2004 Sbragia Family Cabernet Sauvignon Monte Rosso
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Tasting notes
From a famous first-growth vineyard, the 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Monte Rosso Vineyard merits its renown. This vineyard is now part of the Moon Mountain district, the newest AVA in Sonoma. A brilliant dense purple color offers up notes of creme de cassis, lead pencil shavings and loamy soil, and a full-bodied, brilliantly constructed, multi-layered mouthfeel. This is a voluminous, opulent and seductive-style of Cabernet Sauvignon that is just coming into its own. Drink it over the next decade. The bigger-than-life, formidable, long-time winemaker at Beringer, Ed Sbragia, has his own operation in Sonoma and turns out some of the best wines money can buy. Sbragia has never forgotten that ultimately it is the consumer who makes the market. That consumer has to make a living as well as have discretionary income to buy fine wine and Ed always seems to have realistic, if not humble, prices. His six wines I tasted from 2004 all performed well. Sbragia’s Cabernet Sauvignons are one of his strengths, along with his Zinfandels and Chardonnays. Tel. (707) 473-2992
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Has Left Bank leanings, with earth, mint, anise and dried sage notes to go with lush Sonoma red fruits, creamy vanillin, ripe, supple tannins and brisk acidity. Elegant and savoury. (LM)
Medium ruby. Currant, licorice and flowers on the nose; more consistently ripe than the very good 2003 example. Lush and broad but firm in the mouth, with good energy to the dark berry, tobacco and chocolatey oak flavors, thanks to nicely integrated acidity. The wine's building tannins will require at least a couple years of cellaring.