Pride Mountain Vineyards Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2004

Professional Ratings

• 96 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
  The two flagship wines of this brilliant estate, which straddles the Sonoma and Napa county lines at the top of Spring Mountain, include the 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve (98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Petit Verdot). Sixty-eight percent of the fruit comes from Sonoma and 32% from Napa. It exhibits classic notes of creme de cassis, licorice, cedarwood, incense and a hint of toasty oak in the background. Full-bodied, opulent, profound deep, rich and full with velvety edges, the tannin can be detected, but it is wonderfully integrated in this mountain-styled Cabernet. It continues Pride’s impressive track record with these special cuvees. The 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve can be drunk young or cellared for two decades or more. More nuances and complexity will undoubtedly emerge over the next 4-5 years.
• 95 Wine Enthusiast
  Youthful tannins star in this young wine. The wine is dry and balanced, with a fabulous core of blackberry, cassis and smoky oak. With a drop of Petit Verdot, which adds a touch of violets, this is one of the best high mountain Cabs of the vintage. Too dry and toughly astringent to drink before 2010; should develop well through 2016, at least. Cellar Selection.
• 94 Connoisseurs' Guide
  Enormously rich oak may lead the way here, yet beneath its sweet veneer of vanilla, caramel and cream, this very deep and impressively stuffed wine shows plenty of optimally ripened currants and black cherries along with deft touches of loamy earth and lightly peppery spice. It is presently closed off by lots of abrasive astringency, and it is not one for drinking any time soon, but, given the seven to ten years of patience that its structure commends, it will evolve into a profound Cabernet of enormous appeal.