Harvest lunch with the Abreu crew as the last of 22 Los Posadas was coming in. Tacos al pastor paired well with 18 Madrona, 16 RH & 15 Los Posadas.
Like many, I cherish my time with Brad as I'm rewarded straight freaking opinion with no fluff or bullshit. Agree or disagree we live in a paddy cake world and I just want to shoot the shit with a real freaking no holds barred opinion and dammit, I get that with Brad.
As for the 18 Madrona, I'm glad I purchased my allocation as this is about as good as it gets when it comes to BDX blends in the Napa Valley.
Tasted with winemaker Brad Grimes in their wine caves.
Beautiful wine with gorgeous mouthfeel and texture. Everything seemed in balance with a long finish I did not take detailed notes but preferred to the 2018 Cappella tasted at the same time.
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This wine confused me. I tried 13 and 16 Madrona ranch before and they were way better than 18. Although this wine was closed but it was too thin and alcohol appeared at the end. For a wine near 700, alcohol was a huge flaw. Abreu wines are always elegant after 5 years' aging but the finish for this bottle was short.
Napa in the City: Masterclass & Lunch (The Pool/Grill): I'm always impressed with Brad's wines and this was no exception. It's very elegant. Darker red fruits. Lighter on the tongue. Almost a surprise that this is cab and I believe hillside even. Lots of freshness. Just a hint of alcohol at the end, but it blew off and I expect it will soften with some time. A wine made for a pretty long lifetime. The glass I returned to at the end of the tasting. Really lovely if much too young.
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Barrel tasting with Brad Grimes from multiple components (barrels) of each wine for WH birthday. What an amazing experience with trulyincredible wines. One of our favorite wineries and one of the few worth the price of admission (in order of preference Thorevilos, Las Piedras, Cappela, Madrona). These wines are knockouts in general and 2018 will be a stellar vintage. Must have for me (second job in my future?). Well done and what a treat.
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Tasted 2018 vintage from all four vineyards from barrel with Brad Grimes. These were component tastings, not final blends, but wow, 2018 is going to be a great vintage for Abreu. My two favorites were Madrona and Thorevilos with Las Pasadas next and then Cappella, but every one of these was spectacular in it's own right, even though I certainly admit having little experience tasting at this young an age. Nevertheless the vineyard characteristics were already coming through. Rich concentrated fruit, floral, licorice, and even at this age, complexity. Brad Grimes was a wonderful host and my wife and I thoroughly enjoyed tasting through these wines with him.
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10/15/2022 - MJP Hou TX Likes this wine:
Harvest lunch with the Abreu crew as the last of 22 Los Posadas was coming in. Tacos al pastor paired well with 18 Madrona, 16 RH & 15 Los Posadas.
Like many, I cherish my time with Brad as I'm rewarded straight freaking opinion with no fluff or bullshit. Agree or disagree we live in a paddy cake world and I just want to shoot the shit with a real freaking no holds barred opinion and dammit, I get that with Brad.
As for the 18 Madrona, I'm glad I purchased my allocation as this is about as good as it gets when it comes to BDX blends in the Napa Valley.
Brad is a gem and so are these wines.
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8/31/2022 - niacchus Likes this wine: 98 Points
Tasted with winemaker Brad Grimes in their wine caves.
Beautiful wine with gorgeous mouthfeel and texture. Everything seemed in balance with a long finish I did not take detailed notes but preferred to the 2018 Cappella tasted at the same time.
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4/9/2022 - Fake Drinker Does not like this wine: 94 Points
This wine confused me. I tried 13 and 16 Madrona ranch before and they were way better than 18. Although this wine was closed but it was too thin and alcohol appeared at the end. For a wine near 700, alcohol was a huge flaw. Abreu wines are always elegant after 5 years' aging but the finish for this bottle was short.
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4/9/2022 - MC2 Wines Likes this wine:
Napa in the City: Masterclass & Lunch (The Pool/Grill): I'm always impressed with Brad's wines and this was no exception. It's very elegant. Darker red fruits. Lighter on the tongue. Almost a surprise that this is cab and I believe hillside even. Lots of freshness. Just a hint of alcohol at the end, but it blew off and I expect it will soften with some time. A wine made for a pretty long lifetime. The glass I returned to at the end of the tasting. Really lovely if much too young.
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4/9/2022 - nywine68 wrote: 95 Points
Napa in the City. 2019/2018 Napa Valley Masterclass with Antonio Galloni and top winemakers (The Pool restaurant, Manhattan): Intense, dark and brooding. Tar and black licorice with loam and wet earth. Very complex. This needs much more time to unfold and show all its nuances.
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4/16/2019 - LiteItOnFire Likes this wine:
Barrel tasting with Brad Grimes from multiple components (barrels) of each wine for WH birthday. What an amazing experience with trulyincredible wines. One of our favorite wineries and one of the few worth the price of admission (in order of preference Thorevilos, Las Piedras, Cappela, Madrona). These wines are knockouts in general and 2018 will be a stellar vintage. Must have for me (second job in my future?). Well done and what a treat.
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3/19/2019 - buckeye76 Likes this wine:
Tasted 2018 vintage from all four vineyards from barrel with Brad Grimes. These were component tastings, not final blends, but wow, 2018 is going to be a great vintage for Abreu. My two favorites were Madrona and Thorevilos with Las Pasadas next and then Cappella, but every one of these was spectacular in it's own right, even though I certainly admit having little experience tasting at this young an age. Nevertheless the vineyard characteristics were already coming through. Rich concentrated fruit, floral, licorice, and even at this age, complexity. Brad Grimes was a wonderful host and my wife and I thoroughly enjoyed tasting through these wines with him.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment