2015 Rothwell Hyde

This is a positively stellar set of wines from David Abreu and longtime winemaker Brad Grimes. It's always fascinating to stop by Abreu, as this is one of the rare estates in Napa Valley where a typical tasting encompasses three vintages, and that naturally provides a tremendous opportunity to follow the evolution of wines over time. At this stage, the 2017s are component blends, while the 2016s are fully blended wines in barrel that will be bottled this winter, and the 2015s are, of course, all in bottle. Over the last few years Brad Grimes seems to have given these wines an extra dimension of finesse. Always one of the most unassuming and humble winemakers in the valley, Grimes says he hasn't changed anything in the way he is making the wines. But then again, Grimes is an intuitive winemaker, not a technician. In tasting, it seems pretty clear to me there is an extra level of nuance, delineation and purity that makes these wines absolutely thrilling.