2020 Quintessa Red
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Tasting notes
The 2020 Proprietary Red is another rock-solid 2020 that has the vintage's dense, compact feel while staying balanced. Red and black currants, mulberries, iron, leather, and violet notes define the nose, and it's medium to full-bodied, has a layered, elegant mouthfeel, and outstanding length. The blend is 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 4% Carmenere, and the rest Petit Verdot that spent 22 months in 60% new oak.
Critic scores
Jancis Robinson MW
Tom Parker MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
According to General Manager Rodrigo Soto, while a couple blocks of the estate vineyard were picked after September 26, none of those post-Glass Fire picks made it into the final blend of the 2020 Proprietary Red Wine. A blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 4% Carmenère and 2% Petit Verdot, it offers up hints of dusty earth, cedar and ripe cherries on the nose, while the medium to full-bodied palate is soft and silky, almost delicate in feel, with a lingering finish.
The 2020 Red Wine is very, very good for the year. Dark, dense and potent, the 2020 shows ample depth and intensity. There's a bit of edginess in the tannin, but, then again, this is 2020. Blackberry, chocolate, licorice and cloves linger on the incisive finish.
87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 4% Carmenère, 2% Petit Verdot. Harvest 3–26 September. One-third of the normal volume produced due to fire. Highly polished blackberry and blueberry fruit define the nose together with subtle hints of baked vanilla and clove. The palate has admirable grip, taming some of the sweetness to bring balance. Pithy, smoky and perhaps lacking some of the fruit density to be found here in stronger vintages, it is nonetheless a well-made wine with a long, slightly dry finish. (TP)