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Search Flickinger Wine Inventory
Inventory updated: Mon, Jan 26, 2026 04:02 PM cst
Your search criteria:
Regions: USA Red
Vintages: Between 2004 and 2004
| Producer |
Vint. |
Wine |
Price |
Qty |
Order |
| | USA Red |
| Agharta |
2004 |
Black Label Syrah  |
$115 |
3 |
|
| |
WA 98 (2/2010): Proprietors Pam and Pax Mahle have fashioned a 2004 Syrah called Agharta. Aged 58 months (that’s not a typo) in French oak casks (the 2005, 2006, and 2007 vintages will spend 45-48 months in cask), the extraordinary 2004 is a 475-case blend of 92% Syrah, 5% Grenache, and the rest Viognier, Marsanne, and Roussane. Most of the Syrah comes from the Alder Springs Vineyard in Mendocino. This profound wine’s inky/purple color is followed by aromas of smoky barbecue meats, grilled Provencal herbs, and exotic tropical fruits intermixed with blackberry, cassis, blueberry, and graphite. This super-rich effort tastes like the nectar of Syrah, yet it is dry, elegant, and remarkably fresh and precise. In the mouth, the impression is like that of a multilayered cake - everything is there. This is an amazing, very multi-dimensional wine that must be tasted to be believed. It can be drunk now or cellared for two decades.
VM 92 (6/2010): Dark ruby. A complex, expansive bouquet displays smoky herbs, dark berry liqueur, red- and blackcurrant, potpourri and an exotic apricot pit quality. Lush, pungent dark fruit and floral pastille flavors are complemented by smoky herbal and floral qualities and framed by supple tannins. Leaves spice and licorice notes behind on the long, sappy finish. |
|
| Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards |
2004 |
Eloge Proprietary Blend |
$59 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 95 (12/2007): The 2004 Eloge (65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Merlot and Petit Verdot) is a beauty. Notes of cedar, spice box, black currant, leather, truffle, and earth jump from the glass of this elegant yet authoritatively flavored wine that shows terrific fruit intensity, full body, and silky tannins. This is a complex, beautiful wine that should drink splendidly for 15 or more years. |
|
| L' Aventure |
2004 |
Optimus Proprietary Blend Scuffed Label |
$65 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Babcock Vineyard |
2004 |
Ocean’s Ghost Pinot Noir |
$30 |
5 |
|
| |
|
| Beaux Freres |
2004 |
The Beaux Freres Vyd. Pinot Noir |
$85 |
3 |
|
| |
WS 95 (7/2006): Subtle, with a deceptively easy entry, offering lithe texture and cherry, plum and a distinct stony note that pick up steam and then hang on beautifully as the finish sails on and on, hinting late at sassafras. Tannins are well-integrated. Best from 2007 through 2015. 1,050 cases made.
VM 91 (5/2006): Medium red color. Intense, well-focused aromas of wild strawberry, red plum, fresh rose, sassafras and cola. Sweet and poised, with an impressive delicacy to the red fruit flavors. Offers a silky texture and a sappy, clinging quality. Spicy, elegant and long, displaying seductive floral and spicy tones on the finish. Josh Raynolds. |
|
| Beckmen Vineyards |
2004 |
Purisima Mountain Vyd. Grenache |
$20 |
4 |
|
| |
WA 90 (8/2006): I immensely enjoyed the kirsch liqueur, peppery, spicy, Cotes du Rhone-like 2004 Grenache Purisima Mountain. It boasts considerable power, a broad, savory mouthfeel, and a fleshy, heady finish. Low acidity, silky tannin, and fleshy fruit suggest it should be consumed over the next 4-5 years.
VM 88 (9/2006): Slightly reduced aromas of dark raspberry, chocolate and spicecake. Creamy-sweet but with an edge of acidity giving shape to its slightly high-toned red fruit flavors. A bit less firm than the Cuvee Le Bec. Finishes with substantial, slightly drying tannins. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
|
2004 |
Purisima Mountain Vyd. Grenache Wrinkled Label |
$20 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 90 (8/2006): I immensely enjoyed the kirsch liqueur, peppery, spicy, Cotes du Rhone-like 2004 Grenache Purisima Mountain. It boasts considerable power, a broad, savory mouthfeel, and a fleshy, heady finish. Low acidity, silky tannin, and fleshy fruit suggest it should be consumed over the next 4-5 years.
VM 88 (9/2006): Slightly reduced aromas of dark raspberry, chocolate and spicecake. Creamy-sweet but with an edge of acidity giving shape to its slightly high-toned red fruit flavors. A bit less firm than the Cuvee Le Bec. Finishes with substantial, slightly drying tannins. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
|
2004 |
Purisima Mountain Vyd. Grenache Lightly Scuffed Label |
$20 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 90 (8/2006): I immensely enjoyed the kirsch liqueur, peppery, spicy, Cotes du Rhone-like 2004 Grenache Purisima Mountain. It boasts considerable power, a broad, savory mouthfeel, and a fleshy, heady finish. Low acidity, silky tannin, and fleshy fruit suggest it should be consumed over the next 4-5 years.
VM 88 (9/2006): Slightly reduced aromas of dark raspberry, chocolate and spicecake. Creamy-sweet but with an edge of acidity giving shape to its slightly high-toned red fruit flavors. A bit less firm than the Cuvee Le Bec. Finishes with substantial, slightly drying tannins. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
| Behrens & Hitchcock |
2004 |
Ode To Picasso Proprietary Blend |
$69 |
3 |
|
| |
| WA 93 (12/2006): A 265-case blend of 54% Merlot, 25% Petit Verdot, and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Syrah, the impressively concentrated 2004 B and H Ode to Picasso offers hints of charcoal, graphite, black raspberries, blueberries, and cherries. The complex aromatics are followed by a wine with terrific fruit, a lush, opulent attack and mid-palate, and a heady finish. This beautiful red should drink nicely for 5-7 years. |
|
|
2004 |
Ode To Picasso Proprietary Blend Nicked Label |
$69 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 93 (12/2006): A 265-case blend of 54% Merlot, 25% Petit Verdot, and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Syrah, the impressively concentrated 2004 B and H Ode to Picasso offers hints of charcoal, graphite, black raspberries, blueberries, and cherries. The complex aromatics are followed by a wine with terrific fruit, a lush, opulent attack and mid-palate, and a heady finish. This beautiful red should drink nicely for 5-7 years. |
|
| Blankiet |
2004 |
Paradise Hills Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$149 |
3 |
|
| |
WA 96 (12/2006): There are 1,300 cases of the 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Paradise Hills Vineyard. Boasting delicious fudge-like aromas intermixed with blackberry, coffee bean, and pain grille scents, this super-rich, full-bodied effort displays a Graves-like, volcanic, scorched earth/hot stone element in its flavors. With moderately high tannin, it will benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age, and should drink well over the following two decades.
VM 94 (6/2007): Deep ruby. Vibrant, pure aromas of black raspberry and violet. Sweet, primary and sophisticated, with a lovely lightness of touch for a 2004. Very fresh cabernet with a building finish featuring suave, rich tannins and Outstanding length. From fruit picked under more moderate conditions than the merlot, which came in during the heat spike at the beginning of September. |
|
| Cadence Winery |
2004 |
Bel Canto Red |
$40 |
2 |
|
| |
VM 93 (11/2006): 50% cabernet franc, 40% merlot and 10% petit verdot, from a blend of vineyards) Good bright red with ruby highlights. Expressive aromas of blackberry, raspberry, rose petal, licorice, mocha and spices. Sweet, broad and concentrated, with lush, primary dark berry flavors lifted by floral notes of lilac and lavender; this offers lovely mid-palate texture and the definition and verve that come from healthy, well-integrated acidity. The seamless finish features substantial broad, dusty tannins, lovely floral lift and a lingering chocolately sweetness. Very impressive. Stephen Tanzer.
WA 90 (8/2007): The 2004 Red Wine “Bel Canto” is a barrel selection of the best lots from the single vineyard cuvees. It is composed of 50% Cabernet Franc, 40% Merlot, and 10% Petit Verdot. Purple-colored, it has a smoky nose with aromas of herbs, clove, cassis, and black currants. Supple-textured, the wine cuts a broad path on the palate with layers of flavor, excellent depth, and a long, pure finish. Cellar this classy wine for 3-5 years and drink it through 2027. |
|
|
2004 |
Tapteil Vyd. Red |
$40 |
2 |
|
| |
WS 93 (5/2007): Polished, open-textured and refined, this is generous with its red currant, raspberry, black cherry and dusky spice aromas and flavors. The supple texture and graceful structure make this a winner. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2014. 350 cases made.
VM 90 (12/2006): (a blend of 63% cabernet sauvignon, 31% merlot and 6% cabernet franc) Good bright, deep red. Currant, tobacco, minerals, brown spices and a whiff of iodine on the reticent nose. Sweet but firm and youthfully tight, with distinctly wild black fruit and fresh herbal flavors and no excess weight. This, too, is a bit clenched today but the firm tannins are ripe and the finish builds impressively. (A second bottle, decanted for 12 hours, showed a bigger middle palate, with impressive ripeness and silky texture, and rated 91.)
WA 86 (8/2007): The 2004 Red Wine “Tapteil Vineyard" is 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, and 6% Cabernet Franc. Dark ruby-colored, it delivers a very good perfume of toasty oak, spice box, cassis, and black currants. This is followed by a moderately intense wine with ample ripe fruit, soft tannin, and a medium long finish. Give this solid effort 2-3 years to fill out, and drink it through 2022. |
|
| Calera |
2004 |
Jensen Vyd. Pinot Noir |
$75 |
4 |
|
| |
| WA 94 (8/2007): This venerable winery, which has thirty years of history (long by California standards), has turned out a bevy of new releases. The dark ruby/purple-tinged, spicy, full-bodied 2004 Pinot Noir Jensen Vineyard reveals a stunningly complex nose of roasted meat, sweet red and black currants, cherries, earth, and spice. With excellent structure, acidity, and length, it should be another terrific example of this vineyard. Exceptionally long and rich, it should be cellared for 2-3 years and enjoyed over the following 15. |
|
| Camaraderie Cellars |
2004 |
Cabernet Franc |
$20 |
2 |
|
| |
|
|
2004 |
Grace Proprietary Blend |
$30 |
4 |
|
| |
|
| JK Carriere |
2004 |
Anderson Family Pinot Noir |
$65 |
3 |
|
| |
| WA 92 (10/2007): The 2004 Pinot Noir “Anderson Family” seems to fit Jim Prosser’s profile of what he is attempting to achieve. Medium ruby-colored, the wine has a lovely bouquet of rose petal, toast, spice box, cherry, and black raspberry. On the palate the wine is elegant with uplifting acidity and a solid core of racy, sweet fruit. This harmonious effort is beautifully balanced and long. Give it 3-4 years in the cellar and drink it through 2024. It is one of the stars of the vintage. |
|
| Carter Cellars |
2004 |
Weitz Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$125 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Constant |
2004 |
Diamond Mountain Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$70 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 92 (4/2014): Constant’s youthful 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Diamond Mountain Vineyards reveals a deep ruby/purple-tinged color as well as lots of raspberry and blueberry fruit. From a 2,100-foot elevation, this elegant, cool climate Cabernet Sauvignon (which includes small amounts of Cabernet Franc and Merlot) shows no hint of herbaceousness or the earthy underbrush character high elevation vineyards can produce when they do not achieve full ripeness. With medium body as well as outstanding concentration and purity, should continue to evolve and drink well for another 15-20 years, developing even more fragrance as it ages. It is filled with finesse, a characteristic Napa is often accused of not being able to produce.
VM 88+ (3/2015): Bright medium ruby. Aromas of cassis, kirsch and graphite minerality are lifted by violet and menthol notes. Supple on entry, then chewy and primary in the mid-palate, with rather gritty tannins arriving early and giving the wine a toughness. Will this distinctly medicinal Cabernet blossom in the bottle? Certainly it still needs time in the cellar. (Drink between 2020-2028). Stephen Tanzer. |
|
| Dancing Hares |
2004 |
Proprietary Blend |
$75 |
3 |
|
| |
WA 94 (4/2014): A blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot and 24% Cabernet Franc that spent 22 months in 100% new French oak, this small boutique project boasts the well-known Bordeaux oenologist, Michel Rolland, as their consultant. The 2004 boasts lots of black currant and black cherry fruit intermixed with spicy notes in a medium to full-bodied, opulent, well-balanced style. Even though the color is still youthful, the wine appears to be close to full maturity. With soft tannins, decent acidity and a plump, round, generous mouthfeel, this seductive red can be enjoyed over the next decade.
WS 92 (9/2008): Deftly balanced, rich and savory, with dusty currant, fresh earth, mineral, sage and dried blackberry, this is complex and mouthcoating, intense and dense without being heavy. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2013. 350 cases made. |
|
| Diamond Creek |
2004 |
Gravelly Meadow Cabernet Sauvignon Signs of Old Seepage |
$199 |
1 |
|
| |
| WS 83 (10/2007): Chewy and concentrated, with earthy tannins that are dry and astringent, showing little fruit character at this point. This typically needs time to come around, so best to cellar. Best from 2012 through 2020. 290 cases made. |
|
| Donum |
2004 |
Carneros Pinot Noir |
$55 |
2 |
|
| |
| WA 89 (12/2007): The 2004 Pinot Noir has a gorgeously sweet and ripe nose of black cherries and currants intermixed with some spring flowers and undergrowth. Medium-bodied, straightforward, but pure and reminiscent of a premier cru from the Cotes de Beaune, this wine should drink nicely for 4-5 years. |
|
| Robert Foley Vineyards |
2004 |
Claret |
$95 |
3 |
|
| |
WA 95 (12/2006): The inky/purple-hued, seamless 2004 Claret boasts gorgeous aromas of creme de cassis, blackberries, smoke, licorice, espresso roast, and spring flowers. With sensational concentration, full body, a voluptuous mouthfeel, decent acidity, and sweet tannin, it can be drunk now and over the next 10-15 years.
VM 92+ (6/2007): (90% cabernet sauvignon and 10% merlot) Saturated medium ruby. Very dark aromas of blackberry, licorice, minerals, tar and molten chocolate. Wonderfully ripe, thick and supple but not overly sweet. In fact, this tannic, brooding, youthfully backward wine is distinctly clenched today and not yet expressing its inherent complexity. Finishes with a medicinal austerity and big, dusty tannins. This boasts terrific fruit but needs four or five years of cellaring.
WS 91 (11/2007): Dusty oak and berry aromas are tight and compact, with dried currant, mineral, blackberry and oak, ending with more complexity and depth than is evident on the first sip. The tannins are firm. Decant. Best from 2008 through 2013. 1,500 cases made. |
|
| Franciscan Estate |
2004 |
Magnificat Proprietary Blend |
$75 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Frank Family |
2004 |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
$30 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Fuccawee |
2004 |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
$45 |
3 |
|
| |
|
| Grace Family Vineyards |
2004 |
Blank Cabernet Sauvignon |
$135 |
2 |
|
| |
| VM 90 (6/2007): Good red-ruby. Aromas of redcurrant, cherry, earth, smoke and tobacco. Sweet and plump, with moderately complex flavors of redcurrant, gravel and loam; showing less of the eucalyptus character of past vintages, which winemaker Gary Brookman attributes to the maturing vines (they were planted in 1998), the small crop level, and an element of dehydration in 2004. Finishes with sweet tannins. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
| Grand Reve |
2004 |
Collaboration I Proprietary Blend |
$45 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Grgich Hills |
2004 |
Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon |
$65 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 87+ (5/2008): Plum, smoke, tobacco, earth and menthol on the nose, with a lightly vegetal aspect. Then moderately dense and tightly wound, with a distinctly herbal quality to the red fruit and tobacco flavors. Offers good palate coverage on the back, but the wine's slightly edgy acids and building tannins call for a few years of patience. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
| Hoopes Vineyard |
2004 |
Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon |
$50 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Jaffurs |
2004 |
Ampelos Vyd. Syrah |
$35 |
6 |
|
| |
VM 91 (9/2006): Deep, saturated ruby. Wild aromas of blackberry, blueberry, flowers and game. Sweet, lush and suave in the mouth, with superconcentrated fruit showing an almost liqueur-like ripeness. Very dense and very sweet syrah, finishing long and ripely tannic. Stephen Tanzer.
WA 91 (8/2006): A big wine, the inky/blue/purple-tinged 2004 Syrah Ampelos Vineyard reveals plenty of black currant and black cherry fruit along with smoky, graphite notes, nicely integrated oak, terrific full-bodied intensity, and a long, heady finish. Consume it over the next 7-8 years. |
|
|
2004 |
Thompson Vyd. Petite Sirah |
$50 |
5 |
|
| |
|
| Juslyn |
2004 |
Perry’s Blend Proprietary Blend |
$55 |
8 |
|
| |
| WA 94 (12/2007): The 2004 Perry’s Blend, which is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with a touch of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, emerges from fruit on Spring Mountain as well as Howell Mountain. There are 500 cases of this wine, which is showing better than it did from barrel last year. The wine has beautiful up-front notes of lead pencil shavings, sweet black currant and black cherry fruit intermixed with hints of licorice, underbrush, and spice. The wine is long, rich, beautifully textured, medium to full-bodied, and supple, with silky tannins in the finish. It should drink beautifully for 10-15 years. |
|
| Kamen Estate |
2004 |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
$60 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 93 (12/2007): The 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, which I reviewed last year, has become more complex but, other than that, has hardly moved. Made from Kamen’s 40 acres of land on the Sonoma side of Mt. Veeder, the wine displays a sexy nose reminiscent of a top Graves wine from Bordeaux (scorched earth, hot bricks, charcoal, and plenty of black cherry and black currant). The wine is sensual, lush, and a totally captivating style of wine to drink over the next 12-15 years. |
|
| Kapcsandy Family |
2004 |
State Lane Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$250 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 95 (12/2006): A breakthrough effort, the 2004 Proprietary Red Wine State Lane Vineyard is a combination of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot. Its dense ruby/purple color is accompanied by lovely, evolved aromas of blueberries, black currants, white chocolate, licorice, and pain grille. Medium to full-bodied, elegant, finely etched, and impeccably well-balanced, with abundant amounts of sweet fruit, it should evolve for another 15-20 years.
WS 93 (2/2007): Firm, intense and concentrated, showing rich, focused currant, anise, blackberry and spicy, cedary, toasty oak, with hints of violet and wild berry. Impressive finish, where the fruit and tannins are well-integrated. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Best from 2009 through 2014. 900 cases made.
VM 90 (6/2007): (a blend of 60% cabernet sauvignon and 40% merlot) Bright, deep ruby. Pungent aromas of blackberry, black licorice, tar, bitter chocolate and lead pencil. Sweeter than the 2003 but also quite juicy; this possesses a strong spine of acidity but the acids are more successfully integrated than in the 2003 thanks to more supporting flesh. Silky in the middle but the tannins are a bit tough. The merlot was affected by the heat spike in early September, noted Lou Kapcsandy. |
|
| Kistler |
2004 |
Kistler Vyd. Cuvee Catherine Pinot Noir Very Heavily Bin-Soiled Label |
$150 |
1 |
|
| |
VM 93 (5/2007): Dark violet. Intensely aromatic nose offers powerful blackberry and plum compote aromas. Very fresh in the mouth (the pH is 3.4, Kistler says), with vibrant red and dark berry flavors and taut minerality. Dry, focused and pure on the finish, with outstanding persistence and lingering dark berry flavors. Serious pinot: a great marriage of sweet fruit and soil tones. Josh Raynolds.
BH 88 (10/2007): A very ripe and moderately expressive nose of menthol, mocha, cherry cough syrup and blueberry fruit aromas introduce more restrained and nicely detailed full-bodied flavors that manage to keep all of the weight and extract reasonably well focused. While I wouldn't call this exactly light on its feet, the balance is better and though I believe there are many better ways to spend $90 on fine pinot, this offers solid if not better quality. (Drink starting 2010). |
|
|
2004 |
Kistler Vyd. Pinot Noir Lightly Scuffed Label; Lightly Bin-Soiled Label |
$95 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 92-94 (12/2005): Violet, cranberry, cherry, pomegranate, and rose petal aromas jump from the glass of the tangy, medium-bodied 2004 Pinot Noir Kistler Vineyard. Fresh and lively with good acidity and not the weight or intensity of the Cuvee Catherine, it is a beautifully fragrant, complex Pinot Noir to drink over the next decade. |
|
| Lagier Meredith |
2004 |
Mt. Veeder Syrah |
$55 |
2 |
|
| |
|
| Herb Lamb Vineyards |
2004 |
E II Red Proprietary Blend |
$65 |
2 |
|
| |
|
| Levy & McClellan |
2004 |
Proprietary Blend Scuffed Label |
$259 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 96 (12/2007): Their debut vintage, the 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, which was bottled earlier this year, is a fabulous effort. This 350-case cuvee boasts an opaque purple color as well as an expressive nose of scorched earth, blackberries, cassis, and hints of espresso, melted chocolate, licorice, and spice box. Rich and full-bodied, with silky tannin, tremendous texture, and a profound, multilayered mouthfeel, this sensational Cabernet should drink well for two decades or more.
WS 95 (10/2008): A rich, savory, extracted style, with strong mocha-espresso bean and spicy currant flavors that are intense, focused, long and persistent, ending with firm, ripe tannins. Combines power with finesse. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2015. 300 cases made.
VM 93 (6/2007): Deep medium ruby. Complex, pure aromas of cassis, mocha, brown spices, licorice and menthol. Chewy, lush and aromatic in the mouth, with remarkable intensity and depth for a vineyard planted in 1999. Thoroughly ripe flavors of dark berries and spices. What I like best about this wine is its layered texture and very sweet, ripe, fine-grained tannins. This is the new venture of husband-and-wife team Bob Levy (winemaker at Harlan Estate and Bond) and Martha McClellan (Sloan and Blankiet), from a vineyard leased from McClellan's parents. The budbreak in this site on Franz Valley School Road, at an altitude of 600 to 700 feet, occurs later than in Oakville, and afternoon wind routinely cools things down during the peak of summer, according to Levy. |
|
| Miura |
2004 |
Talley Vyd. Pinot Noir Slightly Depressed Cork |
$49 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| O'Shaughnessy |
2004 |
Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon |
$119 |
2 |
|
| |
|
| Pax |
2004 |
Kobler Family Syrah |
$55 |
2 |
|
| |
|
|
2004 |
The Emerald Pool Alder Springs Vyd. Syrah |
$55 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 94-96+ (12/2005): The 2004 Syrah Alder Springs The Emerald Pool, from a new block of the Alder Springs Vineyard, was fashioned from fruit grown in pure volcanic/gravel soils. The result is a wine offering notes of scorched earth, smoked meats, blackberries, cassis, and flowers. With more than 16% alcohol, superb stuffing, texture, and intensity, this beauty possesses tremendous power interwoven with considerable elegance and definition. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2020.
VM 92+ (6/2006): Saturated ruby. Tarry, raw cassis and kirsch complicated by star anise, pepper and a whiff of white fruit on the nose. Highly concentrated and densely packed, with powerful dark fruit flavors complicated by spices, pepper, minerals, burnt cinders and sexy woodsmoke. Distinctly feral wine ("the evil side of syrah," comments Mahle). Finishes with outsized tannins. |
|
|
2004 |
The Emerald Pool Alder Springs Vyd. Syrah Cracked Wax Capsule |
$55 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 94-96+ (12/2005): The 2004 Syrah Alder Springs The Emerald Pool, from a new block of the Alder Springs Vineyard, was fashioned from fruit grown in pure volcanic/gravel soils. The result is a wine offering notes of scorched earth, smoked meats, blackberries, cassis, and flowers. With more than 16% alcohol, superb stuffing, texture, and intensity, this beauty possesses tremendous power interwoven with considerable elegance and definition. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2020.
VM 92+ (6/2006): Saturated ruby. Tarry, raw cassis and kirsch complicated by star anise, pepper and a whiff of white fruit on the nose. Highly concentrated and densely packed, with powerful dark fruit flavors complicated by spices, pepper, minerals, burnt cinders and sexy woodsmoke. Distinctly feral wine ("the evil side of syrah," comments Mahle). Finishes with outsized tannins. |
|
|
2004 |
The Terraces Alder Springs Vyd. Syrah |
$65 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 93 (12/2006): The 2004 Syrah Alder Springs Vineyard The Terraces exhibits beautiful, pure blueberry and blackberry fruit intermixed with smoke and toasty oak. Rich, broad, and savory with light to moderate tannin, it will drink well for 7-8 years.
VM 90+ (6/2006): Saturated medium ruby. Extremely unevolved nose features some exotic suggestions of apricot, peach and spice. Powerful, firmly built and superripe, with penetrating acidity and a distinct peppery element from the fermentation with the stems. Strong in tannic acidity, notes Mahle. As ripe as this is, there's nothing heavy about it. Still, this very juicy, tight wine is distinctly edgy today and is dominated by its spine. Needs patience. |
|
| Plumpjack |
2004 |
St. Helena Cuvee Cabernet Sauvignon |
$119 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Quilceda Creek |
2004 |
Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 L) |
$350 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 99 (8/2007): The 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon contains 3% Merlot and 1% Cabernet with the wine sourced from the Champoux, Klipsun, and Taptiel Vineyards. It was aged for 22 months in 100% new French oak. There are 3400 cases produced, most of it sold through the winery’s mailing list and the rest in a handful of markets. Opaque purple-colored, it delivers a remarkable array of aromas including pain grille, violets, pencil lead, truffle, Asian spices, black currant, and blueberry. This leads to a lustrous, layered, velvet-textured wine with gobs of spicy, ripe black fruits and beautifully integrated oak, tannin, and acidity. The long, pure finish goes on for well over a minute. It will evolve for a decade and drink well through 2045. I was able to retaste the 2001, 2002, and 2003 vintages and can only say that Monsieur Rovani’s notes and scores are right on the bulls-eye.
WS 95 (6/2007): Velvety and generous. A supple, insinuating style, with coffee and bittersweet chocolate accents around a beautifully contained core of ripe currant, plum and cherry fruit. Has great presence, balance and harmony. The finish expands impressively against a veil of firm tannins and well-integrated oak flavors. Best from 2010 through 2020. 3,400 cases made.
VM 93-96 (12/2006): (with 3% merlot and 1% cabernet franc) Medium ruby. Aromas of cassis, black rasperry, smoke, mocha, coffee and tobacco; still a bit suppressed by SO2 Sweeter and fatter today than the 2003, with a distinct chocolatey flavor, but in its muted state this lacks the high notes of the earlier vintage and shows less obvious spine. But the terrific breadth of the wine is already obvious, and the finish is pliant and long, with building, ripe tannins. |
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| Realm |
2004 |
The Tempest Proprietary Blend |
$100 |
6 |
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WA 91 (12/2006): The impressive 2004 The Tempest, a 524-case blend of 60% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Petit Verdot, exhibits an inky/ruby/purple color as well as a big, rich nose of melted licorice, white chocolate, espresso, blackberries, and cherries. Super-pure, intense, and silky-textured, this stunning wine will drink beautifully for 8-12 years.
VM 89 (6/2007): Ruby-red. Aromas of plum, redcurrant, tobacco and minerals. Sweet and plump, with sound acids framing the black plum and spice flavors. Finishes with dusty tannins and good juicy persistence. |
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| Saxum |
2004 |
Bone Rock James Berry Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$109 |
1 |
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| VM 94 (9/2006): (85% syrah, with 12% grenache and 3% mourvedre; 15.8% alcohol) Deep, bright ruby-red. Deeply pitched aromas of black raspberry, violet, gunflint, tobacco, tar and cola. Lush and sweet but firm and imploded; deeper and more concentrated than the "regular" James Berry bottling but less evolved. Finishes with superb breadth and viscosity, but has the ripe acids-not to mention the rocky minerality-to maintain its shape and balance. Wonderfully deep wine. Stephen Tanzer. |
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| Selene |
2004 |
Chesler Proprietary Blend |
$59 |
2 |
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| WA 92 (12/2007): Displaying even more style and elegance, the 2004 Chesler exhibits a deeper ruby/purple color along with opulent, full-bodied flavors of creme de cassis, sweet cherries, licorice, and spice box. It is a broad, savory, rich, full-bodied red that retains the hallmark elegance and purity for which Mia Klein’s winemaking is known. It should drink well for 10-15 years. |
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| Dom. Serene |
2004 |
Jerusalem Hill Pinot Noir |
$89 |
2 |
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BH 91 (10/2007): (bottled unfiltered and unfined at 14.5%) Relatively discreet oak spice adds nuance to the ripe and seductive essence of red berry liqueur aromas that are picked up by the round, supple and forward middle weight flavors that culminate in a sappy and tangy finish of fine length. This is still youthfully awkward but should come around in time to deliver fine quality in a somewhat modern style. Drink 2010+.
WS 89 (8/2007): Ripe and round, with toasty currant and blueberry flavors, finishing with a dried fruit note. Has density. Needs time. Best after 2008. 550 cases made.
WA 83 (10/2007): The 2004 Pinot Noir “Jerusalem Hill” comes from an estate-owned vineyard planted in 1999. The wine currently exhibits more oak than fruit aromatically as well as damp earth with some dark fruit aromas in the background. That leads to a firmly structured wine with a compact mid-palate and a slightly hard finish. Drink it near-term. |
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| Silver Oak |
2004 |
Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon |
$75 |
1 |
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| WS 89 (10/2008): Fresh and vibrant, with a nice smoky mocha oak overlay joining the dried currant, sage, plum and berry flavors. Has wonderful balance, harmony and finesse, ending with a long, complex finish and just the right amount of tannins. Drink now through 2014. 67,000 cases made. |
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| Sine Qua Non |
2004 |
Covert Fingers Pinot Noir Cracked Wax Capsule |
$299 |
1 |
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WA 95 (8/2006): The knockout, deep ruby/purple/plum 2004 Covert Fingers Pinot Noir exhibits a slightly restrained nose revealing sweet cranberry and cassis aromas interwoven with hints of flowers, charcoal, and oak, a savory, broad texture, and an opulent, voluptuous finish. This beauty should drink well for a decade or more.
VM 93 (10/2006): Bright red-ruby. Pure, pungent aromas of raspberry and spices; very pinot! Densely packed, supple and sweet, with pure red berry, spice and earth flavors. Has a thickness of texture while retaining verve. Finishes with fine, supple tannins and lovely subtle length. Not as complex as Krankl's top syrahs, but this is delicious, and as graceful a pinot as I recall tasting from this producer. My sample showed even more intense raspberry and spice flavors the second day, without any loss of freshness. (I must note, however, that my first two bottles were corked.) |
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2004 |
Ode to E Grenache (1.5 L) |
$1,199 |
1 |
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WA 100 (6/2014): Leading off with the Grenache-driven efforts, and easily the greatest expression of the variety I’ve ever tasted from California, the 2004 Ode to E (Grenache) is mind-blowing stuff that will stand toe-to-toe with the greatest Grenache-based wines ever made. Coming from Manfred’s Eleven Confessions Vineyard and comprised of 88% Grenache, 10% Syrah and 2% Viognier, it sports a still vibrant purple color to go with off-the-hook aromas and flavors of creme de cassis, melted licorice, graphite, smoked herbs and assorted meaty nuances. Full-bodied, seamless and elegant, with incredible purity and a perfect texture, it can be consumed anytime over the coming decade.
VM 97 (8/2015): The 2004 Grenache Ode to E is absolutely stellar. There's not too much more to say. Still young, fresh and vibrant, the 2004 is incredibly impressive. Exotic spice, rose petals, raspberry jam all open up in an effortless, nuanced wine bursting at the seams with personality. Exquisitely nuanced and balanced, the 2004 is a gem. Readers who own the 2004 should be thrilled; as it is a magnificent wine by any measure. My favorite age to drink Sine Qua Non wines is around ten years. The Ode to E Grenache delivers the goods, and then some. The blend is 88% Grenache, 10% Syrah and 2% Viognier, all from Eleven Confessions. Antonio Galloni. |
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| Stags' Leap Winery |
2004 |
The Leap Cabernet Sauvignon Scuffed Label |
$70 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 93 (12/2007): A terrific effort is the 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Leap Estate Reserve. This beautiful Cabernet possesses all the elegance one expects from the Stags Leap District in addition to notes of mulberries, black cherries, cedar, and loamy soil. Medium to full-bodied and fragrant, with a Margaux-like delicacy and finesse, and endearing purity and depth, it should drink well for 12-15+ years. |
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| Turley Wine Cellars |
2004 |
Dragon Vyd. Zinfandel |
$89.99 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 92 (6/2006): Good ruby-red. Aromatic nose combines blueberry and blackberry liqueur, licorice and flowers. Dense, peppery and sweet, with briary berry flavors complemented by dark chocolate. Finishes with chewy, building tannins and a flavor of black cherry. Stephen Tanzer. |
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2004 |
Dusi Vyd. Zinfandel |
$59.99 |
1 |
|
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VM 91 (6/2006): Good full ruby. Aromas of black raspberry, blackberry, espresso and pepper show an almost liqueur-like ripeness. Fat, velvety and broad, with very ripe flavors of roasted fruits and licorice. A saline character contributes to the wine's impression of thickness. Not hugely fruity, but finishes with sweet tannins and excellent length.
WA 89-91 (12/2005): The 2004 Zinfandel Dusi Vineyard is well-made, but not one of the top wines of this portfolio.
WS 87 (10/2006): Firm, dense and concentrated, with layers of currant, blueberry, spice and sage. The tannins are raw and intense, yet the flavors are focused, ending with a slight raisin edge. Decant. Drink now through 2009. |
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2004 |
Mead Ranch Zinfandel |
$69.99 |
1 |
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| VM 90+ (6/2006): Turley has taken over the farming of the vines in his block of this vineyard) Bright ruby. Quite primary on the nose, with a pronounced rocky character to the cool blackberry and mint aromas. Juicy and densely packed, with impressive concentration and breadth. Roasted raspberry and chocolate flavors are still a bit youthfully unevolved, and the wine's substantial building tannins argue for a year or so of patience. Stephen Tanzer. |
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| Twomey Cellars (Silver Oak) |
2004 |
Merlot |
$30 |
3 |
|
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| WA 86-87 (12/2005): The 2004 Merlot (93% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc) exhibits plenty of earth, herb, mocha, and sweet cherry and currant fruit in its ripe, oaky style. The impressive attack is followed by a dry, austere finish without the necessary depth of fruit and texture to back up the wood and structure. |
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