2004 Sbragia Family Cabernet Sauvignon Rancho del Oso

An absolutely brilliant wine is the 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Rancho del Oso. This Howell Mountain cuvee offers up a beautiful texture and full body, and exhibits copious quantities of black currant, mulberry and cherry notes intermixed with some wet rocks, spicy oak and barbecue scents. Irresistible already, this wine is in mid-adolescence and should continue to drink well for at least 10-15 more years. The bigger-than-life, formidable, long-time winemaker at Beringer, Ed Sbragia, has his own operation in Sonoma and turns out some of the best wines money can buy. Sbragia has never forgotten that ultimately it is the consumer who makes the market. That consumer has to make a living as well as have discretionary income to buy fine wine and Ed always seems to have realistic, if not humble, prices. His six wines I tasted from 2004 all performed well. Sbragia’s Cabernet Sauvignons are one of his strengths, along with his Zinfandels and Chardonnays. Tel. (707) 473-2992