2004 Schrader Vieux-Os Zinfandel Hell Hole Vineyard Old Vine
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
(15.5% alcohol) Bright, deep red. Highly aromatic nose offers dark cherry, gingerbread, cocoa powder and flowers. Juicy, focused and tightly wound; all backbone today but with obvious sweetness of fruit. This boasts very good breadth and length but the finish turned oakier and a bit drier with aeration.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
A terrific Zinfandel is the 2004 Vieux-Os Zinfandel Hell Hole Vineyard. (It yielded .9 tons of fruit per acre.) This is more southern Rhone-like, with hints of garrigue, black raspberries, kirsch, and licorice. Dark ruby/purple, full-bodied, powerful, and just beautiful, this could be a Chateauneuf du Pape if it wanted to be. It should drink well for 5-7 years. Previously recommended: 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon (95); 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon RBS (94); 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Old Sparky (magnum; 94+); 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon T6 (92+) Tel. (707) 942-1115; Fax (707) 942-2147
About the producer
Schrader Cellars is one of Napa’s cult names. It focuses on pairing specific clones with the perfect site to produce the ultimate expression of Napa Cabernet. The results regularly receive the very highest scores from critics, with 19 100-point scores from the Wine Advocate to date.