This year marks the 10th anniversary of Open That Bottle Night. Open That Bottle Night, created by Wall Street Journal wine columnists Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher in 2000, is the one night a year that we are all encouraged to get out that bottle of wine that is so special that no special occasion seems special enough to actually open it. It doesn’t have to be the most expensive or the oldest bottle that you own; it just has to mean something to you. Just open it already…and enjoy!

That’s exactly what the Wine Peeps did when we got together for dinner on Saturday and opened a bottle of 2004 Quilceda Creek Galitzine Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. For those of you who are not familiar with Quilceda Creek, it is generally considered the premiere winery in Washington State.

“The father-son team of Alex and Paul Golitzin are making, by anyone’s standards, as fine a cabernet sauvignon as anyone in the world. Their single-minded focus, their ability to make brilliant wine in virtually every vintage, and, most impressively, their unbroken track record of excellence are unparalleled. Nobody does it better.” –Paul Gregutt, Washington Wines & Wineries

Founded in 1978 and located in Snohomish, Washington, Quilceda Creek is a small, family-owned and operated winery that sources its grapes from some of the most prized vineyards in the state. Their flagship wine, the Quilceda Creek Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, is blended from Cab grapes from vineyards throughout Columbia Valley. It has received three 100-point ratings in the last four years from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate for the 2002, 2003, and 2005 vintages.

In 2001, Quilceda Creek purchased and planted their own Galitzine Vineyard on Red Mountain. This 2004 Quilceda Creek Galitzine Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon was the first release from their own vineyard. This single-vineyard Cabernet is 100 percent Cabernet Sauvignon that has been aged for 22 months in 100 percent new French oak barrels. It is excellent, and I am very excited to taste subsequent releases from Galitzine Vineyard as the wines should improve as the vineyard matures.

2004 Quilceda Creek Galitzine Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Red Mountain, Washington): 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Dark, inky color. Beautiful bouquet of blackberry and black currant aromas mixed with some beef jerky. Blackberry jam, smoked meats, and a hint of cotton candy come through on the palate. At 14.9% alcohol (maybe actually higher) it does seem just a bit hot. Full-bodied with high, but not harsh, tannins. Well-balanced, extremely flavorful and smooth with a very long finish. Gets better with food and the longer it is open.
Quality: 4.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Winery, $83

You might be wondering how an $83 wine can have a QPR rating of 5 bangs for your buck. Please keep in mind that the “most bang for your buck” does not always mean the lowest price. It means that the wine has a great price compared to wines of similar quality within the same varietal. For a more complete explanation of our ratings system, visit Wine Ratings.

If you missed this year’s OTBN, go ahead and open your special bottle anyway. Or you can join us for next year’s OTBN on Saturday, February 27, 2010 (always the last Saturday in February).

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