WTN: Sequoia Grove vs. Wynn's

[Jenise]

Bob asked for an old fashioned California Cab the other night so I picked a young 2004 Sequoia Grove from Napa Valley. Haven't had a Sequoia Grove wine in probably 10 years. Soft/diffused with plummy red and black fruit, attractive, medium bodied, fairly low acid and soft of tannin. No big boy, but no wimp. Nice, but I'm not sure it's worth $36.

While drinking that I mentioned that I'd got an offer for Wynn's Coonawarra cabernet that day at 9.99. Always one of my favorite Aussies at any price, but especially for QPR, this is a wine I could pick up a few cases of for summer drinking. Bob asked how the 98's we have were getting along, so I pulled a bottle. They're doing fine. Plummy fruit, almost jammy ripeness with pretty high acidity, especially compared to the Sequoia. A bit short on the mid-palate, suggesting it's in a dormant phase where bigger fruit will pop out later and provide a balance that for now is missing, but the wine ably makes the point about value.

So maybe I'll order some. Has anyone tasted the 2004? David, Graeme, Celia, Jay, anyone in the southern hemisphere?

[Robin Garr]

2004 Sequoia Grove from Napa Valley. Haven't had a Sequoia Grove wine in probably 10 years.

Whoa! I have this in my tasting queue! I'll open it soon and see how well calibrated we are. Pretty well, I'll bet.

I like the regular bottling of Seqoia Grove ok. 2004 was a pretty low acid year in Napa, I think???

While expensive (though not by Napa Valley Rutherford standards ), their Reserve is almost worth it.

$10 ??? You're joking! What an obscenity.
The 2004 is a very good vintage of Wynns. No hesitation buying at that price.
Foster's did release it very cheaply in Australia, it must be said (around A$18), but that equates to about US$15 (a bit more on today's rates).
$10! I can't believe it!
Found my tasting note from last June:
2004 Wynns Cabernet Sauvignon (Coonawarra) {cork, 13.5%, $17}
Absurdly cheap, this is a classic Coonawarra cabernet right on song. A blended nose of ripe currant fruit and a ‘correct’ dash of herbaceousness, with subtle oak. The palate is dry, firm, fruity but not overdone, with restrained power yet retains finesse. Medium powdery tannins are prominent, the finish is decently long. Superbly balanced, this should evolve into a lovely medium-term cabernet. A triumph. Run, don’t walk, and buy some.

Ten US dollars (shaking head)...

cheers,
Graeme

[Jenise]

$10 ??? You're joking! What an obscenity.
The 2004 is a very good vintage of Wynns. No hesitation buying at that price.
Foster's did release it very cheaply in Australia, it must be said (around A$18), but that equates to about US$15 (a bit more on today's rates).
$10! I can't believe it!
Found my tasting note from last June:
2004 Wynns Cabernet Sauvignon (Coonawarra) {cork, 13.5%, $17}
Absurdly cheap, this is a classic Coonawarra cabernet right on song. A blended nose of ripe currant fruit and a ‘correct’ dash of herbaceousness, with subtle oak. The palate is dry, firm, fruity but not overdone, with restrained power yet retains finesse. Medium powdery tannins are prominent, the finish is decently long. Superbly balanced, this should evolve into a lovely medium-term cabernet. A triumph. Run, don’t walk, and buy some.

Ten US dollars (shaking head)...

cheers,
Graeme

Graeme, thanks for that endorsement and TN. You know what, your TN describes captures the classic character of allmost every vintage of WCC I've ever had--Wynn's should buy it from you. Of course, vintages ARE different but it's pivotal and by mere degrees. A wine you can drink now or put away for years (and sometimes decades) that costs next to nothing? What's not to love?

Bob asked for an old fashioned California Cab the other night so I picked a young 2004 Sequoia Grove from Napa Valley. Haven't had a Sequoia Grove wine in probably 10 years. Soft/diffused with plummy red and black fruit, attractive, medium bodied, fairly low acid and soft of tannin. No big boy, but no wimp. Nice, but I'm not sure it's worth $36.

Sequoia Grove has certainly gone up substantially in price. The last vintage I purchased was the 2001 and according to my spreadsheet those were $19USD. I have only had one bottle of the 2001 thus far but I thought it was good for that price.

Thanks for the tip on the Wynn's.