Illumination Sauvignon Blanc
Illumination completes the vision for our estate. In the great Bordeaux tradition, we sought to make a white wine that would stand alongside Quintessa – with a voice of its own.
The heart of Illumination beats with fruit from our property. Sauvignon Blanc Musqué, a fragrant clone, thrives in the cool clay soils of the Las Casas block. Old vine Semillon always startles us with its depth of flavor and complexity while showcasing a youthful vibrancy. We complement this harvest with grapes from long-term vineyard partners throughout Napa and Sonoma who share the same farming philosophies. As much as Quintessa is a story of blending, so is Illumination.
As the white wine of Quintessa, it presents many ways for us to tell its story. We continually evolve our techniques to create a wine that not only showcases enunciated aromatic and flavor profiles but also a distinct texture.
After hand harvesting and a gentle, whole cluster press, we utilize a number of vessels for fermentation. French oak of various uses provides depth and a hint of oak spice, while acacia wood brings a complex floral spice to the nose. Using egg-shaped concrete fermenters, we impart richness, while stainless steel barrels preserve the purity of the fruit. Lees stirring further shapes a rounded texture and weightiness. By blending Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc, we perfectly calibrate the tension among all the elements.
The 2024 Vintage
Steady rainfall in the winter provided a good source of water reserves deep in the soil. Budbreak started early compared to the previous vintage. Throughout the spring and early summer, canopy growth was well-balanced. As the bunches of berries flourished, the vines also yielded a good crop balance. We started picking when grapes reached perfect maturity, and we’re very pleased with the bright flavors and balanced acidity that will be a hallmark of the vintage.
Harvest commenced at dawn on August 16 with the Sauvignon Blanc Musquè and concluded with the picking of old-vine Sémillon on September 20.
A remarkable depth of flavor comes through: notes of lemon zest, honeysuckle, peach blossom, and quince are all elevated by a lovely acidity. A savory minerality layers itself among the appealing fruit flavors and hints at the complexity that will continue to reveal itself.
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(707) 286 2745 | members@quintessa.com
2023
An extraordinary white with a long, expressive finish.
– Wine Advocate
2022
Bright, refreshing and with some good fruit depth.
– wine enthusuast
2021
This is an incredibly delicious, refined and expressive wine.
– wine enthusuast
2020
An exceptional white wine, sophisticated, sultry and balanced throughout.
– VIRGINIE BOONE, Wine ENTHUSIAST
2019
This is really beautiful, with dried apple, pear and green melon, as well as some white pineapple.
– JAMES SUCKLING
2018
“Generous and plump, with fleshy flavors of ripe melon, peach and apricot, accented by crisp citrus, honeysuckle and spice details, gaining momentum on the finish.”
– WINE SPECTATOR