Wines by Vintage
2004 Wines
Vintage Notes
It was a dry start to the vintage this year, as we received less than half of our normal annual rainfall over the winter of 2003/2004. Bud break was very early, due to an unusually warm March, but in April, the vines had a little time to rest, before the May weather turned warm. Bloom started in early May, and within three weeks we saw flowers on the Sauvignon Blanc vines and the newly planted Mourvèdre in the Huerhuero Vineyard.
Fruit development likewise, was ahead of schedule throughout the summer. Yields were generally low, due to dry conditions during the season. Harvest started very early this year on August 16 with our Jardine Sauvignon Blanc, followed by the Syrah from Pleasant Valley. A cooler phase at the end of August slowed Brix development down and helped to ripen the fruit properly. However, hot weather in early to mid September accelerated fruit maturation. The Syrah was followed by Petit Verdot, with very low yields this year (below 2tons/acre) and again should be of excellent quality for our Signature blend! We finished harvest for Vina Robles on September 25th with our Cabernet Sauvignon from Block 3 on Huerhuero Ranch. Harvest 2004 brings us, once again, fruit with high to very high sugars which results in wines with pure, sweet fruit and excellent balance.
In November most wines were transferred to barrels to complete malic fermentation during winter time. Blending will start in February and keep us busy through spring and will finish in early summer.
This year we made our first ever Rosé from Syrah grapes. We “bled” some of the juice from the Syrah fruit as we crushed it. This age old French tradition concentrates the resulting Syrah wines, and leaves a delicate pink must – perfect for making Rosé. After a racking the must was fermented at very cold temperatures in a stainless steel tank for 3 weeks. Our Rosé is made without malic fermentation and doesn’t age in barrel. The wine will be bottled in early March of 2005 ready for the summer.
2004 Sauvignon Blanc
Jardine Vineyard
Pale, golden yellow in color with aromas of grass, melon rind and orange blossom. This wine has a medium-bodied, creamy, round texture, with flavors of white peach, pear and lemon cream pie; refreshing with well balanced acidity.
2004 Viognier
Huerhuero Vineyard
Pale gold with green hints. This wine is fresh and bright with notes of tropical fruits such as pineapple and hints of citrus peel, orange blossom and ginger. It is broad, creamy and full bodied on the palate yet remains fresh and well balanced. Notes of citrus and tropical fruits, particularly pineapple are complemented by a long clean finish.
2004 Roseum
A wonderful, dark coral colored wine. Aromas of quince and pomegranate with hints of jasmine and white pepper. Ripe and rich on the palate with flavors of quince and alpine strawberries, together with pomegranate and cloves. Crisp and refreshing with a long, clean finish.
2004 Cabernet Sauvignon
Huerhuero Vineyard
Deep dark, cherry red in color. Intense aromas of dark sweet fruits including notes of blueberry complemented by notes of toasty oak. A supple, full-bodied, rich flavored Cabernet Sauvignon which has intense fruitiness (blueberry, cherry), light oak, and excellent balance, with a medium long finish.
2004 Petite Sirah
Jardine Vineyard
Deep purple-black with intense aromas of dark berry fruits including notes of blueberry and plum as well as chocolate powder are complimented by vanilla and toasty oak. This full-bodied wine is juicy and concentrated on the palate with ripe, firm tannins; blackberry, plum and blueberry fruit with a touch of bittersweet chocolate; long pleasant finish.
2004 Signature
Deep, saturated inky purple, almost opaque in color: intense aromas of dark berry fruits including notes of blueberry and plum. This big wine is supple, lush and mouth filling; complex and refined.
2004 Syrée
Dark garnet with intense aromas of dark berry with floral notes, earth, cedar and vanilla. Flavors of blackberry and boysenberry, with currants, spice and candied red fruit; silky and full bodied with high but sweet tannin and a long finish.
2004 Zinfandel
Westside
Deep purple, very intense with aromas of plum and boysenberry with spice and a touch of earthiness. Big, full-bodied and packed with intense, sweet, ripe fruit; this wine has wonderful flavors of dusky plums, brambles, boysenberries and raspberries; the fruit is supported by ripe but fine tannins; long pleasant finish.