2004 Washington State Vintage

The 2004 growing season in Washington was characterized by sustained summer heat that accelerated ripening and drove berry size down significantly. A cool autumn then slowed the final stages of maturation, extending hang time and allowing phenolic development without overripening. The combination of heat accumulation and a measured finish to the season is the defining narrative of this vintage. Washington's Columbia Valley, protected from Pacific moisture by the Cascade Mountains and receiving just 6 to 8 inches of annual rainfall, was well suited to handle the warm season with irrigation providing growers fine control over vine water status.

• Hot summer accelerated ripening and produced notably small berries with elevated skin-to-juice ratios
• Cool fall extended hang time, with some varieties not harvested until early November
• Harvest began as early as August in the state's warmest sites, unusually early by historical standards
• Winter freeze prior to the season caused vine damage in certain areas, reducing yields at some sites

Washington's major red wine appellations each brought something distinctive to the 2004 harvest. Red Mountain, a compact 4,040-acre AVA within the Yakima Valley, is known for powerful, structured Cabernet Sauvignon with intense concentration, and the warm 2004 season amplified these characteristics. The Walla Walla Valley, at the state's southeastern edge, delivered ripe, full-bodied reds from both Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The Horse Heaven Hills, home to prominent vineyards supplying many of Washington's top producers including Quilceda Creek's Champoux Vineyard holdings, contributed fruit-forward Cabernet and Merlot with reliable structure.

• Red Mountain: Warm season reinforced the AVA's reputation for powerful, tannic Cabernet Sauvignon with concentrated berry character
• Walla Walla Valley: Full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with ripe, plush fruit profiles
• Horse Heaven Hills: Reliable Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, key sourcing ground for Washington's top Cabernet producers
• Columbia Valley broadly: Small berry size translated into deep color, concentration, and age-worthy structure across sub-appellations

Several of Washington's most respected producers were active and building reputations through this vintage. Leonetti Cellar, founded in 1977 by Gary and Nancy Figgins as Walla Walla's first commercial winery, had by 2004 transitioned winemaking to Chris Figgins, who took over as head winemaker in 2001. The winery specializes in Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Sangiovese from estate sites in deep Walla Walla loess soils. Quilceda Creek, established in 1978 by Alex and Jeanette Golitzin in Snohomish and dedicated exclusively to Cabernet Sauvignon, had just received back-to-back 100-point scores for its 2002 and 2003 vintages, raising the profile of Washington Cabernet globally. K Vintners, Charles Smith's Rhone-focused winery opened in December 2001, was building its reputation through small-lot, single-vineyard Syrahs from Walla Walla Valley. Col Solare, the 50-50 joint venture between Chateau Ste. Michelle and Marchesi Antinori first established in 1995, was crafting Cabernet Sauvignon-based blends from Columbia Valley fruit.

• Leonetti Cellar: Chris Figgins leading winemaking since 2001, producing estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Sangiovese from Walla Walla Valley loess soils
• Quilceda Creek: Riding the critical momentum of 100-point scores in 2002 and 2003, focused exclusively on Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
• K Vintners: Charles Smith producing small-lot, single-vineyard Syrahs and field blends from Walla Walla Valley, hand-picked and basket-pressed
• Col Solare: Chateau Ste. Michelle and Marchesi Antinori joint venture producing Cabernet Sauvignon-based red wine from Columbia Valley fruit

The 2004 vintage produced full-bodied Washington reds with rich, ripe flavors. Decanter characterized the Cabernet Sauvignons as full-bodied with rich, ripe flavours, and the Merlots as dark-colored with velvety texture and ripe fruit. The small berry sizes reported across the state contributed to deep pigmentation, concentrated flavors, and firm but not harsh tannin structures. The cool fall that extended the growing season allowed for gradual phenolic development rather than the abrupt shutdown that hotter finishes can cause, lending the wines greater complexity than a simple heat-driven vintage might suggest.

• Cabernet Sauvignon: Full-bodied, rich, and ripe with deep color derived from small berry size
• Merlot: Dark-colored, velvety texture, and ripe fruit character across the Columbia Valley
• Extended hang time from cool autumn contributed phenolic development and complexity
• Washington's diurnal temperature swings preserved natural acidity, providing balance to the ripe fruit profiles

The combination of concentrated fruit, firm tannin structures from small berries, and the natural acidity preserved by Washington's large diurnal temperature swings gave the best 2004 reds genuine cellaring ability. Now more than two decades from the harvest, the top Cabernet Sauvignons from producers like Leonetti Cellar and Quilceda Creek will be in various stages of maturity depending on storage conditions. Entry-level Columbia Valley reds from 2004 have long since reached full maturity, while structured, single-vineyard Cabernets from Red Mountain and Walla Walla are best assessed bottle by bottle.

• Entry-level Columbia Valley reds: Well past peak, best consumed immediately if bottles remain
• Mid-tier Merlot and Cabernet blends: At or past optimal drinking; secondary flavors should be well developed
• Top Walla Walla and Red Mountain Cabernets: Premium examples from leading producers may still be drinking well with tertiary complexity
• Storage history is critical for any 2004 bottle assessed today, as over two decades of cellaring conditions vary significantly

The 2004 vintage sits in an interesting position in Washington's recent history. The 2003 vintage, which immediately preceded it, was widely regarded by Washington winemakers and growers as among the best in state history, with harvest beginning as early as September 2 at Red Mountain and Walla Walla. The 2005 vintage that followed 2004 earned scores of 95 on at least one prominent vintage chart, described as an excellent, near-perfect vintage with highly concentrated fruit. By comparison, 2004 earned a solid 93-point rating on one chart, noted for cooler harvest temperatures following a hot growing season that produced balanced and rich wines, a strong but not exceptional year in the context of the decade.

• 2003: Widely considered one of Washington's best vintages by growers and winemakers; 2004 followed with a more moderate profile
• 2004 scored 93 on at least one vintage chart, praised for balance derived from cool-harvest finish after a hot summer
• 2005 scored 95 on the same chart, described as near-perfect; a step up in terms of critical consensus
• Quilceda Creek's 100-point runs in 2002 and 2003 set a high benchmark; 2004 maintained solid quality without reaching those heights