2013 Rothwell Hyde Estate Red

The 2013 Rothwell Hyde is the hidden gem in this lineup from Abreu. Made from a selection of fruit that does not go into the single-vineyard wines, the Rothwell Hyde captures all of the Abreu signatures in a more approachable style that also comes with an relatively accessible price tag by Napa Valley standards. Scents of graphite, charcoal and inky blue-ish fruits infuse this super-expressive, inviting wine. Readers who can find the 2013 Rothwell Hyde should not hesitate, as it is terrific. Once again, winemaker Brad Grimes poured the Rothwell Hyde at the end of our tasting, after all the other wines. It did certainly did not suffer in comparison to the other wines, to say the least. If anything, the slightly lower level of intensity in the various lots has resulted in a wine that can be enjoyed with minimal cellaring, which is a rarity here. The 2013 is a total knockout. It's as simple as that.

The least expensive and most easily drinkable wine out of the gate from Abreu is his Rothwell Hyde, and the 2013 Rothwell Hyde delivers the goods with its notes of roasted coffee, black currants, licorice, caramel, and spice. It is medium to full-bodied, has terrific fruit intensity, and a long, heady, chewy finish. It obviously can’t stand on its own against the likes of Cappella, Madrona Ranch, Las Posadas or Thorevilos, but it is a heck of a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon-based wine. Drink it over the next 12-15 years. Oct 2016, www.robertparker.com

The 2013 Rothwell Hyde is fabulous at this level. Just starting to show the first signs of aromatic nuance, the 2013 remains a pretty young wine. It’s less structured than the other offerings but still quite impressive. Rose petals, lavender, spice and pomegranate linger.