2011 Quintessa

95 POINTS

Jonathan Cristaldi - Decanter

Absolutely splendid. Rapturous aromas of dark-berried fruit, purple and red florals, sagebrush, bay laurel after a wet rain, and wet river stones. A racy spine of citrusy acidity balances a generous mid-palate of fruit weight, and long beams of fine-grained tannins add extra support. Tasted out of Magnum. 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot. Harvest: September 28 – October 28, 2011. 21 months in 85% new French oak barrel

94 POINTS

James Suckling

This is fresh and vivid with blackberries, dark chocolate and fresh mushrooms, as well as bark and dark, trumpet mushroom-like notes. Medium to full body with fine tannins and a creamy, fine texture. More savory notes come through. Subtle and complex. From biodynamically grown grapes. So delicious now.

93 POINTS

Virginie Boone - Wine Enthusiast

For the 2011 vintage, Winemaker Charles Thomas blended Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot from the winery's 280-acre biodynamic and organically farmed estate in the heart of Rutherford. The effect is memorable, the wine pungent in red plum and cherry. Light, layered and elegantly smooth on the palate, it has a backdrop of black pepper and clove. Cellar through 2025.

93 POINTS

Stephen Brook - Decanter

Although the nose is quite reticent, this has purity of fruit, albeit with less finesse than the 2014. It 's suave, plump, and velvety, but far from overblown, as ample acidity balances the rich fruit, giving a lingering finish, with fine-grained tannins and spice. This is a wine of polish and hedonism rather than power.

91 POINTS

Stephen Tanzer - Vinous

(94% cabernet with 4% merlot, 1% cab franc and 1% petit verdot): Full ruby-red. Inviting aromas of spicy red and black fruits, licorice, wild herbs and pepper. Juicy and spicy, showing more density and purity of fruit than the Faust bottling. Spicy dark berry flavors are complicated by black olive, wild herbs and a hint of leather and lifted by an attractive violet element. Finishes with pliant tannins, good mineral lift and lingering perfume. Winemaker Charles Thomas told me that the use of an optical sorter in 2011 allowed the estate to hang its fruit for an extra few days, despite the humid conditions.

Robert Parker - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The 2011 Quintessa reveals a touch of roasted herbs, medium body, soft tannins and an endearing, charming character. Although it does not possess the size, richness or intensity of the 2010, it is very much in keeping with the 2011 vintage character. Consume it over the next decade. Quintessa owns some magnificent vineyards adjacent to the Silverado Trail, south of St. Helena, so the introduction of Michel Rolland as their consultant should pay dividends handsomely.

Stephen Tanzer - Vinous

Good deep red. Musky, wild nose shows a distinctly peppery rawness. Then moderately sweet and supple in the mouth, with cherry and redcurrant flavors accented by a strong peppery element. With its modest ripeness and flesh, this comes across as a bit dry and malnourished.

Stephen Tanzer - Vinous

(I tasted a blend that winemaker Charles Thomas described as 90% complete; 93% cabernet sauvignon, 4% merlot and 1% each cabernet franc, petit verdot and carmenere; at 14.1%, this is a half-degree lower in alcohol than the 2010): Sexy, carnal perfume combines black raspberry, musky tobacco leaf and black pepper. Smaller-scaled than the 2011 and tightly wound today, showing a slight youthful rigidity to the dark raspberry and minerals flavors. Just enough mid-palate density here to support the serious, slightly edgy tannins, thanks in large part to the moderate crop level.