TN: 2015 Pahlmeyer vs. 2017 Quilceda Creek

WINE TALK
1

Thought I better write this down before I forget it.

Both wines were decanted approximately 2 and half hours. The Pahlmeyer was singing and elicited that coveted ‘WOW’ on initial taste. It’s a beautiful wine with a light style featuring blueberries and raspberries swirling. Great fruit throughout and just complex enough. This wine would blow the socks off a novice drinker. 95+

Now from reading all of your quotes on Quilceda Creek you need to cellar it for quite a while. Well, I never tasted Quilceda Creek before and decided to pop this 2017 to see how it stacks up against the Pahlmeyer. A completely different style. This is big and the initial taste is of dark fruit with a monster transition that is a bit on the oaky side. Yes, you can and probably should cellar this thing for a while but oh wow is it a powerhouse. It was definitely able to edge the Pahlmeyer which was showing beautifully but in a completely different fashion. While the Pahlmeyer would be a perfectly executed classical music piece the Quilceda Creek would be a rock solo that then has the drums come in blowing you away with sheer force. It is darker, edgier, and different but I can see why one person may prefer the more traditional Pahlmeyer while someone else might prefer the edgier and more modern Quilceda Creek. 96

There is no loser here.
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2

Interesting comparison, wouldn’t have ever guessed Pahlmeyer as restrained compared to Quilceda, although I haven’t had either in years (would have thought the other way)

It’s not a fair fight though, that pahlmeyer is out of a magnum :slight_smile:

3

Not sure if you are kidding or not, the Pahlmeyer 750 just is that big.

The Pahlmeyer maybe wasn’t restrained but just lighter in body and fruit. It’s still big for its style. A beautiful wine.

1 Like
4

It looks like you live in a castle!

Great notes. It’s a different perspective than we usually get around here on wines like this, and that’s a positive thing.

QC does get more integrated when it gets to 10-20 years of age. It retains the same fundamental style, and certainly doesn’t become traditional or classical, but it’s not so overwhelming and it’s more knit together.

5

I had the same thought as Robert: look at the bottle size difference! (Joseph, I’m positive Robert was joking and taking a jab at the ridiculous Pahlmeyer bottle). Thanks for posting the TNs…fun comparison.

6

Hey Joseph
Of course I was joking , knew the pahlmeyer was big but next to the QC it’s ummm, very apparent. Thanks for the notes, it’s nice to see a modern comparison these days [cheers.gif]

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When the bottle was picked up to clean up the person holding it thought it was still full.[cheers.gif]

I appreciate the kind words.

8

Thank you.

You can absolutely tell the QC will evolve beautifully over time into something a bit more elegant and sleek.

9

I have a couple bottles of 1999 & 2000 QC set aside to celebrate my daughters 21st birthdays.

My older daughter turns 21 on Sunday… I also have a 94 Opus One to share with her - I bought 2 bottles of this when she was born, and drank the first to celebrate her birth.

I’m thinking I will be drinking most of these, as they haven’t really learned to appreciate dry red wines…yet

Thanks for the notes

10

David,
I had the 2000 QC a couple months back and it was great but showing its age a bit
Color wise, slightly muted fruit but plenty of power.That Opus should be singing.

11

Thanks for the heads-up Mike. Younger daughter doesn’t turn 21 until May 2021

I presume you popped and poured??

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I did, it took a good 45 mins to start showing its stuff though. I have a magnum left of the 2000 so I’ll wait for a bit, that 99 should be great as well.
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