Quintessa, Illumination Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley

Quintessa · California › Napa Valley › United States of America

White · Sauvignon Blanc
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LWIN 1795190
Critics Average score from professional wine critics and publications.
90 /100
Reviews
54
professional

Vintages

No vintages

No vintage-specific entries have been added for this wine.

NV

Community Reviews

37
37
Reviews
90.0
Avg Score
96
Highest
Taster #9538 · Jul 24, 2025
92/100
Was the favorite of 3 Sauvignon Blancs served and tasted in order of % of semilion. 2019 Spottdwood 0% semilion, the 2019 Quintessa (15%) and 2016 Domaine du Chevalier Blanc (25%) Had an unctuous mouth feel, very well balanced but not much acidity.
2019 vintage
Taster #3670 · Jun 8, 2023
93/100
Pale yellow in color. Nose of pear, orange blossom, peach, and honeysuckle. Second nose opens up with more of the same, lemon sorbet, pineapple, and minerality. Light with a tart finish. Flavors of lemon and pineapple.
2019 vintage
Taster #4294 · Jul 10, 2022
88/100
More floral than in previous years, with a lighter dose of fruit and petrol. Acidity is good, and most people might like the meringue. I find this wine has lost some of its pizazz of the 2010-2015 era. It’s appropriately priced at $27 (at my local Whole Foods!) but for $5 more you could have a full-throttle, far more interesting Massican.
2019 vintage
Taster #0621 · Jul 1, 2022
91/100
This wine is pale lemon in color with medium citrus aromas and some floral notes. On the palate, medium intensity lemon and apple notes. The wine has bright acidity and paired well with salmon cakes.
2019 vintage
Taster #4856 · Jun 6, 2022
Clear, light crispy yellow, leads to smells of citrus, flowers and summer grass. Slightly delicate but layered flavors of honeydew melon, tangy green apple, and dried lemon. Super balanced with mouthwatering acidity. Very pleasant and very nice on a warm summer evening.
2019 vintage
Taster #1998 · Apr 7, 2022
91/100
More mineral driven, some pineapple, baking spices.
2019 vintage
Taster #4806 · Dec 10, 2021
Epic Napa Trip - Day 6 : Tasted at Quintessa - Tasted this along with the 2020.....both tasted similar with plenty of citrus and tropical flavors, as well as a tropical and floral nose. I am not a Sauvignon Blanc fan, and this wine did not make me one either. Plenty of people will love this, just not me. :) Unrated because Sauv Blanc is not in my wheelhouse.
2019 vintage
Taster #3995 · Dec 10, 2021
90/100
Napa trip day 6 : Drank a glass over 45 minutes at the winery's tasting facility. Softer than the 2020 but just as floral. Slight grapefruit and lychee.
2019 vintage
Taster #8868 · Jul 31, 2021
90/100
Very floral nose, intensely fruity on the palate with tropical fruits and citrus. Adds complexity with about 30 min of air. A steal for $29 and great QPR but not my preferred style.
2019 vintage
Taster #5374 · Jun 17, 2021
92/100
Excellent quality here for the price. Crisp SBlanc, nice green apple....perfect acidity. Perfect summer wine. Need to buy more!
2019 vintage
Taster #2806 · Jul 21, 2020
92/100
85% Sauvignon Blanc, 15% Semillon. Crisp, clean, and balanced. Rich with citrus, honey and tropical fruit, while ultimately being perfectly light-bodied. A great summer white.
2019 vintage
Taster #7820 · Jun 29, 2020
90/100
Young, high acidity, FULL flavor, smooth finish.
2019 vintage
Taster #0427 · Sep 17, 2016
94/100
There is a reason why I served this at my wedding, it is a great white. the 08 is drinking great now, a bit of acidity has fallen off and the wine has rounded out nicely. It is a killer deal if you can find it.
2008 vintage
Taster #3726 · Mar 22, 2016
Drinking extremely well for something that's supposed to be past its peak, very balanced.
2008 vintage
Taster #4154 · Dec 10, 2014
86/100
Pricey for a SB, but well balanced at this age. Not sure there's much left so drink up! Impressive bottle I must say. Not your typical SB bottle but a massive Pinot style with a big punt.
2008 vintage
Taster #0427 · Aug 30, 2014
96/100
Still one of my fav SB. Its big, its lush, its balanced, its good!
2008 vintage
Taster #6238 · Jul 12, 2014
90/100
Rich and round without the typical grassy notes.
2008 vintage
Taster #6314 · Feb 22, 2014
90/100
dry,good flavor,earthy
2008 vintage
Taster #0427 · Dec 31, 2013
96/100
What a great NYE wine with Cajun Fried Turkey... This folks is a big SB...lots of fresh sweet citrus and Oak...well balanced and a great effort by Quintessa
2008 vintage
Taster #5214 · Jul 18, 2013
90/100
Bold and distinctive
2008 vintage
Taster #1709 · Jun 25, 2013
88/100
Found it quite pleasant, with a medium finish and mellow citrus.
2008 vintage
Taster #5214 · May 10, 2013
92/100
Really excellent blend that was perfect accompaniment for a Bay Scallop Pasta dinner.
2008 vintage
Taster #9549 · Dec 12, 2012
90/100
Gone are any hints of bracing acidity. Instead this wine has evolved and mellowed, in a good way. Notes of lemon and honeysuckle on the palate. These also carry over to the clean, medium-length finish. Very pleasant for quaffing or with food.
2008 vintage
Taster #1486 · Feb 1, 2012
90/100
Solid effort. Went well with cedar plank salmon and lemon risotto.
2008 vintage
Taster #7841 · Oct 8, 2011
80/100
Very disappointed. Maybe past its peak. Rather expensive for a Sauvignon Blanc.
2008 vintage
Taster #6977 · Jul 22, 2011
88/100
Wet stone, apricot, key lime nose a bit like Riesling. Much more mild taste than many nz and Aussie SB's . A slight bitter aftertaste. This wine has some depth and complexity with surprisingly long aftertaste. This is a good food wine and went well with a salmon salad sandwich.
2008 vintage
Taster #3851 · Jul 11, 2011
88/100
never did much for me. Over ripe calif sav blanc with none of the varietal character. Not bad but nothing special for the previous raves.
2008 vintage
Taster #1486 · Jun 4, 2011
88/100
wife - enjoyed a lot for a sav blanc
2008 vintage
Taster #6037 · May 12, 2011
Fresh and crisp wit lots of citrus zest on the palate and a nose to match.
2008 vintage
Taster #9922 · Feb 5, 2011
91/100
Mineral driven, crisp, fresh, and clean. Lemon peel and mango notes, wet rock, sugar cane and just a touch of creaminess to round it out.
2008 vintage
Taster #9462 · Nov 29, 2010
89/100
pear nose; crisp; very nice
2008 vintage
Taster #8891 · Oct 22, 2010
89/100
The vegetal herbal flavor is countered with several tropical notes. Rich on the palate. Full bodied. Beautiful golden color, quite deeper than most version of the varietal. Lush and elegant. Long finish. A chardonnay lover's sauvignon blanc.
2008 vintage
Taster #2927 · Oct 14, 2010
92/100
well recieved, great clean taste, not acidic at all
2008 vintage
Taster #1495 · Oct 3, 2010
94/100
Outstanding! I made a sauted red grouper with a fig and lemon wasabi chutney over a bed of baby spinach. This wine was awesome with this dish.
2008 vintage
Taster #6203 · Aug 26, 2010
80/100
Light yellow color. Nose dominated by sharp alcohol, with some grapefruit and limes. Palate is hot, with alcohol overwhelming the crisp grapefruit and lime peel. This wine is hot, unbalanced and overly acidic. Not even close to worth the price - I have had sub $10 NZ SBs that are much better. Very disappointing. 5+10+12+3.
2008 vintage
Taster #9922 · Aug 21, 2010
No detailed notes, but this lived up to the hype. Very pretty nose. Nicely balanced and looooong on the palate for a SB. Had those bright fruit notes I love in NZ SB but was fuller and smoother. Drank with grilled shrimp in lemon-pepper sauce and gazpacho, matched up beautifully. Must take notes next time.
2008 vintage
Taster #2428 · Jun 27, 2010
91/100
Very nice wine with great nose of tropical fruit. The wine opened with apple, pear and citrus with grass and enough acidity to stand up to nice Vietnamese
2008 vintage