Quintessence Clone 191
⏳ Drinking Window
Typically best enjoyed 5–15 years from the vintage release, with the structure to cellar for 20 years or more under ideal conditions.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Grilled ribeye steak, roasted rosemary lamb chops, braised beef short ribs
✨ Technical Specifications
The Fidelitas Quintessence Clone 191 Cabernet Sauvignon is a masterclass in clonal selection and terroir expression from the rugged, sun-drenched slopes of the Red Mountain AVA. Sourced from the acclaimed Quintessence Vineyard, which climbs the steep, southwest-facing elevations of the appellation, this wine highlights UC Davis Clone 191—a Cabernet Sauvignon clone of French origin celebrated for producing remarkably small berries with thick skins. This results in an incredibly concentrated wine with deep color, intense structural tannins, and rich dark fruit characteristics. Winemaker Charlie Hoppes utilizes precise, modern techniques and aging in premium French oak barrels to tame the powerful Red Mountain tannins, creating a sophisticated single-clone bottling that showcases how specific genetic selections thrive in Washington's unique desert-like microclimate.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 2000 by veteran Washington winemaker Charlie Hoppes, Fidelitas is an artisanal winery dedicated to showcasing the distinct terroir of the Red Mountain AVA in Washington State. True to the Latin meaning of its name—faithfulness—the estate adheres to a philosophy of unwavering fidelity to grape varietal and vineyard character. Sourcing fruit from premier sites such as Quintessence, Ciel du Cheval, and the Fidelitas Estate Vineyard, the winery utilizes precise small-lot fermentation and focused oak aging. Fidelitas is celebrated for its powerful, structured, and age-worthy Bordeaux-style reds, most notably its acclaimed single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons, Malbec, and signature Optu Red blend.
🍇 Grape Varieties
Cabernet Sauvignon