Quintessa 2017 Red Blend, Rutherford, Napa Valley

The Iconic Napa Valley red, Quintessa is a Cabernet Sauvignon blend from estate vineyards in the heart of the Rutherford Bench district. Each year, it is a blend that can include some or all of the five varietals grown on the estate: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Carmenere. Fruit from each component block of Quintessa is harvested, sorted, then gravity fed into either oak or stainless steel fermentation tanks. Once fermentation and maceration are complete, each block of wine is aged separately for up to two years in French oak barrels. After aging, the components are brought together and the final blend is created. This 2017 is the latest release. It's a blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 3% Carmenere and 1% Petit Verdot aged 22 months in 76% new French oak barrels.

The Wine Advocate scored this 95 points saying "Already bottled, the 2017 Quintessa displays a deep garnet-purple color. The nose needs a little coaxing before it reveals bold, expressive notes of crushed red and black plums, black currant jelly, wild blueberries and kirsch with nuances of camphor, cloves, cedar and lilacs plus a hint of oolong tea. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has beautifully expressed, elegant red and black fruit layers, with a sturdy, grainy frame and plenty of freshness, finishing long and earthy."

James Suckling scored this 95 points saying "Crushed berries, incense and blackberries with black-olive undertones. Extremely perfumed. Medium to full body. Very intense for a 2017. Crafted and polished. Long and caressing. Elegant. Drink or hold."

Decanter scored this 93 points saying "Power and concentration from the first nose, underbrush and spice box notes show traces of the drought of the 2017 summer, turning into liquorice, bitter black chocolate, sweet fig and tight-berried fruit as it opens. Flavourful and compact, with subtle hints of thyme and sage, lacks some freshness but this is a well structured enjoyable bottle. From a beautiful, one-block vineyard in Rutherford, with vines on terraces planted around a lake. 76% new oak. Blend completed with 1% Petit Verdot. Tasted twice."