Jeff Orlowski

9.5

Darkest of dark purple. Dry, full bodied, dark fruits, leather, tobacco. Revisiting after 30 months...outstanding! — 13 days ago

with Michael and Joe

Sarah Milsow-Guenther

9.0

Almost a little smokiness to this one. Really nice. — 4 hours ago

Kyle Bacon

9.1

Been sitting on this bottle for 3 years. Can’t believe i didn’t crack it open sooner! — 11 days ago

Shay A

9.2

Another Wednesday Wine Committee in the books. Great hosting by @Bill Makens . 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds, 1 dessert wine all served blind.

Textbook. Everything about this screamed Bordeaux. Oiled leather wrapped currant, underripe blackberries, licorice and herbal spice aromatics. Less powerful than I expected on the palate, but nimble and clean. Mocha, charcoal, dark fruit and chewy tannins. I called this late ‘00s left bank Bordeaux. — 17 days ago

with Colby, Bill and 1 other

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!! — 13 hours ago

with Bradley, Shay and 1 other

Sarah Milsow-Guenther

8.9

Better than the 2011, nice little wine. — 4 hours ago

Ira Schwartz

9.4

PnP. If I was tasting blind I would have said 8 year old California cab. Ripe and robust on both the nose and in the mouth. However this was restrained in the context of the vintage. Overt fruitiness but none of the over the top ripeness that characterizes this vintage . Despite the extracted fruit the acidity kept this beautifully balanced. Very smooth and round. No signs of age and would not open another bottle for 10 years plus.
A wine still in its infancy.. — 10 days ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

The Joseph Phelps Party. This is the 17 Insignia.

The nose shows; brooding, black currants, dark tarriness, heavy expresso roast grounds, heavily extracted; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum with skin, with raspberries, cherries and strawberries faintly on the glass edges. Smoked meats, deep baking spices; clove, nutmeg, light cinnamon and just a touch of vanilla, dark turned earth, some dry top soil and fresh dark florals bouquet dominated with violets and lavender.

The body is round & full. The fruits are ripe, candied & juicy. It’s a brooding insignia that will need lots of cellar time. The body is thick, round and heavy. Dark tarry, meaty tannins. Dark currants and well extracted; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum with skin, with raspberries, cherries, raspberries and strawberries bring up the rear. Smoked meats, anise,
tough leather, big pipe tobacco, woody, deep baking spices; clove, nutmeg, light cinnamon and just a touch of vanilla, dark turned earth, some dry top soil, dry top soil, dry to mist clay, graphite and fresh dark florals bouquet dominated with violets and lavender. the acidity is round and big. The full finish is brooding, well textured, great balance and persists endlessly. — 2 hours ago

Ron R

9.4

First time trying this. And it’s picking up pace with exposure to air. Very well done, but the regular cab is just as strong, Tipping the scales at $180, it’s a pass. Stick to the regular cab. — 8 days ago

with Anne-marie

Brian Franke

9.0

Worth the wait. Fruit forward with a semi-dry finish. — 14 days ago

with Sara