In 2022, Quintessa say it was the maturity of their vines that helped weather extreme heat late in the season, plus vineyard practices honed over previous years. The 2022 is composed of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, plus one percent each of Carmenere, Petit Verdot and Merlot. It spent 22 months in French oak (60% new), with just 1% made in terracotta amphora. The colour is a vivid magenta, deep at the core, with dark and meaty aromas rising from the glass. There's an immediate sense of savoury concentration, black fruit for sure, but cedar and game folded around. On the palate the sheer sweetness and ripe, supple lusciousness of the blackcurrant and juicy plum takes you by surprise: so much dark cocoa richness and fleshy, dark fruit that the aromas only hinted at. Tannins are taut and grippy suggesting this needs time, but already the balance and the intensity makes for an impressive glass of wine. Balance and length are exemplary, in a terrific Napa Cabernet.

Tom Cannavan