Quintessa Rutherford Red Blend 2016

$255

100 points                                                                         Quintessa is one of Napa Valley's most collective Cabernets year-in and year-out and the re-released 2016 is no exception. Extremely limited. 98 Points James Suckling: "Phenomenal aromas of crushed berries, forest fruit, mushrooms and iron. Medium to full body, with layers of soft and refined tannins that follow through to a beautiful finish. Extremely long and refined. This shows depth and structure with balance and harmony. Hard not to open the bottle now and drink it, but it appears to be closing down now. Needs four to five years to show it all." 97+ Points Robert Parker: "The 2016 Proprietary Red Wine is blended of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot and 1% Carménère, with all fruit coming from the Quintessa estate, and it aged for 20 months in 73% new French oak. Very deep purple-black in color, it comes bounding out of the glass like a pedigree pup with exuberant notions of crème de cassis, warm blueberries and black cherries with hints of redcurrants, kirsch, candied violets, crushed rocks, cigar box and fallen leaves plus a waft of truffles. Full, rich and beautifully laced with layers of floral notes and fragrant earth, the profound black and blue fruits build slowly in the mouth, achieving great energy and depth with a beautiful velvety frame, finishing long and perfumed." 96+ Points Jeb Dunnuck: "The 2016 Proprietary Red is a beauty based on 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Carménère, all of which spent 20 months in just over 70% new French oak. This inky purple colored 2016 offers a perfumed, complex bouquet of sweet crème de cassis, Asian spices, lead pencil, and cedarwood. Full-bodied and plenty powerful, it shines even more for its flawless balance, polished tannins, and great finish. This is a quintessential, rich, elegant Napa Bordeaux blend to enjoy over the coming two decades or more." The Quintessa vineyard and winery are situated on 280 beautiful and diverse acres in the heart of Rutherford. Hidden from the road, the property is features five distinct microclimates, a 20-acre lake, rolling hills crowned by the highest elevation point in the Rutherford appellation. Nestled among oak and madrone trees, Quintessa offers intimate vineyard experiences that focus on this unique estate. The winery is built into an east-facing hillside with a gravity flow design and naturally cooled caves.

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Ratings on Delectable

Steven Gullo Delectable Pro

Tasted alongside barrel samples of the 2018 vintage. Still a baby, but such an expansive palate of cassis, sweet tobacco and violets. Pretty fascinating to explore how each individual parcel contributes to the final blend. Fruit for the ‘16 vintage is mostly from Dragon’s Terrace, Mt. Calisse and Corona vineyards. Such a great example of Rutherford terroir.

Tasted alongside barrel samples of the 2018 vintage. Still a baby, but such an expansive palate of cassis, sweet tobacco and violets. Pretty fascinating to explore how each individual parcel contributes to the final blend. Fruit for the ‘16 vintage is mostly from Dragon’s Terrace, Mt. Calisse and Corona vineyards. Such a great example of Rutherford terroir.

9.4

Paul K

Closed. This will benefit from time. Note to self not before 3 more years.

Closed. This will benefit from time. Note to self not before 3 more years.

9.3

Adam Gäfvert

Full bodied with classic Napa charactaristics. This one displays a bit more earth in and fine mineral notes. Really great finish. Not flashy like some of its peers. More graceful and sofisticated.

Full bodied with classic Napa charactaristics. This one displays a bit more earth in and fine mineral notes. Really great finish. Not flashy like some of its peers. More graceful and sofisticated.

9.3

Paul K

Still needs time

Still needs time

9.1

Skip Smyser

Discovered another amazing breakfast wine. Doing tasting at Quintessa and this is probably one of the three best Cabernet’s I’ve had while in Napa Valley. Huge red fruit with chocolate hints. Big Big CAB

Discovered another amazing breakfast wine. Doing tasting at Quintessa and this is probably one of the three best Cabernet’s I’ve had while in Napa Valley. Huge red fruit with chocolate hints. Big Big CAB

9.5

Douglas Profenius

Hubby hubba

Hubby hubba

9.4

William Goldsmith

Very Napa

Very Napa

9.2

Skip Smyser

New bright forward fruit light tannins. Ready to drink. Will improve over time.

New bright forward fruit light tannins. Ready to drink. Will improve over time.

9.3

WARNING: DRINKING DISTILLED SPIRITS, BEER, COOLERS, WINE AND OTHER ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES MAY INCREASE CANCER RISK, AND, DURING PREGNANCY, CAN CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS.