2012 Quintessa Red

85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot, 2.5% Carmenѐre, 0.5% Petit Verdot. ‘2012 was an exceptional vintage with ideal weather conditions during key moments of the growing season. The year began with a moderate and dry spring followed by a classic Napa summer of warm, sunny days and cool nights. This weather put little pressure on the vines, allowing for idyllic budbreak, balanced flowering, even fruit set, and extraordinary grapes. Following the previous two growing seasons, which were marked by unusual weather patterns and lower yields, 2012 offered the gift of textbook growing conditions. The Quintessa estate offered us a bountiful supply of pristine fruit. We began harvest on 24 September and concluded harvest on 30 October.’ Mild year. Dark purple. Not the most aromatic. Luscious and very smooth texture. Really lovely now. Nice little bite on the end. Just perfectly savoury. (JR)

More flesh and concentration than the 2011, reflective of a warmer year where everything ripened more easily. This has blackberry and sun-ripened cherry fruits along with fresher tobacco leaf, white pepper spice and grilled cedar oak. In a sweet spot for drinking, showing really well right now, exuberant but with softened tannins. Charles Thomas winemaker, Michel Rolland consultant, 85% new oak for ageing, clear toasting.