California Cabernet Classics from Turley, Ridge and Quintessa!
We have an exceptionally classic trio of California Cabernet for you today. All from the 2022 vintage, we lead off with rather hard-to-find bottlings from Turley and Ridge. We conclude with the 2022 Quintessa, a wine Decanter Magazine's Georgina Hindle simply gushes over in her 99-point review...
"Such an incredible wine here. So much life, so much energy - this is pure class. A wine you don't want to put down."
- Decanter Magazine on the 2022 Quintessa
Read on for the details, then hit down fast on the Big Green Button. We will indicate on the order form as items sell out!
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2022 Turley "Estate" Cabernet Sauvignon
Saint Helena, Napa Valley, California
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There was certainly a huge sense of intrigue amongst Vin Chicago staff when this 2022 Turley Cabernet Sauvignon made an appearance during a tasting meeting. We all know Turley from their legendary status as a producer of some of the most consistently delicious and high scoring Zinfandels on the market, but for quite a few of us this was our first experience of tasting their Cab. Every one of us was left very impressed.
Sourced entirely from Turley’s organically farmed Napa estate vineyards, this wine was hand-harvested, aged 18 months in French oak (40% new), and bottled unfined and unfiltered. The nose bursts with dark berry fruit — not unlike a Turley Zin — while the palate reveals deeper layers of cassis, red currant, and savory spice. Notes of cedar, clove, and leather add complexity. It’s already deliciously approachable, yet has the structure to evolve beautifully through the decade ahead.
This is a very impressive wine and something fans of classic Napa cab won’t want to miss. The first bottling was back in 2012 and it has mainly been held for sale directly by the winery. Availability in our market is rare. We fully endorse Wine Advocate's 94+ point review!
94+ points, Wine Advocate (6/13/2024)
“The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Turley Estate Vineyard is expressive and light on its feet, opening with classic and alluring scents of charred cedar, pipe tobacco, tomato leaf, violet, dried bay leaves and turned earth floating above a core of pure black and red fruits. The palate is suave, generous and full-bodied, with no shortage of finely grained tannins and bright, vibrant acidity. The finish is long and laced with delicate spice and earth-driven tones, gaining additional structure and sturdiness with time and becoming more detailed and expressive as it spends time in the glass. Drink Date: 2025 - 2035."
Vin Chicago Price: 62.99
2022 Ridge "Estate" Cabernet Sauvignon
Santa Cruz Mountains, California
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Sourced entirely from Ridge's famous Monte Bello vineyard, initially planted in the late 1800s, this is an iconic Cabernet from one of great vineyards of California.
Organically grown, hand-harvested, and fermented with wild yeasts this California classic is raised entirely in American oak, a hallmark of Ridge wines. Less than three cases available.
97 points, Jeb Dunnuck (4/1/2025)
“Blending 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot and 5% Merlot, and lovingly referred to as Baby Monte Bello, designated as Monte Bello since the 2008 vintage, the 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Monte Bello Vineyard is known for its weightlessness, made to be approachable in its youth with great intention. Barrel-aged for 17 months in 50-60% new oak to integrate and soften the tannins, it still has another 15-20 years of aging, if not 25."
92 Points, Wine Advocate (8/21/2025)
"Incorporating 9% Petit Verdot and 5% Merlot, the 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate balances a lovely combination of lush dark fruits and charred, roasted accents, followed by a plush, fluid texture with a succulent core. It concludes with a lifted, pretty finish filled with a compact core of ripe fruits. Drink Date: 2025 - 2032."
Vin Chicago Price: 89.99
2022 Quintessa Proprietary Red
Rutherford, Napa Valley, California
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There seems to be an exceptionally loyal following for this Cabernet dominated red from the Huneeus family property in Rutherford. Aged for 22 months in a combination of new and neutral French oak, Quintessa is always a bit less over-the-top than its Napa Valley blue chip peers, and those who like it seek it out EVERY year.
We bring this new 2022 release to you today for a price that beats every single one of the 332 online listings!
99 Points, Decanter (7/25/2025)
"Such an incredible wine here - one of the stars of the September releases. Smells amazing, cooling blueberries with fragrant blackcurrants, edges of florality - totally inviting scents. Full and filling in the mouth, this is ample with such a layered effect, super vertical and elongated. Tight and a little tense but it really works - such balance between black fruit, dried herbs, high acidity and a profound structure. Refined and beautifully presented. So much life, so much energy - this is pure class. A wine you don't want to put down. Feels hands off despite such concentration and power. Ends salty with sticky liquorice, mint and cooling wet stones. You could definitely drink this now but it will age too! 1% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot complete the blend. One of the final few vintages with Rodrigo Soto at the helm - he stepped down last year to concentrate on his family project Far Mountain in Sonoma Valley which is worth following. Winemaker Rebekah Wineburg. Drinking Window: 2028 - 2045."
94 Points, Jeb Dunnuck (9/2/2025)
"Deep purple-hued, the 2022 Proprietary Red offers cassis, blue fruits, candied violets, and sweet spice-driven aromatics. It's medium to full-bodied, lush, soft, and sexy on the palate, with velvety tannins and a great finish. This upfront, supple beauty is ready to go and will drink well over the coming 10-12 years or so. Drink 2025-2036."
94 Points, Wine Advocate (6/12/2025)
"A blend of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% each Carmenère, Merlot and Petit Verdot, Quintessa's 2022 Red Wine initially offers up mossy, savory and earthy notes, but those are backed by layers of mixed red and black cherries, plus some plummier bass notes. Aged 22 months in 60% New French oak, there are hints of cedar and vanilla as well. In the mouth, the wine is medium- to full-bodied, fairly broad on the palate, showing some effects of the vintage's early September heat wave, stretching the wine's structural tannins into a coarser weave than typical, without upsetting the overall sense of harmony on the lingering finish. Drink Date: 2025 - 2040."
Vin Chicago Price: 219
