TN: A couple of Washington Cabs (Quilceda and 21Grams)

WINE TALK
1
  • 1994 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, Washington (8/11/2010)
    This was a pretty typical example of 1994 Quilceda. Classic violets on the nose, bright and high-pitched. There is also a fair amount of cedar, perhaps more than I am used to with this wine. Clean palate, pure, austere, firm, and still quite tannic. Alex Golitzen has often criticized this wine as being too tannic, and this is one of the first examples where I agree with him. It’s starting to dry out a bit too miuch. (92 pts.)
  • 2007 21 Grams Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley (8/11/2010)
    Impressive young juice. Not entirely sure it is to my liking but it is impressive nonetheless. Huge nose of oaky cheddar cheese, seriously, intensely oaky in fact. The first thing that greets you is a wall of blackberry that moves towards a slightly more tart element of raspberry. I quite like the underlying freshness. Supple and suave, there are evident tannins, but this is gorgeously balanced. Really so much lovely raw material. Savory and spicy with nice black currant, but then this is subterfuged by raw oak. From the handful of 2007’s I have tasted, this is going to be a truly special vintage in Washington. And while this has amazing potential, why did they oak it so heavily? (91 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker on GrapeStories.com

2

I think the 21 grams is a well-made wine- but it is definitely in a bigger, oakier style. Collaboration of Grammercy Cellars and Waters. It should improve quite a fair bit I think- I don’t care for the price much though. I would like to try it again though- I only had it at the tail end of a wine-dinner and would like to try again on a fresher palate.

3

Somewhere along the way, it became a belief with American Cabs that the top offering had to be screened in new oak. It was defined as opulence or elegance. It is in fact completely out of character for Waters and Gramercy to offer this style. Ironically, of all of their offerings, 21 Grams is actually my least favorite.

4

If I am not mistaken the price of the wine is due to the fact it goes to a charity of the Painter who designs the label and has the awesome artwork that is displayed at the winery.