Quintessa estate spotlight
Official Quintessa film on the Rutherford estate, biodynamic farming, and the blend Rebekah Wineburg builds from this property.
2022 Quintessa Red Rutherford, USA
Rebekah Wineburg's Rutherford estate red, cassis and graphite from 26 blocks, a 99-point Quintessa at two hundred fifty dollars.
The 2022 Quintessa is the flagship estate red in 750 mL: 93 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, Decanter 99 and James Suckling 97, now $250.
One Rutherford estate, one flagship, parcel by parcel
Quintessa is not a label assembled around an idea. It is one property translated block by block: hillsides, benchland, woodland, a river corridor, and Dragon's Lake. Rebekah Wineburg tastes the lots. Harmony is the brief. Decanter 99. James Suckling 97. This 750 mL is the same architecture as the half-bottle sibling, in the format the cellar was built for.
The house
Agustin and Valeria Huneeus found the last great undeveloped Rutherford property in 1989. One estate, one wine, biodynamic.
The wine
93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, 1% Carmenere, 1% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot. 22 months French oak with a terracotta amphora component.
The scores
Decanter 99. James Suckling 97. Harvest September 9 to October 1.
The drinker
Cassis and graphite. Decant 45 to 60 minutes. Serve 60 to 64 F. Short ribs or chimichurri steak.
Cassis, graphite, then the estate line
Quintessa's own note opens on intense black cherry and cassis, then tobacco, bay laurel, cedar, and dark chocolate. Plush on entry, crushed rock and graphite underneath, fine-grained tannin on the close. Decanter called it refined and packed with life. Suckling: elegant, intricate, charming, fine-sand tannins.
Harvest ran September 9 through October 1. Ripe dark fruit and plush texture, held by bright acidity and fine tannin. Twenty-two months in French oak, led by 60 percent new, with a small amphora share.
Black cherry, cassis, raspberry, blueberry, dark plum, bay laurel, cedar, tobacco.
Fine-grained tannin, generous mid-palate, 22 months French oak (60% new) plus terracotta amphora.
Graphite, dark chocolate, crushed rock. Decant 45 to 60 minutes. Serve 60 to 64 F.
Parcel by parcel, then one blend
Quintessa is built from 26 estate blocks across hillsides, benchland, woodland, a river corridor, and Dragon's Lake. Each block is harvested and vinified separately so the blend is the property. The 2022 is 93 percent Cabernet Sauvignon with Cabernet Franc, Carmenere, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. Twenty-two months in French oak, led by 60 percent new, with a small amphora share. Rebekah Wineburg tastes for harmony, not volume.
Carmenere cuttings from Chile sit in the blend as a family signature. Biodynamic farming is the vineyard brief.
Decant 45 to 60 minutes. Serve 60 to 64 F. Drink now through about 2038, with the best patience beginning around 2030.
One estate, one flagship
Agustin and Valeria Huneeus wanted one Rutherford wine from one piece of land.
The Huneeus family bought the Mardikian property in 1989, planted it as Quintessa, and released the first vintage in 1994.
They farmed organic, then biodynamic. Carmenere cuttings from Chile sit in the blend as a family signature. Rebekah Wineburg leads the cellar.
The 2022 750 mL is that same estate wine in the format the house was built around: a full bottle for the long table, not a second label.
Protein, smoke, herbs, and time
Dark fruit and graphite can stand up to roasted or braised red meat, while freshness and fine tannin keep richer dishes from feeling heavy.
Two plates. One short rib. One flat iron with chimichurri. Both fit a Rutherford flagship.
Serve 60 to 64 F. Decant 45 to 60 minutes.
Red Wine-Braised Beef Short Ribs
A slow braise for cassis, cedar, and savory graphite.
Why it works: The braise mirrors dark cherry and cassis while richness softens fine-grained tannin.
View Recipe for red wine braised short ribs (opens in a new tab)
Grilled Flat Iron Steak with Chimichurri
Char, salt, herbs, and green lift. A clean match for Rutherford Cabernet.
Why it works: Chimichurri pulls bay laurel and cedar. Grilled beef meets the graphite structure.
View Recipe for grilled flat iron steak with chimichurri (opens in a new tab)Put the Rutherford flagship in the cellar
Rebekah Wineburg, 26 blocks, Decanter 99. Two hundred fifty dollars.
Put six in the cart. This is Quintessa in 750 mL, the estate wine, priced to open.
