93 Points | International Wine Cellar , November/December 2012

(15.2% alcohol; 86% cabernet sauvignon, 18% cabernet franc and 6% merlot):  Good full ruby.  Aromas of blackcurrant and licorice.  Rich, deep and concentrated, with an almost Kahlua-like liqueur quality to its dense, exotic flavors of cassis, dark chocolate, mocha and orange peel.  Very rich blend with an impressively long finish featuring fine tannins and hints of licorice pastille, dark berries, sexy Taransaud spices and black walnut.  From vines planted at 3 x 6 feet, according to Paul Golitzin, "about as dense as it gets in this state."  (Incidentally, 2006 was Quilceda Creek's last merlot bottling; that fruit is now in the Palengat.)

94 Points | Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate