2021 QUINTESSA RUTHERFORD NAPA VALLEY RED In the heart of Rutherford, where Napa Valley’s rolling hills meet a tapestry of volcanic soils and alluvial fans, lies Quintessa—an estate whose very name evokes harmony, balance, and a pursuit of perfection. Quintessa stands as a quiet force of excellence, shaping a legacy of wines born of deep respect for the land. Its 280-acre estate, perched on undulating terrain carved by ancient geologic forces, is a study in precision farming. The 2021 vintage arrived with quiet intensity, yielding a smaller crop of extraordinary concentration. Anchored by over 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and lifted by graceful additions of Cabernet Franc, Carménère, Merlot, and Petit Verdot, this wine moves with elegance and restraint, qualities that helped earn this wine a perfect 100-point score. Aging in a judicious selection of French oak is enhanced by terracotta amphora—an ancient vessel that allows the purity of the fruit to shine without interference. The wine balances quiet power, seamlessly bridging structure and finesse. The 2021 Quintessa Red doesn’t simply speak of Rutherford—it echoes through it, leaving an indelible impression of a place, a season, and extraordinary winemaking. Additional Reviews: From Decanter, "A compact, coiled-up, polished red. Intensely aromatic and perfumed, it leads with a distinct burst of cast-iron minerality, dusty sage, red and blackberry fruits, and perfumed rose petals. Medium to full-bodied with a dense core of succulent boysenberry fruit, plums, and kirsch, all of which have tremendous staying power matched only by the wine's burly, robust and muscular tannins, which offer a real contrast to the supreme elegance of this wine. More time in the bottle is needed to let these tannins soften. If you open it before 2025, let it breathe several hours ahead of time, perhaps even double-decant it. 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, 2% Carmenère, 1% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot aged 22 months in 65% new French oak and 3% terracotta amphora." 98 Points