Our Rating
Napa Valley
Cabernet Sauvignon
Quintessa was founded in 1989 by Agustin and Valeria Huneeus with the goal of creating a single estate wine that truly captured the spirit of Napa Valley’s Rutherford region. The estate spans 280 acres of diverse terrain, including rolling hills, oak woodlands, and carefully planted vineyard blocks growing Bordeaux varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Carménère. From the start, the Huneeus family focused on sustainable and biodynamic farming, believing that respecting the land was key to making wines that reflect its unique character. Instead of producing multiple wines, Quintessa has always focused on crafting one signature blend each year, made from the best fruit the estate has to offer. Over the years, it’s become one of Napa Valley’s most respected wineries, known for its elegant, balanced wines and its commitment to sustainability and quality.
Rebekah Wineburg has been the winemaker at Quintessa since 2015, bringing a blend of global experience and scientific know-how to the estate. Her passion for winemaking started early—during a trip to Napa Valley at 16, she was introduced to the craft by a winemaker friend of her father’s, and it left such a lasting impression that she decided to make it her career. She went on to earn a dual degree in chemistry and biology at Macalester College, followed by a master’s in viticulture and enology from UC Davis. Her graduate research focused on how winemaking techniques impact Cabernet Sauvignon’s phenolic composition, which set the stage for her work with Napa’s signature varietal.
Before landing at Quintessa, Rebekah worked harvests in California, Oregon, Italy, and New Zealand, gaining hands-on experience in different winemaking styles and regions. At Quintessa, she brings together her global perspective and scientific background to craft wines that reflect the unique character of the vineyard. She’s a strong advocate for biodynamic farming, ensuring that the estate’s practices work in harmony with nature. For Rebekah, winemaking isn’t just about the process—it’s about bringing a wine to life and letting it tell its own story as it evolves over time.
The 2019 growing season in Napa Valley was pretty much ideal for making balanced, expressive wines. It all started with plenty of rain over the winter and early spring, which gave the vines a healthy start. Cooler spring weather pushed the growing season back by about two weeks, giving the grapes extra time to ripen slowly and evenly.
By the time summer rolled around, temperatures were steady and warm, without the heat spikes that can sometimes stress the vines. This helped the grapes keep their acidity while developing rich, concentrated flavors. Harvest began in mid-September and wrapped up by late October, giving the winemaking team plenty of time to pick each block at just the right moment. The result? A wine with great balance, fresh acidity, and loads of complexity.
This is a wine that reveals itself layer by layer. It’s got richness, complexity, and a structure that promises years of aging potential, but it’s also polished enough to enjoy now with a little patience (and a decanter).
The blend is dominated by 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, complemented by 4% Cabernet Franc, 2% Merlot, 2% Carménère, and 1% Petit Verdot. And it is a wonderful blend.
First things first, it’s a stunner in the glass. The wine is a deep garnet color, almost inky at the core, with a high viscosity that clings to the sides of the glass. Right away, you know you’re dealing with a bold, full-bodied wine.
On the nose, this wine is vibrant and full of character. It opens with rich dark fruits like black cherry, blackberry, and black currant, but there’s so much more going on. Subtle hints of cedar, cigar box, and graphite bring a savory, earthy vibe, while floral notes of violet add elegance.
As it breathes, the aromatics deepen, revealing layers of anise, forest floor, and a touch of oak spice. The French oak barrels used in aging add complexity without overpowering the fruit. Overall, the nose is both inviting and intriguing, giving you a good sense of what’s to come on the palate.
If you like bold, layered wines, the 2019 Quintessa delivers in spades. It’s full-bodied with pronounced flavors that mirror the nose: ripe black cherry, blackberry, and black currant up front, followed by savory notes of graphite, cedar, and cigar box. There’s also a hint of black pepper, licorice, and even a touch of olive that adds complexity.
The structure is where this wine really shines. The tannins are high but fine-grained, giving the wine a firm backbone without being too drying. The acidity, while not super high, keeps things fresh and prevents the ripe fruit flavors from feeling heavy. The finish is long and smooth, with all the flavors lingering in perfect harmony.
At $195, the 2019 Quintessa isn’t an everyday wine, but it’s not meant to be. It’s a luxury wine for collectors and enthusiasts who appreciate the artistry of a well-made Napa blend. With a 96-point score from the Cork and Journey tasting panel which is very much in line with the scores from the big boys. Wine Enthusiast – 100 Points, James Suckling 99 Points, Jeb Dunnuck 97, Decanter 96, and the list goes on and on.
The 2019 Quintessa is a wine that captures the best of what Napa Valley has to offer. It’s bold yet refined, complex but approachable, and crafted with precision from start to finish. Whether you’re enjoying it now or laying it down to see how it evolves over the next couple of decades, it’s a wine that delivers on its promise of elegance and depth.
If you’re a fan of structured, layered reds, the 2019 Quintessa deserves a spot in your collection—or at least a place at your table for a special occasion. It’s a wine that makes an impression, and it’s one you won’t forget anytime soon. Cheers!
USA
Napa Valley
Cabernet Sauvignon
14.5
Rebekah Wineburg
30 Minutes
Now to 2045
Quintessa
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