2008
Quilceda Creek
“Galitzine” Cabernet Sauvignon
In this, our fifth vintage of the Galitzine Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, we rose above the average weather conditions and made a highly structured wine for the ages. Late bud break, a small heat spike in May, and just a little rain stressed our grapevines just enough to delay the bloom and give them a little development time. September was warm through harvest and the fruit came into the winery at a consistent ripeness level.
We made the 2008 Galitzine with 99 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 1 percent Merlot (sourced from the Palengat Vineyard). On the nose, the wine again falls on the savory side of the equation: espresso, cocoa powder, tobacco, and asphalt, while in the mouth its succulent Galitzine black fruits are supported by dense, silky tannins that lead to a long, rich, powerful finish. It has been drinking well since release but has been hitting its stride over the past five years and should continue to evolve for at least another decade.
Paul Golitzin, Director of Winemaking
99 points
"The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley is made up of 88% Champoux Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Quilceda Creek is a partner in the vineyard), 10% Red Mountain Cabernet, and 2% Merlot from the Palengat Vineyard. As good as the Palengat cuvee is, the flagship Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley takes it to another level. A slightly brooding bouquet displays aromas of sandalwood, exotic spices, incense, violets, and wild berry notes. On the palate it has extra layers of fruit, exceptional complexity, impeccable balance, and a 60-second finish.
At Quilceda Creek it's the same old story, great wines made by unpretentious people. The Golitzins decline to raise prices because they feel loyal to the people who supported them from the beginning and who might not be able to afford connoisseur/collector pricing. As for the latest wines, they regard 2008 as "a regular vintage with no issues; you could pick at your leisure". They are considerably more excited by the 2009 vintage which they describe as "wines with tons of aroma - really good" which, given their understated manner, I interpret to mean really terrific. For this tasting, the 2009s were all tasted from barrel samples. "
98 points
"The 2008 Galitzine Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon contains 1% Merlot. It proffers a brooding aromatic array of toasty oak, Asian spices, incense, a hint of sage, violets, and assorted black fruits. More structured than the preceding wines, "No doubting it's Red Mountain" say the Golitzins, it has plenty of ripe tannin more than balanced by loads of succulent fruit, exceptional density, richness and power. Give it 5-6 years and drink it from 2016 to 2033."
97 points
"More pure and focused than the 2009, with a slightly closer to the vest feel, the 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon shows the cooler nature of the vintage and has incredible detail, purity and freshness to its aromas and flavors. A blend of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Merlot that spent 22 months in 100% new French oak, it offers classic black currant, spice box, coffee bean, violets and exotic spices to go with an ethereal, layered and seamless palate that delivers massive amounts of fruit and texture without any apparent weight. I thoroughly enjoyed it now, yet it will age for decades. Drink now-2033. "