2016 Napa Valley Red Blend
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Carménère, 1% Petit Verdot. 22 days’ maceration. Aged for 20 months in 70% new French oak (remainder neutral). Deep ruby. Very youthful, spicy and elegant with fresh black and red fruit that’s perfectly ripe. Lightly sandy tannins with a lengthy finish. Not quite as much concentration as 2010 but no lack of flavour. There’s a tiny bit less extraction than 2010. (SCJ)
Critic scores
Average Score
The Wine Advocate
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Carmenère, 1% Petit Verdot. Average 22 days’ skin contact. Aged 20 months, 70% in new French oak barrels. Certified organic (CCOF) and biodynamic (Demeter). Deep ruby colour. Densely fruity. I'm tasting this in a vertical and this wine marks the break between the more tertiary 2005, 2011 and 2013 and the more primary expressions. Blackberry and black-cherry aromas with dried riverbed. Sweetness and density to the fruit on the palate, with a viscous texture and an evolving, amaro-tinged finish. Lovely. Lots more road ahead! (SCJ)
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Carmenѐre. ‘2016 was a near-perfect season with budbreak starting moderately early and ideal weather conditions in the spring, continuing throughout the summer and fall. Cooler temperatures in August provided an extended hang time, allowing the fruit to reach peak ripeness and beautiful vineyard expression. Harvest began before dawn on 15 September and continued through 13 October – just before the winter rains began to nourish and replenish our soil.’ Minerally nose with lots of ripe fruit. Complex and rewarding with so many layers and nooks and crannies to it. Fine tannins. A fine future ahead of it. So appetising. (JR)
Quintessa's 2016 Proprietary Red Wine boasts relatively youthful, primary fruit, with cherries and black cherries both appearing on the nose. Medium to full-bodied, it's silky and suave on the palate, framed by ripe, supple tannins that linger elegantly on the finish.