1998 Quilceda Creek Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
SKU #1044183
96
points
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Blackberry jam, juniper berries, and spices can be found in the rich aromatics of the stunning, dark-colored 1998 Cabernet Sauvignon. A wine of awesome breadth, width, concentration, and power, this full-bodied beauty is crammed with lush layers of blackberries, plums, and cassis. This offering's prodigious fruit envelopes its copious silky tannin. Additionally, it displays an extraordinarily long finish. Drink it between 2005 and 2016.
(12/ 2002)
95
points
Wine Enthusiast
*Editors' Choice* After 'fiddling around,' as he puts it, with blends in his ’96 and ’97 cabs, winemaker Alex Golitzin decided to go with straight Cabernet in ’98, an exceptional vintage for Washington State. This is a tight, focused effort, with powerful black fruits augmented with herbs and spices and a hint of mineral. Young, tart and tannic, it will continue to improve as it knits together over the years.
(6/ 2002)
94
points
Wine Spectator
Dense, deep and powerful, a many-layered red that piles on its rich currant, plum, black cherry and peppery spice flavors, finishing with touches of cedar and mint. A glorious, cellar-worthy Cabernet with plenty of superrefined tannins.
(11/ 2001)
93
points
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
Saturated medium ruby-red. Deep aromas of redcurrant, strawberry, blueberry, loam, tar, smoke and minerals; as ripe as this is, it also conveys a suggestion of sappy, crystallized fruits. Large-scaled, fat and rich, with compellingly sweet, superripe berry and dark chocolate flavors of outstanding depth. The big tannins reach the front teeth yet are lush and soft. This has the palate presence and sheer ripeness of an elite Napa Valley cabernet from a top vintage, and at least as much structure for aging.
(10/ 2001)