Quintessa Rutherford Napa Valley 2018

99 points James Suckling: "This is beautifully polished with firm, dusty tannins to the blue fruit, as well as chocolate and cedar character. Some much earthier character, too, from mushrooms to bark. Forest flowers. Perfumed. It’s full-bodied with round tannins and a soft, creamy finish. Some iron and iodine to this. So attractive at the finish. From biodynamically grown grapes. Better after 2023. (8/2/21)"

98 points Wine Enthusiast: "[$210 list] This is an exceptional vintage of this exceptional wine, its foundation built around 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, with dustings of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Beautiful in berry fruit, textured and refined tannin and hints of lavender, licorice and sage, it has complexity and energy in equal measure, lengthy and beautifully focused, a truly impressive achievement of site, vintage and winemaker. Alcohol 14.5%. (Dec 2021)"

97 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (Wine Advocate): "Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Quintessa (Cabernet Sauvignon) sashays out with crème de cassis, blackberry preserves and redcurrant jelly scents, plus wafts of dark chocolate, anise and lavender with a touch of tobacco. Medium to full-bodied, elegantly styled and stunningly energetic, it has a fine-grained texture and long, fragrant finish. Drink: 2023-2048. (Oct 2021)"

96+ points Jeb Dunnuck: "The 2018 Proprietary Red is 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Carmenere and Petit Verdot raised in 62% new French oak. It's a gorgeous wine revealing remarkable purity in its bright blue and black fruits as well as graphite, gravelly earth, and some chalky minerality. I love its purity, it's medium to full-bodied, has integrated acidity, and a balanced, layered, incredibly seamless style. It will evolve for another 20-25 years. Drink: 2024-2049. (2/20/24)"

96 points Jonathan Cristaldi (Decanter): " Late rains in 2017 led to a generous crop in 2018. Harvest came later than is typical and at a relaxed pace. Leads with high-toned red berry fruit and ironstone minerals. Muscular and brawny on the palate, with burly tannins that resolve in waves of granules. Blood orange acidity frames more red-toned fruit on the full-bodied palate, mixing in plum, cherry, sous-bois notes, sagebrush, and bay laurel. There’s no question that the wine is very well endowed with a powerful structure and needs time in the bottle. 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot, 2% Carmén?re. Harvest: September 18 – October 25, 2018. 20 months in 62% new French oak barrel. Drinking Window: 2024-2045. (2/22/23)"

96 points Falstaff: "Deep ruby, purple reflections, discreetly brightened at the rim. Dark berry fruit with chocolate underlay, fine cassis, candied orange zest, a hint of liquorice. Juicy, black cherries, elegant and freshly structured, fine tannins that carry well, bold finish, a versatile food companion, certain ageing potential. (4/26/22)"

96 points Jane Anson: "92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Merlot, 2% Carmenere, 1% Petit Verdot. There is a physicality to the tannins from the first moments, with a slate grain that slows progress down through the palate. The raspberry and blackcurrant fruit is concentrated and confident with a mouthwatering tension and energy, rippled with sage, liqourice root and grilled cocoa. This is a wine that you can drink with great pleasure today but it will age - and likely shut down for a few years along the way. Native yeasts. First vintage in the redesigned winery, and together with the improved precision in the vineyard since the arrival of Rebekah Wineberg you find an extra kick of magic in the glass. Consultant Michel Rolland, 60% new oak for ageing. Drink: 2025-2042. (1/19/22)"

Producer notes: "The 2018 Quintessa is a wine of perfect harmony, with deep flavors and elegant layers that are apparent even from a young age. Intense aromas of cassis, black cherry, and raspberry intermingle with savory notes of sage and thyme; the 2018 Quintessa continues to unfold as notes of dark chocolate, graphite and fresh tobacco mingle with the fresh fruit.Precise and dense, the wine shows supple tannin that play with flavors of black cherry, dark chocolate, and crushed rocks. The 2018 Quintessa has a perfect balance of fresh acidity followed by bright fruit and minerality at the finish that portends unparalleled aging potential."