2014 Thorevilos

The 2014 Thorevilos is one of the most sensual, polished young wines I can remember tasting off this site. The classic Thorevilos tannins are present, but they are also nicely tamed. Medium in body yet persistent, the 2014 is pure class. The 2014 is surprisingly delicate, pure and very pretty. I am not sure that I can recall a Thorevilos ever being so alluring in its youth.

One of the gems in the lineup is the 2014 Thorevilos and this awesome wine comes from a site on the eastern side of the valley, just behind the luxury Meadowood Estate, and is comprised of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Cabernet Franc, 14% Petit Verdot, and 4% Malbec. Notes of crème de cassis and blue fruits intermixed with spicy oak, spring flowers, and graphite all emerge from the glass and this crazy good 2014 offers a full-bodied, powerful, yet graceful, elegant style on the palate. It's a gorgeous 2014 that shows the more sexy, approachable style of the vintage, yet has enough tannin to warrant hiding bottles for at least 4-5 years. David Abreu and superstar winemaker Brad Grimes continue to fashion some of the most powerful, concentrated, yet seamless Bordeaux blends in the Valley. While I couldn’t visit during my trip through the region due to the fire (I tried, but a police barricade got in my way), I was able to taste the 2014s from bottle at my office in Colorado. The estate pulls from four separate vineyards and releases five cuvees; the Rothwell Hyde, Las Posadas, Cappella, Thorevilos, and Madrona Ranch. The Rothwell Hyde can be thought of as the entry-level wine based on Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc, with small amounts of Petit Verdot and Malbec, all sourced from the four estate vineyards. Readers looking to experience the quality and style of the estate while note breaking the bank should start here. Purchased in 2000, the 15-acre Las Posadas Vineyard on Howell Mountain sits at an elevation around 2,000 feet above sea level, which puts it above the fog line. This wine is primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, but like all the wines here, the blend can vary dramatically between vintages. The Cappella Vineyard covers a tiny 6 acres in St. Helena, just west of the town. Of all the cuvees, the Cappella normally incorporates the highest percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon. The Thorevilos Vineyard covers 22 acres planted in the white, volcanic ash soils located outside of St. Helena, just above the famous Meadowood Estate. The vines average roughly 25 years in age and this cuvee can include upwards of 30% or more of Cabernet Franc. Lastly, the Madrona Ranch covers 23 acres at the base of Spring Mountain and can be thought of as the home base from this estate. The vineyard is planted primarily to Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc (there are small amounts of Petit Verdot and Merlot), and this wine exemplifies the estate’s style with its mix of power, richness, and elegance. It’s worth noting the blends are never fix for each of the cuvees and change each vintage depending on how everything comes together in each vintage. These are magically wines by Brad Grimes.

Abreu's 2014 Thorevilos is vibrant, intense and salivating. Red cherry, savory herbs, white pepper, chalk and iron imbue this beautifully delineated, vibrant wine. The tannins are imposing, but that should not be an issue in another few years. The 2014 is an especially tightly-wound, reticent wine, but it has a bright, bright future.