2024 Illumination Sauvignon Blanc
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Tasting notes
Full bottle 1,484 g. 58% Sauvignon Blanc, 28% Sauvignon Blanc Musqué, 14% Sémillon. Hand-picked. Ambient-yeast fermentation in a mix of French oak barrels (new and neutral), acacia barrels, stainless-steel barrels and egg-shaped concrete fermenters. Lees-stirring throughout. Diam closure. Pale lemon. Zestier and brighter nose than I remember on the 2023 with more passion fruit and lime zest – more typical for Sauvignon Blanc (despite this blend having more Sémillon and less Sauvignon Blanc Musqué than 2023!). Underlying chalky minerality. Retains the pithiness, texture and ripe fruit profile that was present in 2023 but with a firmer more linear acid line that draws out the finish. The most promising vintage of Quintessa Sauvignon Blanc yet? (SCJ)
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
Quintessa's 2024 Illumination blends fruit from Napa (55%) and Sonoma (45%). As usual, there's a decent-sized dollop of old-vine Sémillon (14% this year) in the blend, with the rest of the fruit being Sauvignon Blanc—roughly one-third of that is the more aromatic Musqué clone. Fermented and raised in a variety of vessels, including new and old French oak barrels, acacia barrels, stainless steel drums and concrete eggs, it offers up enticing scents of pencil shavings, lemon zest, grapefruit and fig. Plump and medium-bodied in the mouth, it boasts a fine line of acidity from start to finish, giving the fruit a spine to play against and prolonging the concentrated, citrusy finish.
Coming from a mix of Sonoma and Napa fruit, the 2024 Illumination has a Bordeaux Blanc-like vibe in its ripe lime, orange blossom, mint, and spicy wood nuances. It brings plenty of sweet California fruit and is medium to full-bodied and concentrated, with bright acidity and a great finish. It's beautifully done and just an impeccable 100% Sauvignon Blanc from California. Drink bottles over the coming 3-4 years. Drink 2025-2028.
Apple blossom, pink grapefruit, bright citrus, grapefruit, freshly cut grass, delicious variety signature delivered with vivacity, precision and brightness of fruit. White rose petals on the finish, the grapes are taken from 55% Napa Country and 45% Sonoma Country. Rebekah Wineburg winemaker, Huneeus Vintners owners.