Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim. Not showing much age.
Beautiful and complex nose with black plums, black currants, black cherry compote, cedar, light vanilla, licorice, dark chocolates, black tea, tobacco leaf, earth, dark coffee and black pepper.
Medium plus in body with medium acidity.
Dry on the palate with black currants, black plums, cooked cherries, oak, licorice, earth, tobacco leaf, peppercorn, herbs and mediterranean spices.
Long finish with round tannins and tangy cherries.
This 13 year old Merlot still feels young, but already gorgeous. Elegant and nicely balanced, with great complexity, especially on the nose. Feels like a Napa Cabernet Sauvignon at this point.
Still showing lots of fruits with big tannins to carry it for the long haul. Will continue to age nicely in the next 15 years. Has good potential to become a 96 point wine.
Needs 30 minutes in the glass to open up properly.
Robert Parker 100 points.
A great sipping wine that will also pair nicely with food.
A blend of 89% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 3% Malbec. Aged in all new French oak barrels for 15 months.
14.1% alcohol by volume.
94 points.
$450. — 9 days ago
Fun & easy sipping! — 5 months ago
Delicious dark fruit with rack of lamb — a year ago
Nice to taste this Santa Maria Valley bottling alongside the Sta. Rita Hills one. Riper, darker fruits profile but there is still freshness here. Oak is more prominent. Earthier as well with light mushroom and tea leaf notes. Plush palate.
This is a more complex and deeper wine. But I prefer the Sanford bottling slightly. — 3 years ago
From Gretchen — 7 years ago
Smooth tannins, medium acidity, medium+ bodied. Blackberry, cassis, and violet on the palate, with underlying layer of earthy cloves and anise. Maybe some slight hints of bay leaf and sage as well. Very tasty, although a little lacking in complexity on the palate. Day 2 update: the sage and bay leaf are coming through much more on the palate. It’s a lovely combination with the fruit. — a month ago
Initially a strange aspect to the nose which hopefully will blow off. An oxidised note which is not apparent on the palate. Last time I tasted this wine 5 years ago I raved and gave it a 98 point score. This time that slightly irritating note on the nose but that same gorgeous palate. 97% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot. I imported several vintages of Quilceda Creek from an outlet in San Francisco (Vinfolio) many years ago and this was my last bottle. Have never seen it offered in Australia but back in the day I was mightily impressed. 100 💯 points from Robert Parker. — a month ago
A good representation of Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir, this bursts with a juicy core of ripe red cherry, wild strawberry, and a hint of pomegranate with distinct savory undertone of fried herbs and forest floor. Plush and approachable now, but should age well for the next 5-8 years. — 8 months ago
My last bottle from the defunct yet memorable winery.
Smells so delicious, like a fruit yogurt
This drinks like it is fresh, with blackberry bramble, subtle and unique red fruits tucked behind the leather ones.
Tannins are still very gripping, and the acidity tames it back. A touch of heat and its off to the races! — 3 years ago
Absolutely amazing wine, well rounded with a vanilla finish. Lawwd!!! — 7 years ago
Leigh and I really liked this and want to buy again! — 7 days ago
Deep Ruby. Med+ Intensity. Blackberry, black plum, black cherry, smoke, cinnamon, vanilla, bell pepper. Med+ Acid and (fine) tannins. Med Alcohol (13.5%). Very good. 2022 in 2026. — a month ago
Jan found it in Santa Barbara. We had it around the fire pit — a year ago
#AgedWineTuesday
Here is a fabulous 99 point wine by Robert Parker.
Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim.
Great nose of blueberries, blackberries, black currants, plums, cooked cherries, cedar, earth, vanilla, Mediterranean spices, espresso, cola, light herbs, chocolates, tobacco and black pepper.
Full bodied, smooth and elegant, with medium acidity and long legs.
Dry and fruity on the palate with blackberries, black cherries, figs, cedar, chocolates, vanilla, licorice, spices, tobacco, herbs, light earth, cola and peppercorn.
Long finish with round tannins and tangy cherries.
This is a gorgeous Cabernet Sauvignon based Bordeaux blend from Napa Valley.
Showing nice balance and a great mouthfeel. Round and rich. Elegant and smooth.
This 22 year old still has a lot of power in it, and will continue to age nicely in the next 5 to 10 years.
Good right out of the bottle, and better after 2 hours of airtime.
So soft and powerful, with a great nose. This is a gorgeous wine right now.
A blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot and 3% Malbec. Aged in all new French oak barrels for 24 months.
13.9% alcohol by volume.
96 points.
$250. — 3 years ago
Nice and light, not too sweet, with lovely notes of peaches and apricots, exactly as described on the bottle! — 6 years ago
Ming L
The nose shows generous ripe blueberries, blackberry compote, and a hint of violets, layered with cured meat and cracked pepper. On the palate, it's full body with a slightly jammy feel. Ripe and opulent. Not as balanced as the previous vintages I tasted. — 23 days ago