"Deep ruby-red. Sweet blackberry, cassis, licorice pastille and violet on the nose, plus a whiff of mocha. Very fresh flavors of crushed blackberry, bitter chocolate and menthol boast excellent definition and lift, with exotic floral and spice notes adding nuance. The most complete vintage yet for this bottling, finishing with suave, building tannins and complex notes of cocoa powder, dried flowers and incense. Not at all overly sweet. Especially remarkable in light of the fact that these vines were planted in 2001 and 2002."
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (Nov/Dec 2009), 94 pts
Go To Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Galitzine Vineyard
"The 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Galitzine Vineyard, located in the Red Mountain AVA, is 100% varietal. Dark ruby/purple in color, it delivers an enticing nose of pain grille, pencil lead, earth notes, spice box, violets, and assorted black fruits. On the palate it is dense, ripe, full-bodied, and structured. Still a bit tightly wound, it will reveal its full potential with another 5-7 years of cellaring. It will provide much pleasure from 2015 to 2026 at the least."
"This is a strikingly pure expression of single-vineyard, red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon. Focused and tight, it is extremely dense and textural, with a mix of cassis and coffee. Some of the minerality of the neighboring Ciel du Cheval vineyard is just beginning to show in the fruit from these young vines as well."
"Firm, with a light grip of tannins around a core of dark berry, currant, smoke and tobacco flavors. This has elegance and depth, with a welcome sense of reticence that doesn’t push the flavors too strong. Finishes very long, with a silky texture. Drink now through 2017."
"The 2007 Galitzine Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon contains 1% Petit Verdot. It offers up a splendid bouquet of toasty new oak, earth notes, espresso, incense, blackberry, and plum. A bit more structured than the Palengat cuvee, it is slightly denser, layered, and intense. This very lengthy effort will benefit from 5-7 years of cellaring and will offer a drinking window extending from 2015 to 2037."
"Another stellar showing from Quilceda Creek in 2012 is the Galitzine Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2012 is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the gravel soils and one of the hottest micro-climates in Red Mountain. As this opens in the glass it releases beautifully perfumed aromas and flavors of dark cherries, cassis, raspberry compote along with mocha, graphite, anise and pretty floral accents of rose petals. The viscous mouthfeel is rich and concentrated, backed by moderate tannins, ending with a long, mouth coating finish. This is an absolutely incredible Cabernet that is already absolutely delicious and also show wonderful aging potential. (Best 2017-2030) - OB"