Altocedro Malbec Blend ‘Desnudos’ 2004 – 97 Points

This is a captivating wine that is both rich and concentrated, but focused, with a racy beam of raspberry ganache, blueberry, fig and plum fruit and freshly roasted coffee and vanilla bean notes. The velvety smooth finish just sails on for a full minute. The blend of Malbec and Tempranillo adds a deliciously exotic component guaranteed to seduce your senses anytime now (after decanting) through 2014.

Buy this wine at Porthos.

Korbin Kameron Cabernet Sauvignon Mt Veeder 2004 – 94 points

100% Cabernet with well integrated aromas of strawberry preserves, dried orange peel, and violets that introduce an ultra-smooth texture on this oh so sexy wine bargain. Rich and complex dark fruit on the palate lingers through the finish with a nice balance of toasted oak and exotic spices. The structure and balance is definitely Cabernet, and the elegance this wine shows is an attribute of this wonderful vineyard site. 94 points

BUY: Korbin Kameron Cabernet Sauvignon Mt Veeder 2004

Highlands Zinfandel Howell Mtn 2004 – 93 Points

Highlands Zinfandel

THE WINE INSIDERS Outstanding 93” Rating: “An intense ruby wine reminiscent of blue and black berry aromas infused with delicious spice, a hint of persimmon and plenty of minerality, spice, herb, and pepper notes along with copious quantities of black raspberry and kirsch fruit. A beautiful effort that will cellar for another 3-5 years. 93 Points The Wine Insiders.

BUY: Highlands Zinfandel Howell Mtn 2004

REVISITING #1 CABERNET from Last Year!

Most wine judges simply proclaim an opinion about a wine’s age-ability and then never think about it again but one of our favorite wine tasting “exercises” is to revisit a wine we enjoyed a year ago. We rated Meyer Cabernet 2004 “Outstanding 94” last year making it the highest rated boutique production Napa Cabernet under $75 for the year because it was so ultra-smooth (like drinking liquid velvet) and deliciously complex. Last week, our team popped the cork on another bottle of this nectar to revisit it and we were very impressed with the development. Our tasting notes are below.

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SILVER OAK ALEXANDER VALLEY = Our comments

This new release is even more age worthy than the last release. While not exactly an ‘undisovered/insider’ wine, Silver Oak continues to lay claim as the #1 collector wine and seems to even defy economic cycles.

THE WINE INSIDERS TASTING NOTES (07/08): “The new 2004 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignons reveals a seductive array of flavors deftly melded together across a seamlessly smooth texture. Starting with trademark aromas of cedar and new American oak this sensuous wine delivers spicy herb flavors and nutmeg plus restrained fruit flavors that include plum, blackberry, cassis that should blossom over the next decade. The finish reveals hints of semi sweet cocoa and cappuccino. This Cabernet is a bold experience now with ultra-plush tannins that should bode well for aging 5 – 7 years. ”

Currently this wine is available for $69 (Click Here)