Sauvignon Blanc Illumination, Quintessa Estate 2022

Smells grassy and herbal with apple and lemon notes. Bright and lively straight away, but in a calm and controlled way, not too sour or sharp, this has structure and a wide frame, well built with mineral edges and toasted nuances that linger on the tongue. Really lovely, feels like this wine is getting better, more round and well integrated, less overtly spiced though it's there in the background. This has character and personality with a long length and would stand up to food really well. Lively, elegant and juicy with caramel, honey, lemon and lime, grapefruit pith, orange and toast elements all mingling quite deliciously. A blend of 50% Sauvignon Blanc Musqué, 33% Sauvignon Blanc and 17% Semillon comes Sonoma County (55%) and from Napa County (45%). Estate director Rodrigo Soto, winemaker Rebekah Wineburg.

A non-estate blend of 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Sémillon, the 2021 Illumination fermented and aged in a variety of vessels, including new and used French oak, acacia barrels, stainless steel and a concrete egg. Malolactic fermentation is blocked to preserve freshness. The result is a medium to full-bodied effort, with hints of pencil shavings, crushed stone and pea shoots set against notes of ripe melon, tangerine and pink grapefruit. Drink it over the next few years.