"A superb entry level effort that has not only layers of fruit and texture, but solid back-end structure, the 2010 Red Wine is a declassified blend of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, yet has 15% Merlot and a splash of Malbec, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc [sic] in there as well. Up-front, perfumed and intense, it offers up spice-laced red and black fruits, toast, cedar, vanilla and hints of chocolate to go with a full-bodied, mouth-filling and voluptuously textured palate. Lacking the polish and elegance that can be found in this estate's upper tier efforts, it nevertheless has superb fruit, ripe tannin and serious length. Enjoy it while you wait for this estate's other wines to mature. Drink now-2020."
Wine Advocate (Jeb Dunnuck, Issue #207, June 2013), 92 pts.
"The 2011 Columbia Valley Red Wine offers the classic creme de cassis, graphite, toasted spice and hints of licorice that seems to be present in all of the estate's Cabernets. Medium to full-bodied, supple and already approachable, it nevertheless has the back-end stuffing to evolve gracefully for upwards of a decade. - Jeb Dunnuck"
"Deep ruby-red. Sexy aromas of black raspberry, licorice pastille and bitter chocolate oak. Concentrated and savory, with the dark fruit and chocolate flavors complemented by graphite minerality. Finishes with fine-grained tannins and lovely persistence. A very strong vintage for this bottling, which consists of declassified lots that did not make it into Quilceda Creek's flagship Cabernet. - Steven Tanzer"
"The 2012 "CVR" Columbia Valley Red Wine is a declassified blend of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, with splashes of Merlot and Malbec. It offers up plenty of classic Quilceda character with notions of blackberry liqueur, toasted spice, graphite and licorice as well as full-bodied richness and depth on the palate. Already supple and approachable, yet with notable tannin structure, it will deliver the goods on release, and over the following decade or more. Drink: 2014 - 2024 - Jeb Dunnuck"
"A smoking effort that shows the beauty of the 2012 vintage, Golitzin's 2012 CVR Colombia Valley Red Wine is made from a declassified blend of most Cabernet Sauvignon, with smaller parts Merlot and Malbec. It's offers a brilliant, almost Bordeaux-like, bouquet of sweet cassis, lead pencil shavings, graphite and hints of toast that flows to a full-bodied, layered, seamless Cabernet that has integrated acidity, sweet tannin and a great finish that doesn't lack for richness or persistence. Already hard to resist, it will nevertheless continue to drink nicely for another decade or more. - Jeb Dunnuck"
"The 'CVR' is Quliceda Creek’s entry level wine which is made from fruit that didn’t quite make the grade for their flagship Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. The blend for the 'CVR' changes each year, with the 2012 being composed of 91% Cabernet, 7% Merlot and 3% Cab Franc. This is very expressive with ripe and complex aromas of cassis, mocha, black olive and cedar notes, which all come together beautifully. This possesses a rich and dense palate that persists with notes of anise, crème de cassis, black olive and blackberry ending with impressive minerality and wonderful length. Overall, a rich and refined wine that's open but can also benefit from many years in the cellar. (Best 2015-2025) - OB."