--- title: 2023 Quintessence Cabernet Sauvignon date: 2026-09-10T10:29:00-07:00 author: Leah Bobson canonical_url: "https://tenorwines.com/wines/cabernet-sauvignon/quintessence-cabernet-sauvignon/2023-quintessence-cabernet-sauvignon" section: Wines --- ![Quintessence Cabernet Sauvignon](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/tenor/bottleShots/_300x1000_crop_center-center_82_line_ns/Tenor-Cab-Sauv-Quintessence-750ml-Front-2023-HD.png) Dense and very dark crimson to the rim, this expressive Red Mountain Cabernet bursts with aromas of blackberry crème, violets, star anise, ripe raspberry, and wet stone. The palate is generously layered with black cherry, light roast coffee, cocoa powder, and dark berries. Big and voluptuous without feeling heavy, its full-textured profile is balanced by fresh acidity and refined, dusty tannins, leading into a lingering finish of fig jam and black tea. [ Buy Now$145](https://shop.mercerwineestates.com/product/2023-tenor-cabernet-sauvignon-quintessence) Vineyard(s) [Quintessence Vineyard](https://tenorwines.com/vineyards/quintessence-vineyard) Varietal(s) 100% Cabernet Sauvignon Vinification Fermented for 14 days in 100% oak barrels. The must was left on the grape skins for 30 days of extended maceration. Aged 23 months in 100% new oak. Alcohol 14.9% Cases Produced 71 Vintage Notes ## Red Mountain Turned All the Way Up The 2023 Tenor Quintessence Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon puts Red Mountain’s bigger personality on full display. Dense and dark crimson to the rim, this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon bursts with blackberry crème, violets, star anise, and wet stone, followed by black cherry, light roast coffee, and cocoa. It’s big, plush, and polished—but with enough freshness to keep all that power in line. After four vintages with their fair share of drama, 2023 was a welcome return to normal. Typical timing. Typical yields. Typical harvest dates. Boring? Maybe. We loved every minute of it. A steady growing season and cooler finish gave the fruit plenty of time to develop flavor, tannin, and freshness without being rushed. For us in the cellar, the consistency was a gift—great wine was simply easier to make. Quintessence Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon was harvested in October and fermented entirely in oak barrels for 14 days, then spent a total of 30 days in contact with the grape skins to build depth, texture, and structure. The wine then spent 23 months aging in 100% new oak, building layers of richness and polish around its naturally powerful Red Mountain structure. The result is a full-textured Cabernet with refined, dusty tannins and a long finish of fig jam and black tea. For all its size, it never loses its footing—fresh, balanced, and unapologetically opulent. Just 71 cases were produced. Quintessence is Red Mountain turned all the way up. Expert Reviews & Scores ### Virginie Boone, jebdunnuck.com 97 / 100 > This powerful appellation contributes thick tannins and impressive intensity, the 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Quintessence the most powerful of all of Tenor’s Cabernet Sauvignons. Still, there’s elegance beneath the bluster in the form of dried herb, graphite, rich black fruit, and toasted oak. Trade Materials - [ Tech Sheet](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/tenor/wineTradeAssets/2023-Tenor-Quintessence-Cab-Sauv-TS-with-review.pdf) - [ Bottle Shot](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/tenor/wineTradeAssets/Tenor-Cab-Sauv-Quintessence-750ml-Front-2023-HD.png) - [ Front Label](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/tenor/wineTradeAssets/Tenor-Quintessence-23-Cabernet-Sauvignon_Front_COLA.jpg) - [ Back Label](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/tenor/wineTradeAssets/Tenor-Quintessence-23-Cabernet-Sauvignon_Back_COLA.jpg) [ Buy Now$145](https://shop.mercerwineestates.com/product/2023-tenor-cabernet-sauvignon-quintessence)