2014 Abreu, Rothwell Hyde, Napa Valley

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2014 Rothwell Hyde Proprietary Red has a very classic nose of cassis, black plums and black cherries with hints of unsmoked cigars, pencil shavings, camphor and underbrush with a waft of bay leaves. The full-bodied palate is lively, velvety, generous and packed with fruit, finishing long and spicy.

The 2014 Rothwell Hyde, Abreu's second wine, is wonderfully fresh and perfumed. Silky and racy, with terrific purity to the red cherry and plum flavors, the Rothwell Hyde offers a great window into the house style and also the personality of the year. Best of all, the 2014 will drink well with minimal cellaring. What a gorgeous wine this is. Once again, Brad Grimes poured the Rothwell Hyde at the very end of our tasting. The wine did not suffer at all being placed after all the big guns of 2014, 2015 and 2016, which is probably be the best compliment I can pay.

Declassified, apparently, and they are too expensive to open another bottle so I have missed the boat for tasting the other Abreu wines – shame! Very Cabernet and sweet – almost inky – and a bit obvious. Very sweet and a little stringy. (JR)