Quintessa tasting with Larry Stone
The Jefferson Hotel - DC
Tasted October 19, 2016 by cab blends with 314 views
Introduction
Larry Stone - The first American to win the prestigious Sopexa Best International Sommelier in French Wines in Paris, Larry Stone is one of the nation’s most renowned sommeliers and wine educators. At the time of winning this award, Larry was America’s 9th Master Sommelier. With more than 30 years of experience in the wine industry, Larry is celebrated for his encyclopedic knowledge of wine as well as for his considerable experience delivering exquisite service at some of the nation’s top dining establishments. Larry opened the Four Seasons Hotel in Chicago, before becoming General Manager and Sommelier of Charlie Trotter’s eponymous restaurant. He helped bring the restaurant to world prominence and was responsible for its acknowledged excellence in service. Larry even served as the restaurant’s patissier for a while. Wishing to be closer to vineyards again, Larry relocated to San Francisco to open Rubicon Restaurant with New York Restaurateur Drew Nieporent, Chef Traci des Jardin and several partners, including Robert DeNiro, Robin Williams and Francis Ford Coppola. Larry established the award-winning wine program at the restaurant, while attracting and training some of the best young sommeliers in America. At the same time, Larry started to make wines under the label of Sirita, named after his daughter. Larry also served as a board member of the Niebaum-Coppola Estate Winery before becoming the General Manager of Francis Ford Coppola's Rubicon Estate. Larry helped to create the successful winery project called Evening Land Vineyards. He served as its President, producing universally acclaimed wines in Oregon with Dominique Lafon as its consulting winemaker. Larry has also served as a Trustee of the James Beard Foundation and on the Board of the Court of Master Sommeliers. He joined the International Culinary Center as Dean of Wine Studies in 2012. Accolades and Achievements Master Sommelier of the Court of Master Sommeliers Winner of Sopexa Best International Sommelier in French Wines and Spirits in Paris The only American awarded the title of Maître Sommelier L'Union de la Sommellerie Française Awarded a Michelin Star for Rubicon Restaurant Winner of the Ivy Award from Restaurants and Institutions Awarded a Silver Spoon from Food & Wine Magazine Featured in the James Beard Foundation’s Who’s Who Recipient of the Wine Spectator Grand Award for 12 years running Winner of two James Beard Foundation Outstanding Wine Service Awards
Flight 1 (1 note)
Strong but not overpowering acidity.
Flight 2 (4 notes)
Tannins are heavy at 8.5/10 and it goes minerally and steel in the austere finish. Not a wine you would drink by itself. There is a small bitterness in the finish.
There is no mid-palate almost at all.
This as well as the Dragon's Terrace and Bench are no available for sale at all.
Very rich and thick with a purple hue.
Rounder on the palate than the Calisse with some cherry initially.
Tannins 6.5/10.
Quintessa describe these soils as a fusion of soils.
Tannins 7.5/10 and rounded. Very drinkable now - a shortish finish.
Per Larry this will tighten up over the next 12 months and 2017 will not be a great year to open them.