97
James Suckling - Wine Spectator
Wonderful, perfectly ripened red fruit and dusty roses on the nose. Medium- to full-bodied with very fine tannins. Fresh and juicy mid-palate with flavors of blood oranges and cherries. Very approachable and refined. Drink or hold.
96 Jeb Dunnuck - jebdunnuck.com
An incredible value for the quality, something not all producers at this level would be willing to do, the 2023 CVR Red Wine is a beautiful, full-bodied wine that overdelivers on its price point. Silky smooth tannins coat red fruit, making for a supple, exceptionally integrated, generous wine that shines a light on the exceptional grapes at play this vintage. Blending 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot (more than usual as the producer did not make a varietal Merlot this time), and 3% Petit Verdot from younger vines, it’s in the exceptional years like this one, both bountiful and of highest quality, that a wine like this is worth every penny. Drink now and over the next 10-15 years.
96 Owen Bargreen - OwenBargreen.com
This 2023 edition of the ‘CVR’ is 84% Cabernet Sauvignon with 8% Cabernet Franc blended in from the Champoux Vineyard with 5% Merlot and the remainder Petit Verdot. This benefited considerably from a long decant, offering black rose petal aromatics that combine with shades of anise, dark currants, pencil lead and sweet pipe tobacco. The palate is soft and elegant with a silky mouthfeel and great sense of weight — showing off the warmth of the vintage. This shows slightly better than the brilliant ’22. Drink 2025-2035
96 Jeremy Oliver - International Wine Cellar
The 2023 Quilceda Creek CVR Red Wine from the Columbia Valley opens with clarity about its composition, built around 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, supported by 8% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot, and 3% Petit Verdot. The wine immediately shows its pedigree with a luminous ruby-purple core that hints at both vibrancy and depth. Aromas rise gently from the glass, shifting from marionberry to black plum before settling into notes of cedar-tinged herbs and faint chocolate. On the palate, the tone moves toward earthier territory, carrying ripe black fruit woven with smoky spice and a touch of black pepper that elongates the finish. The medium-plus body, framed by moderate tannins and gorgeous acidity, keeps the wine lively while still showcasing its structure. The blend feels cohesive, layered, and beautifully measured, showing the precision that marks Quilceda Creek's style. 4400 cases were made.
