Washington Weapon: Quilceda Creek Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Tasting Notes

Opaque purple-black in the glass. Aromas of crème de cassis, black cherry compote, juicy blueberry with hints of Turkish coffee, violet, sandalwood, and licorice. On the palate: concentrated dark fruit intensity, dense yet weightless, with fine-grained tannins, saline sparks, graphite and mocha underpinning the finish. Power meets precision. 

Meet the Winemaker

Top-tier Cab coming out of Snohomish, WA—Quilceda Creek sources all fruit from elite Horse Heaven Hills and Red Mountain AVAs. Headed by Paul Golitzin, heir to a legacy shaped by André Tchelistcheff, this winery has repeatedly delivered perfection in a bottle. Small production, global reputation. 

Wine Specs

• Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon 

• Vintage: 2021

• Region: Columbia Valley AVA (90% Champoux Vineyard, 10% Mach One Vineyard; Horse Heaven Hills & Red Mountain fruit) 

• Aging: 20–22 months in 100% new French oak barriques 

• ABV: ~14.9% 

• Bottle Size: 750 ml

• Serving Temp: 16–18 °C; decant for at least 2–3 hours for peak complexity

Critic Reviews

• Owen Bargreen: 100 pts — “The 2021 Quilceda Creek ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon… embodies perfection… arguably the finest Columbia Valley Cabernet ever made.” 

• Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate: 98+ pts — “Big, bold, boisterous… fresh, juicy attack with ripe fruit tones and plenty of oak… layered and complex, balanced acidity and fine-grained tannins.” 

• Jim Gordon (James Suckling): 98 pts — “Mint, black fruit, cinnamon, sandalwood, blueberry and floral notes… beautifully integrated fine tannins.”

• Jeb Dunnuck: 100 pts — “Unquestionably up with the greatest vintages of this cuvée ever made… rich, full-bodied, velvety textured.” 

Food Pairings

• Dry‑aged beef rib‑eye or grilled lamb chops

• Braised short ribs with rosemary jus

• Aged Comté or classic Pecorino with balsamic drizzle

• Mushroom‑dusted pasta or truffle tagliatelle

Why You Need This Bottle

This is Washington Cabernet at its apex. The 2021 Quilceda Creek Columbia Valley delivers vineyard-driven intensity, serious structure, and world-class polish—without the Napa price tag. It’s the bottle that flexes quietly but leaves a mark.

This isn’t shelf-rumpling juice—it's collector-level. Add Quilceda Creek 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon to your cart now—free shipping when applicable and with VIP club perks included. Decant it, drink it, or stash it—legend status awaits.