1995 Madrona Ranch

David Abreu's 1995 Madrona Ranch was breathtaking. It burst from the glass with tremendous length and layers of voluptuous, ripe fruit. Though still a youngster, the 1995 was immensely enjoyable.

The 1995 Cabernet Sauvignon Madrona Ranch is a strikingly superb Cabernet Sauvignon. Although it includes 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Merlot in the blend, I would never have guessed that. Aged in 100% new Taransaud barrels (as are all Abreu's wines), this wine boasts an opaque purple color, in addition to a fabulous bouquet of blueberries, blackberries, cassis, licorice, minerals, and smoky, toasty oak. The wine's aromatics soar from the glass, and in the mouth, the bouquet's promise is fulfilled. A thick, juicy, black fruit character comes across in cascades of fruit, glycerin, and extract. All of this has been buttressed by sweet tannin and good acidity. A voluptuously-textured, blockbuster, yet remarkably harmonious wine, it is one of the finest efforts of the vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2001-2025. These are riveting wines produced by a former Wine Advocate "Hero of the Year." Once again, readers' only chance of ever sampling one of these sumptuous Cabernet Sauvignons is to get on David Abreu's mailing list. Fax (707) 963-5104

The 1995 Cabernet Sauvignon Madrona Ranch is a strikingly superb Cabernet Sauvignon. Although it includes 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Merlot in the blend, I would never have guessed that. Aged in 100% new Taransaud barrels (as are all Abreu's wines), this wine boasts an opaque purple color, in addition to a fabulous bouquet of blueberries, blackberries, cassis, licorice, minerals, and smoky, toasty oak. The wine's aromatics soar from the glass, and in the mouth, the bouquet's promise is fulfilled. A thick, juicy, black fruit character comes across in cascades of fruit, glycerin, and extract. All of this has been buttressed by sweet tannin and good acidity. A voluptuously-textured, blockbuster, yet remarkably harmonious wine, it is one of the finest efforts of the vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2001-2025.||These are riveting wines produced by a former Wine Advocate "Hero of the Year."||Once again, readers' only chance of ever sampling one of these sumptuous Cabernet Sauvignons is to get on David Abreu's mailing list.||Fax (707) 963-5104|| Wine Advocate.December, 1998