I find it fun to taste Napa Valley Cabernet after it's been in bottle for over five years and find out how it's held up. Did it age well? What does the color of the wine look like? Is it getting better or on the decline? These are all questions that define the magic of aging wine and keeps us enthusiasts coming back for more.

The 2004 Laura Zahtila Cabernet Sauvignon starts off with some really brilliant aromas of coco powder, cracked peppercorn, black cherry, tea leaf, tobacco, and dried herb.

On the palate the wine is still showing some firm tannin, however it reveals a special tactile sensation as if this wine at one time was enormously big and tannic and is now just starting to soften up. I get flavors of soft stewed cherry, milk chocolate, leather, sweet tobacco, and subtle earth tones.

The flavors are very well delineated and the wine is showing grace eight years after being made. I do however have to say that the wine is probably drinking at it's peak right now and should be consumed within the next year or so. 88 points

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