Quilceda Creek - Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 (750ml)

Wine Advocate 100 points

My top pick from the estate this year is the 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Palengat Clone 685 coming from their Mach One vineyard. Big, juicy and generous with fresh florals that entice and seduce the nose, the Palengat bottling is pure with picturesque juicy dark red, black and blue fruit tones that sing in immaculate harmony along with aromas of potpourri, sweet cherry blossom, plum compote and elegant brown baking spices. Full-bodied, finessed and incredibly floral, the palate provides impeccable balance with succulent acidity and fine-grained tannins that melt away, revealing an elegant and gorgeous mouthfeel that provides profound pleasure. For those who think that all 2020 wines from the American West Coast were ruined by fire, think again. This mind-blowing and absolutely stunning Cabernet will prove you wrong. Only 930 cases were made. Good luck finding some!

Vinous, Against All Odds: Washington State’s 2020s and 2019s (Mar 2023) (3/1/2023)
(Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley Washington Red) "The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley opens slowly. At first dark and understated, it gains lovely floral perfumes with each passing swirl of the glass, as rose-tinged black raspberries evolve, laced with nuances of sandalwood, lavender and dark, dark chocolate. This floods the palate with an elegant wave of ripe red and black fruits complemented by sweet exotic spice, all expertly lifted by a core of zesty acidity. The 2020 leaves balsamic nuances, with clove and cherry liquor, while tapering off lightly structured with fine yet silky tannins. The balance and energy here is remarkable for such a powerful young wine. The 2020 hails from 90% Champoux to 10% Mach One Vineyard’s. (Drink between 2026-2040)"  96 points