Quintessa Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Alternatives
On April 8, 2024, someone told me they like the Quintessa from 2014 and 2018, but wanted some other options at some other prices. Here are three similar wines to try instead.
Wine recommendations by: Jessyca Frederick |
The ask
The wine: Quintessa 2018/2014
Likes: Smooth, velvety, low tan in, rich. Also love flavors found in Faust, Opus One, Caymus, Alpha Omega, nickel and nickel cab
Doesn’t like: Price definitely but love everything else about it
BUY the Quintessa Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
About the wine
For each wine, including the Quintessa, I provided some information which helps understand what you might like about the wine and how to identify those traits in other wines.
Here are some things to know about the 2018 Quintessa Cabernet Sauvignon (I’ve aggregated/distilled tasting notes from various sources):
- Price: $250
- Blend: 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Merlot, 2% Carmenere, 1% Petit Verdot
- Region: Rutherford, Napa Valley
- Aromas: Cassis, black cherry, raspberry, sage, thyme
- Taste: Dark chocolate, graphite, fresh tobacco, black cherry, dark chocolate, crushed rocks
- Mouthfeel: Fresh acidity
- Oak program: 20 months in 62% new French oak
- Farming practices: Organic
You also mentioned that you’re interested in collecting some of these wines. This is a great opportunity to introduce you to Westgarth Wines, one of the very best places to buy collectible wine online. Every bottle sold is sourced directly from the winery or other partners, never from the secondary market. Most of what they sell (at least from France) comes in the Original Wooden Case (OWC), the most desirable format for collectors.
Here are links to the wines you’re interested in at Westgarth Wines.
- Quintessa Cabernet Sauvignon
- Opus One
- Faust
- Nickel & Nickel Cabernet Sauvignon: John C Sullenger, CC Ranch, and State Ranch
My recommendations
2018 Beaulieu Vineyard Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($145)
Why I picked it for you: Aromas of raspberry, sage, chaparral herbs (thyme-ish); tasets of black cherry, thyme, sweet tobacco leaf, and dark chocolate. Mouthfeel: vibrant acidity, fresh.
Things you might not like: tastes of vanilla, cedar, clove, cinnamon, leather, and rose petal.
Buy the 2018 Beaulieu Vineyard Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
2019 Duckhorn Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon ($120)
Why I picked it for you: 13% ABV with "well structured oak." Aromas of ripe blackberries, dark cherries, and cassis. Tastes of dark chocolate. Mouthfeel: vibrant acidity.
Things you might not like: tastes of vanilla, cedar, baking spices, espresso, and plum.
2018 Frank Family Vineyards Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($95)
Why I picked it for you: a Rutherford Cab with a similar blend to the Quintessa and it was 20 months in 33% in new French oak. While aroma information was hard to come by for this wine, it has graphite, crushed stone, smoked tobacco, fresh blackcurrants, tobacco leaf, and "herbal lift."
Things you might not like: "stewed" black cherries (tertiary flavor from aging), "firm grainy tannins", "earthy layers", clove, nutmeg.
Buy the 2018 Frank Family Vineyards Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Notice: I hold no formal wine credentials. I am a wine geek who has consumed 1000+ of bottles from 100+ different wine clubs and 1000s more bottles that didn’t come from those wine clubs. I do not accept payment for inclusion here, and I do not accept payments to influence my recommendations.
Then why am I recommending wine? I know a lot about wine. Particularly I know some things average wine drinkers don’t usually know — like how to research a wine and decide if it’s worth buying. Typically wine buyers rely on critics reviews and scores when evaluating a new-to-them wine. Sometimes they search on Reddit.
Most of the time, the information uncovered isn’t truly useful because everyone has a different palate. The trick is in learning what you like and why, and then seeking similar wines to try.
Instead of telling you what I like (which I do in my wine reviews), this is about telling you what you might like, based on what you know you like (and sometimes don’t like). So I recommend wines to help wine lovers expand what they are currently drinking in the hopes that they’ll learn how to find wines on their own, too.
How do you make money at this? I find the wines I think are of interest using my wine marketplace (no AI is used anywhere in this process). It has inventory from most major online wine stores (Total Wine, Wine.com, and Wine Access) and dozens of other places to buy wine, too. Each wine I recommend comes with a "Shop this wine" link, which sends you to my marketplace. When someone buys a wine from my marketplace, I sometimes earn a commission.
I’ll probably spend around 30 minutes assembling your personal wine recommendations, but you are not obligated to buy anything. If you do buy something I recommend, whether locally or online, please let me know if you liked it! (Or if I missed the mark.)
Learn more about me or get in touch.