Wines

91 Points! The 1995 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate, made by winemaker Tuck Beckstoffer with back-up consulting from near-by neighbor Nils Venge of Saddleback Cellars, is a highly extracted, extremely rich, full-bodied Cabernet that will win many fans. Approximately 1,000 cases were produced of this dense purple-colored wine that reveals a ripe prune and cassis-scented nose with lavish smoky oak. Full-bodied, deep, and chewy, with sweet tannin and plenty of extract and glycerin, this is an impressively-endowed, supple style of Cabernet Sauvignon that should drink well for 10-15+ years. - Robert Parker, robertparker.com

91 Points! One of the most youthful wines of the vintage, the 1989 Léoville Las Cases unwinds in the decanter and glass with aromas of blackcurrant and pencil shavings, framed by a discrete patina from its aging in oak. Medium to full-bodied, deep and tightly wound, it's impressively pure and vibrant, though it lacks the mid-palate plenitude of the vintage's best wines, displaying a touch of tannic asperity on the finish. I wouldn't be surprised to see it continue to improve with further aging, though my sense is that the Cabernet Sauvignon might have been picked a little prematurely in this vintage. - William Kelley, robertparker.com, 2022

92 Points! This wine seems to get better and better, and is certainly the only great Le Gay of recent years. This dark ruby/purple-colored wine has a nose of blueberries, minerals, and white flowers. The wine shows plenty of sweetness, real opulence, high tannins, but sweeter, more civilized tannins than most Le Gays tend to possess. It is a very muscular, full-bodied style of wine that should age effortlessly for another 15-20 years. Anticipated maturity: Now-2020. Last tasted, 11/02. - Robert Parker, robertparker.com

95 Points! The 1995 Cabernet Sauvignon Madrona Ranch is a strikingly superb Cabernet Sauvignon. Although it includes 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Merlot in the blend, I would never have guessed that. Aged in 100% new Taransaud barrels (as are all Abreu's wines), this wine boasts an opaque purple color, in addition to a fabulous bouquet of blueberries, blackberries, cassis, licorice, minerals, and smoky, toasty oak. The wine's aromatics soar from the glass, and in the mouth, the bouquet's promise is fulfilled. A thick, juicy, black fruit character comes across in cascades of fruit, glycerin, and extract. All of this has been buttressed by sweet tannin and good acidity. A voluptuously-textured, blockbuster, yet remarkably harmonious wine, it is one of the finest efforts of the vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2001-2025. - Robert Parker, robertparker.com

94 Points! This is so decadent and exciting on the nose, with very ripe fruit, tobacco, meat and cedar. Full-bodied, offering amazing raspberry fruit in the core of the palate. Ultrapolished, velvety tannins wonderfully coat every inch of your palate. This will age for years ahead, but it’s so lovely now. Much better than many people think. ’89/’99 Bordeaux blind retrospective (2009). - Wine Spectator

96 Points! The fabulous 1995 Claret Reserve (a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, and 3% Petit Verdot) offers an opaque ruby/purple color, and a classic creme de cassis nose intermixed with toasty new oak and minerals. Full-bodied, with superb texture, dense, massively rich flavors, and a 40+ second finish, this is a gorgeously made, Bordeaux-styled wine with dazzling levels of fruit and extract. Anticipated maturity: 2000-2015. Shame on me for underestimating this beauty! - Robert Parker