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Quintessa Proprietary Red Blend Rutherford 2023

$25499
Use code 10OFF to get 10% off 12+ bottles
2023 was a slow, cool Napa vintage, and in Quintessa's hands that long season shows up as lift and precision rather than sheer weight. A cool, wet spring held back bud break by two to three weeks and the summer brought no heat spikes, so the grapes ripened slowly. Picking ran from September 22 all the way to October 30, after a winter of heavy rain had ended three years of drought and refilled the estate lake. The blend is 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, with Cabernet Franc, Carménère, Merlot and Petit Verdot making up the rest. This is also the first vintage to include Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc from the Riveria Block, replanted only five or six years earlier. The team used a bit more terracotta amphora this year (3% of the wine, alongside 22 months in French oak, 60% new) to keep each variety's fruit fresh and distinct. The backstory is worth knowing too: Agustin and Valeria Huneeus bought this Rutherford land in 1989, when it had never been planted to vines, and Valeria insisted on doing nothing to harm it. Their granddaughter Antonia, the third generation, joined as estate manager the year this wine was released.

Shipping

Every step of the journey is managed to uphold the integrity of each bottle.

  • Nationwide Access: Flat-rate shipping available to most U.S. states with delivery in 3-5 business days.
  • Temperature-Monitored Shipping: We closely monitor weather conditions and make informed decisions to ensure shipments travel safely, with insulated packaging and refrigerated transport available when required.
  • Wine-Specific Protective Packaging: Specialized materials designed to maintain label integrity and prevent breakage during transit.
  • Provenance Assured: All wines are maintained in climate-controlled conditions at our shop until the moment of dispatch.

Returns & Exchanges

We stand behind every bottle we sell.

  • If the wine is less than 10 years old and it is corked, you may return it to us for a full refund or exchange within 60 days of purchase. You must show us proof of purchase. We understand that you may not live near a shop and that it is difficult to ship open bottles of wine to us, so if there's any problem feel free to Contact Us and we'll work it out.
  • For wines older than 10 years, the consumer bears the risk of a faulty cork, but we accept returns of older bottles if the wine is faulty as a result of improper storage. Please come by the store or Contact Us if there is a problem.
  • We may, at our discretion and to the extent permitted by law, accept returns of unopened wines within 30 days of purchase if they were properly stored by the purchaser, subject to a 15% re-stocking fee.

View our complete return policy →

Have Questions?

Our team is here to help.

Hours

Monday - Friday: 11am - 8pm

Saturday: 12pm - 5pm

CLOSED SUNDAYS

Email: help@flatiron-wines.com
Phone: (415) 780-1405


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Decanter

99 points

"A marvelously bright red from winemaker Rebekah Wineburg, remarkably fragrant in its mineral elegance of the dusty red pulverized earth that is so characteristic of the Rutherford AVA, also appearing on the palate as fine, gravelly, cocoa-powder infused tannins. Pure-fruited, with ripe cassis and blackberry notes, salted dark chocolate, and a full-bodied personality, radiant with exotic floral notes of hibiscus and red rose, with a touch of dried sage and rosemary that adds further complexity. Incredibly elegant and built for long-term cellaring. The full blend includes: 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, 2% Carménère, 2% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot. After 20 days of maceration, the wine was aged for 22 months in 60% new French oak barrels and 3% in a terracotta amphora."

Wine Spectator

95 points

"Juicy, focused and vivid flavors of blackberry and boysenberry paste stretch out steadily, while iris, anise and singed apple wood notes fill in liberally. Fine-grained, with a ping of iron echoing through the fruit at the tail end of the lengthy finish. Shows lovely purity and persistence. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Carmenère, Merlot and Petit Verdot."

Wine Enthusiast

98 points

"The 2023 Quintessa shines with clarity, detail, and poise. A remarkable wine. Violets and lavender lift from the glass, carrying with them aromas of black currants, tobacco and cedar. Cashmere like tannins join brightening acidity delivering elegance, restraint, and durability for aging. Will benefit from decanting if opening now, but will develop in bottle beautifully." —Elaine Chukan Brown

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Wine Details

  • Grape Variety

    Cabernet Franc , Cabernet Sauvignon , Carmenere , Merlot , Petit Verdot , Red Blend

  • Vintage

    2023

  • Size

    750ml

  • Farming Practice

    Organic

  • Style

    Rich

  • Sweetness

    Dry

  • Body

    Full Bodied

Flatiron's Take

From the Importer

Tasting Notes & Food Pairings

Perfect Pairings

Dry-aged ribeye with a peppercorn crust; rack of lamb with rosemary and thyme; braised beef short ribs; wild mushroom and herb risotto; aged Comté or Gouda.

Tasting Profile

Fresh cassis and violets with tobacco leaf and a hint of herbs. Pure, deep fruit that's dense but not heavy, with bright acidity and fine, precise tannins. A long, smooth finish.

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