Quintessa Rutherford Napa Valley 2010

95 points Connoisseurs' Guide: "Striking in its impressions of winemaking polish right from the start with a fine fit of lively, very deep fruit and sympathetic sweet oak, the 2010 Quintessa hits all the right varietal marks and earns an extra tip of the hat for its altogether impeccable sense of balance. It is so refined and tasty, in fact, that we can see how it will surely tempt early drinking, but, like all top-level Cabernet Sauvignons, it will show much more with age, and we urge that be allowed to rest for no fewer than six to eight years. (Aug 2013)"

94 points James Suckling: "Takes on a lot of chocolate, walnut and herb aromas. Full-bodied, layered and very juicy and savory. Toasted oak, coffee and tobacco. Delicious finish. Holding on nicely. Drink now. (5/3/19)"

93 points Robert Parker: "The 2010 Quintessa, a blend of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with some Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Carmenere (don’t forget, the proprietor Agustin Huneeus has a background in Chile), is an elegant, finesse-styled red offering deep, rich, cassis fruit, dusty, loamy soil notes, medium to full body and ripe tannins. This evolved, seductive, round, generous 2010 offers up attractive notes of white chocolate and flowers as it sits in the glass. This is one of the first vintages made by Charles Thomas who has an impressive resume having worked previously at Robert Mondavi Winery and Rudd Estate. This 2010 should be drunk over the next decade or more. (Oct 2013)"

93 points California Grapevine: "Medium-dark ruby; attractive, fragrant, spicy, complex, black cherry and blackberry fruit aroma with notes of cassis, mocha, and sweet oak; full body; rich, textured, intense, black cherry and blackberry flavors with a supple, silky mouthfeel and hints of cola and graphite; full tannin; lingering aftertaste. Approachable and easy to appreciate now though best to age for another three to five more years. Very highly recommended. 14.5% alcohol; blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot, and 1% Carmenère; released September 2013. (Oct 2013)"

93 points Wine & Spirits: "As luscious and luxurious as this wine may be, it has transparency to its flavors and a cool feel that keeps the fruit feeling fresh rather than superripe. The core of the blend comes from the center of this 280-acre estate, where the soils are gravel over rhyolite. The vineyards are planted on a series of hills between the Silverado Trail and the Napa River; the eastern hills of the property are white volcanic ash over rhyolite and the western side of the property is the kind of alluvial soil that’s more typical of Rutherford. Charles Thomas culled more than 10 percent of the fruit to diminish the impact of the heat wave in 2010 and ended with a finely ripened wine with the flavor of fat black cherries. The fruit meets firm, precise tannins in a dark and spicy cabernet with drive. For roast duck. (Jun 2014)"

92 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "(92% cabernet sauvignon with 3% merlot, 2% each cabernet franc and petit verdot, and 1% carmenere): Good bright, deep red. Perfumed aromas of raspberry, currant, fresh herbs, sage, tobacco leaf and flowers; downright claret-like. Broad and nicely high-pitched on the palate, with complex red fruit, spice, tobacco and herb flavors lifted by graphite minerality. This highly aromatic wine really spreads out and resounds on the back end. The building tannins are firm and a bit peppery, but the finish is pliant and sweet. A very successful vintage for this flagship bottling. (May/Jun 2013)"