Quintessa Rutherford Napa Valley 2022

99 points Georgina Hindle (Decanter): "Such an incredible wine here - one of the stars of the September releases. Smells amazing, cooling blueberries with fragrant blackcurrants, edges of florality - totally inviting scents. Full and filling in the mouth, this is ample with such a layered effect, super vertical and elongated. Tight and a little tense but it really works - such balance between black fruit, dried herbs, high acidity and a profound structure. Refined and beautifully presented. So much life, so much energy - this is pure class. A wine you don't want to put down. Feels hands off despite such concentration and power. Ends salty with sticky liquorice, mint and cooling wet stones. You could definitely drink this now but it will age too! 1% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot complete the blend. One of the final few vintages with Rodrigo Soto at the helm - he stepped down last year to concentrate on his family project Far Mountain in Sonoma Valley which is worth following. Winemaker Rebekah Wineburg. Drinking window 2028-2045 (Jul 2025)"

97 points Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux): "(93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, 1% Carmenere, 1% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot). One of the stars of Rutherford, you'll find nuance, depth and a ton of character in this 2022 vintage, begging to be shared. The black fruits are studded with sage and rosemary herbs, with pumice-stone texture and a mouthwatering finish. A delicious wine, with lift and grip. Rebekah Wineburg winemaker, Augustin and Valeria Huneeus owners at this stunning 69ha property. Alcohol 14.5%. Drink: 2028-2044. (Jul 2025)"

97 points Jim Gordon (JamesSuckling.com): "So sweet and purely fruity on the nose, then layered, sophisticated, detailed and complex on the palate. Full-bodied and fully tannic, yet the fine-sand tannins are beautifully integrated, with ripe red and black cherries, raspberries, blueberries and cocoa. Elegant, intricate, charming and quite fresh. Made from 93% cabernet sauvignon, 4% cabernet franc and 1% each of carmenere, petit verdot and merlot. Drinkable now, but best from 2030. (Apr 2025)"

96 points Jonathan Cristaldi (Decanter): "Easily one of the most approachable Quintessa wines upon release, this vintage features the suave, plush tannins so characteristic of the estate, wrapped around charming red-fruited and purple floral notes, cedarwood spice, and graphite intensity. These elements frame the aromatics and palate expression, further nuanced by spearmint and mocha through the full-bodied finish. The fruit feels especially juicy and ripe, seemingly more so due to the ease with which the tannins glide across the palate. What a gift for collectors of this wine, which is often more tannic and reticent during even-keeled, picture-perfect growing seasons like 2021, 2016, and 2013. Since tasting it from barrel, the wine has softened significantly, and I now believe it may not age as long as initially anticipated. For the vintage, however, it’s a fantastic wine to enjoy now and regularly over the next 5 to 10 years. Harvested between 9 September and 1 October. A blend of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, 1% Carménère, 1% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot. Aged 22 months in 60% new French oak and 1% in terracotta amphora. Drinking Window: 2025-2035. (Apr 2025)"