Oh wow, does the 2008 Quintessa rock! This vintage is a stunning example of everything this project was meant to be, a Napa Valley red Bordeaux-style blend that can be drunk young — or not. It exhibits rich black- and red-fruit aromas, supple tannins, oak vanillin, hints of spice, and a long, dazzling finish. Yet it’s not so about heft and power (the ABV comes in at a respectable 14.2 percent) as it is exquisite balance and profound complexity.
