Community Tasting Note

Thursday, January 20, 2022 - This rich and layered Cabernet blend is - as usual - a symphony of flavor and class. It still needs a few more years to come into its own, but it shows none of the markers of this unfortunate vintage - i.e, nothing green, charred, or forced here. If anything, the fruit seems more forward and fresh, but there is still that mouth-coating savory wildness that Abreu wines offer like few (read: none) others in Napa. I haven't tasted the whole lineup, but this confirms my suspicion that - like only a handful of winemakers (e.g., Nigel Kinsman, Massimo Di Costanzo) - Brad Grimes made this vintage sing.

Dark red in color and medium in body, the wine offers aromas of black cherry, graphite, and leather, with a beautiful undertone of dried spice (e.g., oregano, thyme, bay leaf). The flavors are well-integrated, with notes of boysenberry, cocoa bean, espresso, peppercorn, and ribeye, with grainy but playful tannins and a lifted acidity. This is easily one of the best 2017s I have tasted, and it’s the one I would bet will get better over time. Blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Cab Franc, 10% Petit Verdot, and 6% Merlot. 14.5% alcohol. Decant two hours if drinking now. 95+ at the moment, but this should be better in 2023 or later.

P.S. Would I recommend this as the vintage for someone first trying Abreu? No. Try something with age, like a 2012, 2010, or earlier. The 2017 will never quite have the expansiveness of the best vintages, but that doesn't mean this particular wine is crap. If anything, I suspect the secondary market will discount the 2017 as time goes by - a significant factor when a wine sells for such a crazy price - and all I'm saying is don't dismiss it. For what it's worth, I think this wine - screw the vintage - is the real deal, period.

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Comment posted by MJP Hou TX:

1/21/2022 6:59:00 AM - I'm with you on finding vintage bottles to get familiar with the lineup. I'll be picking up the 18 RH direct this release. Along with some amazing Olive Oil. I still need to set up my night at Madrona. 94/95 & 03/04 on deck.
Comment posted by gymnastpro:

1/21/2022 9:04:00 AM - Thanks for the notes! I heard this vintage was killer for abreu.
Comment posted by MJP Hou TX:

1/22/2022 6:34:00 AM - So if you only could purchase one of the four vineyards from 17 which would it be? I'm guessing for most it would be a toss up between Thorevilos and Madrona. I personally love the finesse of Madrona but bet Thorevilos will be the long term sleeper.
Comment posted by gymnastpro:

1/22/2022 7:27:00 AM - I got one of madrona, but plan on picking up a fee Las Posadas. Heard Howell mountain did well in 17
Comment posted by MJP Hou TX:

1/22/2022 12:08:00 PM - Yes, I believe it's hard to go wrong with the lineup in general even in a bad year. I'm going to split hairs at $525.00!
Comment posted by gymnastpro:

1/22/2022 3:42:00 PM - Very true ha.
Comment posted by gymnastpro:

2/1/2022 10:07:00 PM - Anyone still buying the 17s at the new price point of 575? I might pass now.
Comment posted by MJP Hou TX:

2/2/2022 6:40:00 AM - I bought 18 RH to support my cellar and my love of Abreu. I'm sure they're wines of the vintage but with late 18 releases and 2019 on deck I have to save that spend. Plus, I'm an avid buyer of Abreu on the secondary market for vintages with 10-20 years of bottle age.
Comment posted by gymnastpro:

2/2/2022 8:26:00 AM - Ya good call. I might just get the 3pack of 18 RH and save for the 18s and 19s. I was going to skip entirely, but I'm sure the RH 18 is fantastic.
Comment posted by MJP Hou TX:

2/2/2022 8:31:00 AM - At $225 I guess its still considered a bargain right!? Lol... Oh the inflated world we are living in.
Comment posted by gymnastpro:

2/2/2022 9:00:00 AM - ya I'm starting to get priced out of Napaflation
Comment posted by gymnastpro:

2/2/2022 9:51:00 AM - Huh. Still need to contemplate. Have eisele, promontory, and realm upcoming this month still.