2019 Quintessa Proprietary Red Napa Valley

Winemaker's Notes The 2019 vintage began with well-timed rains. They provided an elegant start to the season. More than 35-inches through the winter months and into early spring established healthy soils and lush cover crops leading to even shoot growth and a strong early-season canopy for the vines. Spring temperatures remained cool through May. The cooler weather slowed the emergence of bloom on the vine by 13 days compared to the estate’s five-year average. The slight delay allowed an ideal fruit-set providing healthy yields for Quintessa. Temperatures warmed slightly in summer encouraging an even arc of ripening while maintaining vibrant acidity. The season gave us a well-paced and steady harvest period. We began to bring in fruit on September 19th and finished October 22nd.

The 2019 Quintessa offers nuance, depth, and great persistence. A complex of flower, forest, fruit, and earth notes harmonize with fine-grained tannin and vibrant acidity. It is a wine of precision as well as transparency. The 2019 Quintessa will drink well now for those that prefer a youthful expression but will also last in cellar for at least another twenty years for those who enjoy the complexities of age.

91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, 2% Merlot, 2% Carmenere, 1% Petit Verdot

CRITICAL ACCLAIM


Wine Enthusiast - "This is a winemaker's master class in blending and understanding of a long-standing site. Dried herb, cedar and pencil shavings accent lifted red fruit and brilliant acidity on the palate, with a supple yet still youthfully grippy texture that is framed by structured, graceful tannins. Enjoy from 2029–2039. Cellar Selection"


James Suckling - So much earth and spice with walnut and wet earth. Like fog laying over the valley in the morning. Black fruit. Medium-to full-bodied with super-fine tannins that are long and persistent, with graceful progression and length on the palate. So long, with real definition. September 2022 release. From biodynamically grown grapes. Hard not to drink now, but will age wonderfully."


Jeb Dunnuck - "I was blown away by the 2019 Red Blend from Quintessa, which is up with the crème de la crème of the vintage. Based on Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Carmenère, this full-bodied beauty has a perfectly balanced, seamless, yet expansive and classic 2019 style as well as gorgeous aromatics of cassis, flowers, chalky minerality, and integrated oak. It’s hard to resist already, but I have no doubt this will evolve for 20 years if stored properly."