98pts James Suckling

Quite full-bodied, bold and muscular, this wine, poured from a magnum, runs deep on the palate and long on the finish. Black cherries, dark chocolate, graphite and cocoa on firm, polished tannins that will give the wine at least ten more years of powerful enjoyment. As good or better than when reviewed several years ago. Drink or hold.

97pts The Wine Independent

Poured from magnum, Quintessa's 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of mainly Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Carménère. Deep garnet in color with a touch of brick, it swans out of the glass with showy scents of boysenberry preserves, stewed black cherries, and fruit cake, followed by suggestions of dried roses, cumin seed, and star anise. The full-bodied palate delivers mouth-coating black fruit preserves flavors with loads of exotic spice accents and a velvety texture, finishing long and opulent. Lookin' good!

95pts Decanter

As Napa’s 2014 vintage continues to age in the bottle, top producers like Quintessa show that this underdog vintage may yet outshine the highly-praised 2013 vintage. Nearly a decade on, it is still totally youthful with exuberant toasty oak notes and inky black fruit marred in a bed of sagebrush and bay laurel. It’s an aromatic walk in the woods around the hills of Rutherford. Medium to full-bodied with supple dark-berry fruit redolent of black cherry, blackberry and boysenberry, dusted with Indian spices of cumin and cardamon, laced with vanilla and dark chocolate. While drought conditions led to seriously concentrated flavour, the tannin profile benefited from some extra skin tannin, showing powerful and supple with length and building on the finish. Will continue to improve with cellaring. 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot, 1% Carmén?re. Harvest: September 5 – October 6, 2014. 21 months in 80% new French oak barrel.

95pts Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The three red wines are represented best by the flagship wine, the 2014 Quintessa Proprietary Red from their vineyards in Rutherford. A beautiful floral, black raspberry and blackcurrant nose soars from this dense ruby/purple wine. Medium-bodied, beautifully rich and layered, the emphasis is on discreet yet intense flavors, power allied with elegance, and wonderfully supple, lush tannins. This wine has great balance, purity, and presence on the palate and should evolve beautifully for two decades or more.

94pts Jane Anson

This was the second drought summer in the Napa Valley, and perhaps the vines were adapting, or perhaps the significant earthquake that struck at the end of August released ground water. What is certain is that there is a tenderness and a flexibility to the tannins that is extremely appealing, and the raspberry and blackberry fruits are wrapped in gourmet brioche and smoked caramel, while given lift by crushed mint and eucalyptus on the finish. Charles Thomas winemaker, Michel Rolland consultant, 80% new oak for ageing.

94pts Wine Spectator

A ripe red, with some freshness still to its core of juicy, bramble-edged black currant and blackberry fruit flavors. There's a swath of tar on the finish, which shows good cut and energy. A late note of smoldering cast iron adds a finishing kick.

Jancis Robinson

Not the deepest purple. A little refreshing vegy note and lovely texture with the tannins almost hidden and with great lift. Racy and elegant. 18/20 points (JR)

Winemaker Notes

The 2014 Quintessa is a beautiful wine, offering both early enjoyment and ageability. Dense and dark in color, with inviting aromas of fresh cherry and blackberry layered with notes of violets, graphite, and hints of cedar spice, this wine exudes warmth. Dancing on the tongue with flavors of dark berries, dark chocolate, and savory herbs, the smooth and supple tannin expresses all the hallmarks of an exceptional Quintessa vintage.