2004 Nickel & Nickel “Witz End” Cabernet

I recently enjoyed the second vintage of Witz End Cabernet from Nickel & Nickel with Paul and it is drinking quite nicely and I have seen it evolve over the last year. We both agreed that it would improve for another year or so in the bottle. The Witz End vineyard is located on the Rutherford Bench in the southern part of Rutherford. The vineyard was planted in 2001. The soil is composed of well-drained gravelly clay loam.

Wine Details:

Vintage: 2004

Appellation: Rutherford, Napa Valley

Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Aged in French oak barrels 46% new, and 54% once-used. Skin contact was nine days. Harvest date was September 22, 2004. The release date was September 2007

Tasting notes: On the nose nice ripe cherry, raspberry, blackberry, cassis, currant, with a hint of violet, pencil lead, vanilla and a really nice dusty/rusty component. On the palate the fruit is generous, full, and round. The tannins are soft and velvety and the finish is nice and generously long.

Rating 92 JH – Revised rating 05/15/2009 – 93 JH

Reviewed again 05/15/2009. The 2004 Witz End shows better balance, and complexity.