2016 Abreu, Las Posadas, Howell Mountain, Case of 6 Btls [Banded]

AG100 "The 2016 Las Posadas is a stunning Howell Mountain wine. Inky, rich and hedonistically beautiful, the 2016 is simply magnificent. Crème de cassis, chocolate, menthol, licorice, lavender, cloves, mint, graphite and crushed rocks are all amped up in the glass. Unctuous, creamy and super-expressive, the Posadas captures the opulence of Howell Mountain. It is simply magnificent in every way." AG for VM Jan 2020

RP99 "A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, the 2016 Las Posadas Proprietary Red is an amazing effort that's just entering what will be an extended drinking window. Gorgeous notes of blueberries, black cherries and mulberries appear on the nose, joined by a subtle leafiness (tobacco? bay?) that helps to temper the sweet nature of the fruit and bring a more savory, food-friendly quality to the wine. It's full-bodied, rich and concentrated, with a stunningly long finish that manages to be both velvety and vibrant." JC for TWA Sep 2022

JS99 "Blueberries and blackberries with fresh herbs and hints of walnuts and almonds. Some crushed stones. Full body and tight, chewy tannins. Dark fruit and resin and cedar undertones. Extremely long and flavorful. Finely crafted. Drink after 2022." JS Feb 2019

"I'm not sure why, but it had been a few years since a Wine Advocate reviewer had visited Abreu's winery to taste through the impressive lineup of red wines. Winemaker Brad Grimes has been with Abreu since the 2000 vintage, and he met me at the unobtrusive entrance to the caves behind Cliff Lede. With three vintages of the four single-vineyard wines to taste, I was glad not to have any visits scheduled later, as the wines were a pleasure to go through. For those who might not be familiar with the story, David Abreu is one of the premier vineyard managers in Napa Valley. Along the way, he has acquired or developed relationships with several significant vineyard sites, and from 2016 to 2018 bottled four single-vineyard wines. I also tasted the 2019 Rothwell Hyde, which is a blend assembled from barrels that don't fit the single-vineyard profiles. Madrona Ranch is home base for Abreu, and it's the first of these properties he acquired. Driving through, one notices the profusion of animals, farm equipment, riding ring, and soccer pitch—and grapevines—at the base of Spring Mountain. Capella isn't far away, also on the western side of St. Helena. Across the valley, Las Posadas is the highest of Abreu's four single vineyards, situated above the Howell Mountain fog line at 2,000 feet above sea level. Thorevilos, which Abreu doesn't own, has been renamed Ecotone, and it's my understanding that Abreu won't produce it going forward. Like Las Posadas, it's also on the eastern side of the valley, too far east to be considered St. Helena but not high enough in elevation to fall within the borders of the Howell Mountain AVA.
These are rich, concentrated and often sumptuous Cabernet-based blends, each one worthy of serious interest. To say I was blown away would be putting it mildly. Production is very limited, so readers interested in acquiring these gems should sign up for the waiting list for an allocation, or be prepared to pay a premium on the secondary market." Joe Czerwinski for RobertParker.com Published: Sep 15, 2022