2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Pritchard Hill
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Tasting notes
Bright ruby-red. The nose delivers a knockout combination of redcurrant, dark raspberry and graphite minerality, plus a suggestion of freshly poured concrete. Wonderfully suave and fine-grained, displaying outstanding thickness of fruit but also superb inner-mouth lift. A wine of great power and rising, palate-staining length. According to president Bettina Bryant, this is the only vintage to have hit 16% alcohol along with the '97 and '08 but it has the energy and sheer personality to support its high octane level.
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It is well-known that many of the vineyards and terroirs on Pritchard Hill can be magical, and this is unquestionably one of them. Bryant’s 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon boasts a dense ruby/purple color along with exceptional aromatics consisting of stunningly pure blackberry, black raspberry and floral scents, full body and an opulent personality. Although this estate went through a few hiccups during its change in winemakers in 2001, the 2004 clearly shows this estate has come back with a vengeance. This stunning 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the superstars of the vintage. Drink it over the next two decades. www.bryantwines.com
(15.8% alcohol) Good deep medium ruby. Superripe, liqueur-like nose comes across as higher-toned than that of the 2005. Extravagantly fat, sweet and thick, conveying less energy than the 2005 despite possessing adequate acidity. This is hugely broad and velvety cabernet, but seems distinctly less refined than its younger sibling. Finishes with big tannins that are still a bit youthfully rigid. I would not want to bury this one in the cellar, but I'd certainly wait a year or two before pulling the cork.
At this small (14.5 acres), beautifully manicured hillside vineyard, Don Bryant and his winemaking team have begun to cull out 200-500 cases of wine in order to maintain the quality of the top wine. The resulting second wine, Le Petit Bryant, is essentially a selection of younger vines and barrels that did not make the cut for the top wine. There are 200 cases of the 2004 Le Petit Bryant, which is an elegant, soft, fruity red offering notes of spicy caramel, vanillin, blackberries, and sweet cherries. Enjoy it over the next 5-6 years. Previously recommended: 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon (96). Not yet released. Tel. (314) 231-8066; Fax (314) 231-4859
About the producer
Founded by Don Bryant in 1986, Bryant Estate is built around a 13-acre vineyard rising from 900 to 1,200 feet on Pritchard Hill. Now led by Bettina Bryant, its acclaimed Bryant Family Vineyard is regarded as one of Napa Valley’s benchmark Cabernet Sauvignons.