There's a phenomenal nose to this wine with crushed berry, wet earth, wet slate and hints of flowers. Full body with a chewy tannic structure, yet soft and polished. Powerful and rich. Muscular and toned. Has form. Slightly austere tannins. This needs at least four to seven years of bottle age. The high percentage of merlot from Howell Mountain gives this wine a real edge and beauty. A blend of 62.3% cabernet sauvignon, 30.2% merlot and 7.5% petit verdot. Try in 2020.

The 2013 Bettina is deep, powerful and intense. Inky black fruit, smoke, licorice and tar appear first in the glass. This is an especially dark, brooding wine. In 2013, the Bettina has a higher percentage of Merlot than normal (the Franc had issues with virus) but that is offset by firm tannins. Crème de cassis, torrefaction, mocha, blackberry jam, smoke, mint, spice and lavender all meld into the explosive finish. The 2013 turns more and more finessed with time in the glass, but it remains powerful, heavily extracted and very ripe in style. The Bettina is made from fruit purchased from David Abreu's Madrona Ranch, Lucia Abreu and Thorevilos vineyards.

Completely sourced from David Abreu's three vineyards, Madrona, Thorevilos and Howell Mountain, the Bettina Proprietary Red is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. The wine offers up sweet notes of white chocolate, espresso, blackberry and cassis. There are some floral notes as well in this medium to full-bodied, lush, sexy wine. It is best drunk over the next 12-15 years.

Starts out supple and charming, building depth and chewy tannins simultaneously, demonstrating intensity and range of flavor while sowing doubts about whether the tannins will ever ease off. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Drink now. 1,100 cases made.