2019 Quintessa Red

91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, 2% Carmenère, 2% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot. Average 26 days’ skin contact. Aged 22 months, 60% in new French oak barrels. Certified organic (CCOF) and biodynamic (Demeter).            Deep ruby colour with a tiny bit of blue to the rim. Youthful fruit but (for Napa) quite a rocky and savoury nose – dried riverbed and soil, with bramble and black plum, perfumed with sweet violet aromas. Perfect balance on the palate. Long, evolving finish showing classic cassis but still very savoury, with grippy, fine-grained tannins. I wouldn't drink this just yet. It will have so much more to offer in a few years. (SCJ)

Still gorgeous, the 2019 Proprietary Red has a more layered, rounded, opulent style while still being pure, balanced, and elegant. Full-bodied, round, and lush, with currants, tobacco, chalky mineral and some graphite notes, it has velvety tannins, no hard edges, and a great finish. The blend is 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, 2% Merlot, 2% Carmenere, and the rest Petit Verdot, with the élevage spanning 22 months in 60% new French oak.

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Carmenѐre. ‘Spring welcomed cooler than normal temperatures and moderate rainfall which pushed budbreak, flowering and fruit set back about two weeks. Mild, cool temperatures continued into summer which made careful canopy management essential. Two late-summer heat spikes helped the small, concentrated berries advance toward a late and very condensed harvest. Our patience, with selective picking and sorting, ensured that the grapes reached the tanks in optimal condition, fully ripe and beautifully balanced.’ Brilliant purplish crimson. Light nose at this point. Youthful blackberry fruit and as yet unformed but beautifully balanced. Just primary fruit flavours at this point with a little pinch of light tannins well in the background. Quite long. (JR)