94 points
Drink Date
2013 - 2023
More rich, layered and concentrated, and also showing the age-ability of the wines, the 2004 Cote Bonneville is from a cooler year which was described by Hugh as similar to 2010. Made from 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot that was aged in 100% new French oak, it is still incredibly youthful and fresh on both the nose and palate. Offering up big minerality, cedar box, spice, cherry and cassis aromas and flavors, it is a medium to full-bodied blend that has a light, fresh texture, almost no evolution and a classically constructed, focused finish. A joy to drink, it should continue to evolve for another decade or more. Drink now-2023+. Focusing exclusively on their estate DuBrul Vineyard, this first-rate winery was created in 2002 by Kathy and Hugh Shiels. The wines, now made by their daughter Kerry Shiels since 2009, highlight elegance and finesse with impeccably balanced profiles, silky, light textures and beautiful polish to their substantial tannins. These are not powerhouse reds, yet have an age-worthy feel across the board and I would be shocked if their top Cote Bonneville bottling wasn’t drinking brilliantly at age 25. Nevertheless, they have the balance, purity and texture to deliver plenty of pleasure in their youth.
