Important Update From the Founder
Read message >
ADAMVS Verticals (w/CSIMM1161)
ADAMVS Vineyard and Winery
Tasted March 30, 2023 by Cristal2000 with 126 views
Introduction
First time trying ADAMVS wines, other than a passing sip at a wine event. Josh Kretchmer moved here from Arrow and Branch to be sales director, which should be a big boost for the winery.
They have three wines from Howell Mtn: TERES, QUINTVS and ADAMVS. It is all estate fruit at this point. TERES used to have some purchased grapes, but that ended in 2018. Entry level is TERES with the largest production ~1000 cases, then QUINTVS ~500 cases and finally ADAMVS ~375 cases. There are specific blocks on the estate used for QUINTVS and ADAMVS and as you might imagine, both the quality and price increase at each level. The TERES is a nice entry into ADAMVS wines, and it is going to be a bit rougher around the edges than the other two. QUINTVS takes a dramatic jump up in quality and ADAMVS is right up there with the top wines from Howell Mtn
Flight 3 (10 notes)
Red
2013 Adamvs Cabernet Sauvignon Teres
92 points
Nose of rose petals, raspberries, graphite, and fragrant earth. Spicy on the palate with big time mineral driven notes, riding high with good energy and decent length. Juicy fruit with oaky overtones. Lots of savory character. Time to drink up.
Red
2016 Adamvs Cabernet Sauvignon Teres
93 points
A step up from the 2013 right before it. Black cherries, tobacco leaf, and earthy, it shows a bit more polish and finesse, while displaying freshness, good acidity, and juicy red fruit. Rounder than the other offerings. Finishes spicy.
Red
2018 Adamvs Cabernet Sauvignon Teres
93 points
Graphite, violets, and a bit darker overall fruit profile than earlier vintages. Very mineral driven, with juicy fruit, hints of embers and forest floor, tobacco and leather. This wine is ready to go with a little air.
Red
2014 Adamvs Cabernet Sauvignon Quintvs
94 points
Of all the wines I tasted at ADAMVS, this was the most ready to drink. It opened beautifully, with lovely notes of cassis, dark chocolate, and rose petals. It fans out on the palate with sumptuous contours and brings home mineral driven complexity with impressive savory character. Displaying a deep core of fruit, fresh acidity, and a long finish, this is a winner.
Red
2015 Adamvs Cabernet Sauvignon Quintvs
95 points
Tightly wound, this wine is begging for more time in bottle but may eventually eclipse the 2014. With the warmer vintage and smaller berries, this wine shows more density of fruit and has the potential to be more extroverted. Like the other wines from here, it is deeply complex, with tobacco, graphite, and many mineral driven notes. Strong tannins and big structure mean this is going to age very well. Long, lingering finish.
Red
2016 Adamvs Cabernet Sauvignon Quintvs
95 points
Pure and focused, this is my favorite of the QUINTVS wines. No surprise given the vintage. This is the most gorgeous and floral on the nose with seamless freshness, fabulous complexity and a long, opulent, and mineral laced finish. The fruit is stunning, and its precision is very impressive. These are earthy wines, so it may not be right for those looking for a more opulent and fruit driven valley floor wine.
1 person found this helpful
Comment
Red
2018 Adamvs Cabernet Sauvignon Quintvs
94 points
A bit more herbaceous and savory than the 2016, this was perhaps slightly more old school, showing dark fruit laced with tobacco and graphite. Despite the potential for smoke issues from HM in this vintage, I didn’t get any distinct ash or astringency. The fruit fanned out well, with excellent layering and developing complexity.
Red
2015 Adamvs Cabernet Sauvignon Estate
97 points
This wine turns the weight, purity and focus up a notch from the QUINTVS. Displaying pure cassis, dark chocolate, forest floor and black olive notes, there is a massive core that never gets heavy due to the exceptional acidity and overall structure. Slightly more opulent than the 16 and 18 I had alongside, it retains its freshness and finishes super long. Special wine, but either lay it down or give it a lot of air.
Red
2016 Adamvs Cabernet Sauvignon Estate
99 points
This was the king of the hill, and possibly a perfect wine. I had this at the winery, bought some and took a bottle with me, later opening it next to wines like 18 Abreu Thorevilos, and it was never outclassed. Amazing mineral laced aromas of dark cherries, charcuterie, black licorice, graphite, forest floor and beautiful floral elements. The hallmarks here are laser-like precision, massive yet weightless fruit with crisp acidity that keeps everything very fresh and balanced. Super complex and nuanced, it continues to evolve with more air and finishes with incredible persistence. Hard to imagine a much better HM wine.
2 people found this helpful
Comment
Red
2018 Adamvs Cabernet Sauvignon Estate
96 points
As compared with the 16, this had a bit more leather, menthol and blackberry fruit thickness. Like with the 18 QUINTVS, it’s more savory and shows some leather and ember character.. The fruit is deeply concentrated and expressive, filling up every corner of the palate and bringing huge energy and depth for days. Wonderful long, layered and spicy finish. The only downside for it was being poured next to the 2016. This is a monster that will take some time to unwind, so no need to be in a hurry. Going to be extraordinarily complex.
Closing
Thanks to Josh for such an amazing tasting! These are definitely top tier Howell Mtn wines, and it's nice to see it all from the estate. I'd target QUINTVS and ADAMVS for the enthusiasts.