2005 Abreu Cabernet Sauvignon Madrona Ranch

Tasted next to the 2012, the 2005 Madrona Ranch Vineyard is a deep, concentrated, still backward wine that offers serious intensity in its blackcurrants, spice, chocolate, and graphite aromas and flavors. It lacks the elegance and seamlessness of the 2012, yet packs tons of fruit and richness in a balanced package. At the early stages of maturity, it’s going to keep for another two decades.

The 2005 Proprietary Red Madrona Ranch is probably dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, but there is significant Cabernet Franc in it as well, which is also the case for its sibling, the Thorevilos. The Madrona Ranch, of course, comes from the back foothills of St. Helena, heading toward Spring Mountain. A beautiful, dense opaque purple color and notes of espresso roast, chocolate, cedar wood, blackcurrants and forest floor are all present in this deep, layered, full-bodied beauty. Majestic and built like a skyscraper, with stunningly well-integrated acidity, wood, alcohol and tannin, this wine is still incredibly youthful at age 10 and promises to continue to evolve for at least another 15-25 years. It is a beauty and another great example of this terroir tucked away in the back streets of St. Helena.