I have a soft spot for Cain. It was the first winery I visited in Napa Valley (fairly recently, actually) and I was impressed by the thoughtful approach of Chris Howell. Cain ‘Five’ refers to the fact that the wine contains all five Bordeaux red grapes, and it’s an elegant, rather European-styled wine, made from grapes grown on Spring Mountain.
Cain Five 2004 Napa Valley
Elegant. Brooding nose showing a bit of evolution: subtle green leafiness, tar, spice, plums and blackcurrant. The palate has a lovely elegant green character offsetting the nicely weighted plum, cherry and blackcurrant fruit. There’s sweetness and lushness, but also elegance and freshness, as well as subtle earth and mineral notes. Drinking perfectly now. Superbly balanced. There may be just a hint of Brettanomyces here, giving it a ‘European’ character, but I’m not sure of this, and it certainly isn’t intrusive. 94/100
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5 Comments on Cain Five 2004: a serious Napa Bordeaux blend
2004 was a good year here in Napa.
I thought was Carmenere permitted in claret and if so there are six red grapes.
I don’t think there’s much carmenere in bordeaux any more, but technically – yes, there are six bordeaux red grapes.
Howell, not Powell. But with you on the Cain wines – rare drinkability amid the bodybuilders.
Thanks Simon, now corrected