2012 Quintessa Rutherford Bordeaux Blend

“Purity of blackberry, black currant and hints of toasted oak. Full body, yet refined and very elegant. The tannins are extremely polished and beautiful. It's so beautiful to drink now. Goes on for minutes. From biodynamically grown grapes. Hard not to drink now but will improve with age.” (05/2016)

“A terrific showing of Quintessa's 2012 Proprietary Red Wine capped off the short vertical shared by the estate's General Manager, Rodrigo Soto, during a visit to New York City last year. Revealing compelling aromas of ripe black cherries and dusty earth, a ripe, rich, full-bodied feel on the palate and a plush, lingering finish, this wine is at its peak but should continue to drink well for at least another 10 or 15 years. From a relatively late harvest (picking dates were September 24 to October 30), it's a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot, 2% Carmenère and 1% Petit Verdot aged in 85% new French oak. (JC)” (02/2024)

“The nose is generous, heady, and edging into hedonistic territory with a lovely mix of blackberry, blueberry, dried sage, and ironstone mineral notes. That bold mineral quality literally erupts on the palate, effusing microexplosions of liquidised gravelly minerals while the acid tension keeps things bright and lifted, and generous silky black fruit is seemingly at its smoothest atop a bed of beam-like tannins. Cedarwood mixes with all that lovely dark fruit on a long finish. Tasted out of Magnum. 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot, 2% Carmén?re. Harvest: September 24 – October 30, 2012. 21 months in 85% new French oak barrel. (JC)” (02/2023)

“More flesh and concentration than the 2011, reflective of a warmer year where everything ripened more easily. This has blackberry and sun-ripened cherry fruits along with fresher tobacco leaf, white pepper spice and grilled cedar oak. In a sweet spot for drinking, showing really well right now, exuberant but with softened tannins. Charles Thomas winemaker, Michel Rolland consultant, 85% new oak for ageing, clear toasting.” (01/2022)

“Full, saturated medium ruby. Very dark, vibrant aromas of blueberry, black raspberry, creme de cassis, fruity bitter chocolate, spices and violet. Densely packed if still a bit youthfully imploded, showing an almost porty primary dark fruit character along with a note of cocoa powder. Ultimately pliant in the mouth, with an enticing balance of sweetness and natural acidity. Finishes with serious, building tannins and a firming mineral note. This should age slowly and gracefully. Strong potential here. (ST) 92+” (05/2014)

“Dark purple. Not the most aromatic. Luscious and very smooth texture. Really lovely now. Nice little bite on the end. Just perfectly savoury. 18.5/20 points (JR)” (04/2023)