2009 Quilceda Creek Columbia Valley Red Blend

Quilceda Creek's 2009 Red Wine ‰ÛÒ which includes 15% of Merlot and near-negligible amounts of Malbec, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc ‰ÛÒ nicely integrates preserved walnut, toasted pecan, and green herbal elements into a matrix of cocoa powder, chocolate syrup, and confitured dark berries. There is a hint of heat to the finish of this plush, plump offering, but neither that nor the wines torrefied elements detract from a torrent of sweet berry juiciness, nor preclude a sense of energy and a dynamic interaction of myriad elements. I suspect, based on intuition as well as reliable reports ‰ÛÒ although I have scarcely any personal experience as yet with older Quilceda Creek wines ‰ÛÒ that this will remain well worth following for at least a decade. (DS)