Diana Sabo

10

Enjoyed 2022 vintage on September 10, 2023 — 2 months ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.4

Bart and Daphne Araujo sold their eponymous Estate and its jewel, the Eisele Vineyard, to François Pinault of Château Latour five years ago. The offer from Pinault “came out of the blue,” according to Bart, but it was one the Araujos couldn’t refuse. Not being ready to retire, work started immediately on their next project, Accendo.
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The focus at Accendo (pronounced “akkendo” and meaning: to kindle, illuminate, inflame, arouse) is almost clichéd if not on trend for a new Napa project - restraint and reverence to the wines of the 1960s and 70s. Sourced from vineyards in St. Helena and Oakville, they produce Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc. The team includes Françoise Peschon, Michel Rolland, and Steve Matthiasson, as well as the Araujo’s children Jaime and Greg.
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Extraordinarily mineral driven. My first thought was this is what Napa SB would taste like if it was made by Weingut Keller, mouthwatering, layered minerality with lime and citrus blossom accents. Yasss! — 6 years ago

Carson

9.0

Dare I say this is one of the boldest Italians I have ever tasted? Huge oak, rich spice, and dark cherry illuminate this bottle and bring this wine to life,
so much so that I wouldn't recommend it to the faint of heart or to those who don't truly love a bold red. As for me, I'll have another. #qpr like you wouldn't believe. — 9 years ago

Catherine Leith

9.1

7% alcohol, but you can't tell the difference. Crisp and clean with notes of lemon and pair. Not fantastic, but good for a low alcohol wine. — 2 years ago

Bill Bender

8.9

Quite tannic, under-developed and I get a over-riding stemmy note from this Ech. Im not getting too much in the way of pure fruit. It could just be young or it may be a fermentation style that utilizes more stems with the clusters. Perhaps somebody with more experience with this maker can illuminate things for me. — 6 years ago

Marc Stubblefield

Wine Sales at Vino Carta and Kogod Wine Merchant

9.2

Wow. Orchard fruit and spice and texture for days. These age remarkably, and if anything illuminate the delicate balance between Old World sensibility and new world fruit. Clearly Friulian in inspiration, but I don't think this wine could be made anywhere but California. Exceptional. — 7 years ago

Erin Kurland

8.9

Light, dry and delicious red for this sunny summertime feeling super bowl — 9 years ago

Vanessa

9.2

Today we visited the peaceful, tranquil vineyard and winery of @quintessawinery where years ago Augustin and Valeria Huneeus, of Chile 🇨🇱, set their sights on one of Rutherford’s gem properties, offering diverse soils, aspects, and four distinct microclimates all on the same property😍 🍇

Valeria, the viticulturist of the family, chose to farm this land organically and biodynamically. Quintessa more recently pursued and obtained formal certification. While the Huneeuses remain intimately involved, albeit to a lesser degree, the excellence of these wines and winemaking practices are carried forward under currrent winemaker Rebekah Wineburg. @postandvine

Here we have a flight that includes two Illumination white blends comprised of Sauvignon Blanc Musque, Sauvignon Blanc, and Semilllon varieties.

These blends are reminiscent of a Bordeaux Blanc from Pessac-Leognan region. These wines were fermented for various periods of time in a combination of concrete, stainless steel, acacia wood, and neutral oak vessels, lending dimension and complexity. These wines also underwent lees stirring, lending richness, weight, and creaminess. Just one year difference between these two wines and the result is noteworthy.

The 2018 is elegant, more restrained, and integrated, where as the 2019 is highly aromatic with florals 🌸 and tropical fruits such as melon, papaya, tart pineapple 🍍 . Both wines are approx 14% ABV and have bright acidity.

The name Illumination came from time spent in the vineyard, watching the sun illuminate the vines. The beautiful work on the label was inspired by the Book of Kells and stained glass, known to glow and shine with the luminescent sun. ☀️ — 4 years ago

with Deked1

Thomas McKee

8.9

With Wes and Sheree at Illuminate — 8 years ago

Randy Fuller

9.2

Not a splinter of oak for these Chardonnay grapes. The wine throws off a yellow-gold tint and smells of crisp green apples, tropical fruit, cantaloupe and a twist of lemon. The palate is fairly lush, with enough citrus fruit to make Minute Maid jealous. The zippy acidity carries some nice zest along to the finish. The sip is clean and brisk. — 10 years ago