Quintessa
2012 Cabernet Sauvignon
"Dragon’s Terraces"
Rutherford AVA
Auction 17 | Lot No. 31
Vintage: 2012
Quintessa
Cabernet Sauvignon
Rutherford
5 cases produced
Description
Quintessa is a 280-acre organic and biodynamically farmed vineyard estate with five hills, many valleys, two forests, and a 20-acre lake in Rutherford. The vineyard is divided into 26 blocks planted to five Bordeaux varietals.
Each year, Quintessa produces one singular red blend that represents the best from the vineyard each year. For Premiere Napa Valley, Agustin Huneeus and winemaker Charles Thomas are, for the first time, bottling a wine that represents just one block from Quintessa: the 2012 Dragon’s Terraces. One of the largest blocks of Cabernet Sauvignon on the property, it is the only block on the property that has been included in every vintage of Quintessa, since its first vintage in 1994.
Wine Facts
- Wine is unfiltered
- Single vineyard wine
- Sustainably produced
- Organically produced (also commonly called "organically grown")
- Wine is 100% estate grown and bottled
Charles Thomas
Winemaker, Quintessa
Charles Thomas joined the Quintessa team as winemaker in June 2007. He has a storied career with some of the most highly regarded wineries in the industry including Robert Mondavi Winery, Domaine Chandon, Cardinale and Rudd.
Charles embarked on his journey into the world of winemaking, starting literally from the ground up as he was studying at the University of California, Berkeley. His early experiences include installing vineyard irrigation systems throughout Napa and parts of Sonoma, operating presses and tending vineyards for Domaine Chandon, leading tours at Robert Mondavi Winery and buying the wines for the Sonoma Cheese Company.
In 1978, Charles joined Robert Mondavi Winery's production department moving through positions including barrel enologist, senior enologist and assistant winemaker. After gaining a thorough knowledge of every aspect of winemaking he was promoted to head winemaker. He assisted in the creation, execution and evolution of Opus One from 1979 through 1994.
In 1994, he moved to Jackson Family Farms where he worked closely with the rebuilding of Cardinale’s vineyards and winemaking techniques. From there, he joined Rudd in 2002 where he directed changes to both the winery and vineyards. Charles lives on Napa Valley’s Mount Veeder at the vineyard property he shares with his wife, Lily.
Country born: Thailand
Education: University of California, Berkeley
Years in the wine industry: 20-30 years
Winemaking Philosophy:
Get it right in the vineyard and focus on the strengths of both the vineyard and vintage with minimal intervention
Imbibe Wine and Spirits
4140 Truxtun Avenue
Bakersfield CA 93309
661-633-9463
Other Premiere Napa Valley Wines available from Imbibe Wine and Spirits:
| Winery | Vintage | Variety | Appellation | Fanciful | Auction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taplin Cellars | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | E. Lewelling Taplin | 24 (2020) |
| Nellcôte | 2017 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Wild Card | 23 (2019) |
| Hestan Vineyards | 2017 | Grenache | Napa Valley | Estate | 22 (2018) |
| Kelly Fleming Wines | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Calistoga | 22 (2018) | |
| VHR, Vine Hill Ranch | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | Assessment | 22 (2018) |
| THE DEBATE | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 21 (2017) | |
| Kelly Fleming Wines | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Calistoga | 20 (2016) | |
| Oakville Ranch Vineyards | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | Cole Cannonball | 20 (2016) |
| VHR, Vine Hill Ranch | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | Assessment | 20 (2016) |
| Dos Lagos Vineyards | 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Atlas Peak | 19 (2015) | |
| Salvestrin | 2012 | Red Wine | St. Helena | 20th Anniversary Blend | 19 (2015) |
| Stone The Crows | 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 19 (2015) | |
| Etude | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | Vine Hill Ranch | 18 (2014) |
| Ovid Napa Valley | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 18 (2014) | |
| VHR, Vine Hill Ranch | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | Assessment | 18 (2014) |
| Ladera Vineyards | 2011 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Two Mountains | 17 (2013) |
| Lail Vineyards | 2011 | Sauvignon Blanc | Napa Valley | Henry IV | 17 (2013) |
| Paradigm Winery | 2011 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | 17 (2013) | |
| Quintessa | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | Dragon’s Terraces | 17 (2013) |
| Spottswoode Estate Vineyard and Winery | 2011 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | 17 (2013) | |
| VHR, Vine Hill Ranch | 2011 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | Assessment | 17 (2013) |
| Etude | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | 16 (2012) | |
| Lail Vineyards | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Henry III | 16 (2012) |
| Laird Family Estate | 2010 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | 16 (2012) | |
| Miner Family Winery | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 16 (2012) | |
| VHR, Vine Hill Ranch | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | Assessment | 16 (2012) |
| Artesa Winery | 1999 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Bookends Blend | 6 (2002) |
| Oakford Vineyards | 1997 | Cabernet Sauvignon (100%) | Oakville | 3 (1999) |
Winery Distribution
Quintessa is distributed in the following markets. Please contact the winery directly for the most up-to-date distribution information and to explore commercial opportunities.
Domestic:
- California (Southern Glazers Wine& Spirits)
- Connecticut (Slocum & Sons)
- Florida (Southern Glazers Wine & Spirits)
- Georgia (Georgie Crown)
- New Jersey (Allied Beverage)
- New York (Lauber)
- Ohio (Wine Trends)
International:
- Canada (Rogers & Co (Ontario - LCBO only))
- Caribbean (Bordeaux Negociants)
- Chile (Bordeaux Negociants)
- China (Bordeaux Negociants)
- Denmark (Bordeaux Negociants)
- Hong Kong (Bordeaux Negociants (Watsons))
- Japan (Bordeaux Negociants (FWines, Jalux, Pieroth))
- Mexico (Bordeaux Negociants (ECM de Vinos))
- Panama, Republic of (Bordeaux Negociants)
- United Kingdom (Bordeaux Negociants (Berry Bros, Hedonism))
- Vietnam (Bordeaux Negociants)