Winemaker Michael Trujillo is overjoyed with the potential for the 2004 E II Napa Valley Red Wine. " I am exceedingly pleased with this wine. It’s one of the better 2004’s and certainly one of the best E II Reds we’ve ever produced– this is a serious wine."

The 2004 vintage in Napa Valley was one of the shortest growing seasons on record. It started with record breaking warm weather in spring and brought on early bud-break followed by a warm, dry summer. But the heat spells in September increased the speed of maturation giving us one of the earliest harvests we’ve ever experienced.

Our Big HL block in the vineyard was harvested on October 2 and J block and the Bottom 40 for E II on October 13, two weeks earlier than any previous harvest. Our tonnage was slightly lower overall, but the quality was so even and balanced that the entire Bottom 40 crop went into the 2004 E II Red Wine . . . leaving none for our home-brew, the “Almost Howell Mountain” label.

If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.

According to winemaker Michael Trujillo, the 2004 E II Red is another classic example of wine from our vineyard. " The nose is signature Herb Lamb Vineyard, showing concentrated mountain fruit, mint, blueberry and a little herbal note. But this vintage has less of the light red fruits like cherry and raspberry and more of the black fruits such as blackberry, black raspberry and intense dried cherry – a miniature version of the HL Vineyards wine."

The 2004 vintage in Napa Valley is most similar to the 2002; big and bold in front, firm and forward – a typical California vintage. The 2004 E II is intensely colored and smells and tastes of sweet, juicy summer fruits, with a pinch of mint and herbs. With airing, this wine opens up nicely and shows complexity with black fruits, mild tannins and spice from the large percentage of new French oak. But it’s still a little tight, and in its youth it may seem a little rough or rigid; it usually takes about a year in the bottle for these wines to really start to show their potential. As it evolves, the 2004 E II Red will take on a creamy, enticing character and show its excellent balance, juicy horsepower and concentrated black fruit and spicy flavors. Just the wine to share with man’s best friend!

The greater alcohol from the riper fruit actually gives this wine its juicy horsepower, and highlights the depth of concentration and complexity. It should age for 5-8 years with no loss of character, but in its youth the fruit will show more vibrantly.