Quintessa Rutherford 2016

Brambled fruit combined with bitter black chocolate. Very much majoring on primary flavours at this still-early stage, with cooling blueberries, sweet raspberry puree, bay leaf, iodine, turmeric spice. Striking clarity and precision, and a moreish salinity that keeps your mouth watering right through the lingering finish. A balanced vintage overall without the usual heatwave at the end of September, but remaining warm and sunny throughout. The new oak was brought down to around 60% in this vintage. Technical director Rebecca Wineberg, consultant Michel Rolland.