WTN: Quil and Ink

[David M. Bueker]

• 2004 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley (7/5/2025)
  From my late father’s cellar, this bottle was shockingly youthful for a 20+ year old wine. It also had a clear floral aroma when first opened that persisted for a couple of hours before fading. Not something I have often found in Cabernet Sauvignon, but in this case it added lift to an otherwise bottom heavy wine. It wasn’t as thick/heavy as in its youth, but still had a thickness to the fruit, like a compote more than just juiciness. Given the amount of stuffing in this bottle I can’t quite imagine when some developed character might start peeking through, or if it ever can penetrate the weighted blanket of fruit.

A question for you, David: many of these bottles from your late father's cellar are clearly not wines that you would normally drink or care for much. However, you must have decided to hang onto them rather than selling them via Winebid. Was this a sentimental decision, or were there other reasons you decided hang onto them rather than selling?

[David M. Bueker]

It’s partly sentiment and partly not wanting to deal with the PITA of the selling.

I have sold some to guys in my wine group (at preferred pricing) and given the proceeds to my mom, but it’s only 8-10 cases at most. Mom has given away probably the same amount.

It’s partly sentiment and partly not wanting to deal with the PITA of the selling.

I have sold some to guys in my wine group (at preferred pricing) and given the proceeds to my mom, but it’s only 8-10 cases at most. Mom has given away probably the same amount.

That totally makes sense. I'll pass that on to my son who may some day be faced with the same decision.

[David M. Bueker]

If my mom lived a little closer to a major metro area I might have tied some selling. But it’s a 3 hour drive to DC on a good day, and only if I go in the middle of the night!