KYSELA PERE ET FILS, LTD.

"Beautiful fruit concentration with blackberries, blackcurrants, dark chocolate and red licorice. Encompassing and wide on the palate. Waves of plush, finely grained tannins come through, pushing the depth and unveiling dark fruit that is ripe and delicious. Salty undertones, too. Beautiful now, but better after 2026."

- James Suckling (April 2023), 98 pts

"Dynamic and rich, with a sumptuous structure and detailed blackberry, toasty mocha, clove and other dusky spice flavors, which build polish and energy toward fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2032. - Tim FISH."

- Wine Spectator Insider (August 16th 2023), 96 pts

"Another magical Cabernet Sauvignon from this team, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley comes from a blend of sites and is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon brought up mostly in new French oak. This vivid purple-hued beauty offers a kaleidoscope-like array of red and black currants, spice box, lead pencil shavings, crushed stone, and assorted tobacco and leafy herb nuances. These carry to full-bodied Cabernet with incredibly purity of fruit, building tannins and structure, flawless balance, and a monster of a finish that won't quit. It should keep for 20-25 years with no issues.

This is unquestionably another brilliant set of releases from Quilceda, and these 2018s show the classic opulence this estate is known for backed up by beautiful purity and lots of underlying structure. In addition, their CVR Cuvee remains one of the great values in Cabernet Sauvignon out there."

- Jeb Dunnuck (May 2021), 98+ pts

"Aromas of black raspberry, dried herb, cherry, incense, cranberry and spice explode from the glass. The flavors undulate across the palate, creamy in feel, with layer upon layer of fruit and barrel flavors. It is completely seamless, with outrageous balance—the quintessential hammer in a velvet glove. The finish carries off into the distance. Best after 2032. - SEAN P. SULLIVAN"

- Wine Enthusiast (September 2021), 98 pts

"The capsule of the 2018 celebrates the 40th vintage, otherwise unnoted specifically to keep the consistency of the label. The nose is soft and delineated with lifted dark red and black fruit essences that waft with a delicate floral lift. Showing a softer and compact frame that delivers fine and focused aromas, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon packs complex layers in the nose, with a fresh bouquet of red and purple flowers, violets, lilac and sakura before overflowing with a fruit bowl of aromatics, including black raspberry, black cherry and juicy plum with blackberry nuances, all shining through with a thoughtful frame of French oak tones. Medium to full-bodied at 14.8% alcohol, the palate bursts with precision and finesse and there's an elegant frame that offers lively acidity and succulent, fine-grained tannins. The 40th vintage marks a brilliant success for Quilceda Creek, attaining a lighter chassis that captures the same magic without being overly generous. The 2018's tighter frame has allowed the wine to express layers of beautiful dark red fruit flavors and supple oak spices that make the wine slightly spicy with cinnamon essence while offering the same precision without any sacrifices to the overall experience. Ultimately, the wine glides to a remarkably long and textured finish that will last for a couple of decades. Bravo! This is another successful vintage for Quilceda Creek. Run, don't walk to get this into your cellar! - Anthony Mueller"

- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (April 2021), 98 pts

"This is really gorgeous with crushed berries, currants and dark chocolate. Really aromatic. It’s full-bodied and soft with precise tannins and great length. Such polish and balance. Plush and focused. Lovely freshness. Subtle and complex. Sophisticated. Beautiful center palate. Pure cabernet sauvignon. So drinkable now, but will age nicely."

- James Suckling (May 2021), 98 pts

"The 2018 vintage marks the 40th Anniversary for Quilceda Creek, and the Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is another absolutely thrilling release to add to the long list of sensational wines this iconic Washington Estate is known for. As this slowly begins to unwind in the glass it releases gorgeous aromas of blackberries, dark plums and Crème de cassis that are accented by graphite, violets, herbs, sweet spices and mocha which all take shape beautifully. The palate is full-bodied, concentrated and incredibly fresh, with a round polished texture and a dense layered core of ripe dark fruits that expands seamlessly into the lavish finish. While the 2018 is already stunning to drink in its youth, it should ultimately go on to have a brilliant future ahead and evolve gracefully for at least two decades. - J. D'Angelo"

- International Wine Report (November 2020), 98 pts

"A dynamic red, impeccably structured yet rich and harmonious, with expressive blackberry and black tea flavors laced with a hint of tobacco, which builds tension toward big but polished tannins. Drink now through 2033. From Washington. - Tim FISH."

- Wine Spectator Insider (January 26th 2022), 95 pts - #9 "Top 100 Wines of the Year"

"This is as good as it gets for Washington Cabernet Sauvignon. Right away the gorgeous crème de violette and crème de cassis tones join blackberry cordial, exotic spices and dark chocolate shavings. The combination of finesse and texture is downright scintillating. Sweet pipe tobacco is woven together with Black Forest cake, and fresh blueberries and graphite with shades of tar take shape on the palate. Truly sensational even at the three year mark, this will provide drinking enjoyment over the next 20 plus years. Drinking Window 2021 - 2040"

- Decanter (April 2021), 100 pts

"The flagship 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley is all Cabernet Sauvignon brought up in new barrels (mostly Taransaud and Darnajou). Beautiful crème de cassis, graphite, spice box, and lead pencil notes all flow to a full-bodied, soft, elegant wine that has beautiful tannins, no hard edges, and a seamless texture. It shows the more upfront, charming style of the vintage and is already hard to resist. Nevertheless, it should easily evolve for 20+ years."
- Jeb Dunnuck (April 2020), 97 pts, #29 TOP 100

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"The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Colombia Valley is a beautiful wine and has a more classic profile than the more sexy, massive 2015. Beautiful notes of creme de cassis, lead pencil shavings, graphite, dried herbs, and loamy earth all flow to a full-bodied, incredibly pure and perfectly balanced Cabernet Sauvignon that has no hard edges, a deep, concentrated mid-palate, good acidity, and a great, great finish. It reminds me of the 2002 with its uber classic, balanced yet broad and powerful style."
- Jeb Dunnuck (April 2019), 98+ pts

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"Combines polish with a firm, complex structure, offering blackberry, black olive and smoky accents that build richness toward fine-grained tannins. Best from 2021 through 2027.—T.F."
- Wine Spectator Insider (April 2019), 93 pts

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"The flagship is the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon, 100% Cabernet Sauvignon mostly from Champoux with the balance from Palengat and Wallula vineyards. Crème de cassis, graphite, black licorice, unsmoked tobacco, and hints of chocolate and emerge from this beauty and it continues to gain depth and nuance with time in the glass. Full-bodied, deep, and layered with an incredible purity and elegance on the palate, it's already accessible but has more than enough tannin, depth, and balance to evolve for two decades or more."
- Jeb Dunnuck (April 2018), 99 pts

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"The 2015 Quilceda Creek Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a total beauty and the most compelling red wine that I have tasted from this vintage in Washington. The fruit was sourced from the Champoux (roughly 70% of the fruit), Palengat, Wallula and Lake Wallula Vineyards. While this designates Columbia Valley AVA on the bottle, it is primarily a Horse Heaven Hills wine. This instantly impresses as it begins with inviting aromas of crème de cassis, pencil lead and black tea with a touch of red cherry compote on the nose, which continue bring you back to the glass. On the palate this is silky smooth, and marvelously coats the mouth with layers of ripe dark fruits. Lightly tannic, the wine slowly unveils blueberry compote, blackberry cobbler, mocha, and crème de cassis flavors that continue to build. There is a seamless quality to this wine really shines through and impresses with every lingering sip. The minerality, weight and overall presentation of the wine is simply astounding, as is the long, lingering finish, which is marked by beautiful ripe black fruits and lovely minerality. This is a truly monumental effort in a vintage that proved to be challenging due to severe heat spikes throughout the summer growing season."
- International Wine Report (December 12th 2018), 98 pts
#36 in the Top 100 Wines of 2018

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"This hails from Champoux, Lake Wallula, Palengat and Wallula Gap Vineyards. The aromas draw you into the glass, evoking anise, blackberry, black raspberry, graphite and exotic spices. The flavors show intense depth, richness and hedonism, and the finish seems endless. Best from 2029–2036. - Sean P. Sullivan"
- Wine Enthusiast Magazine (September 1st 2018), 96 pts
#74 in the Top 100 Cellar Selections of 2018

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"This sets itself apart with concentration and poise, delivering the layers of fruit depth that great cabernet wines possess. The palate's impressively built on layers of ripe, fleshy fruit and superbly cut tannins. Holds long and regal. This is great wine. Drink or hold for 10+ years."
- James Suckling (December 2018), 96 pts - #78 - TOP 100 AMERICAN WINES OF 2018

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"(made without press wine; Paul Golitzin referred to this wine as the estate's "extra virgin olive oil"; 100% new oak): Bright ruby-red; not hugely saturated. Sexy scents of cassis, blackberry and violet. Wonderfully fine-grained black and purple fruit flavors are quite primary without being at all hard. Boasts terrific inner-mouth energy and clarity of flavor. The very slowly building whiplash of a finish offers a strong element of spicy lift and terrific grip. This beauty should be long-lived, but even today it's not austere.- Stephen Tanzer"
- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (October 2017), 96 pts

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"Refined and structured, with expressive dark berry and toasted clove aromas and richly layered plum, stony mineral and thyme flavors that gain depth toward polished tannins. Drink now through 2026. From Washington.—T.F."
- Wine Spectator Insider (April 2017), 94 pts

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"The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon is another tour de force from this estate that's reminiscent of first growth Bordeaux from a vintage like 2009. Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and aged in new barrels, it offers incredible notes of blackcurrants, graphite, lead pencil shavings and crushed rocks in a full-bodied, decadent, insanely layered and seamless style. This beauty possesses ultra-fine tannin, no hard edges and a forward, already hard to resist style, yet it's going to keep for more than two decades. - Jeb Dunnuck"
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #231, June 2017), 100 pts

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"I think the wine of the vintage, the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon from the Columbia Valley is flat out sensational, and flirts with perfection. Its inky ruby/purple color is followed by incredible notes of cassis, black currants, smoked herbs, licorice and graphite. These give way to a full-bodied, utterly seamless Cabernet that has full-bodied richness, ultra-fine tannin and a killer finish. While it possesses the elegance and purity of the vintage, it has a stacked mid-palate, and deserves 4-5 years of cellaring. It will have two decades or more of overall longevity."
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #225, June 2016), 99 pts

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