 As a Library Selection, this wine is available exclusively to members of Titus Vineyards Wine Club.
Vintage
Demonstrating many similarities to the 1997 vintage, the 2004 growing season began with normal rainfall followed by an early, pleasantly warm Spring marked by timely bud-break and bloom. The first signs of veraison appeared several weeks ahead of schedule in the first few days of July. Cooler summer temperatures allowed for steady, even ripening of the moderately sized crop. A few days of hot, windy weather in August lent a final touch of richness and concentration to the fruit.
Vineyard
Our family vineyard, located on the valley floor just north of St. Helena on the Silverado Trail, possesses well-drained, sandy, alluvial soils and is characterized by its ability to produce complex wines with well-defined fruit flavors, gentle acids and naturally balanced tannins. Further north, our Ehlers Lane Vineyard consists of a stony, dry streambed and a knoll composed of thin gravelly soil over hard volcanic ash. Planted entirely to Cabernet Sauvignon these infertile soils produce low yields of grapes with concentrated flavors.
Vinification
Following harvest, the grapes were de-stemmed but not crushed, allowing increased control over tannin extraction by minimizing the possibility of broken skins and split seeds. Following a 48-hour cold soak to extract color and flavor, the grapes underwent a warm, short fermentation, with pump-overs occurring twice daily. The free-run juice was transferred to oak barrels, where it underwent malolactic fermentation.
Wine Profile
On the nose, resonant aromas of show-stopping cherry and dark berry fruits are accompanied by subtle nuances of toasted oak, red and black licorice, crushed herbs and candied spice notes. This generous Cabernet Sauvignon has big, lush layers of ripe dark cherry and blackberry that integrate seamlessly with notes of freshly roasted coffee, milk chocolate, paprika and hints of molasses through the long finish. The addition of Petit Verdot gives the wine a nice, full palate and deep color. Blending in Malbec add a sweet, red fruit character and finishing the blend with a little Merlot softens the wine to better balance the tannins. Recommended drinking time is three to four years from vintage, with about one hour of decanting prior to drinking. Maximum suggested aging is eight to ten years from vintage.
Detailed Wine Information
Vineyard Manager: Eric Titus
Winemaker: Phillip Titus
Appellation: Napa Valley
Blend: 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec
Harvest Dates: 9/12/04-10/08/04
Barrel Aging: 20 months - 75% French Oak, 25% American Oak (40% new barrels)
Bottled: June 2006
Cases Produced: 2,868
Alcohol: 14.5%
Total Acidity: .57 grams/100ml
pH: 3.84
Release Date: September 1, 2006
Press & Praise
90 Points
"The dark ruby/purple hued 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits more classic creme de cassis, sweet black cherry and spice notes. Again, elegance seems to be the modus operandi even though this wine is bigger and more tannic than the Cabernet Franc. It cuts a broad swath across the palate with excellent depth, purity and length. It should drink well for a decade or more." - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate (Dec. 2006)
Boutique Wine Cellars (December 2006)
“Another fantastic effort from Titus Vineyards, the 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon is tinged purple and offers a beautiful bouquet of blackberry, rhubarb, ground coffee, and sweet crushed pepper. This wine had fantastic length, which was layered with blueberry, ground stone, crushed flowers, licorice, and fig. The wine is drinking quite beautifully now, but could be drunk over the next 3 years.”
San Francisco Chronicle (April 13, 2007) - One of the Best Napa Valley Cabs Under $50
TWO STARS "2004 Titus Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($41) Brothers Eric and Phillip Titus were fortunate that their parents were farsighted in the 1960s, buying up some good Napa Valley vineyards when the grapes planted there included Mondeuse, Burger and Golden Chasselas. Cab's a better use of the land, as evidenced by this concentrated wine with big oak flavors, sweet cherry and hints of toasted wheat." - W. Blake Gray
2007 BRONZE MEDAL WINNER - National Womens Wine Competition, Wines Women Want. Category: Cabernet Sauvignon's Over $30
 Tasting Notes
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