2004
A sleeper year with quiet depth — 2004 didn’t make immediate waves, but rewarded attentive winemakers with balanced, classically styled wines across many regions. A steady recovery year after climatic extremes in prior vintages.
🗓️ Historic Moments
🗳️ Facebook launches at Harvard – The start of global social media
🎬 The Incredibles premieres – Pixar redefines the superhero genre
🌪️ Indian Ocean tsunami – One of history’s deadliest natural disasters
🏆 Red Sox break the “Curse” – First World Series title since 1918
🇺🇸 Bush re-elected in U.S. – Defeats John Kerry in presidential race
💥 NATO expands eastward – Seven new countries join the alliance
📉 Oil prices hit $50+ – Sparks global inflation concerns
🇫🇷 Bordeaux (2004)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Maritime | 70–82°F (21–28°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Cool spring, long dry harvest window
Challenges/Highlights: Merlot struggled; Cabernet benefited from late ripening
Harvest Window: Late September to mid-October
Reception & Scores: Classic and restrained; not flashy, but structured
Aging Potential: Best Left Bank wines aging gracefully (15–20 years)
🇫🇷 Burgundy (2004)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Continental | 68–79°F (20–26°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Tricky with mildew pressure mid-season
Challenges/Highlights: Careful sorting required; whites outperformed reds
Harvest Window: Early September
Reception & Scores: Crisp whites; reds are lighter and early-drinking
Aging Potential: Best whites to 2030; reds shorter-lived
🇫🇷 Rhône Valley (2004)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Mediterranean (South) / Continental (North) | 72–90°F (22–32°C)
Weather Summary: Warm and dry, especially in the north
Challenges/Highlights: Steady conditions helped Syrah and Grenache
Harvest Window: Mid to late September
Reception & Scores: Classic, spicy style; balanced and not overripe
Aging Potential: 10–15 years for top producers
🇫🇷 Champagne (2004)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Cool Continental | 65–75°F (18–24°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Large, healthy crop with ideal sugar-acid balance
Challenges/Highlights: Declared vintage by many top houses
Harvest Window: Late September
Reception & Scores: Elegant and precise; long-aging vintage
Aging Potential: 20+ years for prestige cuvées
🇮🇹 Piedmont (2004)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Continental | 70–83°F (21–28°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Near-perfect — sunny days, cool nights
Challenges/Highlights: Nebbiolo excelled in both Barolo and Barbaresco
Harvest Window: October
Reception & Scores: Universally praised; benchmark vintage
Aging Potential: 20–30+ years for top Barolo
🇮🇹 Tuscany (2004)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Mediterranean | 75–88°F (24–31°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Warm, dry summer with ideal ripening
Challenges/Highlights: Even ripeness across Sangiovese and Bordeaux blends
Harvest Window: Mid to late September
Reception & Scores: Harmonious and fresh; well-rated across appellations
Aging Potential: Brunello and Bolgheri will cellar 15–25 years
🇪🇸 Rioja & Ribera del Duero (2004)
Rioja 🌡️ Temperature Summary: Continental with Atlantic influence | 70–86°F (21–30°C)
Ribera del Duero 🌡️ Temperature Summary: Continental | 80–90°F (27–32°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Dry warmth with cool nights
Challenges/Highlights: Firm tannin, great acidity = balanced aging
Harvest Window: Late September to early October
Reception & Scores: Traditional style with freshness and depth
Aging Potential: 20+ years for Gran Reserva-level wines
🇩🇪 Mosel (2004)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Cool Continental | 65–77°F (18–25°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Cool and classic; long hang time
Challenges/Highlights: Pristine acidity in Kabinett and Spätlese wines
Harvest Window: October–early November
Reception & Scores: High-acid, mineral-driven Rieslings
Aging Potential: 10–20 years depending on style
🇺🇸 Napa Valley (2004)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Warm Mediterranean | 82–95°F (28–35°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Hot and fast; early harvest
Challenges/Highlights: Ripeness spiked, some balance issues
Harvest Window: August to early September
Reception & Scores: Plush, high-alcohol wines with variable structure
Aging Potential: Top estates still drinking well; others peaked
🇺🇸 Sonoma (2004)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Cool to Warm Mediterranean | 72–88°F (22–31°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Warm vintage with some heat spikes
Challenges/Highlights: Pinot Noir and Chard showed restraint with smart handling
Harvest Window: Early to mid-September
Reception & Scores: Freshness possible from top producers
Aging Potential: 10–15 years; many wines near peak
🇺🇸 Willamette Valley (2004)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Cool Maritime | 68–82°F (20–28°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Dry summer, cool harvest = long hang time
Challenges/Highlights: Acidity preserved in Pinots
Harvest Window: Late September to early October
Reception & Scores: Elegant and red-fruited; classically Oregon
Aging Potential: 15–20 years for well-structured examples
🇺🇸 Washington State (2004)
Columbia Valley 🌡️ Temperature Summary: Warm Continental | 75–92°F (24–33°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Warm season with cool finishing stretch
Challenges/Highlights: Dense reds with polish and precision
Harvest Window: Mid-September to early October
Reception & Scores: Excellent quality across AVAs
Aging Potential: 15–20 years for Cab, Merlot, Syrah
🇦🇺 Australia (2004)
Barossa 🌡️ Temperature Summary: Warm Mediterranean | 85–95°F (29–35°C) avg daytime highs
Margaret River 🌡️ Temperature Summary: Maritime | 73–86°F (23–30°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Cool and dry, especially in premium zones
Challenges/Highlights: Barossa Shiraz and Margaret River Chardonnay stood out
Harvest Window: February to April
Reception & Scores: Structured, age-worthy; not overripe
Aging Potential: 10–20 years depending on producer
🇿🇦 South Africa (2004)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Mediterranean | 75–88°F (24–31°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Mild and even; low disease pressure
Challenges/Highlights: Good year for both whites and reds
Harvest Window: February to March
Reception & Scores: Subtle, classically styled wines
Aging Potential: 10–15 years
🇦🇷 Argentina (2004)
Mendoza 🌡️ Temperature Summary: Arid Continental | 80–90°F (27–32°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Cool, steady vintage with long hang times
Challenges/Highlights: Malbecs showed purity and energy
Harvest Window: March to April
Reception & Scores: Excellent balance and fruit expression
Aging Potential: 10–15 years
🇨🇱 Chile (2004)
Maipo 🌡️ Temperature Summary: Mediterranean with cool Andes nights | 72–86°F (22–30°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Cool nights preserved acidity
Challenges/Highlights: Herbal, structured Cabernets shined
Harvest Window: March
Reception & Scores: Solid year; international quality recognition
Aging Potential: 10–15 years
