2004 Oonapais
Sonoma Mountain Red
Alcohol 14.5%, TA .64 pH 3.65, Residual sugar .14%.
2,254 Cases Produced

Wine Notes [PDF]

Vineyard | Our Sonoma Mountain Estate Red is a Demeter-certified Biodynamic® wine produced entirely from the Benziger Family Estate. The Sonoma Mountain appellation is one of the smallest and most exclusive appellations in California. We produce three red wines from our estate: Tribute – the winery’s flagship wine, Sonoma Mountain Red and Joaquin’s Inferno Estate Zinfandel.

The four Aristotelian elements: earth, water, air and fire believed by ancient civilizations (and supported by today’s science) to make up all objects in the universe are the icons and benchmarks of this wine. We believe that every place on earth has a different combination of earth (soil), water (bonds a plant to its environment), air (light) and fire (warmth). When these elements are united in ideal ratios, the fifth element (spirit) appears – the ultimate expression of our connection to the land.

Vinification | Sonoma Mountain Red is a blend of wines that showcases the diverse and healthy environment in and around the Benziger Family Estate - of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Cabernet Franc, 12% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot. This wine is made with the most traditional hands-on methods. The grapes were hand sorted in the vineyard, fermented in small tanks and serviced by hand with love and care. Native yeast and malolactic bacteria were employed throughout. The wine was aged for 19 months in French oak - about 30% of the barrels were brand new - and bottled in May of 2006.

Vintage | The amount of rainfall, though early, was normal. Dry weather reigned from March, the warmest March on record, to October. The warm weather jump-started the growing season, making farmers nervous (more much time for things to go badly). Things did cool down for spring extending bloom. Periods of long bloom affect uniformity in reds causing a potential of uneven ripening within an individual grape cluster. In our vineyards, we ‘green drop’ to balance the crop and eliminate late ripening fruit at the end of verasion. Summer was moderate without any heat waves; but it was humid raising concerns of mildew. By the end of July it was evident that an early harvest was upon us. High temperatures are not unusual in late summer and early fall but humidity under 20% is very unusual. In fact the average low humidity over the previous five years didn’t go below 30%. Extended periods of hot, dry weather are difficult for a grapevine to endure. With almost two weeks of 10 - 20% humidity in late August and September, mildew was now the least of concerns! Grape sugar was soaring before flavors had matured; our growers did a great job sustaining vineyards until flavors developed. By the end of September we were evaluating an outstanding vintage. 2004 is a vintage of ripe and well-developed flavors with the best overall quality in years.

Tasting Notes | A cabernet aroma meets the nose then gives way to velvety flavors of boysenberry, raspberry and coffee with just a hint of black olive. The 2004 is extremely full-bodied while remaining soft and luscious in the mouth. Soft tannins fill the middle palate and then stretch the wine for a long finish. This is our best Oonapais to date! Drink now, but will improve until 2014. Enjoy with lamb in rosemary-sage sauce, duck and mushroom risotto or simple roast beef.

Benziger Farming Practices | Benziger Family Winery is leading a new definition of wine quality through its Farming for FlavorsTM, organic and Biodynamic® winegrowing practices. Their 85-acre, certified Biodynamic Sonoma Mountain estate has become a research and teaching center for the cultivation of grapes with more flavor, intensity and site-specific vineyard character. The family shares its farming knowledge and experience with their longtime grower partners throughout Sonoma County.

Grapes for all Benziger wines are grown by one of three farming methods: Farming for Flavors, organic or Biodynamic. By reducing chemicals that mask the unique personality of vineyard sites, restoring the land and encouraging biodiversity on the farm, Benziger growers distinguish their fruit from all others. This distinction is of great importance to the grapegrower who makes a truly unique product, but also to the consumer who can trust that the passion of family farming and the delicious diversity of Sonoma County can be tasted in every bottle of high quality, handcrafted Benziger wine.

Benziger History | More than 25 years ago, Mike and Mary Benziger discovered the overgrown ranch that would become Benziger Family Winery. They purchased the land with the help of Mike’s father, Bruno Benziger, a wine and spirits importer from New York. A year later, Mike’s parents and his six siblings moved to Glen Ellen to help build the winery. Today, more than two-dozen Benzigers live on and around the estate winery in Sonoma County.