1995 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Washington

The dark ruby-colored 1995 Quilceda Creek contains 12% Merlot, a high figure for this Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated wine. It reveals an expressive, ripe, and violet-laced nose as well as wonderful layers of blackberry, red currant, cassis, and floral flavors. This medium-to-full-bodied, elegant and refined wine is intensely concentrated and flavorful, but certainly not on the level of the blockbuster 1994. In its youth this silky-textured wine is quintessential Golitzen, polished, precise, focused, and gracefully exhibiting highly-defined sweet fruit. It is certainly ageworthy, but I predict it will attain its peak of maturity earlier than its older sibling. Projected maturity: 2003-2010+. Bravo!