Ratings & Tasting Notes:

97 points Wine Advocate
Review Date: 06/2013
Even more concentrated, structured and dense than the Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Galitzine Vineyard (99% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Merlot all from the Red Mountain AVA) delivers an incredible array of black currant, dark chocolate, cedar, tobacco and assorted spring flower-like nuances that give way to a massively concentrated, tannic and structured 2010 that has brilliant mid-palate depth, integrated acidity and a pure, detailed and energetic texture that carries through the finish. As with the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, this is more fun to taste than to drink presently and needs 5-6 years or more of bottle age to round into form. It too will have two to three decades or more of ultimate longevity. (JD)

Cult Wines International Notes:

The 2010 Quilceda Creek Galitzine Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is a profound expression of Red Mountain terroir, crafted during one of Washington State’s cooler and more challenging growing seasons. This vintage is particularly notable for its unique composition; while typically a single-vineyard bottling, the 2010 includes a small “dash” of fruit from the Palengat Vineyard (approximately 2%) to provide additional aromatic lift and complexity. Sourced from vines planted in 2001 and 2002, the wine reflects the intense heat and high-density planting characteristic of the Galitzine site, which often produces “punch-in-the-face” tannins that require the meticulous, gentle handling for which winemaker Paul Golitzin is renowned.

On the nose, the 2010 Galitzine offers an incredibly deep and “backwards” aromatic profile, featuring concentrated notes of blackberry, cassis, and licorice, woven together with savory hints of smoky cedarwood, sage, and minerals. The palate is massive and structured, yet it maintains a “suave” and polished texture despite its significant power. Flavors of dark chocolate, espresso, and Asian spices are supported by building, palate-staining tannins that have begun to soften with over a decade of bottle age. Critics have consistently praised this vintage for its “3-D texture” and “port-like” concentration, frequently awarding it scores in the high 90s. While it was quite tightly wound upon release, it has now entered a prime drinking window where its tertiary complexities of tobacco and forest floor are beginning to shine, with the potential to cellar through 2035.

Bottle Size:

750 mL

Storage History:

Always stored on its side in a climate-controlled cellar.

Condition:

Please note: The bottle shown is the exact bottle being sold.

Outstanding condition.