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2018 Quintessa

Removed from a temperature and humidity controlled wine cellar

Ends Sunday, 7pm Pacific

RATINGS

99James Suckling

...beautifully polished with firm, dusty tannins to the blue fruit, as well as chocolate and cedar character. Some much earthier character, too, from mushrooms to bark. Forest flowers. Perfumed. It’s full-bodied with round tannins and a soft, creamy finish...So attractive at the finish.

97Robert M. Parker Jr.

...crème de cassis, blackberry preserves and redcurrant jelly scents, plus wafts of dark chocolate, anise and lavender with a touch of tobacco. Medium to full-bodied, elegantly styled and stunningly energetic, it has a fine-grained texture and long, fragrant finish.

93Wine Spectator

Very fresh in feel, with a racy and refined core of cassis, damson plum and raspberry reduction notes inlaid with black tea and anise hints. A subtle mineral edge adds length to the finish…

93Vinous / IWC

Scorched earth, iron, chocolate, and leather give the red cherry/plum fruit distinctly savory accents.

16.5+ Jancis Robinson

Spicy with white pepper and ripe cherry fruit...notes of leather, nutmeg and anise… On the palate, the crunchy tannins offer relief from the riper notes of fruit and make for a bright, lively style. The finish is pure and refined – this is an admirably vibrant wine.

REGION

United States, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford

Rutherford AVA is just north of the Oakville AVA in the heart of Napa Valley, and it is equally distinguished. It is home to Beaulieu Vineyard and inglenook, arguably Napa Valley’s most historically influential wineries. Inglenook started making in wine in the late 19th century, and Beaulieu Vineyards was producing by the first years of the 20th century. BV founder Georges de Latour is particularly esteemed for having recruited Andre Tchelistcheff, a renowned research oenologist, to move from France to Napa Valley in 1938 and run BV’s winemaking. The legendary Tchelistcheff brought European winemaking techniques to Napa Valley and vastly improved wine quality. Other Rutherford winemakers followed his lead. Today there are 5,000 vineyard acres in Rutherford and many acclaimed producers. The famous Silverado Trail with its exclusive, limited production wineries, runs partly through Rutherford AVA. Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignons are characterized by supple tannins, richness, notes of cherry and plum, depth and the ability to age for several decades. Besides Cabernet Sauvignon the AVA also grows Chardonnay, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Zinfandel. It received its AVA designation in 1994.

VINTAGE