Acaibo - Sonoma Valley 2018

Acaibo, Californian by nature, Bordeaux by culture

Acabio was born from the union of Gonzague & Claire Lurton, owners of Châteaux Durfort-Vivens, a 2nd Grand Cru Classé in Margaux, Ferrière, a 3ème Grand Cru Classé in Margaux and Haut-Bages Libéral, a 5ème Grand Cru Classé in Pauillac. In search of a new adventure together, they acquired a 10-hectare property in the heart of California in 2012. From this epic journey, Acabio was born, taking its name from the native peoples of Sonoma, meaning "Three Fish."

The vineyard of Acabio is located in Chalk Hill in Sonoma County, in the heart of the volcanic and mountainous landscapes of California. True to their values, Claire and Gonzague apply the principles of organic farming, just as they do in Bordeaux. Acabio combines the tradition of Bordeaux winemaking with the sunny and energetic character of Sonoma.

Acabio is distinguished as a refined wine, with a balance between freshness and volume in the mouth that is more reminiscent of Bordeaux standards than traditional Californian wines.

The 2018 Vintage:

Tasting Notes

Balanced and vibrant, this medium to full bodied wine shows expressive aromas of ripe black cherry, red fruits, berries with notes of black licorice and cocoa powder mingle with a spice box of dried sage, clove and nutmeg, the palate is filled with flavors of juicy blackberry and boysenberry that are enveloped in silky tannins, showing complexity beyond its years. The Oak is well integrated for good structure and a smooth, lingering finish.

Nicolas Vonderheyden, Technical Director

The Drink Business

byColin Haythe2/28/2024

Tasted twice with staggeringly different results. I was confused by the first sample and so sought to re-taste. A second sample was much more compelling. Perhaps the best vintage to date of Acaibo. Intensely floral aromatically, with a lovely sense of lift. Incense, patchouli, hyacinth and even saffron notes, a wild herbal element – oregano, thyme, marjoram, sage – and a dark damson, plum and mulberry fruit which is even more intense on the palate. There’s also a little hint of star anise and a note of Japanese preserved plums. Quite umami. Smooth, glossily textured, with lovely ripe and grippy fine-grained tannins that massage the fruit along a well-defined central spine. Really impressive.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

byJane Ansonthe2/16/2024

Delicious depth of ripe fruit to this Sonoma wine, filled with silky tannins, greengage plum, black cherry, damson and raspberry, liqourice and slate, great quality, well balanced. A lovely vintage here. Nicolas Vonderheyden winemaker, Claire and Gonzague Lurton owners. 80% new oak, farmed entirely organically and biodynamically, now entirely estate-grown fruit.

Jamessuckling.com

byJames Sucklingthe4/10/2023

This shows subtle blue fruit such as raspberries and blueberries with basalt, pumice and pine needles. Medium to full body with very fine tannins and a fresh finish. Crisp and bright. From organically grown grapes. Will be beautiful around 2025.