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.
We are proud of our team for bringing their collective experience, knowledge, and intuition to bear on a memorable vintage. Beginning in yet another drought year, success wasn’t pre-ordained. But with our commitment to the estate for the long run and consistency as our north star, we can celebrate the 2021 Quintessa as a beautiful expression of this living, evolving property— in collaboration with nature, and in alignment with our founders’ vision.
2021 Quintessa
A dry winter marked the start of 2021, foreshadowing somewhat smaller canopies in the vineyard. We pruned accordingly to encourage balanced ripening through the growing season. Against the backdrop of dry conditions, spring was refreshingly cool, allowing the clusters to develop slowly. From June through August, when sugar begins to accumulate, days were moderately warm, with no extreme heat spells. The fruit ripened smoothly and evenly, with great color, bright acidity, and exciting flavor complexity. With a small crop, and smaller canopies and clusters, we began harvesting early to achieve the optimum balance of sugar and flavor development, vibrancy and phenolic ripeness. The weather held in our favor, with moderate late season temperatures, and the fruit was in beautiful condition come harvest.
Our 2021 unfolds with Quintessa’s signature balance of complex fruit, precise structure, and vital freshness amplified by an especially beautiful growing season. Floral notes violet and lilac—lift an intensely aromatic bouquet of cassis and black cherry accented with anise, bay laurel, and earthy forest floor. On the palate, firm but fine-grained tannins back lovely dark berry and savory herb flavors interwoven with a sophisticated minerality. Generous texture carries the complex layers to a fine, chalky finish.
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TO RECEIVE PRE-RELEASE ACCESS TO THE 2021 QUINTESSA, WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN OUR VINEYARD CIRCLE. FOR QUESTIONS OR TO INQUIRE, PLEASE EMAIL CUSTOMERSERVICE@QUINTESSA.COM OR CALL 707-286-2745.
“An exquisite wine, relying primarily on Cabernet Sauvignon from a single estate. Aromas of lavender, dried herbs, and grapefruit pith combine with flavors of firm fruits and cocoa on a structure of abundant, powder-fine tannin and a mouthwatering finish. This wine is refined, detailed, and delicious with as much elegance as energy. Best 2026–2040.“
100 pOINTS, Elaine Chukan Brown, Wine Enthusiast
Library Vintages
PLEASE CONTACT US TO INQUIRE ABOUT LIBRARY VINTAGES
(707) 286 2745 | customerservice@quintessa.com
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
2015
“The palate is bursting with densely packed, youthful black fruits, framed by finely grained tannins and refreshing acidity, finishing long.”
– Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
