1 | Wine | California, 91 to 95, 2007

"Its dense ruby/purple color is accompanied by attractive aromas of incense, red and black currants, spice, and forest floor...It reveals lots of blue, black, and red fruits, medium body, good acidity, and a fine finish." Reviewed by Robert Parker.

"The 2007 looks to be one of Quintessa's stronger efforts in a number of years. Dark ruby/purple, with sweet black currant, cherry, and loamy soil notes intermixed with some subtle spice box and background oak, this wine is rich and medium to full-bodied, with round, silky tannins, and an attractive set of aromatics." Reviewed by Robert Parker.

"Tremendous aromas of flowers, blue, red and black fruits, graphite and forest floor. Elegant yet powerful, rich, concentrated, pure and impeccably well-balanced, it reminds me of a hypothetical blend of a Bordeaux and a cool climate, Cabernet-based red from Napa." Reviewed by Robert Parker.

"Tight and concentrated with a dense, rich, chewy beam of dried currant, mineral, graphite, black cherry and blackberry fruit that's intense and full-blown, both flexing its muscle while displaying deft balance. Ends with a compact, layered finish."

"Notes of creme de cassis, charcoal, smoke, and fruitcake. Full-bodied and dense with the vintage’s sweet tannins on display, this long, voluptuous, sexy Cabernet should be enjoyed over the next 15 years." Reviewed by Robert Parker.

"The 2007 Cabernet Franc Blueline exhibits abundant characteristics of blueberries, black raspberries, charcoal, incense, and flowers in its round, gracious, generously-endowed personality. With outstanding purity, texture, and depth, the wine never comes across as heavy, but rather, pure and rich. A classic example of combining power with finesse, it can be drunk now and over the next 10-15 years." Reviewed by Robert Parker.

"Tight and concentrated, with a dense, rich, chewy beam of dried currant, mineral, graphite, black cherry and blackberry fruit that's intense and full-blown, both flexing its muscle while displaying deft balance. Ends with a compact, layered finish."

"The 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon possesses the finest fruit of any wine he has made to date. Its dense ruby/purple color is followed by aromas of creme de cassis, spice box, cedarwood, and subtle smoke. A classic Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, with a full-bodied texture and lush, silky tannins, it should drink nicely for 10-15 years."-Robert Parker.

"Its dense plum/purple color is followed by sweet notes of cassis, licorice, smoke and graphite intermixed with hints of bay leaf and chocolate. Full-bodied and velvety-textured with beautifully integrated acidity, tannin, alcohol and wood, it is an opulent, full-bodied Cabernet that should drink beautifully for 20 or more years." Reviewed by Robert Parker.

"A great wine in the making, the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate (just under 10,000 cases produced) possesses a fragrant bouquet of sweet black currants, crushed rocks, earth and background oak. Full-bodied and dense, with Montelena’s typical power, tannin and reserved nature, this is a big, rich, formidably endowed red that requires 4-5 years of cellaring. That in itself is atypical of this exuberant, flamboyant vintage. Given this cuvee’s past history, this 2007 should age for 30+ years." Reviewed by Robert Parker.