Quintessa Rutherford 2015

Into the third year of the drought at this point, so not a lot of winter rainfall, which meant a small crop and small berries (around 35% less yield than average). The concentration comes through in the dark cassis and bilberry fruit character, with accentuated fennel, mint and dark chocolate on the finish, tempered by slate and crushed rock minerality and a gourmet grilled oak wash throughout. Winemaker Rebekah Wineberg’s first vintage, and first year with barrel fermentation for part of the harvest to ensure early integration of oak and gentle extraction. Extremely young, full of pleasure. 75% new oak.