Nose
An inviting nose of fresh cherries, currants, and red plum accentuate the complex aromatics of
crushed wet rock, sandalwood, and clove.
Palate
A bright and silky entry is immediately accompanied
by a vibrant layered juicy core, presenting beautiful elegance to this wine. The finish is lingering
yet focused, showing striking definition, balance and finesse.
Growing Conditions
This is a vintage defined by our focus and attention to detail in the vineyards. The year began
with cool spring temperatures and moderate rainfall that pushed bud break, flowering, and
fruit-set back two weeks. These cooler temperatures continued into the summer months,
making canopy management essential. A warm September allowed the grapes to achieve full
flavor development. In early October, our experienced viticulturists responded to early rains
with careful canopy management, select crop removal, and a lot of patience. The rain was
followed by four weeks of Indian summer that allowed the remaining grapes to ripen more
fully.
Vineyard blocks
(in descending order
of quantity)
Bench, Cruz del Sur, Dragon’s
Terraces, Corona Norte &
Corona Sur, Limelight,
Monte Cruz, Riviera Sur,
Mont Calisse, Alcantara,
Howard’s Million, Canyon,
Lake Terrace, Las Casas, Riviera
North, South Terrace, Tesoro.
Harvest
Our team used selective picking and careful sorting to ensure that only perfect grapes
reached the tanks, and ultimately the finished 2011 Quintessa
Bottling
Bottled: Aug. 2013.
Winemaking
Maceration: 28 days average.
Aging
21 months in 100% French, 85% new, very
fine grained, chateau style,
medium-plus toast from
diverse forests north of the
Loire River.
Coopers: Taransaud, Demptos, Sylvain,
Saury, Seguin-Moreau
