2002 Quintessa

Biodynamic viticulture and meticulous attention in the cellar from winemaker Aaron Pott have helped make Quintessa, a Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, one of California's top reds. The polished '02, saturated with smoky black plum and black currant flavors, may be the most impressive Quintessa produced to date.

The bouquet of this wine is a rich mélange of floral and black fruits.  A delicate brush stroke from Titian, the accent is on opulence tempered by finesse.  A bold attack, that astonishes with its richness, and then a seamless segue to an ultra ripe, integrated and well textured mid-palette.  A brooding monolithic mass of bold velvet robed tannins, the assurance of graceful aging leading to a finish that lingers and flirts endlessly.  The paragon of the Quintessa Vineyard.

In 2002, Valeria and Agustin Huneeus' dream of the Quintessential Wine Estate, one vineyard that produces one singular estate wine, was realized with the opening of the winery at Quintessa. Walker Warner Architects of San Francisco designed the winery to reflect Agustin and Valeria Huneeus' desire for an inconspicuous structure that would blend into the contours of the property. The graceful crescent-shaped design was carefully considered for its environmental sensitivity and fits snugly into an eastern-facing hillside, disrupting little in the way of the aesthetics or natural beauty of the property. A facade of indigenous stone and natural landscaping of native plants and oak trees creates a subtle presence amidst the diverse terrain.