The Wine Insiders » 2004

Angelo Negro & Figli Sudisfà Riserva Nebbiolo 2004 – 94+ Points.

thewineinsiders — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 15:00:26 +0000

Intense red color with lively tonality. Gorgeous aromatics of dry fruits, jam, vanilla and tobacco. It offers outstanding length and ripe tannins in a very seductive style of Barolo. dark cherries, spices and red fruits that are quite spiced and floral, with a broad structure and sweet silky tannins. The finish is full bodied, warm and ethereal.

Buy this wine at Porthos.

Produced by Angelo Negro.

Ovid Experiment 0.4 Cabernet Blend 2004 –

thewineinsiders — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 19:35:12 +0000

WINEMAKER TASTING NOTES:
“E 0.4 is a blend of 56.19% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12.38% Cabernet Franc, 15.24% Merlot, and 16.19% Petit Verdot and is showing great polish and finesse….The 2004 E 0.4 Experiment has developed a sophisticated alluring charm as it moves from its youth to a period of distinction. While holding strong to its core of cassis, blackberry and currant fruit character, the wine has developed aromatic notes of frankincense, cedar and licorice. The tannins are quite silky, but the wine has ample structure, a dense mid-palate, and a long, intense finish. Enjoy it now or cellar it for up to 10 years.
Andy Erickson Winemaker
Janet Pagano, Mark Nelson & Dana Johnson Proprietors

Buy this wine at Porthos.

Altocedro Malbec Blend ‘Desnudos’ 2004 – 97 Points

thewineinsiders — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 20:13:58 +0000

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

thewineinsiders — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 17:09:53 +0000

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

thewineinsiders — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 19:34:04 +0000

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!

thewineinsiders — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 12:10:08 +0000

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.

TASTING NOTES “Outstanding 94” Points: (Updated, August, 2008). “We just re-tasted this wine one year after it’s initial release and the evolution is dazzling! The first thing you notice is its plushy texture and satiny tannins continuing on the palate with cocoa powder, espresso, dark berries, tobacco, cedar, and a hint of toffee on the finish. Perfectly balanced it shows great complexity and a seamless finish that lingers delightfully for a full 30 seconds. Don’t miss this sumptuous discovery destined for fame! Drink through 2014, peaking around 2011 in our estimate. 94 points” TheWineInsiders.com

INSIDER SCOOP: Mark Herold clearly has the “Midas Touch” as chief winemaker for Merus and Hestan/ Meyer Vineyards where he’s already racking up impressive scores of 92 – 96 points from both the Wine Spectator and Robert Parker for his last two vintages. Ever since Wine Spectator magazine named Herold one of the “10 Winemakers you need to know!” his wines (and time) have been extremely sought after and highly allocated. After our team tasted the new 2004 Hestan release, we can guarantee you this wine has the pedigree of an up-and-coming ‘cult’ wine but is still a downright steal at a whopping $100 LESS than Merus 2004 Cabernet (same vintage)

Purchasing their 127 acre ranch in 1996, Stanley and Helen Cheng decided to begin making wine after falling in love with the Merus Cabernet while dining at the famed French Laundry. Sparing no expense they brought in Merus winemaker Mark Herold who began with their 2002 vintage. Previously they sold their fruit to Clos Du Val, but then gave Mark complete freedom to make the wine exactly as he wanted. Harvesting his grapes about 3 weeks later than Clos Du Val’s, he attained a richness and concentration that boldly shine through in his wines. Since Robert Parker rated their 2002 and 2003 vintages 93-95 points they’ve become the next “it” winery.

This Wine is currently available for $53 (click here)

SILVER OAK ALEXANDER VALLEY = Our comments

thewineinsiders — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 23:08:38 +0000

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)

#1 Exotic MALBEC

thewineinsiders — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 21:29:32 +0000

Our #1 most exotic new international discovery is Tritono Malbec 2004 if you can find it. Note: less than 50 cases of this wine were originally available in America today (that’s 1 per state!) Sourced from Argentina, home of the finest Malbec in the world today, this wine delivers the bold experience we love from Napa Cabernet combined with the luscious ripe fruit unique to Malbec. Trust us, we’ve never sampled a more exciting red wine experience for less than $40. Plus, due to the Argentine Peso’s exchange rate (one currency where US dollar is still strong!) an equal quality collector wine would command an $80+ price tag had it been made in Napa.

THE WINE INSIDERS “OUTSTANDING 93″ RATING: Intense perfumed notes of lavender oil and violets mingle with notes of spice and dark fruit. Lusciuos deep flavors of plum, dried black cherries and currant provide a base for soft, lilting spice seasonings. Softened by 18 months in bottle, this wine is drinking beautifully now and will continue to improve for five to seven years.

93 points TheWineInsiders.com

Currently this wine is available for $39 (Click Here)

VIDEO: Barnett Vineyards Harvest Party

thewineinsiders — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 16:06:00 +0000

We join Barnett Vineyards at their annual harvest party up on Spring Mountain in Napa Valley and celebrate the release of the new Barnett Spring Mountain Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 that we rated 92 points

Barnett Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 – $65

VIDEO: Top 12 Wines of 2007

thewineinsiders — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 16:26:00 +0000

Join us the Wine Insiders team reveals their Top 12 Wines of 2007. Click the image below to watch…

Featuring: (Click to Purchase!)
Meyer Cabernet Napa 2004 ($59)
Calafia Cellars Meritage 2004 ($39)
Ramey Cabernet Napa 2005 ($49)
Martin Estate Cabernet Napa 2003 ($75)
Chateau Boswell Cabernet “Beckstoffer” 2005 ($89)
Turnbull Black 2004 ($99)
Fourteen Apellations Cabernet 2004 ($124)
Pahlmeyer Jayson Pinot Noir 2005 ($65)
Pelerin “Mesa Del Sol” Syrah 2005 ($44)
Reynolds Merlot 2004 ($42)
Chateau Boswell Chardonnay 2005 ($69)
Levendi Chardonnay 2005 ($36)