90 Points – Connoisseurs' Guide
Gold Medal – 2007 Sonoma County Harvest Fair
The 2004 Owl Ridge T.R. Passalacqua Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from the meticulously farmed Passalacqua Ranch on the western hills of Dry Creek Valley. At about 400 feet in elevation, this is still a fairly warm part of the valley, yielding ripe, juicy Cabernet. The color of this wine is ruby to garnet, with almost no degradation of color at the rim even at 8 years of age, suggesting it still has time to mature. The nose shows classic California Cabernet aromas of blackberry, black currant, kirsch, and pepper. The palate is soft and smooth, with berry and cherry flavors joined by spicy notes. The flavors build on the finish, gaining in complexity and layering, and ending with a note of vanilla. This is a lovely Cabernet that shows how a wine can harmonize if given time to age, and at $29 is a one you should stock up on while you have the chance.
Winemaker: Joseph C. Otos
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, T.R. Passalacqua Vineyard
AVA: Dry Creek Valley
Total Acidity: 6.63 g/L
Alcohol: 14.7%
Total Cases Made: 600 750ml
90 Points
Rich and voluptuous with ripe raspberry, cherry, and plum, layered with hints of lavender, fig compote, and exotic spice. Concentrated and complex, the palate is a balanced interplay cocoa, and a hint of espresso, creating both richness and intrigue. Vibrant acidity and silky tannins that contribute heft and length that coat the palate with luscious ripeness that keeps on giving.
94 Points
Deep red-purple with aromas of black currents, blackberry, plum, chocolate, earthy forest floor, licorice, graphite, and subtle floral notes of violet, spice and cracked pepper. The palate is full, structured and balanced with blackberry, currant, black cherry fruit with notes of earth, firm acid and silky tannins. Finishes big with blackberry fruit and peppery spice.
Gold Medal
Light pink in color with aromas of watermelon, cranberry, orange rind, and fresh spring flowers that leap from the glass. The palate offers more peach, strawberry, and melon, with an intriguing note of rose and hibiscus. It's crisp with just the perfect hint of red fruit, and delicate whisper of strawberry that gives goosebumps.
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