2004 barboursville vineyards cabernet sauvignon reserve

barboursvillewine.net

"we could in the united states make as great a variety of wines as are made in europe, not exactly the same kinds, but doubtless as good" – thomas jefferson

the bottom line - barboursville is one of the better producers in virginia. I picked this bottle up at the winery. the palladio restaurant at the winery is exceptional and i recommend touring monticello (jefferson's home) if you are in the area. jefferson was interested in wine and attempted to cultivate grapes and produce wine on his plantation.

i found this cab to be a bit light in style and the green, ashy aspects were distracting. i would have a hard time recommending it considering the price point.

alcohol - 13.5 %
residual sugar - n/a
total acid - n/a
final pH - n/a
blend - n/a
production - n/a

aroma - coffee, prune, cherry cola.
flavor -light, cherry mouth feel with nice acidity. lingering oak and ash and green vegetable flavors on the finish.

price - $34.99
verdict - 84, 82 WS

2004 rodney strong sonoma county cabernet sauvignon

http://www.rodneystrong.com/

the bottom line - a light fruit forward cab with balanced oak. the bitter tannic finish is a problem.

alcohol - 13.8%
residual sugar - .02%
total acid - .60 g/100 ml
final pH - 3.54
blend - 93% cabernet sauvignon, with merlot and cabernet franc

aroma - oaky, cherry and dark fruit.
flavor -lively cherry fruit and a nice acid on the pallet. moderate and balanced fruity, oaky finish but unripe bitter tannins ruin the finish.
price - $15.99
verdict - 84

2004 chateau ste michelle indian wells cabernet sauvignon

http://www.ste-michelle.com/

the bottom line - the indian wells series is produced from fruit sourced from vineyards throughout the wahluke slope in washington state including chateau ste michelle's own indian wells vineyard. I found this cab lacking in complexity, with little up front to balance the overly tannic finish.

alcohol - 14.0%
residual sugar - n/a
total acid - .59 g/100 ml
final pH - 3.68
blend - 91% cabernet sauvignon, 9% merlot

aroma - strawberry, cherry, pepper
flavor -fruity medium bodied somewhat flat on the mid pallet. the fruit battles vanilla oak and moderate unripe tannins through a long finish.
price - $16.00
verdict - 84, WS85

2004 powers columbia valley cabernet sauvignon

http://powerswinery.com

the bottom line - i could not find specific release details on the 2003 vintage, but their website indicates that the 2004 vintage "once again" includes a measure of syrah in the blend. this wine is moderate in body, has some nice flavors but falls apart a bit on the finish where some unripe tannins take over.

alcohol - 13.5%
residual sugar - n/a
total acid - n/a
final pH - n/a
blend - n/a

aroma - raspberry, chocolate, woody spice
flavor -fruity, nice raspberry, chocolate with and acidic spine on the mid-pallet. the finish is overly oaky and tannic.
price - $13.29
verdict - 84

2004 clos du bois north coast cabernet sauvignon

http://closdubois.com/

the bottom line - this was really disappointing for a $16 bottle. some interest on the nose, but one dimensional and flat on the pallet.

alcohol - 13.5%
residual sugar - n/a
total acid - n/a
final pH - n/a
blend - n/a

aroma - strawberry starburst, cherry, green pepper
flavor -fruity flat forward with a moderate tannic finish.
price - $16.49
verdict - 84

2004 red diamond cabernet sauvignon washington state

http://www.reddiamondwine.com/

the bottom line - washington state cabernet blend. unchallenging and uncomplicated, but very drinkable.

alcohol - 13.8%
residual sugar - n/a
total acid - .58/100 ml
final pH - 3.30
blend - 93% cabernet sauvignon, 3% merlot, 2% petit verdot, 1% cabernet franc

aroma - cherry, fruity, spice, leather
flavor -fruity cherry soda with a smoky, earthy mild tannic finish. Slight bitterness.
price - $8.49
punt - 19 mm
verdict - 84

2004 blackstone california cabernet sauvignon

http://www.blackstonewinery.com/


the bottom line - california blend of 86% cabernet sauvignon and 14% syrah. this is an unoffensive yet uninteresting wine. weak nose and simple flavor notes with a woody finish.





alcohol - 13.5%
total acid - 7.30%
final pH - 3.44

aroma - fruity, raspberry, cola
flavor -medium body - sweet cherry, jammy. light tannin finish - over-oaked
price - $8.99
punt - 25 mm
verdict - 84