Pride Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2003

"Too young to drink, this already shows the high altitude effect of its vineyard at the top of Spring Mountain, as if you could feel the cool ocean breeze and the heat of the sun in the dark fruit of the wine. Oak is primary for now, with the heavy toast that makes it taste like a youthful wine pulled directly from the barrel, Good Potential; give it time."

91 Points

Wine & Spirits

"This impressive, generously filled and very solid young wine is at once both powerful and remarkably well-balanced and delivers loads of optimally ripened, curranty fruit juxtaposed with just the right measure of complimentary oak. It is quite full on the palate and comes complete with lots of Cabernet tannins, but even as the astringency crowds in at the finish, its confident fruit refuses to quit. It is not, nor will it ever be the picture of elegance, but its stunning depth and keen varietal precision raise great expectations for a most handsome maturity some eight to ten years hence. "

91 Points

Connoisseurs' Guide

"Good deep red-ruby color. Currant, tobacco, cocoa powder and sweet oak on the nose. Then surprisingly tightly wound in the mouth, with firm acids giving shape and grip to the fresh berry and milk chocolate flavors. In a leaner style for a Pride wine but shows an exhilarating sugar/acid balance. Finishes firmly tannic, bright and gripping. As serious as this seems today, there's nothing hard about it. (Incidentally, the reserve wines from Pride had been bottled just a month prior to my visit and could not be tasted.) 90(+?) points "

90 Points

International Wine Cellar