Winemaker Notes
Georges de Latour is the classic, original "Reserve" California wine, reflecting many decades of experience with some of Napa Valley's most historic vineyards. This wine was aged for 21 months in oak. Hand-harvested fruit, whole berries, careful but vigorous extraction during fermentation, and gentle handling throughout the winemaking process yield a stunning wine for the ages.
The 2004 vintage of this extraordinary wine offers intense aromas of black fruits, mocha, toast, and briar. It is full-bodied, with rich, mouth-filling tannins and deeply concentrated black currant, vanilla, and anise flavors. This vintage will require seven to nine years of aging to reach maturity, yet tastes fine now — an excellent example of the vintage.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve Georges de Latour is composed of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot and was aged in 95% French oak, 68% new, for 21 months. Deep garnet-brick colored, it rocks up with loads of baked cherries and dried blackberries notions plus hints of prunes, balsamic, tilled soil, old leather, charcuterie and licorice. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is packed with savory fruit, framed by chewy tannins, finishing with a lingering herbal lift.
One of the most prestigious wines of the world capable of great power and grace, Napa Valley Cabernet is a leading force in the world of fine, famous, collectible red wine. Today the Napa Valley and Cabernet Sauvignon are so intrinsically linked that it is difficult to discuss one without the other. But it wasn’t until the 1970s that this marriage came to light; sudden international recognition rained upon Napa with the victory of the Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon in the 1976 Judgement of Paris.
Cabernet Sauvignon undoubtedly dominates Napa Valley today, covering half of the land under vine, commanding the highest prices per ton and earning the most critical acclaim. Cabernet Sauvignon’s structure, acidity, capacity to thrive in multiple environs and ability to express nuances of vintage make it perfect for Napa Valley where incredible soil and geographical diversity are found and the climate is perfect for grape growing. Within the Napa Valley lie many smaller sub-AVAs that express specific characteristics based on situation, slope and soil—as a perfect example, Rutherford’s famous dust or Stags Leap District's tart cherry flavors.