they have what I like to call the ‘chocolate phase’…

Opened the 05 Galitzine Vineyard a couple weeks ago and it was a backwards tannic monster.

14

We had 1993, 1995 and a corked 2000. And then the next night I opened a mag of the 1995 too.

15

Gotcha… Mostly I just remember “yummy”.

16

Tony - I am not an expert, but I opened one of my '04’s about a week ago and it wasn’t even close to being ready. I have quite a few of them so I really was just checking in on it 5 years from vintage date, and I did a 3 hour decant and consumer it over the course of a leisurely meal at a high end restaurant. The flavors are there - it just needs more time sideways IMHO.

17

You forgot the blueberry also. [cheers.gif]

18

99+?

I ordered an 03 off of a wine list last summer in VT and the wine was cooked. Def a bad btl, but not far off of your impressions. I returned it.

19

Last year, a friend and I found the 1992 on a list for a steal ($80). Bought and drank both of them.

They were GREAT.