Mark Flesher

9.5

With family roots to BV over decades of winemaking, the style shows in this wine. A black fruit dominant wine. The finish on this wine makes SURE you don't miss the Rutherford dust, as it is ABUNDANT. For someone wanting to learn about Classic Napa and, further, classic Rutherford wine, **THIS** is the wine to serve. This wine is right on par with Wm. Harrison for Rutherford gem deluxe. And crafted in the nuclear style. This one can hold for 20 years easily. Well done Raymond and Steve. Fantstic Napa cab. — 3 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.5

Unanimous number 1 vs a Spoto secret acre Cab a year older and a Rutherford blend from Wm Harrison. This wine was decanted 6 hr ahead of enjoying. Wow man. Black licorice. Black fruit, cassis, fig, youthful oak. Full bodied. This could have been a pop and pour and probably would have kicked just as much ass. The comprehensive cab blend that is in a very sweet spot right now. Oakville, To Kalon but is probably a "secret" in and of itself. Tons of life left. — 3 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.2

LOCKED. UP. Tasted three 14 Cabs over 3 nights: 1 from Montagu, 1 from William Harrison and this one. Out of all 3, this one is the most tannic. The most restricted. And the one with perhaps the most potential. Opened with a great red berry nose, herbal. Middle is black cherry, olive, medium to full bodied. After 2 hours, showing more in the front. Will be more integrated in 2020. — 4 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.5

This wine is in a GOOD spot right now. CT Average of about 93, and I'd say that this is about right. 93-95 as this one still has probably 7-8 years before it is pop and pour. Acidic at the opening, but the patience (which we didn't have) would have served us well. Cabernet power from the front. Blackberry preserves, hint of mint, white pepper, hint of clove, middle that goes a little bit herbal, but still very considerable black fruit. Finishes strong, with pepper, spice. I know the last 750 I have is in danger, and hopefully I can also lay off the mag for at least a couple of years. — 4 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.4

I guess it has been a while since I experienced this one as I cannot find my previous rating here. This was a fun comparison made between this wine and a 2008 William Harrison Rutherford red, a Bordeaux blend made from grapes of Quintessa's immediate neighbor to the north. Styles were extremely different. Whereas the Harrison showed a darker side of Rutherford fruit with distinct Rutherford dust, this to me seemed to have more black cherry, herbal and youthful qualities to it but the backbone did still seem to be youthful blackberry. Still quite a bit of stiff oak astringency on the finish, but Rutherford dust did shine through. I was really amazed how youthful this wine was for 11 years. This thing could go another 15 to 20 years no question. This is a thoroughbred in a long race! Quintessa is always a treat!! — 3 years ago

with Bradley, Shay and 1 other

Mark Flesher

9.3

Waited to get home to try this one. The last bottle was corked. This bottle, not nearly so much!After the last bottle was corked, this bottle was opened the next night. Poured a light straw color. Nose of lemon and herbed buttered popcorn. The entry was acidic and dominated by lemon and Asian pear. Middle of this wine is where the buttered popcorn and kernel notes kicked in. The wine finishes rather acidic, but with good weight and density. I still think this one has quite a few years left in it. The next one to drink is the last 2013 for sure. Drink or hold this one another 3 to 5 years. — 4 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.3

Umm... yeah..... so the last one of these I had didn't seem to be THIS good. I'd incite a riot if I gave this one what I really wanted to give. What a massive bouquet and palate of strawberry puree, crushed rock, pomegranate. Not too acidic. Rather full and viscous for a Rose.....aaaaand it's my last as well. — 4 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.3

A nice PV. William Harrison anniversary PV outdoes it quite easily, but this wine is delish. Pours like ink! Nose is a mix of floral and candied black fruit. Darker mulberry cassis(?) and violets. Thick and dense wine. Finishes with a mixed bag of dense black fruits and pepper. Going to hold nicely for the next 5 to 7 years but I think drinking these now wouldn't be a bad idea! — 3 years ago

with Dan, Bradley and 2 others

Mark Flesher

9.3

Solid 93, almost 94. This wine is 100% PV. A bit young, this one pours a dark, deep violet to the glass. There is no way light is getting through this monster. The nose is pepper and spice cake. The entry is fruitcake, pepper, allspice. The middle gains a youthful sweet tobacco leaf on top of a fruitcake red and black spice. The finish is tannic without a doubt, and I feel that another year or so would do this one quite well. A 93.45 stunner tonight, with potential to improve over the next 5 years. This one would top the 25th Anniversary William Harrison PV depending upon the style you prefer for PV. Gonna have to acquire a few for the collection! Nice pull @Shay A — 4 years ago

with Shay

Mark Flesher

9.5

This wine is coming along fantastic. Nose of violets, purple fruits, lavender fields, cinnamon and baking spice. The entry on this wine is RIDICULOUS. Full bodied, torqued up. Still quite a tannic finish. This is a wine that you can put back for a decade without any hesitation. If I could just keep my hands off this bottle, I just might save some of the other four for another day. Not sure that this will happen. Bar none, best wine that William Harrison has ever made. This is currently the bar for me with regard to Petit Verdot. 95 points easily today, with the possibility of achieving 98. — 4 years ago