QUINTESSA
NAPA VALLEY, CALIFORNIA 2021
Why Buy: A 100-point masterpiece and a testament to the extraordinary attention to detail that’s made Quintessa a Napa legend. The estate is a mosaic of microclimates and soil types, with each vineyard lot managed and vinified separately. Blending takes place over a year (with approximately 150 barrel samples considered in the process, each selected from multiple harvests of each block). You can taste all of that in the 2021 bottling. To us, it’s quintessential Quintessa.
What They're Saying: Wine Enthusiast awarded the 2021 Quintessa Estate Red a perfect 100 points, lauding it as “an exquisite wine ... refined, detailed and delicious, with as much elegance as energy."
Our Tasting Notes: A seamless and sensual experience, delivering all the robustness and depth a Bordeaux blend demands, but also the exceptional precision and refinement a connoisseur craves. It opens with an enchanting bouquet of lavender and dried herbs. On the palate, firm fruits and cocoa play across a structure of fine, powdery tannins. The mouthwatering finish lingers, inviting you to kick back and relax as you savor each sublime sip. A wine of remarkable poise, offering both immediate pleasure and the promise of graceful aging.
The Story: Winemaker Rebekah Wineburg approaches her craft with a philosophy reminiscent of ancient wisdom. Just as medieval thinkers believed in four elements plus an ethereal fifth, Wineburg sees Quintessa as more than the sum of its parts. Her deep connection to the land informs every decision, from vineyard management to the final blend. The wealth of microclimates and soil types on the 280-acre estate not only imbues the grapes with distinct characteristics, but makes for complex, layered wines that speak eloquently of their origins. And the estate's commitment to biodynamic and organic practices ensures that each vintage is a statement of both the land and the season. From year to year, Wineburg is intent on allowing each vintage to express itself, while remaining true to her basic principles. Speaking of her distinguished tenure at the estate, she observed that, although the “wines have changed … the style has stayed the same throughout: it's about elegance, harmony, and layers."
The Method: Science + art. Each vineyard lot is managed and vinified separately, allowing for meticulous attention to detail. The blending process involves carefully combining wines from different lots to achieve the perfect balance and complexity, and takes place over a year. Estate Director Rodrigo Soto and Winemaker Rebekah Wineburg carefully taste through approximately 150 different barrel samples, each representing a unique expression of the estate. These samples come from multiple harvests of each block, with some picked up to six times based on flavor development and grape ripeness. Through this extensive tasting process, they select the lots that offer the most eloquent character and determine the proportions that will create the most harmonious mix of finesse, power, elegance, and complexity.
Fun Fact: Quintessa's logo, a perfect square subdivided into five smaller squares, represents the estate's five hill types, five principal varietals, and the five elements of nature (including the mystical "quintessence") that contribute to the wine's unique character. It's a visual reminder of the holistic philosophy that guides every aspect of Quintessa's winemaking.
Our Guarantee: We always buy and source directly from the estate, so you can be confident that your wine will arrive in your hands with pristine provenance. Secure yours today!
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Fall 2024. With the supply chain issues that we are seeing globally, there may be some unforeseen delays which could affect the ETA. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. Offer not valid in KS, MI, NY, or TN. This offer is for ONE WEEK, or until sold out, and will expire on Sunday, September 15th, 2024.
