Abreu'Madrona Ranch' Proprietary Red 2017

For David Abreu, Madrona Ranch is where it all began, and it is my favorite single vineyard bottling that winemaker Brad Grimes makes. Just released, this 2017 “is such a gorgeous wine. Bright and energetic, it possesses wonderful vibrancy that gives it striking energy. Red-toned fruit, blood orange, mint, spice and rose petal are some of the many aromas and flavors that open effortlessly. The purity of the 2017 is unreal. Readers will find a wine that deftly balances the richness of the year with a good deal of vibrancy and energy. The 2017 Madrona should drink well with (relatively) minimal cellaring.” Madrona Ranch rests in the western bench of St. Helena and was the first property David fell for, and developed, back in the 1980s. The canyons and curves that snake through the site, the soils that range from red Aiken to white tufa to dark clay and rocks—it’s a magical site. Madrona is a working ranch too. In fact, livestock have laid claim to more than their share of real estate. Cattle, goats, pigs, chickens—even honeybees, which live in one of the old barns on the property. “We tend the animals and leave the bees alone,” says David. “We do collect the honey though. We consider it fair rent.”