The Quintessa Estate Red Wine
A Pure Expression of the Estate
A WINE ESTATE IS A COMMITMENT TO LONGEVITY, the physical embodiment of a promise made to the land. More than thirty years ago, Agustin and Valeria Huneeus vowed to honor the integrity of this extraordinary property they named Quintessa, a mosaic of hills and valleys in eastern Rutherford bounded by the Vaca Mountains and the Napa River. To preserve its arcadian beauty and farm it gently. And, above all, to guide its natural diversity into a singular wine.
Today, this landscape rises and falls with small vineyard blocks set amidst abundant vegetation and 100 acres of woodlands, including stands of majestic blue and valley oaks. Dragon’s Lake is home to populations of fish and waterfowl, while corridors of insectaries and native plants attract pollinators and the occasional fox. Over time, we’ve gained a more intimate understanding of our subterranean world as well. Its ancient geologies and range of soils, from the white volcanic ash of the eastern hills to the silty loam of the bench, converge to reveal themselves in a wine of elegance and harmony—a true reflection of the estate.
Recalling the 2022 vintage evokes a sense of gratification, serving as a reminder of our commitment to the estate. Nature brings us new scenarios with each passing season. The resilience of the land is a testament to the care with which it’s been nurtured. This fortitude offers proof of our practices — treat this place well and it will become your partner. We adapt to nature’s ever-fluctuating rhythms together. It is with this spirit of collaboration that we share the 2022 Quintessa with you.
2022 Quintessa
The 2022 growing season benefited from late fall rains of 2021. With this nutrient storage, the vines relied on their reserves to usher them through the following drought year. Dry winter conditions prompted early bud break, but a cool spring elongated bloom. Moderate temperatures throughout most of the summer meant veraison aligned with a more historic ripening calendar.
Late-season heat punctuated the final stages of the vintage. In these moments, we saw the benefits of practices put into place years prior. In 2017, we honed techniques to build resilience against climactic pressures in younger vines and preserve more mature vines. By 2022, the makeup of the vineyard was predominately older vine material, and they beautifully weathered the heat. For the small percentage of new plantings, optimal row orientation, spacing, and shade management aided them through this period. This heat encouraged ripening and the smaller clusters accelerated harvest. Picking commenced on September 9 with our younger vines in the Riviera block, and concluded on October 1 in our Limelight block. The fruit showed exceptional phenolic ripeness, great levels of acidity, and an elegant balance.
Our 2022 unfurls with a lifted bouquet of complex and intense aromatics. Ripe plum and a bushel of red and black cherries give way to herbal and spice notes, all underpinned by tobacco and dark chocolate. On the palate, the plush dark fruit ushers in savory, earth-bound notes of iron and crushed rocks, while cassis and cocoa weave throughout. Our signature firm yet fine-grained tannins frame the medium body, and the bright acidity provides a lively freshness. The broad and enveloping texture leaves a long, lingering finish in its wake.
CLICK HERE TO ACQUIRE THE 2022 QUINTESSA >>
DOWNLOAD TASTING NOTES >>
TO RECEIVE PRE-RELEASE ACCESS TO THE 2023 QUINTESSA, WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN OUR VINEYARD CIRCLE. FOR QUESTIONS OR TO INQUIRE, PLEASE EMAIL CUSTOMERSERVICE@QUINTESSA.COM OR CALL 707-286-2745.
“Such an incredible wine here – one of the stars of the September releases…Refined and beautifully presented. So much life, so much energy – this is pure class. A wine you don’t want to put down. Feels hands off despite such concentration and power…You could definitely drink this now but it will age too!“
99 pOINTS, DECANTER
Library Vintages
PLEASE CONTACT US TO INQUIRE ABOUT LIBRARY VINTAGES
(707) 286 2745 | customerservice@quintessa.com
2021
“This wine is refined, detailed, and delicious with as much elegance as energy.“
– ELAINE CHUKAN BROWN, WINE ENTHUSIAST
2020
“A lovely red with a pretty core of currants, berries, spices and mushrooms.”
– WINE ENTHUSIAST
2019
“This is a winemaker’s master class in blending and understanding of a longstanding site.”
– WINE ENTHUSIAST
2018
“This is beautifully polished with firm, dusty tannins to the blue fruit, as well as chocolate and cedar character.”
– james suckling
2017
“Beautifully expressed, elegant red and black fruit layers, with a sturdy, grainy frame and plenty of freshness, finishing long and earthy.”
– Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
2016
“Phenomenal aromas of crushed berries, forest fruit, mushrooms and iron. This shows depth and structure with balance and harmony.”
– Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
