”The perfect 2012 Madrona Ranch displays notes of roasted coffee, forest floor, incense, Christmas fruitcake, blackcurrants and blackberry fruit in an incredibly fragrant, full-bodied, opulent style. Far more dramatic and open-knit Capella, the 2012 Madrona is super-intense, with incredibly velvety tannins. This is a sublime wine of the highest order, a fabulous example of the vintage, and a tribute to the craftsmanship of David Abreu and Brad Grimes."

Abreu’s 2011 Proprietary Red Madrona Ranch is all about balance. Firm, focused tannins provide the backdrop for expressive floral and red-toned nuances. At times a bit delicate for an Abreu wine, the 2011 Madrona Ranch stands out for its focus and delineation. It will be interesting to see where this goes over the coming year. Anticipated maturity: 2021-2031. (Not yet released)Brad Grimes has done a fabulous job with these wines, each of which is loaded with personality and character. One of the widely acknowledged criteria for separating the great estates from the merely excellent is the quality of the wines in lesser years. In 2011 Grimes shows he is at the top of his game. Selection at the sorting table was Draconian, something I saw for myself one early morning as fruit was coming in towards the end of the harvest.Fax (707) 963-5104

From the back hills of St. Helena, in the direction of Spring Mountain, comes Abreu's first single-vineyard offering from vineyards planted in 1982, the Madrona Ranch. This cuvee usually contains at least 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and one of the highest perc