Description
About This Wine
A benchmark expression of Rutherford precision, Quintessa 2014 captures the estate’s biodynamic vineyards at a moment of near-perfect balance. Built primarily on Cabernet Sauvignon with supporting roles from Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Carménère, this vintage delivers both immediate appeal and long-term cellar potential.
The nose opens with layered aromatics of blackcurrant, black cherry, and crushed blackberry, framed by classic Rutherford dust, earth, graphite, and cedar. With air, more nuanced notes of dried rose, tobacco leaf, and dark cocoa begin to emerge, adding depth and sophistication.
On the palate, the wine is seamless and polished—medium to full-bodied with finely integrated tannins that feel sculpted rather than heavy. Dark fruit drives the core, supported by fresh acidity and a subtle mineral backbone. Hints of espresso, baking spice, and cassis carry through a long, composed finish.
The 2014 Napa Valley vintage is widely praised for its balance and approachability, and Quintessa delivers on both fronts. This is not an over-extracted Cabernet—it’s a wine of precision, restraint, and layered complexity.
Drinking beautifully now with a decant, yet structured enough to evolve over the next decade or more.
Score
97 points, James Suckling.
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