2004 Deerfield Ranch Winery Los Chamizal Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon

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Mission Codename: Secret Cavern

Operative: Agent Red

Objective: Return to Wine Spies’ Operative favorite, Deerfield Ranch Winery, and procure an exclusive Library Selection for our special Elite Operative Saturday.

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Deerfield Ranch Winery

Wine Subject: 2004 Los Chamazal Cabernet Sauvignon – Sonoma Valley

Winemaker: Robert Rex

Backgrounder: Located in Kenwood, California, Deerfield Ranch Winery is a Wine Spies Operative favorite. The winery has proved elusive in recent times, but Agent Red was able to secure a limited allotment of today’s 2004 Los Chamazal Cabernet Sauvignon, a balanced delicious Cabernet Sauvignon, for our demanding Operatives.

Sonoma Valley’s first vines were planed way back in 1825 by Spanish missionaries. This unique micro-climate region receives less rain and is less influenced by the fog making this warmer AVA ideal for Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon.

This wine is made from grapes from Peter Haywood’s Los Chamasal Vineyard. The vineyard is located in a small isolated valley near the town of Sonoma.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Darkest rub red hues, through the darker core of the wine. Color is evenly concentrated, right out the the edge of the glass. Thin, widely-spaced tears run swiftly down the glass when swirled.

Smell – Softly spiced cherry candy rushes up to greet you. Then, ripe blackberry, black cherry, leather, truffle, toasted oak, bramble, subtle walnut and brown spice emerge as the wine opens.

Feel – Cool and lightweight at the tip of the tongue. The wine becomes grippy and more full-bodies as it settles onto the mid-palate. Smooth, medium tannins and a balanced acidity offer good structure while supporting the fruit.

Taste – Black cherry and blackberry give way to leather, dark cocoa, dried cranberry, dried mission fig, bramble, cracked leather, subtle tobacco and subtle anise.

Finish – Long and very flavorful, with extended fruit flavors that gradually yield to more subtle earthen flavors.

Conclusion – This single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, from our great friends at Deerfield Ranch Winery, delivers a classic, delicious, balanced experience. The wine is gorgeous, now, and while it is drinking beautifully, we’d recommend that you also stash a few bottles away for the next few years. Today, the wine shows off delicious fruit, a balanced mouthfeel and beautiful aromatics. Our tasting panel enjoyed our sample bottles with a pizza loaded with veggies, sausage and jalapenos. An unusual pairing, to be sure, but the wine was the perfect compliment. Enjoy this delicious wine on its own, or with your own complex pairing.

Mission Report:

Wine Spies Vineyard Check:

The location of the Sonoma Valley region can be seen in this satellite photo.