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.
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 .
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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!
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.
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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
Opulent cassis, prunes, and chocolate, with precise tannins and a remarkably long finish. The flavor development after a 7-hour decant was extraordinary.
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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)
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Decanted 3 hrs and what a difference. Smooth, silky tannins and lots of powerful cedar, fruit, dark spices, and cinnamon enrich the soul. Was a perfect complement to a our fillet dinner. Still young and has plenty yet to give. Expect it to keep developing for another 10 yrs. but still a wow now with enough air.
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Silky, elegant and refined, there is a purity to the fruit and velvety tannins that allow the wine to feel as soft as it does. Yet, this is no wallflower of a wine. The combination of blueberries, espresso, blackberry, chocolate and flowers is alluring. Never tiring to taste, it was the perfect foil for a juicy, rare, grilled New York. This is still youthful at 9, so I imagine it will deliver high quality enjoyment for at least another 15-20 years or longer.
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PnP, which likely isn't doing this wine justice. Lots of funk on the nose right out of the gate. After a little swirling, settled down a bit to reveal cedar, oak, spice box and licorice. This wine still feels like it is searching for integration. Lots of tremendous parts that haven't quite come together. Big and pallet enveloping, it's very complex with nice tannic structure. The oak is a bit too prominent at this point. Very long finish. Lots to like here, just needs time or a lot more air.
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Incense, clay, vanilla and a wide array of ripe black and blue fruits create the perfume. On the palate, the wine is rich, intense, full bodied and concentrated with layers of sweet dark, perfectly ripe cherries. The fruit displays incredible purity. The finish is long, lush and lusty.
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5/30/2023 - gymnastpro wrote: 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.
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5/16/2023 - DWStyle Likes this wine: 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 .
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5/6/2023 - bobvictor Likes this wine: 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!
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8/20/2022 - jsmorris707 Likes this wine: 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
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5/3/2022 - AGELVIS Likes this wine: 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.
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5/3/2022 - MJP Hou TX Likes this wine:
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.
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3/28/2022 - gordonengle wrote: 100 Points
Phenomenal wine. Had with Martin
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1/8/2022 - MJP Hou TX Likes this wine: 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.
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11/18/2021 - gymnastpro wrote: 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!
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11/7/2021 - Lord of the Bottles Likes this wine: 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.
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10/11/2021 - cfulbright Likes this wine: 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.
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4/24/2021 - Wine2372 Likes this wine: 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.
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3/24/2021 - ajrez Likes this wine: 99 Points
Absolutely singing.
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10/10/2020 - MJP Hou TX Likes this wine: 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.
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8/22/2020 - joshabramson Likes this wine: 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.
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5/29/2020 - LiteItOnFire Likes this wine: 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.
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5/10/2020 - mdvillaverde wrote:
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.
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12/27/2019 - rlove wrote: 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)
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8/27/2019 - Jeff Leve wrote: 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.
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8/10/2019 - jsmorris707 Likes this wine: 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.
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8/9/2019 - gteran76 Likes this wine: 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.
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6/30/2019 - Lateva wrote: 96 Points
Pop and pour. Ready to go and singing!
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12/19/2018 - SommJourney05 Likes this wine: 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.
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12/6/2018 - Quiet Lion Likes this wine: 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.
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3/17/2018 - bhrubin Likes this wine: 97 Points
Decanted 3 hrs and what a difference. Smooth, silky tannins and lots of powerful cedar, fruit, dark spices, and cinnamon enrich the soul. Was a perfect complement to a our fillet dinner. Still young and has plenty yet to give. Expect it to keep developing for another 10 yrs. but still a wow now with enough air.
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2/11/2018 - Jeff Leve wrote: 98 Points
Silky, elegant and refined, there is a purity to the fruit and velvety tannins that allow the wine to feel as soft as it does. Yet, this is no wallflower of a wine. The combination of blueberries, espresso, blackberry, chocolate and flowers is alluring. Never tiring to taste, it was the perfect foil for a juicy, rare, grilled New York. This is still youthful at 9, so I imagine it will deliver high quality enjoyment for at least another 15-20 years or longer.
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12/28/2017 - Lucyspal Likes this wine: 97 Points
What a beautiful wine! Cedar and cinnamon and elegance to boot. Many years of life left, but what an enjoyable bottle to share with friends now!
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1/15/2017 - Cristal2000 Likes this wine: 95 Points
PnP, which likely isn't doing this wine justice. Lots of funk on the nose right out of the gate. After a little swirling, settled down a bit to reveal cedar, oak, spice box and licorice. This wine still feels like it is searching for integration. Lots of tremendous parts that haven't quite come together. Big and pallet enveloping, it's very complex with nice tannic structure. The oak is a bit too prominent at this point. Very long finish. Lots to like here, just needs time or a lot more air.
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8/24/2013 - Jeff Leve wrote: 97 Points
Incense, clay, vanilla and a wide array of ripe black and blue fruits create the perfume. On the palate, the wine is rich, intense, full bodied and concentrated with layers of sweet dark, perfectly ripe cherries. The fruit displays incredible purity. The finish is long, lush and lusty.
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