Wine Advocate (93)

Kaesler’s deep ruby/purple-tinged 2004 Shiraz Stonehorse (100% Shiraz aged in a combination of French and American oak) exhibits a big, sweet nose of blackberries, cassis, pepper, and spicy oak. Its opulent, richly fruity, full-bodied, yet well-balanced style suggests it will drink well for 10-15 years.

Halliday Wine Companion (94)

Bright red and dark fruits on the bouquet, with a little savoury edge of dried leather and spice; the finish is long, pure and even.

Emanating from the grandiose terraces of Dalsheim, the Keller Dalsheimer Hubacker Riesling Auslese 2004 is a splendid vintage from the esteemed Keller Winery. Famed for their mastery of Riesling production, Keller combines time-honoured techniques with the unique terroir of Rheinhessen. This Auslese is carefully selected from late harvest, noble rot grapes, and legislature mandates a minimum 120° Oechsle – guaranteeing truly magnificent concentration and complexity.

This captivating 2004 expression is a kaleidoscope of honeyed peach, invigorating lime zest, and subtle undercurrents of botrytis. The balance between intense fruitiness and vital acidity is masterful, providing an enduring finish that is both dreamy and refreshing. Aging from Hubacker's distinctive loess, loam and limestone soils further distinguishes the Keller Dalsheimer Hubacker Riesling Auslese 2004, making it a sought-after choice among discerning oenophiles. The harmony of depth, elegance, and vibrancy offered by this wine is a testament to Keller's virtuosity and the exceptional terroir of Rheinhessen.

Vinous (97+)

Krug's 2004 Vintage is absolutely mesmerizing. Layers of bright, chiseled fruit open up effortlessly as the wine fleshes out with time in the glass. Persistent and beautifully focused, with a translucent sense of energy, the 2004 captures all the best qualities of the year. Moreover, the 2004 is clearly superior to the consistently underwhelming 2002 and the best Krug Vintage since 1996. Readers who can find it should not hesitate, as it is a magical bottle.

Vinous (98+)

The 2004 Clos du Mesnil captures all the pedigree of this epic Blanc des Blancs vintage. A soaring, majestic Champagne, the 2004 dazzles from the very first taste with its crystalline purity and brightness. In two tastings so far, the 2004 has been nothing less than a total showstopper. The vertical structure and pure, tightly-coiled power are the stuff dreams are made of. There is little doubt the 2004 is one of the very finest Clos du Mesnils in recent memory. Will it join the 1979, 1988 and 1996 as one of the all-time greats? Now, that is a tasting I would love to do!

Wine & Spirit Magazine (96)

Open the bottle and you'll find harmony in the glass, but the wine remains subtle, stony and mute, as if the flavors lie behind a closed door. Over the course of several days, that door begins to open, the stoniness transforms into sleek fruit, as if to mirror the complexity of the multicolored pebbles that sustain Haut-Brion's vines, a range of flavors from red to purple to black. The structure grows increasingly substantial, while the harmony remains, lending the wine mysterious power. Twenty years from now, this will just begin to reach a plateau and should sustain itself long after.

Wine Advocate (96+)

This wine was tasted in a magnum. The 2004 Barolo Riserva Vigneto Campe is made with fruit from the highest part of the hill. Luscious and bright, this deeply textured wine puts on a fascinating array of ever-changing aromas. You get licorice, pipe tobacco, black fruit, cassis, tar, rosehip and dried herb. The excellent 2004 vintage has shaped silky, long tannins with the backbone to carry the wine throughout the years. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2035.

Wine Spectator (95-100)

Fascinating aromas of plums, dried flowers and hints of toasty oak. Full-bodied and muscular, with a long finish. Very, very impressive. Racy and well-toned for the vintage. Very well structured. Score range: 95-100

Vinous (96)

Tasted from magnum, the 2004 Grande Cuvée Rosé Alexandra, Laurent-Perrier’s flagship Rosé is a blend of 80% Pinot Noir (on the skins) and 20% Chardonnay vinified together that has only been bottled seven times since 1982. From the very first taste, the 2004 is utterly spectacular. Rich, ample and vertical in feel, the 2004 is dazzling. Dried rose petal, star anise, tobacco, dried flowers, red berry fruit and earthy notes all grace this utterly exquisite Champagne. As good as the 2004 is today – and it is fabulous – it will be even better in another few years’ time. The 2004 has been nothing short of magnificent on both occasions I have tasted it so far.

Vinous (96)

Tasted from magnum, the 2004 Grande Cuvée Rosé Alexandra, Laurent-Perrier’s flagship Rosé is a blend of 80% Pinot Noir (on the skins) and 20% Chardonnay vinified together that has only been bottled seven times since 1982. From the very first taste, the 2004 is utterly spectacular. Rich, ample and vertical in feel, the 2004 is dazzling. Dried rose petal, star anise, tobacco, dried flowers, red berry fruit and earthy notes all grace this utterly exquisite Champagne. As good as the 2004 is today – and it is fabulous – it will be even better in another few years’ time. The 2004 has been nothing short of magnificent on both occasions I have tasted it so far.

Vinous (89-91)

(tasted from cuve Pale, green-tinged yellow. Reduced, meaty aromas of lime, flowers, vanilla, spices, flint and truffle. Round and broad but with good firm acid spine. This, too, is a bit diffuse today and in need of more verve. Finishes with very good breadth and length. The wine's acids have not yet harmonized with the fruit.

Wine Spectator (95-100)

Intense aromas of black licorice, berry and currant follow through to a full-bodied palate, where it builds, with lots of velvety tannins and a long, caressing finish. Reminds me of the 1996 Las Cases; may be better. Score range: 95-100

Les Forts de Latour, is one of Bordeaux’s finest 2nd wines. It reveals cassis, cedar and tobacco, yet it drinks slightly younger than its sibling. The 2004 is sensual with the vibrancy of this vintage. Fruit forward and beautifully defined, it drinking very well at the moment.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (100)

The 2004 Cristal has always been one of my favorites. It is all that again today. A Champagne of precision and nuance, the 2004 impresses with its linear cut and saline intensity. Readers will find a Cristal built on vibrancy more than power or opulence. In this tasting, the 2004 is an absolute stunner. These were the highest yields, even in Champagne. “We dropped half the crop on the Chardonnay and still picked 18,000 kilos (per hectare). That’s massive. We would have picked 25,000 otherwise.” I have always loved the 2004 for its purity. That quality is very much on display today. This is an especially fine bottle, the best I have tasted so far. Dosage is 8 grams per liter. Disgorged: 2011.

Vinous (98+)

Still a baby, the 2004 Cristal Rosé has begun to put on considerable weight over the last few years, which only serves to balance the focus and tension that have always been present. Even at eleven years of age, the 2004 Cristal Rosé remains tightly wound and a touch austere at times. Hints of orange peel, white pepper and cranberry add an exotic flair on the deeply expressive finish. Readers who can find the 2004 should not hesitate, as it is simply stunning by any measure.

Vinous (90+)

Medium red. Medicinal, brooding nose currently dominated by nutty oak. Lush on entry, then rather chunky and medicinal in the middle, with its sweetness currently blocked by huge tannins and strong acids. This very backward wine is all about power and muscle.

Wine Enthusiast (93)

92-94 The wine is dominated by the aromas of new wood. It is rich, sweet and packed with new-wood tannins. These dominate the fruit, but also give sweetness.

Wine Enthusiast (91)

90-92 A fine, perfumed wine which has ripe fruits, flavored with herbs and with fresh acidity. The tannins are dense but not overwhelming, giving a well-balanced wine, already integrated.

Wine & Spirit Magazine (96)

Tasted from barrel in 2005, this wine showed the freshness of the vintage in its bright woodland-berry scent before settling into tannins that felt mineral, powerful and black. Directeur général Paul Pontallier commented at the time, "I consider this to be typical, absolutely, of Château Margaux." Two years on, the wine is definitively Margaux, from the fashionable scent of new oak, to the musculature and vinous strength of the fruit. The sweetness of the fraises des bois and plum seems improbable in the context of a completely dry, concentrated yet ethereal taste that doesn't stop. The wine will taunt you with its delicate, silken power whether you drink it in ten, 20 or 30 years.

Vinous (92)

(this wine was reviewed in July 2008 and is a library release, with a price to match) Deep ruby. Potent cassis and blueberry aromas show excellent clarity and lift, and cigar box, licorice and vanilla notes add complexity. Supple, broad and appealingly sweet, offering concentrated dark berry, cola, vanilla and peppery spice flavors and a smoky quality that emerges on the back half. Finishes long and smooth, featuring slow-building tannins and lingering blue fruit and oak spice qualities. For a 13-year-old wine, this one is extremely youthful.

Exhibiting the sophistication of fine wine, the Mas Gil Emporda Clos Agon 2004 is a stunning product of Spain's Emporda region. This esteemed winery, owned by the Gil family since 1998, is nestled in the Verdera mountain foothills. The Emporda Clos Agon 2004, with its elegant intensity and complex character, speaks of a meticulously monitored wine-making process.

Crafted from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and Grenache, it matures in a French oak ensemble that releases mouth-watering notes of ripe dark fruits, crowned by a hint of spiciness. Aged for two decades, the Mas Gil Emporda Clos Agon 2004 is now gracefully mature, boasting a resilient ruby colour and tannins that have mellowed over time.

This wine is testimony to Mas Gil's dedication to preserving the locality's wine-making heritage, providing an elegant taste of Emporda. Relax in its velvety embrace as you savour the rich, layered palate, that amplifies the splendour of the Mas Gil Emporda Clos Agon 2004.