2005 Bressler Cabernet Sauvignon

Tasting notes from Mia Klein:

The 2005 vintage gave ample rain in the winter, charging up the soil water profile for a very nice growing season. Temperatures were moderate and consistent from early spring through October. Both the mature, established Cabernet Sauvignon vines and the now five year old Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petite Verdot vines produced some wonderful juice.

In terms of volume and concentration this is one of the most exceptional Bressler has produced, with aromas of dark chocolate, black truffle,  raspberry and blackberry fruits, malty caramel, and lavender notes. In the mouth the tannins are almost silky fine with a very long finish and the mid palate offers some rich flavors.  The wine has plenty of structure and intensity for good aging, but with plenty enough finesse for enjoyment in the near term.

This wines shows well young but will continue to improve over the next several years.

2004 Bressler Cabernet Sauvignon

Tasting notes from Mia Klein:

Aromatically we find raspberry, blueberry, sweet cherry, vanilla and caramel.  The flavors are seamless and very well integrated.  The wine has very good impact in the mouth showing hints of cognac, molasses, raspberry, cherries and vanilla. Length of flavor is excellent and the texture is rich with just enough backbone to lend structure.   There is a long, smooth finish with mocha and café au lait flavors.

The wine is remarkably well integrated at this stage, but can really benefit from some bottle aging to intensify the flavors.  If opened during the first year or two, you will find the flavors much more pronounced after an hour or so – it may even be better the next day.

Although fun to try now, this wine will really benefit from a few years in the cellar.

2003 Bressler Cabernet Sauvignon

Tasting notes from Mia Klein:

Aromatically we find raspberry, strawberry, plum, ripe sweet cherry, vanilla bean, cognac (a la cherries jubilee); bittersweet chocolate, cocoa, brown sugar (a la great brownies); hints of tobacco, exotic sandalwood, and white pepper. The wine has very good impact in the mouth with all of the aromatics showing nice intensity. Length of flavor is excellent and the texture is rich with just enough backbone to lend structure.   This is a very sophisticated wine with many levels.  It is approachable young, but should continue to develop over the next several years.

This wine can be enjoyed now or will continue to evolve in the cellar.

2002 Bressler Cabernet Sauvignon

Tasting notes from Mia Klein, Dec. 2005:
"I think this wine is nearly as precocious as the 2000. It has good berry aromas, blueberry and blackberry, along with a little blackberry leaf, which leads into a bit of rosemary, thyme, and sage. It has a certain exotic bent to it with some white pepper, cardamom, lime pickle, and huckleberry. It has a sweet and yummy texture, with some meatiness to the middle, and a finish of dark black cherry."

Tasting notes from vintner, Stacey Bressler, Dec. 2005:
"This wine is very approachable, much more open than the 2001 was at a similar stage. In the nose I am getting blueberry and a hint of licorice. It is lovely on the palate with a rich huckleberry flavor and a bit of spice - cardamom and allspice. The finish lingers with cherry and a bit of mocha."

Tasting notes from wine reviewer, Robert Parker, Oct. 2004:
"The outstanding 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon (the finest of the first three vintages) exhibits a dense ruby/purple color as well as a fragrant bouquet of cedar, smoke, black currants, sweet plums and cherries, and a hint of loamy soil.

"Broad and fleshy on the palate, with beautiful purity, nicely integrated acidity and tannin, and a succulent, concentrated finish, this 2002 should be accessible young, yet age nicely for 10-15 years. This is an estate-bottled 100% Cabernet Sauvignon that is aged in 100% new French oak for 25 months prior to bottling."

This wine can be enjoyed now or will continue to evolve in the cellar.

2001 Bressler Cabernet Sauvignon
Tasting notes from Mia Klein:
Brilliant ruby/purple coloration and a medium-full body. The 2001 Bressler boasts a wonderfully sweet bouquet of black cherry liquor, blueberries, white chocolate, minerals, and red roses. You will find a wine of fine balance, purity, seamless character, and an elegant classy style - yet with real power and structure. Flavors of black currants, blueberries, wet stone, tarragon (minty herbs), graphite, and beautifully integrated toasty oak grace the palate. The finish of 25-30 seconds is filled with flavor. Over all this wine is very well built and should drink well over the next 15 years.

Like many of the other 2001 Napa cabs, this wine was shut down in its infancy. It is just beginning to come out of that phase will probably reach its full potential in another 6 to 18 months.

This wine is just starting to show its stuff and can be enjoyed now or will continue to evolve in the cellar.

2000 Bressler Cabernet Sauvignon
Tasting notes from Mia Klein:
The nose is bright and vibrant with notes of clove, loganberry and caramel, as well as some plum and raspberry jam. The color is a deep inky blue/black. In the mouth, the wine shows many levels of complexity with blueberry flavors, milk chocolate, and a hint of a smoky, coffee quality. There are notes of licorice and almond on the finish. This is a nicely balanced wine, and we have enjoyed it with meat dishes as well as hearty pastas.

This wine is drinking very well right now and should continue at this level for several more years.