Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley Reserve 2004
Vintage
The early spring bud break of 2004, coupled with several late summer hot spells, led to one of the earliest Napa Valley harvests in a decade. In general, the crop was small, especially when measured in size of berries, but it provided great flavor concentration - the accountant's nightmare and the winemaker's dream. The 2004 white varieties, including Chardonnay, possess exceptional aromatics.
Vineyards
Well-established hillside vineyards are the foundation of this wine, giving the finished blend its intense inner core of fruit.
Vinification
The grapes were hand picked at optimum ripeness. Following destemming, the grapes were stainless steelfermented
and received extended skin contact before being transferred to barrels. The wine was aged in small
French oak barrels for 26 months (100% new barrels) where the wine completed malolactic fermentation. The
wine was racked prior to bottling.
Tasting Notes
Aromas of cedary oak, currants, black cherries and ripe plums suggest the fruit flavors to come, as does the intense, deep red color of the wine. Dense, mouth-filling cherries, plums, chocolate and tobacco marry with the oak nuances. The firm tannins underlying the wine’s core provide balance, leading to a long, lingering finish.
Ratings & Reviews
91 points
"Shows a marked improvement over any Cab Waterstone has produced, a rich, layered wine that should improve in the cellar. Bone dry and thick in tannins, it shows deep flavors of black currants, baker's chocolate and herbs. Decant for a few hours if you're drinking it now, or stash through 2012."
- Wine Enthusiast, Buyers Guide, November 2008
Download PDF of review
Technical Data:
• Varietal Composition: 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, 8% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot
• Appellation: Napa Valley
• Alcohol: 15%
• TA: 0.65 g/100ml
• pH: 3.73
• Oak Aging: 21 months
• Oak Cooperage French oak, 100% new
• Production: 664 cases
• Bottling Date: January 15, 2007
