2004 Gemstone Red
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Tasting notes
(93% cabernet sauvignon and 7% petit verdot) Saturated ruby. Brooding black fruit, mineral and licorice aromas, with some earthy and truffley soil tones. Ripe, fresh and nicely layered, with the black fruit flavors showing a distinctly rocky character. This vineyard is located just to the south of Screaming Eagle, although the volcanic and gravelly soils are not as red in color. Mounting finish features building tannins.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2004 Proprietary Red Wine (91% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Petit Verdot; 495 cases produced) is better than I predicted from barrel. This opaque purple-hued, amazingly rich wine reveals notes of graphite, blackberries, cassis, licorice, and incense. A judicious touch of new French oak along with superb concentration, and intense, but sweet, well-integrated tannin suggest this backward 2004 should age for 20-25 years. It is one of the stars of the vintage. Previously recommended: 2003 Proprietary Red Wine (91). Tel. (707) 944-0944; Fax (707) 945-0235
(97% cabernet sauvignon and 3% petit verdot) Good deep medium ruby. Very ripe but high-pitched aromas of black cherry syrup, cassis and minerals. Bright, focused flavors of black fruits, flowers, spices and minerals. Intense and firmly built, showing the extra sweetness of the vintage but also a solid structure. Finishes strong and long, with firm but suave tannins.