behind the label: quintessa
By Sylvia Jansen, Sommelier( ISG, CMS), CSW
Quintessa 2008 Illumination Semillon / Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley $ 61.99
Quintessa 2005 Faust Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley $ 89.99
Quintessa 2005 Quintessa Napa Valley $ 219.99
When Valeria and Agustin Huneeus secured a treasure vineyard property in the Rutherford appellation of the Napa Valley, they set about to realize the fullest potential of world-class starting material. From deep, well-drained gravel beds, to sunny exposures and cool nights giving the best fruit, Rutherford holds an enviable reputation within an enviable region.
Both Agustin and Valeria have world-class credentials themselves. A builder of the internationally respected Concha Y Toro brand, with a lengthy, successful career in wine and spirits, Agustin came to the project in Rutherford knowing what he wanted and needed to do. His life partner, Valeria, holds a PhD in biochemistry and is an experienced viticulturalist, enologist, and vineyard architect.
The Huneeus’ s goal is to deliver the potential of their magnificent Rutherford vineyards into every glass of wine. Valeria’ s approach to grape growing creates harmony in the use of organic methods and respect for the varied landscape. The winery reflects this respect: the building’ s crescent shape and natural plantings slip into the landscape in graceful lines. Inside, fruit and fermenting wine are treated with cutting – edge technology and high quality gravity-flow treatment, producing beautiful wines.
In short, they have selected one of the best plots of vineyard property on the planet, and they treat it like the treasure it is. The results are nothing less than breathtaking. Illumination is the only white wine in this noble family, born from the
Huneeus’ s desire for a beautiful white to share with friends and family. Drawn from a small plot of Sauvignon Blanc and blended with Semillon, Illumination is vibrant and tangy, rich and round, complex and supple.
Faust is a classic Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. Its name is drawn from German playwright Goethe’ s most famous work, in which the aging scholar, Dr. Faust, barters his soul in exchange for another chance at youth. He gets his chance, but is ultimately saved by love. Dominated by the concentrated fruit of Cabernet Sauvignon, Faust is rich, powerful and forward, with the beautiful Rutherford fruit reaching from the glass.
The estate’ s namesake, Quintessa, is a meritage blend( using the finest fruit of the harvest from vineyards yielding Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Carménère). Quintessa is assembled from the top fruit of each variety and plot. Winemaker Charles Thomas works with consulting winemaker Michel Rolland to create Quintessa from the rich canvas of possibilities. Although every vintage is a unique expression of the year’ s harvest, each bottle of Quintessa is the work of a master artist. With finesse and elegance, power and amazing length, the wine’ s harmony is accessible early, but will reward cellaring time.
Behind every Quintessa wine is a great love story; it is a story of the unity and harmony that is expressed through great terroir, great technique, great care, and great passion. �
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