A blend of 89% Sonoma and 11% Napa fruit, the 2004 Reserve Claret is composed of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon.  More coffee, toffee and caramelized red and black fruit reveals a slightly lighter edge than the Cabernet Sauvignon.  Medium to full-bodied with beautiful fruit, it is more compact than the Cabernet, but is also a great example of Northern California viticulture.  This full-bodied beauty will benefit from another 2-3 years of cellaring, and should age effortlessly for 15-20 years thereafter.

70% Merlot; 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep, dense and highly extracted with layer upon layer of caramel, vanilla and sweet toast overlying its considerable currant and cherry-like fruit, this potent young wine has lots in reserve despite being very showy right now.  It is very much a wine for the future and finishes with the kind of grabby Cabernet tannins that will take time to resolve. While we urge at least five years of patience, we can easily see it improving for ten or more.

The strength of the 2005 vintage at Pride is again noticeable when one compares some of the lower level Cabernet Sauvignons with the 2004 Reserve Claret. While the latter wine (89% from Sonoma and 11% from Napa) is outstanding, it is not as good as the less expensive 2005 Cabernets.

Good full, deep red. Sexy oak spices perk up the aromas of black raspberry, minerals, mocha and coffee. Like liquid silk on entry, but with a firm mineral spine and lively acidity keeping the youthful flavors of black raspberry, mocha and chocolate under wraps. Finishes with dusty, broad tannins and compelling sweetness and aromatic persistence. This big, rich blend strikes me as considerably younger than the 2003 was at the same stage.