4th of July BBQ. Wine drank very well with Ribeye and Lamb chops. This could have gone a bit longer in cellar, but it looks like it is coming into its prime drinking window and might actually be there already. Was the WOD against a couple CA Pinot (2005 Goldeneye is one that I remember), a Sauvignon Blanc, and a grocery store cabernet. Not a whole lot of competition but this one went fast and I was glad I brought it and poured myself a good sized glass.
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Another spectacular wine from Aaron Pott! Ready to drink using the Aerovin aeration system! I can’t express the enjoyment my friends and I had sharing Two bottles of one of the best wines I have ever indulged!
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Uncellared, aged in its box hidden in the closet of a friends house and gifted to me. Thought it might be past peak but still strong after an hour decant. Muted fruits but the tannins and soft acid hold it together. The Rutherford dust is there.
At 2 hours this surprisingly came together well. very smooth and balanced. This was the WOTN for me against a 2014 Beringer Napa distinction series.
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A wonderful nose of roast meat, dark cocoa/chocolate with some effervescence. On the palate, a concentrated dark chocolate dust, ripened dark cherries. A long robust finish. Just perfect.
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This wine is still going strong. Robust nose of old leather , cola and dark cocoa. In the mouth there is a strength lead by dusty cedar and earth notes. Full integration of mature flavors and tannins. Wonderful wine.
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Still drinking very big...too big for my tastes. Dont believe the drinkabikity dates...this one will last for a long time. Hoped it would open up the second day but didnt.
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Slow load for several hours. Candid before drinking one half hour. Dark ruby color. Fine sediment noted. Nice bright red and black fruits on this still Young 2004. Good mix of Napa-Esq fruit and structure to make this a wine that has some time ahead of it. Tannins give it a good firm backbone to match the fruit nicely. In good balance with years to go.
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Amazing wine with a full integration of tannins and fruit. Smooth medium mouth feel with salvors of darkened red fruit. Should go a few more years, but no reason to wait on this wine.
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love this wine, why? Great balance and structure in the mouth. Nose full of black fruits, tobacco vanilla and some spices. Also after 15-20 mins getting to room temp and decanting this 2004 finish is awesome.
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Beautiful bottle, great expression of what Quintessa tries to achieve. Harmonious balance between fruit, with strong berry overtones, especially at the end. Very sorry it was out last bottle.
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What a wonderful wine. Lavender and coffee bean on the nose sweetly. Medium mouth feel with tannins very light. Bright fruit of raspberry, blueberry along with a bit of chalkiness. Glad we have more of this.
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WOW- Who knew the time between my last bottle (7/2010) and this one would be so different. So much complexity, lots of dark fruit, perfectly integrated oak and a big hit of Rutherford. This was a 375ml, so I don't know how my experience translates to 750's. If you have them, you will not be disappointed.
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This was outstanding, so glad we had the discipline to hold until now. Was perfect with a grilled short rib and grilled lamb loin, cannot imagine it being a perfect AirPrint with any grilled protein.
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The wine softened significantly after 10-15 minutes in the decanter. It was one of the most significant transformations I've experienced. Perfectly balanced after that.
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Smooth as silk from the beginning. On the palate you get a lot of red fruit. Great Bordeaux qualities. Highly recommended and it was gone quickly at the Super Bowl party. Glad I still have a few left.
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Slow ox'ed for 2 hours then decanted at Republique. Drank over a 3-hour dinner. Aroma and palate were very consistent with my notes from last year, except the fruit dropped off just a little bit more. Just a wonderful wine to enjoy with family and friends over good food. If you have this wine, drink now and the next few years and enjoy.
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Medium purple color and opaque. Floral aromas on the nose with some light smoke. Nicely balanced with predominantly dark cherry on the palate. This was delicious but was slightly overwhelmed by the '03 Freemark Abbey Sycamore that we drank with dinner.
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We decanted this wine for two hours. Very soft tannins and very mild acidity. Wonderful crimson color. The legs are medium. Aromas of blackberry, red currant, dust, coffee and toast. Layers of cinnamon, plum and toast. With a medium body this wine has a polished texture. We liked this wine unfortunately it's the last one in our cellar.
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A very nice wine that is coming together and smoothing out nicely. I remember this when it was a bit chunky and clunky upon first release. Nice dark black fruits, modest Oak, some herbs, mouthfilling. It still needs a couple more years but is starting to show well and should get a bit more refined in time.
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Medium garnet and slightly opaque in color. No evidence of bricking at the rim. Interesting nose combining cherry, cough syrup and a touch of smoke. The cherry notes foretell sour, bing cherry on the palate along with a touch of pepper and clove. Medium body and finish. Nice balance after about three hours of breathing.
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Great structure. Great nose of black fruits, tobacco, and spice. After two hours bottle decant, this wine was full bodied, typical CA Cabernet. Awesome.
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Deep purple in color, dark fruits with some leather on the nose. Still very prominent tannins. This was my last bottle and wish I had held for 2-3 more years to let the tannins fully integrate and some more secondary flavors emerge. This wine is going to improve up to at least 2017
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First bottle - pop and pour - something was not right. Nose was odd and chemically, fruit was muted, and it didn't taste *right*, not like a typical Quintessa (and as it's a favorite of mine, I think I know what is 'typical' to me). I opened a second bottle and while the nose is a bit strange-ish, the fruit is there, and - thank goodness - it tastes so much better. My take-away is that I should drink the remaining '04s sooner rather than later and move onto the '05s.
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Bright, clear garnet color. Full bodied with bright fruit on the palate. Popped and poured and think this still has a few years to go. Tannins still very prominent.
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A perfect example as to why 2004 is one of my favorite vintages for Napa cabs. Popped, not decanted for about 7-8 hours. It has the usual Rutherford chocolate, meat, dark fruits, earth, coffee found in high quality Napa wines. The 2004 however is in a good drinking window right now. Smooth tannins, balanced with slightly retracting fruit and just enough acid to keep the palate refreshing. I can't exaggerate enough how balance and silky smooth this bottle is. I found the same in 2004 Insignia, 2004 Kapcsandy State Lane and 2004 Bryant Family wines. Try a bottle especially if you have a few of this vintage. Enjoy!
Day 3 notes - left about 2 oz. on purpose, wine evolve to super concentrated earth, dirt, cigar box, bitter chocolate...just wonderful, silky smooth juice.
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Dusty Rutherford black fruit, earth, espresso, and spicy anise. Well balanced with a light grainy texture and palate. Sometimes it’s nice to get exactly what you expect.
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Ridiculously smooth. Spicy and expressive nose. Concentrated, deep, superbly crafted. Fine dust chocolate, black fruit, coffee. Big bodied but graceful, good acidity on the finish. Good grippy tannins. Remarkable balance. Just great, and complete.
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Tried this wine at the winery the year of its release and would have rated it an 88 based on tannins and lack of complexity. So we waited...and after cellaring for another 5 years had it with lamb and steak. It was truly one of the best wines I've ever had. Just amazing--dark fruit flavors, spices and rich dark chocolate.
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Nice wine, but I've had better. This was the third and final bottle of the night and it was good with food, but I think I was probably expecting more. Fruit is actually kind of subdued here, and it was throughout the entire bottle. I was a little disappointed as the 2006 and 7 seem like much better vintages by comparison. The wine was decanted for about 45 minutes after the initial pop (deep ruby stain on a cork with 1-2mm of cork bleed) showed that there was virtually no nose out of the bottle. The wine was double decanted and swirled...and again. Finally some dark fruit and dark chocolate started to open. The crazy thing is that you can just about get anything out of the nose or on the palate since these wines are really well made with a variety of different grapes. On the nose was all dark, dark dark. I was getting a sweet note of either ginger, lilac, lavender, maybe even honey or vanilla? The taste was all dark fruit, dark chocolate, right up front with a mid-palate showing some mixture with lavender, sage, plum, vanilla, and the finish with some creme de cassis integration with some spice and good, firm oak barrel and tannic structure that didn't let you forget the wine to the next sip. This wine finishes very strong and rather "chocolatey" so this would be a really good pairing with a steak and can carry through to the dessert. We enjoyed with some Italian dishes, which might not have been the best pairing, but the spice in the wine did a good job of augmenting the dish and the tannic structure bowed down to the food and did not compete. The best Quintessa I've had? No. But if I was offered this one at $79, I'd load up.
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This wine is awesome....Beautiful Garnet color, slow legs. Blackberry, Raspberry, Black currant (cassis), Red Currant, Jasmine Leaves, Lavender, Mint, Medium Toast, Oak, Sandalwood, Vanilla, and Chocolate. It is perfectly balanced from beginning to end. Beautiful smooth silky tannins. wonderful long finish!
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The nose was dark and seductive with black chocolate covered cherries, candied orange, mocha, vanilla and cola. On the palate, I found black currant and dark chocolate in a wave of mouth coating and seductive fruit. A hint of tannin lingered into its long finish. I could see this wine hitting its pinnacle in another year or two.
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Black and blue fruit. Mocha, big and rich. Soy sauce, light roast meats, coffee. Chocolate chocolate chocolate. Inky plums and uber ripe styling. Still showing its youth. A little heat all around but creamy and oaky but no monster here. Some nice grip. A little purple Kool-Aid mid palate. Acid and heat on the back end loses a couple points. Still showing nicely.
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I've been eyeing this bottle in the cellar for awhile now, so decided to pop it for an "at home" Valentine's dinner. On the nose, dark fruit, chocolate and vanilla. All of that carries to a medium heavy palate that seems to show a touch of minerals. Pretty good structure - this should easily outlast the 2013 WS "drink by" date. Overall, this is a wine with a bit more finesse and grace than many coming out of Napa these days.
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Beautiful nose of cassis and cedar, dark inky color, flavors of dark cherry and blueberry. Finishes with dry and dusty tannins. I give this vintage a slighty higher score than the '02. I still think this wine is an underachiever, should have more depth, length, and complexity.
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Brought this wine to meet friends for dinner at a nice steakhouse, regret having done so, a bottle like this should have been decanted and patiently enjoyed. However we consumed over dinner and I feel that this '04 is still very young, needs a few more years of cellaring. Juice was clearer then expected, nose was very hot and taste was brambly with a chewy puckeredness to it. I'll wait a while before opening my '03's.
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After an hour in decanter this wine showed a dark shroud of rich black currant jam with vanillin oak, gram cracker crust and a bit of detectable heat. On the palate, this wine showcased a velvety full body with dark black fruits, allspice and molasses which led to a slightly bitter finish that stayed fresh on the palate for an easy minute with blackberry fruit.
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Dark red with purple highlights, showing rich and nearly jammy aromas of blackberries, and cassis, backed with smoked herbs, and a little mint. Soft and round on the palate with slightly dry tannins and a finish possessing some depth and a lasting, almost overwhelming vanilla impression from the heavy oak.
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This was an amazing dinner with friends and a beef laden table. Rich, amazing with incredible balance. Deep velvety nose. A finish that lasts and lasts. Almost sorry that we drank it already...
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I opened a bottle and tasted in 2o minutes. Tight, closed and in desperate need for time. Three hours later We polished it off after finishing a different bottle. The smell and tast opened up ten fold. I think would of enjoyed the bottle the fallowing day even more. I can’t wait for a few more years to pass to open my next bottle.
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Decanted for about 20 minutes before first taste. The nose was closed initially but opened up rather soon to present a medley of frangrant fruit yet the wine itself, while showing long term potential, was too young to fully open up and present its full range. The balance was good but tight is the word I keep coming back to to describe the 04. I hope to try again in the next 2 years.
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Perhaps the most New World, modern styled wine to emerge from Quintessa in recent years, this could dissapoint some hardcore Bordeaux snobs. The nose is full of graphite and dusty black fruit, but its immense concenctration emerges on the palate where its almost chocolately blackcurrant fruit really shines.
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Elegant and classy with nicely integrated aromas of leather layered among ripe currant and dark cherries. On the palate this is fruit forward with loads of fruit and touches of fine, plush tannins.
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Dark purple/blue, primary red fruit nose with blueberries, cassis, ripe tannins, vanilla, palate is very suave with dark fruits, oak, chocolate, medium and slightly green finish
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This wine totally blew me away...AGAIN. Didn't even have time to decant it, but I honestly don't think it mattered. The color was an extremely rich royal purple on the rim and black at the core. The aromas were filling the entire table. Rich plums, blackberries and other dried dark fruit. Vanilla laced with lots of oak. Licorice was one of the prominent second layer notes. The wine was pure silk. Incredible mouth feel. Flavors of dark valley fruit, mocha and kirsch were rich and balanced. Structurally this wine will cellar for at least 10-15 years, but it's enjoyable now which is unusual for such a young wine at this price. Overall, this wine totally rocks. I've loved both vintages immensely and this remains one of my overall favorites. Look for a half bottle if the 750ml isn't in your budget. I promise you will not be disappointed.
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Shut down right not so hard to evaluate. Some nice fruit hiding beneath but couldn't coax much out of it even with an hour in the glass. Had this side-by-side with the '03 which is already singing. If you have both and want to open one now the '03 is the way to go.
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Huneeus Tasting: This is a big 'un. Beautiful dark fruits. Maybe it just its infancy, but this wine seems much like the previous two vintages, but more interesting. The fruit is still lovely, but the structure is bigger. Really seems to have the stuffing to last quite a while. I'm still not a fan of the price, but I'm not sure how anyone could complain after drinking this wine. I'd love to try in a few years. 93+
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Quintessa Mini Vertical (Specialty Imports): That's more like it! Showing a few steps up from the '03, but still not quite the '02. Nice nose of ripe black raspberries, warm spices, pain grille, and a unique characteristic reminiscent of brownies. The palate delivers rich plum, blackberry, and spiciness. Finishes with great acidity and firm tannins. Definitely cellar worthy.
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10/9/2022 - TDubs1992 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Still had a few years to it, at or near peak. Decanted for an hour. Good, smooth tannins and nice finish
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7/27/2022 - orange boy Likes this wine: 92 Points
great body still perfect with steak
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7/15/2020 - bsumoba wrote: 93 Points
4th of July BBQ. Wine drank very well with Ribeye and Lamb chops. This could have gone a bit longer in cellar, but it looks like it is coming into its prime drinking window and might actually be there already. Was the WOD against a couple CA Pinot (2005 Goldeneye is one that I remember), a Sauvignon Blanc, and a grocery store cabernet. Not a whole lot of competition but this one went fast and I was glad I brought it and poured myself a good sized glass.
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10/17/2019 - Kansas1955 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Very smooth yet full of flavor
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5/9/2019 - joshabramson wrote: 90 Points
Eh... it's... fine. Structure is still there but fruit seems to be fading a bit, so it's a little rough on the finish.
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3/20/2019 - Jim McKenna wrote:
Another spectacular wine from Aaron Pott! Ready to drink using the Aerovin aeration system! I can’t express the enjoyment my friends and I had sharing Two bottles of one of the best wines I have ever indulged!
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3/24/2018 - zanzabar Likes this wine: 93 Points
Uncellared, aged in its box hidden in the closet of a friends house and gifted to me. Thought it might be past peak but still strong after an hour decant. Muted fruits but the tannins and soft acid hold it together. The Rutherford dust is there.
At 2 hours this surprisingly came together well. very smooth and balanced. This was the WOTN for me against a 2014 Beringer Napa distinction series.
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10/29/2017 - MLR Likes this wine: 95 Points
A wonderful nose of roast meat, dark cocoa/chocolate with some effervescence. On the palate, a concentrated dark chocolate dust, ripened dark cherries. A long robust finish. Just perfect.
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6/17/2017 - MLR Likes this wine: 94 Points
This wine is still going strong. Robust nose of old leather
, cola and dark cocoa. In the mouth there is a strength lead by dusty cedar and earth notes. Full integration of mature flavors and tannins. Wonderful wine.
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3/11/2017 - HemiCuda wrote: 89 Points
showing the full fruit of a ripe vintage. Bit off-kilter.
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3/8/2017 - pipedream wrote: 90 Points
Still drinking very big...too big for my tastes. Dont believe the drinkabikity dates...this one will last for a long time. Hoped it would open up the second day but didnt.
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8/8/2016 - RMundell Likes this wine: 94 Points
drinking great right now.
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7/30/2016 - Whine-oh Likes this wine: 93 Points
Slow load for several hours. Candid before drinking one half hour. Dark ruby color. Fine sediment noted. Nice bright red and black fruits on this still Young 2004. Good mix of Napa-Esq fruit and structure to make this a wine that has some time ahead of it. Tannins give it a good firm backbone to match the fruit nicely. In good balance with years to go.
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7/19/2016 - MLR Likes this wine: 94 Points
Amazing wine with a full integration of tannins and fruit. Smooth medium mouth feel with salvors of darkened red fruit. Should go a few more years, but no reason to wait on this wine.
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5/16/2016 - MLR Likes this wine: 95 Points
Amazing wine with lots of dark fruit and wonderfully integrated tannins providing a little "dust" in the mouth.
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12/12/2015 - Dangelmaier wrote: 94 Points
love this wine, why? Great balance and structure in the mouth. Nose full of black fruits, tobacco vanilla and some spices. Also after 15-20 mins getting to room temp and decanting this 2004 finish is awesome.
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12/12/2015 - Sugarb Likes this wine: 94 Points
Beautiful bottle, great expression of what Quintessa tries to achieve. Harmonious balance between fruit, with strong berry overtones, especially at the end. Very sorry it was out last bottle.
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10/31/2015 - MLR Likes this wine: 94 Points
What a wonderful wine. Lavender and coffee bean on the nose sweetly. Medium mouth feel with tannins very light. Bright fruit of raspberry, blueberry along with a bit of chalkiness. Glad we have more of this.
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9/26/2015 - mrpaper126@gmail.com wrote: 96 Points
WOW- Who knew the time between my last bottle (7/2010) and this one would be so different. So much complexity, lots of dark fruit, perfectly integrated oak and a big hit of Rutherford. This was a 375ml, so I don't know how my experience translates to 750's. If you have them, you will not be disappointed.
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6/19/2015 - Sugarb Likes this wine: 95 Points
This was outstanding, so glad we had the discipline to hold until now. Was perfect with a grilled short rib and grilled lamb loin, cannot imagine it being a perfect AirPrint with any grilled protein.
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5/30/2015 - smithmattd wrote: 94 Points
The wine softened significantly after 10-15 minutes in the decanter. It was one of the most significant transformations I've experienced. Perfectly balanced after that.
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3/8/2015 - IowaBoy Likes this wine: 96 Points
This was the hit of our wine party. Perfect structure, lots of flavor without being fruit forward at all, tight tannins,
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2/1/2015 - travelme Likes this wine: 93 Points
Smooth as silk from the beginning. On the palate you get a lot of red fruit. Great Bordeaux qualities. Highly recommended and it was gone quickly at the Super Bowl party. Glad I still have a few left.
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1/29/2015 - grafighter Likes this wine: 95 Points
Slow ox'ed for 2 hours then decanted at Republique. Drank over a 3-hour dinner. Aroma and palate were very consistent with my notes from last year, except the fruit dropped off just a little bit more. Just a wonderful wine to enjoy with family and friends over good food. If you have this wine, drink now and the next few years and enjoy.
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1/8/2015 - wconnolly Likes this wine: 90 Points
Medium purple color and opaque. Floral aromas on the nose with some light smoke. Nicely balanced with predominantly dark cherry on the palate. This was delicious but was slightly overwhelmed by the '03 Freemark Abbey Sycamore that we drank with dinner.
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12/26/2014 - Snag One Likes this wine: 92 Points
We decanted this wine for two hours. Very soft tannins and very mild acidity. Wonderful crimson color. The legs are medium. Aromas of blackberry, red currant, dust, coffee and toast. Layers of cinnamon, plum and toast. With a medium body this wine has a polished texture. We liked this wine unfortunately it's the last one in our cellar.
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12/13/2014 - mxpbuy Likes this wine: 91 Points
A very nice wine that is coming together and smoothing out nicely. I remember this when it was a bit chunky and clunky upon first release. Nice dark black fruits, modest Oak, some herbs, mouthfilling. It still needs a couple more years but is starting to show well and should get a bit more refined in time.
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11/30/2014 - wconnolly Likes this wine: 90 Points
Medium garnet and slightly opaque in color. No evidence of bricking at the rim. Interesting nose combining cherry, cough syrup and a touch of smoke. The cherry notes foretell sour, bing cherry on the palate along with a touch of pepper and clove. Medium body and finish. Nice balance after about three hours of breathing.
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11/20/2014 - Fusions33 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Really nice wine, with chocolate covered coffee beans, licorice and nutty characters. Drinking great right now with lots of life left.
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10/4/2014 - BATWine Likes this wine: 93 Points
Delicious. Opened up amazing. Still had good fruit, could also taste some nice funk as well.
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9/26/2014 - cawineaux wrote: 92 Points
Great structure. Great nose of black fruits, tobacco, and spice. After two hours bottle decant, this wine was full bodied, typical CA Cabernet.
Awesome.
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9/13/2014 - MLR wrote: 92 Points
Wonderful Wien. Tannins have mostly faded and fruit softened. Bit still held up.
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9/8/2014 - wino121 wrote: 93 Points
Drinking really well right now, and I'd say it has another few years of prime time.
One of the better Q's I've had..
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8/17/2014 - pjbeans Likes this wine: 93 Points
Deep purple in color, dark fruits with some leather on the nose. Still very prominent tannins. This was my last bottle and wish I had held for 2-3 more years to let the tannins fully integrate and some more secondary flavors emerge. This wine is going to improve up to at least 2017
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8/13/2014 - cookiefiend wrote:
First bottle - pop and pour - something was not right. Nose was odd and chemically, fruit was muted, and it didn't taste *right*, not like a typical Quintessa (and as it's a favorite of mine, I think I know what is 'typical' to me). I opened a second bottle and while the nose is a bit strange-ish, the fruit is there, and - thank goodness - it tastes so much better. My take-away is that I should drink the remaining '04s sooner rather than later and move onto the '05s.
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6/21/2014 - wconnolly Likes this wine: 90 Points
Bright, clear garnet color. Full bodied with bright fruit on the palate. Popped and poured and think this still has a few years to go. Tannins still very prominent.
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5/21/2014 - lkatz Likes this wine: 90 Points
two luscious drinkers
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2/22/2014 - samalexis wrote: 92 Points
Excellent, decanted for over an hour and it is still heavy. Can't wait to try it again in a few years.
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1/1/2014 - grafighter Likes this wine: 95 Points
A perfect example as to why 2004 is one of my favorite vintages for Napa cabs. Popped, not decanted for about 7-8 hours. It has the usual Rutherford chocolate, meat, dark fruits, earth, coffee found in high quality Napa wines. The 2004 however is in a good drinking window right now. Smooth tannins, balanced with slightly retracting fruit and just enough acid to keep the palate refreshing. I can't exaggerate enough how balance and silky smooth this bottle is. I found the same in 2004 Insignia, 2004 Kapcsandy State Lane and 2004 Bryant Family wines. Try a bottle especially if you have a few of this vintage. Enjoy!
Day 3 notes - left about 2 oz. on purpose, wine evolve to super concentrated earth, dirt, cigar box, bitter chocolate...just wonderful, silky smooth juice.
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10/13/2013 - MAXIMUM SATISFACTION wrote: 93 Points
Dusty Rutherford black fruit, earth, espresso, and spicy anise. Well balanced with a light grainy texture and palate. Sometimes it’s nice to get exactly what you expect.
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5/30/2013 - Murf130 wrote: 94 Points
Wow. Wine still could have gone several more years. Well balanced. Last bottle otherwise would wait another year or two and try it again.
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2/23/2013 - jeffal66 Likes this wine: 96 Points
Ridiculously smooth. Spicy and expressive nose. Concentrated, deep, superbly crafted. Fine dust chocolate, black fruit, coffee. Big bodied but graceful, good acidity on the finish. Good grippy tannins. Remarkable balance. Just great, and complete.
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1/12/2013 - rsternth Likes this wine: 93 Points
drinking quite well after 3hr decant; cassis, bordeaux-like wine, reminded me of Dominus.
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7/20/2012 - Kenneth14 wrote: 95 Points
This wine has great balance. Very enjoyable and a great finish.
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7/20/2012 - mklasing wrote: 96 Points
Tried this wine at the winery the year of its release and would have rated it an 88 based on tannins and lack of complexity. So we waited...and after cellaring for another 5 years had it with lamb and steak. It was truly one of the best wines I've ever had. Just amazing--dark fruit flavors, spices and rich dark chocolate.
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6/25/2012 - jfaulk wrote: 96 Points
Outstanding! Fruit, oak, tannins in perfect harmony. Hints of spice, chocolate, leather
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4/1/2012 - mflesh wrote: 92 Points
Nice wine, but I've had better. This was the third and final bottle of the night and it was good with food, but I think I was probably expecting more. Fruit is actually kind of subdued here, and it was throughout the entire bottle. I was a little disappointed as the 2006 and 7 seem like much better vintages by comparison. The wine was decanted for about 45 minutes after the initial pop (deep ruby stain on a cork with 1-2mm of cork bleed) showed that there was virtually no nose out of the bottle. The wine was double decanted and swirled...and again. Finally some dark fruit and dark chocolate started to open. The crazy thing is that you can just about get anything out of the nose or on the palate since these wines are really well made with a variety of different grapes. On the nose was all dark, dark dark. I was getting a sweet note of either ginger, lilac, lavender, maybe even honey or vanilla? The taste was all dark fruit, dark chocolate, right up front with a mid-palate showing some mixture with lavender, sage, plum, vanilla, and the finish with some creme de cassis integration with some spice and good, firm oak barrel and tannic structure that didn't let you forget the wine to the next sip. This wine finishes very strong and rather "chocolatey" so this would be a really good pairing with a steak and can carry through to the dessert. We enjoyed with some Italian dishes, which might not have been the best pairing, but the spice in the wine did a good job of augmenting the dish and the tannic structure bowed down to the food and did not compete. The best Quintessa I've had? No. But if I was offered this one at $79, I'd load up.
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2/25/2012 - bearsfan wrote: 92 Points
Drinking very well now. Oak is very much integrated and fruit is subdued. More of a French than CA style, which usually suits me better.
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1/20/2012 - drerwinsu wrote: 93 Points
When allowed to open up the true character of this wine was revealed. Decanted for 30 min.
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1/3/2012 - jeanne wrote: 93 Points
When 1st opened really worried about bouquet but proved to be all of the rating. Outstanding!
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12/25/2011 - Wojtanowski Likes this wine: 95 Points
excellent
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12/17/2011 - jfaulk Likes this wine: 96 Points
This wine is awesome....Beautiful Garnet color, slow legs. Blackberry, Raspberry, Black currant (cassis), Red Currant, Jasmine Leaves, Lavender, Mint, Medium Toast, Oak, Sandalwood, Vanilla, and Chocolate. It is perfectly balanced from beginning to end. Beautiful smooth silky tannins. wonderful long finish!
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11/21/2011 - M5 wrote:
"3" excellent wine....Balance, dust, clean finish.
This wine continues to consistently show up.
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8/21/2011 - Eric Guido Likes this wine: 92 Points
The nose was dark and seductive with black chocolate covered cherries, candied orange, mocha, vanilla and cola. On the palate, I found black currant and dark chocolate in a wave of mouth coating and seductive fruit. A hint of tannin lingered into its long finish. I could see this wine hitting its pinnacle in another year or two.
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6/17/2011 - beezer6 wrote: 93 Points
Black and blue fruit. Mocha, big and rich. Soy sauce, light roast meats, coffee. Chocolate chocolate chocolate.
Inky plums and uber ripe styling.
Still showing its youth. A little heat all around but creamy and oaky but no monster here.
Some nice grip. A little purple Kool-Aid mid palate. Acid and heat on the back end loses a couple points. Still showing nicely.
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6/14/2011 - lkatz wrote: 92 Points
quite enjoyable with a grilled steak...
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3/25/2011 - WAWINEFAN wrote: 92 Points
A smokey strawberry nose. Fruit well integrated. A smooth nice finish
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2/14/2011 - vanpe003 wrote: 94 Points
I've been eyeing this bottle in the cellar for awhile now, so decided to pop it for an "at home" Valentine's dinner. On the nose, dark fruit, chocolate and vanilla. All of that carries to a medium heavy palate that seems to show a touch of minerals. Pretty good structure - this should easily outlast the 2013 WS "drink by" date. Overall, this is a wine with a bit more finesse and grace than many coming out of Napa these days.
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1/28/2011 - wineotim wrote: 91 Points
Beautiful nose of cassis and cedar, dark inky color, flavors of dark cherry and blueberry. Finishes with dry and dusty tannins. I give this vintage a slighty higher score than the '02. I still think this wine is an underachiever, should have more depth, length, and complexity.
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11/27/2010 - dbersohn wrote:
Drank with Brent and Jenny
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11/13/2010 - BinVA wrote: 95 Points
Fantastic, well worth the wait.
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10/30/2010 - Alfaro wrote: 90 Points
Brought this wine to meet friends for dinner at a nice steakhouse, regret having done so, a bottle like this should have been decanted and patiently enjoyed. However we consumed over dinner and I feel that this '04 is still very young, needs a few more years of cellaring. Juice was clearer then expected, nose was very hot and taste was brambly with a chewy puckeredness to it. I'll wait a while before opening my '03's.
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10/3/2010 - Eric Guido Likes this wine: 90 Points
After an hour in decanter this wine showed a dark shroud of rich black currant jam with vanillin oak, gram cracker crust and a bit of detectable heat. On the palate, this wine showcased a velvety full body with dark black fruits, allspice and molasses which led to a slightly bitter finish that stayed fresh on the palate for an easy minute with blackberry fruit.
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7/13/2010 - clericjohnbrown wrote: 84 Points
Dark red with purple highlights, showing rich and nearly jammy aromas of blackberries, and cassis, backed with smoked herbs, and a little mint. Soft and round on the palate with slightly dry tannins and a finish possessing some depth and a lasting, almost overwhelming vanilla impression from the heavy oak.
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4/12/2010 - mplasker wrote: 92 Points
One of the best cabs I have ever had. Color, bouquet, taste, finish and legs were at the top of the chart.
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1/8/2010 - Always4wine wrote: 81 Points
Surprised to find this somewhat corked. Strong nose and taste of green pepper and a vegetal fink.
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12/17/2009 - mplasker wrote: 94 Points
Beautiful bottle of Cabernet from Rutherford. Very smooth with a nice long finish. Great color, bouquet and flavor. Can't wait to try the next one.
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8/30/2009 - lviehmyer wrote: 95 Points
This was an amazing dinner with friends and a beef laden table. Rich, amazing with incredible balance. Deep velvety nose. A finish that lasts and lasts. Almost sorry that we drank it already...
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8/28/2009 - wine snob in training wrote: 92 Points
I opened a bottle and tasted in 2o minutes. Tight, closed and in desperate need for time. Three hours later We polished it off after finishing a different bottle. The smell and tast opened up ten fold. I think would of enjoyed the bottle the fallowing day even more. I can’t wait for a few more years to pass to open my next bottle.
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7/22/2009 - Millercg68 wrote: 92 Points
Wine of the Day. Bested the 04 Lancaster and the 99 Ridge Montebello, even though both of those were also excellent. Too bad it was my last bottle.
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3/1/2009 - JR_Boston wrote: 90 Points
Very Good, but not great. May have needed more time to decant
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1/16/2009 - tgkswine wrote: 91 Points
Decanted for about 20 minutes before first taste. The nose was closed initially but opened up rather soon to present a medley of frangrant fruit yet the wine itself, while showing long term potential, was too young to fully open up and present its full range. The balance was good but tight is the word I keep coming back to to describe the 04. I hope to try again in the next 2 years.
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12/28/2008 - mrpaper126@gmail.com wrote: 93 Points
Predictibly wonderful
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8/15/2008 - DancingDavidE wrote: 94 Points
Bottle was decanted for some time before I arrived. Fruit, acid and tannin were all in harmonious balance with a long finish.
Best wine that I've had? (with many more to come I hope!)
Tasted with a good friend at Fleming's steakhouse in Chicago. I tasted blind after he had ordered and decanted.
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7/19/2008 - cpandmg wrote: 93 Points
Similar to the description of "mrener" below. Excellent wine with several years left to age.
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6/14/2008 - Millercg68 wrote: 94 Points
One of the best Cali cabs out there!
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5/13/2008 - wino_tim wrote: 91 Points
Perhaps the most New World, modern styled wine to emerge from Quintessa in recent years, this could dissapoint some hardcore Bordeaux snobs. The nose is full of graphite and dusty black fruit, but its immense concenctration emerges on the palate where its almost chocolately blackcurrant fruit really shines.
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5/7/2008 - Phin wrote: 94 Points
Coffee and caramel. Popped and poured - awesome. Would be even better with longer decant.
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4/19/2008 - KevinC wrote:
Dinner at Flemings (2nd bottle)
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3/16/2008 - wino_tim wrote: 90 Points
Elegant and classy with nicely integrated aromas of leather layered among ripe currant and dark cherries. On the palate this is fruit forward with loads of fruit and touches of fine, plush tannins.
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2/18/2008 - PIER wrote: 92 Points
Tasted the 2004 with the 1993. both were outstanding although the 1993 was excellent.
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1/31/2008 - brewking wrote: 92 Points
this 375 was much better than last bottle. Almost identical to the 750.
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11/30/2007 - duchamp wrote: 92 Points
Dark purple/blue, primary red fruit nose with blueberries, cassis, ripe tannins, vanilla, palate is very suave with dark fruits, oak, chocolate, medium and slightly green finish
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11/27/2007 - beezer6 wrote: 95 Points
This wine totally blew me away...AGAIN. Didn't even have time to decant it, but I honestly don't think it mattered.
The color was an extremely rich royal purple on the rim and black at the core.
The aromas were filling the entire table. Rich plums, blackberries and other dried dark fruit. Vanilla laced with lots of oak.
Licorice was one of the prominent second layer notes.
The wine was pure silk. Incredible mouth feel. Flavors of dark valley fruit, mocha and kirsch were rich and balanced.
Structurally this wine will cellar for at least 10-15 years, but it's enjoyable now which is unusual for such a young wine at this price.
Overall, this wine totally rocks. I've loved both vintages immensely and this remains one of my overall favorites.
Look for a half bottle if the 750ml isn't in your budget. I promise you will not be disappointed.
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11/1/2007 - mattiasjansson wrote: 90 Points
Shut down right not so hard to evaluate. Some nice fruit hiding beneath but couldn't coax much out of it even with an hour in the glass. Had this side-by-side with the '03 which is already singing. If you have both and want to open one now the '03 is the way to go.
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10/25/2007 - winefool wrote: 94 Points
WS NYWE Grand Tastings; 10/25/2007-10/26/2007 (Marriott Marquis): Really lovely - a great year for Quintessa. As good as many more expensive Napa cabs... 94-95 pts.
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9/6/2007 - hutch wrote: 93 Points
Huneeus Tasting: This is a big 'un. Beautiful dark fruits. Maybe it just its infancy, but this wine seems much like the previous two vintages, but more interesting. The fruit is still lovely, but the structure is bigger. Really seems to have the stuffing to last quite a while. I'm still not a fan of the price, but I'm not sure how anyone could complain after drinking this wine. I'd love to try in a few years. 93+
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9/1/2007 - jjclips2 wrote: 91 Points
Quintessa Mini Vertical (Specialty Imports): That's more like it! Showing a few steps up from the '03, but still not quite the '02. Nice nose of ripe black raspberries, warm spices, pain grille, and a unique characteristic reminiscent of brownies. The palate delivers rich plum, blackberry, and spiciness. Finishes with great acidity and firm tannins. Definitely cellar worthy.
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