The Wine Experience

Wine of the Week!
Sequoia Grove 2004 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon   $32    

If you’re a Cabernet lover look no further than our wine of the week this week, Sequoia Grove 2004 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. 

Sequoia Grove is a long time Cabernet producer in the heart of Napa Valley and they’re now getting back on the radar. 

This wine is all you’d expect from more boutique labels but at about half the price.  It’s got ripe black fruit taste that’s dark and full.  To us its like boysenberry but then there are complex flavors of red licorice and minty chocolate. 

The tannins are there for structure but don’t intrude on your ability to drink it right now… no waiting necessary.  That’s why we like it so much: terrific Napa Valley Cabernet, ready to drink and priced about thirty two dollars unlike some of its bigger name rivals.

This wine is made for steak or thick and juicy grilled lamb chops, the kind of meal that really shows off the “king of grapes.”

Sequoia Grove 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, our wine of the week.

Pop the Cork.

Wine on the Radio – January 18, 2008

Winemaker’s Notes and Comments:

Deep garnet in color with aromas of ripe cherry and blackberry with a bit of mocha and cocoa.  The fruit intertwines lovingly with the oak, hints of which can be found in aromas of clove, black pepper and spice.  The palate is rich and bold but the tannins are soft and supple creating an endless finish.  The acid complements the lushness of the fruit and gives structure and balance throughout the wine.
For the Napa Valley Cabernet, we sourced 50% of our grapes from Rutherford, 30% from Oakville, 15% from Atlas Peak and 5 % from Napa.  Grapes come from vineyards managed by some of the most renowned growers in the Napa Valley: Gary Morisoli, Bill Collins, Beckstoffer, Traina and Garvey.
2004 was an extremely unusual harvest and a year in which talented winemakers earned their money.  Buds started pushing earlier than expected in March during surprisingly warm weather.  The heat continued through spring and a refreshing cool summer came to an end when high temperatures returned in September and October which brought fruit in a record breaking two weeks early.  The combination of the weather and the light crop made for an intense, powerful vintage, similar to 2002.

Past Recommendations, Picks, and Wines of the Week

Notes on our Wines of the Week, Recommendations, and Picks:

When you read our thoughts, please remember that you may think differently.  A particular wine may be your favorite and not on our list.  Well, don't stop buying it because of that.  In fact, you may want to email us and let us know about it. These are our opinions but our FIRST recommendation is to go by your own palate.

A couple of other thoughts . . . first, prices are approximate.  They'll vary.  Second, different vintages mean different grapes and different tastes so our recommendation for a 2000 Merlot may not hold for 2001.

And lastly, we remind you to drink responsibly!  Now, all that said, here is a summary of links to our suggestions.  Find one (or more) and pop the cork!

Read the fine print . . .

Wine consumption can have positive physical benefits or cause possible physical harm . . . the medical community is divided in some areas.  If you have any doubt, check with your doctor before consuming wine or any other alcoholic drink. 

Our information is well researched.  Recommendations are based on our opinions at the time of publication.  At the same time, recommendations change.  Also, there may be significant variance in taste depending on storage, shipping, and other factors.

The Wine Experience is not liable or responsible for any consequences arising from the use of the information obtained from winexperience.com, wineexp.com or The Wine Experience radio show.

The Wine Experience is intended for adults (over 21 years old).  Drink responsibly and don't drink and drive!