As good as it gets for Washington Cabernet Sauvignon. Massive blue fruit and milk chocolate aromas leap from the glass to join more savoury tomato and sage notes, with brighter blueberry scents evolving after an hour of air. The lengthy palate is dense and chewy with light tannins, the mouthfeel becoming more silky and elegantly textured with time. Rich yet balanced flavours of blue fruits and wild blackberry cobbler are joined by mocha tones and exotic sandalwood spice. Perfectly evolved now, and one to enjoy within the next five years.

Becoming tertiary and slightly funky with dried black fruit aromas, the 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon also has dusty plum and elements of dried herbs with sweet oak essences on the nose. The wine also wilted violets and lilac elements with notions of high-toned dark red fruit flavors of black raspberry, wild strawberry, currants and crème de cassis. With a full body and elements of tree bark and forest floor on the palate, this wine shows oddly more appealing than the 2005 at their current states. This 2004 is performing beautifully for its age and is among the highlights of the 20-year vertical. Remaining incredibly stable, I believe the 2004 will last longer than the 2005 bottling. Completely stellar and surprising! Bravo!