It undoubtedly represents the true essence of Napa Valley in a glass. Quintessa, produced by the winery of the same name in the heart of the beautiful Californian wine region is, in fact, an authentic expression of its terroir. Napa Valley stretches for about 48 kilometres along the Napa River, offering a great variety of climatic conditions that make this area particularly suitable for grape growing. Tenuta Quintessa, in particular, is located on the west side of the Silverado Trail. Here the vineyards benefit from an ideal microclimate, characterised by warm, dry days and cool nights that allow the grapes to ripen slowly, developing beautiful aromatic complexity and great tannic structure. Quintessa is defined as ‘a wine of precision’, the result of an expertly balanced blend of Bordeaux grapes. The main component is Cabernet Sauvignon, which makes up 91% of the blend. With him, small percentages of Cabernet Franc (4%), Merlot (2%), Carménère (2%) and Petit Verdot (1%) are used to add complexity to the blend. The grapes, carefully selected during the harvest, are vinified in such a way as to preserve the varietal and territorial characteristics as much as possible. After fermentation, the wine matures for 22 months in French oak barrels, 60% of which are new. To the eye, Quintessa has an intense, dark ruby red colour. On the nose, there are fruity notes of blackcurrant, black cherry and redcurrant, accompanied by hints of spice and a slight hint of dried herbs. In the mouth, it is a symphony of flavours, with structured tannins that blend harmoniously with the intense minerality typical of this Californian terroir. A wine with an extraordinary capacity for ageing, although already enjoyable when young, it expresses itself at its best over the next twenty years, evolving and acquiring further complexity with the passage of time. On the table, it is perfect with roast meats and stews, rich and flavoursome dishes typical of star cuisine.