February 16, 2023 - Had 2 more of these that I had forgotten about to be honest with you. But this one has changed a bit. A wine event where Rhone is the word, or Rhone style wines to pair with lamb and pork. This. Was. A. Great. Fit. Not one wino would have guessed that this was a Rutherford Cabernet. Nose and palate were actually more pathognomonic for a Northern Rhone red. Hot red black cherry, grilled meat, tobacco leaf, almost a tiny vegetal character but not at ALL in a bad way. Dang, this wine is drinking WELL tonight. Although I had to leave before the lamb chops were done, I've got no doubt that this wine was a hit with the balanced nature of herbs and red fruits. Delicious. Drink now.
January 31, 2022 - This one is at peak. This one has the grilled blackberries, the slightest hint of meaty character underneath, and Rutherford dust for months. I do think there's a slight bit of bottle variation going on here because, out of 6 (this being #4 consumed), this is the best of the other 3 by a long shot. This would stand in a lineup of Eisele, Insignia and Shafer Hillside Select and would NOT finish in last place (only of these were all served blind, of course, to those who are influenced by what's on the label!). Poured a violent color with a slightly muddy meniscus. Nose was black currant, surprisingly 'spicy' and youthful with hints of roasted nuts and fruitcake. Entry is grilled brambleberry, overripe blackberries, au jus, roasted walnuts and cashews, dates and plums. Finish is very dusty! Tannins are definitely dropping out of this one but allowed for a very elegant yet chalky finish. Held strong for about 90 minutes. In a great spot. I am crossing my fingers that the last 2 bottles are gonna be reading from this chapter in the book because this wine was something special tonight! Now is the time to open these!!
January 13, 2021 - Decided to cellar the other four since the first one was really good and the second one was very meh. Came back to this one about a year later. I think time has done it well, or maybe it's the bottle variation (or both). This is a ripe wine. This particular bottle is right at the top of the drinking curve. It had everything you would want from a classic Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon. Ripe red currant, overripe black cherry, a hint of iodine, definitely can get the volcanic nature of the tufa here (yes, WHWines is just about the only producer in Rutherford AVA that has Tufa in the soils). Middle of this wine gets a little bit of black olive and green pepper, and herbal qualities that are not unappealing in any way. Finishes still with a nice acidic character but there are also some lilacs here, even some fresh cut flowers. Very intriguing. Fine grit sediment on the neck and shoulder. This one was a delight tonight. Fingers crossed for the remaining 3! This one is a 93-94.
February 21, 2020 - This bottle didn't show as well as the first. Was a little disappointed but the classic Rutherford dust was very, very present. As it should be if you're making wine. In Rutherford. Easy there, Quintessa.
February 14, 2020 - Ripe for drinking from cork pop. Perfectly balanced. Blackberry, black cherry, iodine, roasted fig, pipe tobacco. Roasted pecan character on the finish. Great acidity. Went well with hummus, Greek fare, Mediterranean spices. Classic Rutherford dusty tannin on the finish with adequate, not overbearing black pepper notes. This wine is in the zone. I have 5 more of these and will be drinking them all within the next year or 2. Really close to giving this a 95.
November 28, 2019 - My wife and I bought this bottle around 2009 from the winery because our oldest son’s name is William Harrison. Finally opened it today....he’s 22 now.
February 1, 2018 - Better than the previous bottle I had, this was more resolved and balanced.
October 21, 2017 - No decant. Initially smelled of wood shavings, any aroma of fruit was subdued. However lots of fruit on the first sip, rich and plummy. Nicely integrated tannins, smooth finish.
November 4, 2016 - I recently tried the '10, '11 and '12 vintages, so was hoping for more from this more aged bottle. It was quite pleasant, but felt a little muddled. There was a grainy, chalky aspect to the wine's profile at first. It evolved nicely with a kind of petrol tone, which was interesting. Overall, this was pleasant but nothing to seek out at >$40ish.
October 23, 2015 - (pnp) lands a little hot for the first half hour or so, during this phase mid palate very compressed dark fruits......when the alcohol fans out, mid palate broadens into more pleasurable balance with the nose offering nice overall balance with pleasant tannin support and overall very enjoyable....recommend decant 1/2 hr .....reopened after 3 days corked sitting out on counter, was still in excellent condition if not better