Clear, easy and true to varietal: A current tasting of Quintessential Wines revealed a portfolio straight to the purpose in what it was attempting to perform.
Based in 2002 by the Kreps household, Quintessential traces its business roots again to the ‘70s. At present, the corporate imports, produces, markets and distributes quite a few wines and spirits. Quintessential usually hosts tastings in NYC for wines they import. Final week, nevertheless, Steve Kreps Jr., VP Enterprise Improvement, was on the town to pattern his household’s assortment of California manufacturers at Heritage Grand Bakery.
Starting with Princesca Cava Brut. Named for his niece, who wished to be a princess when she grew up, this was a effective palate tuneup. Contemporary inexperienced fruit and floral notes mixed with sprightly bubbles and balanced acidity for an exquisite pour. Prosecco drives most bubbly gross sales today, however cava stays a powerful second, Kreps stated.
Subsequent we sampled Geyser Peak Sauvignon Blanc 2024 (SRP: $19.99). Sourced from a number of California vineyards, this was easy and crisp in fashion, with beautiful white fruits all through.
Two Angels Sauvignon Blanc 2023 ($19.99) was the primary of this fashion pf wine that the Kreps ever produced. Straw and contemporary white fruits on the nostril led to a palate of comparable flavors, crisp and wealthy, balanced with restrained acidity. Delicate and straightforward consuming, this pared completely with our fried calamari appetizer.
Geyser Peak Chardonnay 2024 ($19.99) is positioned as a worth California chard. Fruit on this mix consists of grapes from Alexander Valley, uncommon at that value level. Barrel getting old provides your typical oak influences — buttery, creamy vanillins, and a rounder mouthfeel — however removed from overpowering. A lot the alternative, this was once more on the refined, easy-drinking aspect.
As was Geyser Peak Cabernet Sauvignon ($19.99). “That is your Tuesday evening wine,” Kreps stated. “It’s meant to style just like the varietal it’s. It’s clear, with a bit of little bit of spine, from Petite Sirah from Lake County.”
“Retailers need one thing that competes with the large names” in California Cab Sauv, he added, “and out of doors of the upper value factors. Retailers need to have the ability to say to a buyer, ‘Do this as an alternative of the big-name model’.” To his level, discovery and experimentation stays key with in the present day’s customers. Particularly when worth is concerned.
Strolling Tree Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 ($29.99) is known as for an oak tree that “walked” down a hill on a mudslide, touchdown upright in a car parking zone. Sourced from Alexander Valley, and aged 20 months in French oak, the result’s what you’d count on: wealthy darkish fruits balanced by easy tannins. However once more, not overpowering. As with the entire portfolio, the main focus stays on drinkability: a lineup of extraordinarily food-friendly wines. This paired correctly with my rooster and avocado BLT.
XYZIN Outdated Vines Zinfandel 2023 ($49.99) rolls out in simply 800 circumstances. With darkish fruit and cocoa all through, you possibly can style the Dry Creek Valley sourcing. “Zinfandel has bottomed out, and is beginning to come again,” Kreps stated. “Individuals are getting away from greater zins and transferring to lighter zins.” To wit: the mellower mouthfeel of this wine.
We completed with a trio of Atlast Peak wines, showcasing the Napa Valley winery.
The American Tremendous Tuscan Mix 2020 ($29.99) combines 40% cab sauv, 33% sangiovese and 27% merlot. Wealthy pink berries and cherries outlined this Italian-inspired wine. Contemporary oak flavors emerged from 30 months in French barrels.
Atlas Peak Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 ($49.99) was a cherry-forward pour, balanced medium acidity and tannins. Atlas Peak Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 ($79.99) contained darker cherries and a contact of chocolate. Silky tannins rounded every little thing collectively.
A lot dialog throughout the tasting centered on why Millennials and (particularly) Gen Z don’t drink wine as a lot as older generations. I continued to argue that it’s about training and cash. Millennials really feel intimidated and underinformed about this numerous class, whereas Gen Z remains to be financially recovering from the pandemic slowdown.
Which is why I believe easy, worth, true-to-varietal wines like a lot of the Kreps portfolio are so vital proper now. They supply an easy-to-understand entry into the class at an inexpensive value. A tasting of those manufacturers revealed what wine ought to look and style like for the trendy client.
Kyle Swartz is editor of Beverage Dynamics. Attain him at kswartz@epgacceleration.com. Learn his current piece, How you can Promote Allotted Whiskeys.
