2006 Abreu, Red, Howell Mountain, Bottle (750ml)

RP95+ "The 2006 Howell Mountain has already gone into hiding, but there is no doubting its enormous weight, richness, note of graphite, and minerality. The wine possesses enormous concentration and richness as well as lots of blue and black fruits, but I wouldn’t touch it for 7-10 years. It should keep for 30 years." RP Dec 2009

"I can’t close without saying that it is unfortunate that the story of viticulturists like David Abreu, who is probably more meticulous and dedicated both to his sites and those he consults with than any other viticulturist I have met in Europe or California, combined with his love of French wines and his obsessive pursuit of world-class wines at his own sites, is a story that still hasn’t been told by enough people. Abreu, among many others, is why California has undergone a historic qualitative revolution over the last twenty years. Yet, in many elitist wine circles, it continues to be ignored despite the overwhelming evidence that many California vineyards are better managed than their European counterparts, and the winemaking and vineyard sites are potentially even grander. Heresy in some circles I know, but as always, the truth is in the bottle. In vino veritas! What a line-up of wines from superstar viticulturist David Abreu and his talented winemaking assistant, Brad Grimes!