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Brian Pasch Expert Wine Reviews

What's New

• 06-15-2008 - Restaurant Nicholas Our Top Pick
• 06-01-2008 - Mollydooker Wine Event - August 23rd
• 05-10-2008 - 2004 Dalla Valle Cabernet
• 05-05-2008 - 2005 Scarecrow Cabernet
• 05-05-2008 - 2004 Maiden Cabernet Review
• 04-25-2008 - 2005 Ghost Block Cabernet
• 04-19-2008 - 2005 Meander Cabernet
• 04-18-2008 - 2005 Maybach Materium
• 04-07-2008 - 2004 Sage Cabernet
• 04-05-2008 - 2005 Buccella Cabernet
• 02-20-2008 - 2004 Modus Operandi Cabernet
• What's Old Not So New
• Archives

Keever Winery - 2004 Cabernet Review

So today I received a few bottles of the 2004 Keever Cabernet and after a long day at work, I was eager to give a bottle a try. I was tipped off by my brother the night before that he tasted his inaugural delivery from Prima Wines and was very happy with the quality and balance of the wine. He remarked that it was one of the best Cabernet's that he has tasted in recent years.

When I opened the bottle and smelled the wine from the neck of the bottle I had a smile on my face. The fruit was seductive. This is always a good sign. In the glass the fruit and tannins were in balance; a strong hint of greatness to come.

The wine reminds me of the great California cult wines because of its balance, elegance and nose. However I'm having a hard time finding a comparison. It's luxurious mouth feel is not spicy like a young Dalla Valle Maya. It's velvety tannins remind me of Harlan Estate but a bit lighter in style; like an old school Napa Cabernet. It's nose of sweet fruit is not the same in the glass as Colgin Herb Lamb. So, is it like a young Araujo or a young Chateau Montalena? I just don't know. I will have to taste it again in a few months to come to a conclusion.

In any case, I think this wine will stand on its own and just needs a few more years to age and have the fruit and tannins come into balance. I would rate the wine 94-96 points and I look forward to seeing how this wines ages. Once the tannins fade I think the fruit will be so delicious that it will be a great example of the 2004 California vintage.

For those of you who know that Celia Masyczek, winemaker at Keever, also makes the Scarecrow Cabernet I will add this note. The 2003 Scarecrow is not to be compared to the Keever. The Scarecrow has a greater fruit-weight and concentration. (The term borrowed from Sparky Marquis, winemaker at Mollydooker Winery). The Scarecrow vineyards and vineyard management techniques produced a very unique wine in 2003. The 2004 Keever is made in a more traditional style which reminds me of some of the early great producers of California Cabernet. So, let each wine stand on their own. They are distinct as the vineyard parcels they were grown from and the personality of their expressions in the glass.

Congratulations to winemaker Celia Masyczek for making unique wines everywhere you go. If you are not on the Keever mailing list, act quickly. You can sign-up at:

http://www.keevervineyards.com/contact/index.html

Here are Celia's tasting notes on the 2004 Keever Cabernet:

“Intensely dark-colored, initial aromas of the 2004 Keever Cabernet Sauvignon are very fruit-centered, with dark plum and blackberry notes most pronounced, accompanied by raspberry, mocha and vanilla. As the aromas evolve and intensify with time in the glass, notes of anise and tea also come forward.
The palate is creamy at entry, and shows a burst of fresh fruit at the mid-palate. The fruit lingers at the finish, as does the creamy texture of the wine.”  Celia Welch Masyczek

Brian Pasch - April 24, 2007

Keever Winery

PO Box 2906
Yountville, CA 94599
707-944-0910

www.keevervineyards.com

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