Quintessa, Rutherford (Napa Valley, California) 2010

Combine a great producer, Agustin Huneeus and his team, with a great place, Rutherford, and bingo — you get great wine.  The 2010 Quintessa delivers a little bit of everything — fruit, herbs, earth, minerals — and not too much of anything.  Balanced and structured, the components come together seamlessly.  Fresh nuances emerge with each sip.  To their credit, they’ve turned down the volume so the panoply of notes is easy to appreciate.  This polished wine is the perfect foil for a simply grilled steak or a holiday rib roast now, but Quintessa’s track record for development with proper aging is impressive, so it’s worth putting a few bottles in the cellar.