Happy Hour Wine Tasting Featuring Quintessa 2023 Wednesday, October 21st 6pm and all the Huneeus family wines on SALE!!
Wine Watch Trivia:
When was the first known reference to a specific wine vintage?
Roman Historian Pliny the Elder rated 121 B.C. as a vintage "of the highest excellence." or as I say "Most Excellent"
We have been following the handy work of Agustin Huneeus since his early days in his homeland Chile with the mammoth Concha y Toro winery and have been impressed by every one of his stops along the way turning around landmark Napa wineries like Franciscan Estates and Mount Veeder. His return to Chile has produced some of the greatest wines that this country has to offer with his Veramonte label. I visited this winery during my trip to Chile in August of 2008 and have to say that it was the most professionally run wineries that I saw on my journey along with Casa Lapostolle and Montes. These wines present some of the best values that we can offer you if you like Bordeaux varietals. Although he has bought and sold several wineries over the years the current portfolio of wineries the family represents are all what I would call “Most Excellent”.
Quintessa really speaks for itself as the property is not only incredibly beautiful, but the wines are always among the best coming from Napa every year. The 2023 release is once again a candidate for wine of the vintage in Napa Valley but everything in the Huneeus portfolio of wineries is equally impressive and tonight you get to sample a bit of everything that they are currently offering.
The fee for this happy hour wine tasting is $125 + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463 or e-mail andy@winewatch.com.
Happy Hour Wine Tasting Featuring Quintessa Wine Estates
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
6pm
2025 Illumination Sauvignon Blanc Napa
2024 Flowers Chardonnay Sonoma Coast
2023 Flowers Chardonnay Camp Meeting Ridge Estate Sonoma Coast
2023 Benton Lane Pinot Noir Willamette Valley
2023 Faust Cabernet Sauvignon Napa
2023 Favia Cabernet Sauvignon Napa
2023 Quintessa Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford Napa
Menu
All American Beef Sliders
Arctic Char in Wonton with Hoisin BBQ
Steak Fries with Parmesan and Truffle Aioli
Arancini with Sunday Sauce
Charcuterie Pizza
The fee for this wine tasting is $125 + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463 or e-mail andy@winewatch.com
A bit about Agustin Huneeus:
Agustin Huneeus, Sr., embarked upon his legendary career as a winemaker over four decades ago. He founded premier wineries both in California and Chile, and guided others to worldwide acclaim. He is perhaps best known for his artistry and innovative techniques resulting in critically acclaimed wines crafted in the Bordeaux tradition. Wines and wineries achieving prominence under Agustin’s hand include Veramonte (Primus) and Concha y Toro of Chile, and Franciscan Oakville Estate, Mount Veeder, Estancia and Quintessa of California. He is considered a trail blazer with his Cuvee Sauvage, Napa Valley’s first wild-yeast fermented Chardonnay, and Magnificat, one of Napa Valley’s first Bordeaux style proprietary blends.
Agustin is recognized both as a philosopher and an artist. He has stamped his imprimatur on a school of thought that has profoundly influenced the California wine industry. To most vintners, a wine is a Chardonnay, perhaps, or a Zinfandel, or a Merlot. To Agustin, a wine is the embodiment of a place. Its heritage, its terrior, - its ‘somewhereness’, in his words - matters most. Meritage wines, those artful blends that pay tribute to the winemaker rather than to the variety, exemplify the Huneeus principle of "attaching wine to a place." Agustin’s famous Quintessa, has become one of the landmark Bordeaux style blends from the Napa Valley, this testifies to the wisdom of his philosophy of allowing the vineyard to express itself.
Agustin served as Chairman of the 1996 Napa Valley Wine Auction, and was awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the Wine Spectator Magazine that same year. He is the former president and current chairman of Franciscan Estates, a winery he brought from obscurity to world limelight. Along with his winery at Long Shadows Vintners, Agustin retains ownership in Quintessa and Flowers. He resides at Quintessa Estates with his wife, Valeria, who holds a Ph.D., and is a scientist and viticulturist in her own right.
Valeria Huneeus, Founder
Born in Chile, PH.D, Microbiologist and Viticulturist Valeria Huneeus originally intended to study medicine, but redirected her love of science into viticulture and enology. After graduating from the university of Chile, she worked as a viticulturist in the southern hemisphere. When Valeria and Agustin moved to New York and began a family, Valeria broadened her interests, pursuing a PH.D. In biochemistry from Columbia University. She then spent ten years doing research in cholesterol and cell metabolism with the veteran’s administration and the University of California at San Francisco. Looking for an opportunity that would allow her to work closer to her husband, Valeria transitioned into vineyard development with the Mistral Vineyard in Santa Clara County. This project gave her valuable experience that she was able to use in the development of Quintessa. Valeria stumbled on the Rutherford property that would become Quintessa during a time when she was searching for a new vineyard management project, and her vision and perseverance made it possible to purchase the property in 1990. Believing that we are stewards of the land, Valeria took special care to be respectful of the landscape and the soil during the property development. Many other facets of her philosophy have been applied to the development of the Quintessa vineyard and its daily care to this day, as Valeria remains a driving force in long-term vision of the vineyard.
2023 Quintessa Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford Napa 3 Liter
Price: $1350.00 Sale $1215.00
2023 Quintessa Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford Napa
Price: $287.00 Sale $229.50
(99 Points) A marvelously bright red from winemaker Rebekah Wineburg, remarkably fragrant in its mineral elegance of the dusty red pulverized earth that is so characteristic of the Rutherford AVA, also appearing on the palate as fine, gravelly, cocoa-powder infused tannins. Pure-fruited, with ripe cassis and blackberry notes, salted dark chocolate, and a full-bodied personality, radiant with exotic floral notes of hibiscus and red rose, with a touch of dried sage and rosemary that adds further complexity. Incredibly elegant and built for long-term cellaring. The full blend includes: 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, 2% Carménère, 2% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot. After 20 days of maceration, the wine was aged for 22 months in 60% new French oak barrels and 3% in a terracotta amphora. Decanter
2022 Quintessa Red Rutherford
Price: $287.00 Your Price: $258.30 Quantity in Stock: 6
(99 Points) Such an incredible wine here - one of the stars of the September releases. Smells amazing, cooling blueberries with fragrant blackcurrants, edges of florality - totally inviting scents. Full and filling in the mouth, this is ample with such a layered effect, super vertical and elongated. Tight and a little tense but it really works - such balance between black fruit, dried herbs, high acidity and a profound structure. Refined and beautifully presented. So much life, so much energy - this is pure class. A wine you don't want to put down. Feels hands off despite such concentration and power. Ends salty with sticky liquorice, mint and cooling wet stones. You could definitely drink this now but it will age too! 1% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot complete the blend. One of the final few vintages with Rodrigo Soto at the helm - he stepped down last year to concentrate on his family project Far Mountain in Sonoma Valley which is worth following. Winemaker Rebekah Wineburg. Decanter
2021 Quintessa Proprietary Red Napa Magnum 1.5L
Price: $607.50 Your Price: $546.75 Quantity in Stock: 1
2021 Quintessa Proprietary Red Napa
Price: $287.00 Your Price: $258.30 Quantity in Stock: 2
(100 Points) An exquisite wine, relying primarily on Cabernet Sauvignon from a single estate. Aromas of lavender, dried herbs and grapefruit pith combine with flavors of firm fruits and cocoa on a structure of abundant, powder-fine tannin and a mouthwatering finish. This wine is refined, detailed and delicious, with as much elegance as energy. Best 2026–2040. — Elaine Chukan Brown Wine Enthusiast
2015 Quintessa Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford Napa Magnum
Price: $789.00 Your Price: $710.10
(96 Points) Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2015 Proprietary Red Wine has a very deep purple color and notes of crushed rocks, dusty earth and iron ore over blackcurrants and black cherries, plus hints of tapenade, bay leaves, underbrush and chargrill. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is bursting with densely packed, youthful black fruits, framed by finely grained tannins and refreshing acidity, finishing long and mineral laced. This was tasted as a barrel sample. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
2001 Quintessa Red Rutherford Napa
Price: $240.00 Sale Price: $195.00 Quantity in Stock: 2
(92 Points) Quite ripe and oaky, made in a big, impressive style. Knocks you out with the density and concentration of its black currant, dark chocolate and coffee flavors. Completely dry, and with a tart, espresso-like bitterness, this beauty is guaranteed to age, with its firm tannins. Review Date: 10/2004 Wine Enthusiast
The Quintessential Wine Estate
Agustin and Valeria Huneeus developed Quintessa in 1990 to establish the property as one of the great red wine estates of the world. Valeria guided the 280-acre Rutherford vineyard with strict care for the soil and environment with a commitment to biodynamic and organic farming. The vineyard’s many microclimates, soil types, elevations, and exposures have been planted to a wide selection of rootstocks and clones, with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and small plots of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Carmenère. The winery’s eco-sensitive design integrates nature and winemaking, with a gravity flow process, naturally cooled winery and caves. Grapes are crushed on the winery roof and flow by gravity into the fermentation room below. After fermentation with native yeasts and extended maceration in stainless steel, French oak and concrete tanks, the wine ages in French oak barrels in the caves. Winemaker Charles Thomas brings over 20 years of winemaking experience in California to Quintessa’s next decade. He leads a winemaking team that includes international blending consultant Michel Rolland.
It is hard to believe that just a few decades ago this pristine property in the heart of Napa Valley had never seen a grapevine. Originally part of the Caymus land grant, the property was purchased in the 1940s by George Mardikian, a high profile San Francisco restaurateur, owner of the renowned Omar Khayyam restaurant. Mardikian had grand plans for the property and believed it's destiny was to be a premium wine estate. George Mardikian died in the early 1980s never having fulfilled his dream.
The combination of the property's size, beauty and location in the heart of one of the world's greatest appellations, Rutherford, created a speculative frenzy among potential buyers. From the time of his death until the final sale in 1990, many prestigious vintners in the Napa Valley attempted to buy the property, several getting as far as escrow, without success.
Agustin And Valeria Huneeus remember the first time that they discovered the property: "In 1989, Valeria and I found the property that would become Quintessa, a remarkable estate in the heart of the renowned Rutherford appellation of Napa Valley. With 280 acres, it was the last great undeveloped property in Napa Valley and had all the characteristics of a great wine estate: rolling hills, many different microclimates and a vast diversity of soil types. Maybe the other buyers could not close due to money, but most speculate that the former owner was a bit difficult to deal with but Augustan will tell you today, “Now with nearly fifteen years of growth, the vines have lost their youthful exuberance and have developed into a balanced vineyard that needs little manipulation to produce low yields and concentrated flavors." - Agustin Huneeus
"The fact that the property at Quintessa had never been planted to grapes before spoke to the vivacity of the soil and the absence of grape pests. But it was amazing the diversity of the land that convinced us of Quintessa's potential to be one of the truly great wine estates of the world. The estate includes a valley, a lake, a river, five hills, four microclimates and numerous different soil types. Few vineyards anywhere encompass such diversity." - Valeria Huneeus
Agustin and Valeria Huneeus developed Quintessa in 1990 to establish the property as one of the great red wine estates of the world. Valeria guided the 280- acre vineyard with strict criteria of care for the soil and environment through a commitment to biodynamic and organic farming. The vineyard matches rootstocks and clones to the estates diverse terroir and is planted primarily to Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with small plots of Cabernet Franc, Petite Verdot and Carmeniere. The winery's eco-sensitive design integrates nature and winemaking. Grapes are crushed on the winery roof and flow by gravity into the fermentation room below. After extended maceration in steel and French oak tanks, the wines are basket pressed and aged in French barrels in the caves. Winemaker Charles Thomas brings over 20 years of winemaking experience to Quintessa's next decade. His team includes consulting winemaker Aaron Pott and international blending consultant Michel Rolland.
We visited this vineyard site over the summer and were blown away by the 2005 release, this is one of the best wines made in Napa Valley with only 10% of the fruit from their vineyards making it into the final blend. Most that know Quintessa will tell you that they have a second label called Faust, but only 1% if the juice from the Quintessa property goes into this wine. Faust is made almost entirely from another vineyard site that is located in Coombsville and is an outstanding wine in its own right and to be called the second wine of Quintessa would not be a bad thing as I just mentioned they use typically only 10% of the fruit that is produced on this property for Quintessa and there is no real second wine the rest of the juice is sold off in bulk!
A complete list of wines that we have here in the store from this the Huneeus Group:
2025 Illumination Sauvignon Blanc Napa
Price: $39.00 Your Price: $35.10
Layered aromas of Luxardo cherry and black currant are underscored by leather, coffee, and wet slate. Notes of star anise add savory complexity, while vanilla bean lends subtle warmth. The palate is structured and composed, with fine, present tannins framing the wine's earthy, savory character—an expression shaped by Northern California's mountainous terrain. Balanced and approachable now, it offers depth and structure to evolve gracefully with cellaring.
Blend: 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petite Sirah, 5% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc
2023 Benton Lane Pinot Noir Willamette Valley
Price: $24.00 Your Price: $21.60
Fresh raspberries and sour cherries on the nose, and spices such as black pepper and cardamom in the back, mingle with hints of earthiness and herbs redolent of dried thyme and fresh pennyroyal. Medium bodied with a vibrant, textured midpalate. Marked by elegant tannins and balanced acidity, this is a complex, nuanced wine with a long finish.
2023 Faust Cabernet Sauvignon Napa
Price: $50.25 Your Price: $45.23
The core of Faust comes from our Coombsville Estate as well as from our vineyards in Rutherford and Oakville. This wine jumps out of the glass with aromas of fresh black cherry and plum. Layers of savory cherry compote, earth, cedar and graphite are rounded out by a long finish with hints of dark chocolate, balanced acidity and minerality.
(93 Points) The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon The Pact boasts a healthy ruby/purple hue and is perfumed, floral, and elegant, almost in the style of the 2019, with red and dark fruits, spice, and loads of charm. Medium-bodied and seamless on the palate, it has fine tannins, terrific balance, and impressive accessibility. A blend of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Petit Verdot, it was aged 22 months in French oak, 45% new. Jeb Dunnuck
2021 FAVIA CABERNET SAUVIGNON COOMBSVILLE NAPA VALLEY
Price: $281.25 Your Price: $253.13
(98 Points) Deep garnet- purple in color, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Coombsville explodes with bombastic notes of crème de cassis, black cherry preserves, and boysenberries giving way to nuances of cedar, graphite, and lavender oil. The full- bodied palate is jam packed with intense black and blue fruit layers supported by a solid line of firm grainy tannins and amazing tension, finishing long and with wonderful purity. January 2024 | Lisa Perotti-Brown/The Wine Independent
2022 Favia Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville Napa
Price: $281.25 Your Price: $253.13
The strong character of wines from the Oakville appellation in the Napa Valley is undisputed. There is an internal depth and an external structure that sets them apart and creates power, balance, and harmony.
2021 Favia Cabernet Sauvignon Coombsville Napa Valley
Price: $281.25 Your Price: $253.13
Our blocks at Oakville Ranch-high above the eastern edge of the Valley, organically farmed on red, rocky, iron-rich soils— continue to amaze us with their consistent, full-throated expression of Cabernet Sauvignon grown in this unique sliver of the Valley. 2022 was a dry season delivering a limited yield
of very intense fruit. Ocean breezes off the San Pablo Bay moderated the warm temperatures at harvest, pushing the grapes over the finish line with soft tannins, forward fruit flavors, and very seductive textures in the wine.
This pure Cabernet Sauvignon wine was carefully fermented and on the skins for twenty-plus days, gently pressed and put straight to barrel for malo-lactic fermentation. Aged in 50% French oak barrels for 19 months, with minimal racking and without fining or filtration. We feel this hands-off approach to
the elevage is the best way to bring focus to the vineyard. Especially given the polished tannins evident in the young wine in barrel, this minimalist approach helped to preserve the freshness and sense of place in the wine. Effusive notes of black fruits, gravel, sage brush, and baking spices are immediately enticing. On the palate, a rush of fruit indicates that this wine will be enjoyed in its youth, with its velvety impression and nearly impossible length. There is enough density in the wine, however, that it should easily develop in bottle over the next 10-15 years.
100%Cabernet Sauvignon
460 cases produced
2023 FAVIA CABERNET SAUVIGNON NAPA
Price: $112.50 Your Price: $101.25
This 2023 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon will certainly evolve in the cellar, but it has been crafted to be enjoyed right away. Dark red fruits, red raspberries, graphite and exotic woods are just a few of the complexities that come forward immediately. The savory tones and freshness of Coombsville meld well with the generous black fruits and solid structure of Oakville. Careful tannin extraction, barrel aging for twenty months in 50% new French oak barrels, and botting without fining or filtration, ensure that the wine retains fruit intensity and maintains its bold texture and generous length.
Blend: 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot
2023 Flowers Chardonnay Camp Meeting Ridge Estate Sonoma Coast
Price: $115.00 Your Price: $103.50
From the original vineyard planted in 1991 and this is 100% estate and 100% barrel fermented with 15 months, 45% new oak. Has that intense lemon curd citrus fruit and a very strong mineral component to the nose, sea shell notes, crème brulee and vanilla bean, a bit more intense oak but this wine can handle it lots of fruit and that minerality really weighing in along with a touch of butterscotch candy. This vineyard is 29 acres and seavy ridge is 47 acres. Very intense lemon citrus on the tongue with an almost oily texture with layers of tongue tingly minerlaity through the finish, this wine is still quite youthful, a bit reserved on the first day but opening up nicely by the next morning, this wine needs time but has all the right stuff. Finish 50+ Most Excellent
2024 Flowers Chardonnay Russian River Valley
Price: $67.50 Your Price: $60.75
The lovely nose on this cool-climate Chardonnay conjures a spring orchard—leading with nectarine, then giving way to pear. Juicy and generous, the palate carries subtle notes of baking spice interwoven with Asian pear and white nectarine. Lemongrass and hints of candied citrus peel take a turn around toward the exotic, while vibrant acidity and bright grapefruit keep the finish lively and long.
2024 Flowers Chardonnay Sonoma Coast
Price: $34.75 Your Price: $31.28 Quantity in Stock: 11
Rich and mineral laced lots of ripe tree fruit lemon drop candy and hints of carmel corn showing a bit of eveolution here on the nose. A big and balanced chardonnay like a grand cru Bburgundy very complex with an almost oily textrue here lovely balance and freshness a long mineral laced finish some oak but has lovely balance. Most Excellent
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