The 2004 vintage in Napa Valley was one of the shortest growing seasons on record. It started with record breaking warm weather in spring and brought on early bud-break followed by a warm, dry summer. The foggy morning and mild temperatures made for an overall cool season, which lengthened the ripening of the grapes, but the heat spells in September increased the speed of maturation.

The tonnage in 2004, for the specific rows of the Herb Lamb Vineyards that are always chosen for this wine, was almost identical to the previous harvest. Although 2004 was the earliest picking date for any of our HL wines (October 2, 2004), the grapes were fully mature and the alcohol from the ripe fruit actually gives this wine its juicy horsepower, highlighting the depth of concentration and complexity of the 2004 vintage.

Our wines may be more variable from year to year, because we don’t blend other varieties or fruit from any other vineyards, but it will always be reflective of the specific terroir of our hillside vineyard, and in this regard the 2004 vintage shines.

Winemaker Michael Trujillo calls the 2004 vintage “One of the best vintages that we have produced so far from the Herb Lamb Vineyards. The nose is signature HL Vineyard, showing concentrated, black, mountain fruits, such as blackberry, black raspberry and intense dried cherry – the epitome of mature fruit from this hillside property. It has all the signature vineyard flavors of spice and black fruit, with the added cocoa and vanilla from the barrels. It’s plush and juicy with lots of black spices and ripe fruit.”

The 2004 vintage in Napa Valley is most similar to the 2002; big and bold in front, firm and forward – a typical California vintage. The 2004 HL Cabernet Sauvignon is intensely colored and smells and tastes of sweet, juicy summer fruits, with a pinch of mint and herbs.

In its youth, this vintage appears forward & dense and may seem a little stingy to open at first. But with aeration, the 2004 HL Cabernet Sauvignon opens up nicely and becomes more chocolaty, round and lush, but with soft tannins, showing more of the dense, complex black fruits and spice than its companion, the 2004 E II Red Wine. Within 12-18 months, the 2004 HL Cabernet Sauvignon should slowly bloom like a flower and mature beautifully for drinking within the next 8 -10 years.