Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley 2012

98 points Jeb Dunnuck (Wine Advocate): "The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon is brilliant. Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, mostly from the famous Champoux Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills, it was aged all in new oak and bottled unfined and unfiltered. It offers a captivating bouquet of black cherry liqueur and cassis-like fruit, Asian spice, coffee bean and lead pencil shavings to go with a full-bodied, ripe, seamless and hedonistic style on the palate. One of the more approachable, opulent examples of this cuvee, it has no hard edges, plenty of tannin and a massive, heady finish. Give it 2-4 years in the cellar and enjoy bottles through 2032. (Jun 2015)"

98 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (The Wine Independent): ""A hard freeze had taken out a lot of vines in our Champoux Vineyard in 2012," said winemaker Mark Kaigas. ""So, this vintage has more fruit from Red Mountain." Deep garnet in color, after a little swirling, the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley reveals the most beautiful perfume of iris bulb, rose bud tea, Morello cherries, and anise, giving way to a blackcurrant jelly and plum preserves core. The palate is full-bodied and powerful with a refreshing backbone to balance and firm, fine-grained tannins, finishing long and fragrant. Alcohol 15.2%. Drink: 2024-2045. (3/12/25)"

98 points Jeb Dunnuck: "A classic wine from this estate, the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon gives up tons of lead pencil shavings, toasted bread, sweet black currants, and graphite in a pedal-to-the-metal, rich, locked and loaded style. Possessing no hard edges, full-bodied, richness, no weight and a killer finish, this tour de force in Washington State Cabernet will drink brilliantly for another two decades or more. Drink: 2020-2040. (1/10/18)"

96 points and 'Top 100 Wine of 2015 (#2),' Wine Spectator: "Polished, focused and generous, with red plum and cherry flavors in an elegant package, framed with fine tannins. A savory, meaty note runs through this at a subterranean level. Lingers beautifully. Drink now through 2028. (9/23/15)"

95+ points Stephen Tanzer (Vinous): "(15.2% alcohol): Bright, deep, dark ruby. Penetrating aromas of dark berries, violet, minerals and fruity tropical dark chocolate. Boasts outstanding intensity without any rough edges, showing superb thrust and grip to its youthfully powerful flavors of blueberry, minerals and spices. Finishes with huge tannins that dust the front teeth without coming off as dry. The pH here is around 4.0, according to Paul Golitzin, but this spectacular young Cabernet boasts plenty of energy and is likely to be long-lived. Drink: 2021-2038. (Nov 2015)"

95 points and 'Top 100 Cellar Selections 2015 (#56),' Wine Enthusiast: "All Cabernet from Champoux, Klipsun, Palengat and Wallula vineyards, this wine offers aromas of blackberry, incense, blueberry, pencil lead and barrel spices. On the palate, it’s tightly wound with black fruit flavors and a firm backbone of tannins. The oak is primary right now. It needs extended time in the cellar to show itself fully, and will be best from 2022-2030. Alcohol 15.1%. (Nov 2015)"

Producer notes: "The 2012 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley is a seamless wine that coats the entire palate with copious amounts of blackberry, blueberry and cassis fruit with complex soy, smoke, graphite, spice and mineral undertones. All of this deep and rich fruit is perfectly complemented by additional floral suggestions of Hyacinth and Lavender. This classic wine should age effortlessly for 20+ years. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Barrel aged 20 months in 100% new French oak."