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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 96.5 pts. and median of 97 pts. in 34 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by mdvillaverde on 5/7/2024 & rated 93 points: Consistent with past notes. (392 views) | | | Tasted by gymnastpro on 5/30/2023 & rated 93 points: I had this wine a few weeks ago now. Unfortunately the wine didn't live up to the expectations of the previous one I had with Brad. The French oak was very prominent and never really blew off after 3-4 hours of decant. Hoping the next one is better. (3023 views) | | | Tasted by DWStyle on 5/16/2023 & rated 95 points: Rich and delicious . Big mouth feel, could use a. Couple more years in bottle, this was from a magnum . Dinner with fam celebrating my sisters 66th Bday at Tyler Florence’s Miller & Lux . (1522 views) | | | Tasted by bobvictor on 5/6/2023 & rated 98 points: Fantastic!!! I love Abreu in general and this drinks in the early stages of the drinking window. Dark brooding deep blue/purple in color. Nose was not memorable. Great tertiary flavors of earth, tomatoe leaves, blackberries. Silky. Long finish. Enjoy! (1393 views) | | | Tasted by jsmorris707 on 8/20/2022 & rated 97 points: Similar to prior note after a 2 hour double decant, except it has now entered peak drinking; outstanding, drink or hold, no rush (3002 views) | | | Tasted by MJP Hou TX on 5/3/2022: No formal notes. Pulled this late night to treat guest during our private tasting of Arrow & Branch wines. A bit of a rookie move on my part but the response was great from those who gave feedback. More glasses and not enough wine to truly appreciate this bottles evolution once open. (2573 views) | | | Tasted by AGELVIS on 5/3/2022 & rated 94 points: Deep dark garnet/brick red color, with a rusty rim. Mushroom, Manwich-infused chocolate (think chocolatey sloppy Joe), and fennel on the nose. Dry, velvety palate. Soft tannins on the longish finish.
This was another fun bonus pour from MJP, toward the end of our Arrow & Branch tasting. “Salisbury steak” might better capture the essence of this wine, as MJP noted. It’s held up well, but more age than I typically enjoy. (3001 views) | | | Tasted by gordonengle on 3/28/2022 & rated 100 points: Phenomenal wine. Had with Martin (1097 views) | | | Tasted by MJP Hou TX on 1/8/2022 & rated 95 points: Benchmark wine purchase back in May so I know nothing about how this bottle was stored up until I pulled the cork last night. I served this blind for our dinner guest along with bottles of 19 Caterwaul & 18 Bishop's ring. Wines purchased and brought by our guest to be served blind in decanters.
09 Cappella was poured directly into a Zalto decanter and presented along with the other wines at the same time. Not surprisingly the boisterous wines did very well amongst the group. While consuming the Abreu I noticed this bottle did not have the backbone of the one we drank with Brad at Abreu in Oct of 2020. A very expressive nose but on the palate it was more fruit elixir. Smooth and soft fruits but without structure. Maybe a dumb phase or improper storage. Good by not as great as I remember.
I have another bottle from the same source so we shall see. (3436 views) | | | Tasted by gymnastpro on 11/18/2021 & rated 96 points: No specific notes as I had it over a month ago with Brad in the Abreu Cave. One of the best wines I had this year, besides a 14 promontory. If I can get it for a decent price I definitely will! (1797 views) | | | Tasted by Lord of the Bottles on 11/7/2021 & rated 96 points: Taken to a restaurant in London. No time for decanting but the wine opened up pretty quickly in the glass. Concentrated red fruit, milk chocolate, mocha, pain grille, and more toasted notes with a slightly herbaceous finish (winemaker’s notes says a quarter Cab Franc and you can definitely taste it). Nose of mocha and toasted coconut. Very smooth and polished (my wife’s comment was “no hard edges”). By the last glass the wine closed up some. This was a very well sculpted wine that is very classical. Doesn’t taste at all like Napa and reminds me more of some of the Cab Franc blends from Bordeaux or even Loire. 95-96 drink or hold. (1358 views) | | | Tasted by cfulbright on 10/11/2021 & rated 98 points: Decanted it an hour before dinner, then drank it over the next 2 1/2 hours. It opened nicely but didn't go get old as the night went on. It's good until at least it's 20th anniversary in 2029.
Dark reddish color. Some coffee, chocolate, tobacco, and dark fruits on the nose. Medium but soft tannins. (1400 views) | | | Tasted by Wine2372 on 4/24/2021 & rated 97 points: Opulent cassis, prunes, and chocolate, with precise tannins and a remarkably long finish. The flavor development after a 7-hour decant was extraordinary. (3239 views) | | | Tasted by ajrez on 3/24/2021 & rated 99 points: Absolutely singing. (1851 views) | | | Tasted by MJP Hou TX on 10/10/2020 & rated 98 points: Lunch with Brad Grimes. No formal tasting notes. This was my wow wine of the trip after tasting so many newly released 18's. So balanced. Very complex with primary fruit still evolving. 98+
08 Thorevilos
09 Cappella
10 R.H. (2625 views) | | | Tasted by joshabramson on 8/22/2020 & rated 97 points: Another great bottle from Abreu. Still quite young and a bit closed right out of the bottle, definitely needs some air... and will surely continue to improve over the next few years. Very silky, loads of ripe but restrained fruit, firm structure with very long finish. (3999 views) | | | Tasted by LiteItOnFire on 5/29/2020 & rated 95 points: PnP and then drank over two hours- hitting its stride at the 2 hour mark with a prime N.Y. strip. Of the big boys, Abreu has to be my favorite with Thorevilos and Las Posadas in the lead but the others not far behind. This wine has all the goods and could go on for years. The wine is perfectly in sync/balance with soft smooth semi sweet (not sweet but maybe more luxurious) tannins and full acid integration that works wonderfully with the blackberries, anise, coffee, minerals, spice leading to a long finish. While this wine is beautiful on its own, it jumped out of the glass with the N.Y. Strip- and became the wine of the night with no one in second place.
While I love my fruit bomb Napa wine, this is a more intellectual wine and as commented tonight- I could drink this and eat the Strip all night every night and be very happy. 94-95. (3210 views) | | | Tasted by mdvillaverde on 5/10/2020: 72% Cab Sauvignon, 15% Cab Franc, 10% Petit Verdot and 3%. 14.5% ABV. I let it breathe for 2 hours. Drank over 2. Agree w/the notes of others that this is a polished, silky wine. As good on day 2. (1673 views) | | | Tasted by rlove on 12/27/2019 & rated 95 points: Deep purple. Large-scale nose shows blueberry, dark cherry, rose water, chocolate, licorice, and cedar. Where the 2009 Capella really shines is the velvety, supple texture that carries dense, dark fruit with a savory, spicy tone. Ripe, softening tannins. Massive finish. (14.5% ABV; 72% Cabernet sauvignon, 15% Cabernet franc, 10% Petit verdot, and 3% Merlot) (2908 views) | | | Tasted by Jeff Leve on 8/27/2019 & rated 98 points: Silk and velvet textures make the wine. This is such a great style. The showy, perfectly ripe fruits, soft, polished tannins, and layers of ripe, sweet, fresh and fleshy berries never quits. The fruit filled finish, with its nuances of smoke, dark cocoa, licorice and espresso hang wth you for ages. Drink this now, or wait a decade. This is a very special wine. (4042 views) | | | Tasted by jsmorris707 on 8/10/2019 & rated 98 points: Double decanted for an hour then taken to the CWG at LB on Las Olas. Deep ruby, black cherry with a touch of vanilla, med. tannins, long finish; outstanding, drink or preferably hold. (1734 views) | | | Tasted by gteran76 on 8/9/2019 & rated 96 points: What a treat thanks to my friend Joel that brought this baby to our CWG, I never had any Abreu before. Dark, bold, hint of peppermint and anis, multidimensional wine with a endless finish. This wine has its best days ahead. I would hold it for at least 5 years. (1506 views) | | | Tasted by Lateva on 6/30/2019 & rated 96 points: Pop and pour. Ready to go and singing! (1704 views) | | | Tasted by SommJourney05 on 12/19/2018 & rated 97 points: Yes, this is the real deal! Just starting to hit its stride with a lot of time (and even more potential) to go. Deep ruby. On the nose cassis, blackberry and plum with violets, sweet tobacco, mocha and savory herbs. I really dig the floral notes of this wine balanced with the savory herb (thyme and sage). Like a silk sheet on the palate with supple tannins and a long finish. This wine has everything in the right places. (1922 views) | | | Tasted by Quiet Lion on 12/6/2018 & rated 97 points: Double-decanted for three hours and served with steaks. I might prefer to drink this as a cocktail wine as it is full of subtle flavors. Despite having the softness of a blend, it has that intense purity that you get from the best Napa single-vineyard offerings. Still very youthful, Parker gives it 20-25 years and I wouldn't be in any rush to enjoy it. (1643 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| By Antonio Galloni
Vinous, Abreu – The 2009s Revisited (Jun 2019) (6/1/2019)
(Abreu Cappella Napa Valley Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Antonio Galloni
Vinous, 2010 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon: An Epic Vintage (Dec 2012)
(David Abreu Proprietary Red Cappella) Subscribe to see review text. | By Antonio Galloni
Vinous, New Releases from Napa Valley (Dec 2011)
(David Abreu Proprietary Red Cappella Napa) Subscribe to see review text. |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of Vinous. (manage subscription channels) |
| Abreu Producer website
Abreu Vineyards is of famed vineyard manager David Abreu. Mr. Abreu’s farming skills are in extremely high demand, and he oversees many of the Napa Valley’s most prestigious vineyard properties.
Region: Napa Valley
Sub Region: St Helena
David Abreu and his winemaker, Brad Grimes produce four single vineyard red wines under Abreu Vineyards company. The labels are; Madrona Ranch, Cappella, Thorevilos, and Las Posadas. There is a fifth wine which is a blend of all four properties called, Rothwell Hyde. Wines are available for purchase though their direct mailing list only.
This is a highly sought after label that is owned by vineyard manager-extraordinaire David Abreu, also known as, “the grower to the stars.” He has farmed for many illustrious estates including current and past clients such as; Colgin, Staglin, Bryant, Kenzo, Sloan, Marciano, Harlan Estate, and Screaming Eagle.
David Abreu, a third-generation rancher from St. Helena, founded Abreu Vineyards in 1980 after working briefly at Caymus Vineyards. That year he formed David Abreu Vineyard Management, working with pioneering winemaker Richard Forman to manage ranching operations at Inglenook Winery.
Abreu and Forman became friends and traveled frequently to Bordeaux, where they observed French winemaking operations. They brought back French rootstock, trellis designs, and Bordelais planting and farming techniques.[1]
Abreu's fame spread as more wineries hired David Abreu Vineyard Management company to plant and manage ranching operations. By 1999 he was considered the premier viticulturist for premium grapes in Napa Valley.[2] Abreu's company has raised grapes for some of the most respected wineries in Napa and Sonoma Valleys including Blankiet Estate, Acacia Vineyard, Staglin Family Vineyards, Jones Family Vineyards, Bressler Vineyards, Colgin Cellars, Pahlmeyer Vineyard, Sloan Estate, Bryant Family Vineyard, Fisher Vineyards, Oakford Vineyards, Araujo Estate Wines, Grace Family Vineyard, Viader Vineyards, and Harlan estate, among others.
In 1998 eminent wine critic Robert M. Parker, Jr. included Abreu in his list of the "most influential wine personalities of the last 20 years."[3] In 2006 Abreu was hired to replant the Screaming Eagle Winery vineyards.[4]
The wines
Abreu Vineyards concentrates exclusively on estate-grown cabernet sauvignon blends. Robert Parker gave the 1997 Madrona Ranch cabernet perfect 100-point score, one of only 140 wines in the world to receive the honor.[5] In the "Judgment of Sauternes," in October, 2006 the 1997 cabernet was judged the #1 wine in the world by the Grand Jury Européen.[6]
In the late 1990s Abreu and Forman jointly purchased and planted the 20-acre Thorevilos Vineyard. They released Abreu's first cabernet from that vineyard in 2000.[7]
Distribution is extremely limited, although a number of online wine sellers do advertise Abreu wines at $100 to $600 or more per bottle. Production was 500 cases in 1999.
References
^ Forman (2000). Launching Bordeaux-Style Wines in the Napa Valley:. University of California, Berkeley, Regional Oral History Office, pp.106-109.
^ Forman, 2000, p. 37
^ Parker, Robert. "The most influential wine personalities of the last 20 years", The Wine Advocate, December 23, 1998.
^ Murphy, Linda. "Worth its weight in gold? Why some people happily pay $500 for a bottle of wine", San Francisco Chronicle, August 3, 2006.
^ Robert Parker's 100 Point Wines. Wine-Searcher (May, 2005). Retrieved on January 27, 2007.
^ Anson, Jane. "California in pole position yet again", Decanter.com, October 24, 2006. Retrieved on January 27, 2007.
^ Foreman, 2000, pp. 124-125
Red Bordeaux BlendRed Bordeaux is generally made from a blend of grapes. Permitted grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec and rarely Carménère.Today Carménère is rarely used, with Château Clerc Milon, a fifth growth Bordeaux, being one of the few to still retain Carménère vines. As of July 2019, Bordeaux wineries authorized the use of four new red grapes to combat temperature increases in Bordeaux. These newly approved grapes are Marselan, Touriga Nacional, Castets, and Arinarnoa.
Wineries all over the world aspire to making wines in a Bordeaux style. In 1988, a group of American vintners formed The Meritage Association to identify wines made in this way. Although most Meritage wines come from California, there are members of the Meritage Association in 18 states and five other countries, including Argentina, Australia, Canada, Israel, and Mexico.USAAmerican wine has been produced since the 1500s, with the first widespread production beginning in New Mexico in 1628. Today, wine production is undertaken in all fifty states, with California producing 84% of all U.S. wine. The continent of North America is home to several native species of grape, including Vitis labrusca, Vitis riparia, Vitis rotundifolia, and Vitis vulpina, but the wine-making industry is based almost entirely on the cultivation of the European Vitis vinifera, which was introduced by European settlers. With more than 1,100,000 acres (4,500 km2) under vine, the United States is the fourth-largest wine producing country in the world, after Italy, Spain, and France.California2021 vintage: "Unlike almost all other areas of the state, the Russian River Valley had higher than normal crops in 2021, which has made for a wine of greater generosity and fruit forwardness than some of its stablemates." - Morgan Twain-Peterson Napa Valley Napa Valley Wineries and Wine (Napa Valley Vintners)Napa ValleySt. Helena |
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