Hundred Acre

Kayli Morgan Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Napa Valley

2004

Vintage

Varietal

Cabernet Sauvignon

ABV

Peak 2011-2032

Where it is, June 2026

At Peak: in the heart of its drinking window (2011-2032).

In 2026, the Hundred Acre Kayli Morgan Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 is 15 years into its peak drinking window (peak_start 2011, peak_end 2032), with 6 more years of prime drinking ahead. Twenty-two years from harvest and approaching the final third of its peak, this wine is showing a composed, fully evolved complexity that distinguishes it from warmer Kayli Morgan vintages. The 2004 was a cooler Napa vintage that produced wines of unusual refinement and elegance rather than the opulent weight of 2007 or 2013: "classic, structured expression with layers of dark plum, blackcurrant, cigar box, and crushed stone" with a "refined, elegant backbone" and "mineral precision and quiet authority" on the finish. In 2026, those qualities have deepened rather than faded. This is the Kayli Morgan for collectors who prize restraint: still vital and compelling, but drinking with increasing urgency as the peak window approaches 2032.

Related vintages

The ‘04 Kayli Morgan Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon.

The refined and elegant Kayli Morgan - WS 95 Classic 2004 is 15 years into peak with 6 years remaining, the most structurally precise of the current Hundred Acre collection.

Drinking window

The arcYou are here · at peak, 2026

Tasting note

Deep garnet with some brick evolution at the rim, twenty-two years from the 2004 harvest. The nose is classically structured and precise: dark plum, blackcurrant, cigar box, and crushed stone lead with the elegant, almost Bordeaux-like restraint that distinguishes the 2004 vintage at the Kayli Morgan site. The palate is layered and composed: silky, fully integrated tannins (4/10) frame flavors of dark cherry, mocha, and dried herbs that have evolved toward secondary complexity. The finish is long, mineral, and marked by a quiet authority that is the signature of this vintage at this site. Medium-full body (7/10), vivid and precise acidity (8/10) drive the wine toward a composed, measured conclusion. Cooler nights in the 2004 vintage preserved an freshness that distinguishes this wine from the richer, more extracted Hundred Acre releases from warmer years. In 2026, this is Hundred Acre at its most elegant.

The 2004 vintage

Wine Spectator rates 2004 Napa Valley a Classic vintage (95 points), characterizing the season as producing "a small crop of exceptional quality; ripe, elegant, concentrated and harmonious" wines. The 2004 growing season was cooler and more moderate than the preceding warm years, with smaller berries from a stress-reduced crop delivering concentrated, elegant fruit rather than the opulent weight of warmer years. Cool nights through the growing season preserved natural freshness, producing wines with a structural precision and mineral backbone unusual for Napa. The result was a vintage that wine critics now recognize as among the finest for long-term aging - less immediately impressive than the hedonistic 2007 or 2013, but producing wines of greater refinement and longevity.

About Hundred Acre

Hundred Acre, founded by Jayson Woodbridge in the Napa Valley, produces single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons from sites selected for their geological and topological distinction. The Kayli Morgan Vineyard occupies a site with red volcanic soil and a specific elevation profile that produces wines of natural structural precision and mineral complexity, distinct from the richer soils of the Ark and Few and Far Between sites. Woodbridge's winemaking approach involves extended cold soaks, native yeast fermentation, and aging in French oak for 20-plus months. The 2004 vintage, with its cooler growing conditions, aligned naturally with the Kayli Morgan site's tendency toward refinement and precision rather than sheer concentration. Production of Kayli Morgan is extremely limited - under 200 cases - making each vintage a collector target. Collectibility score: 90.

From the cellar: pair with

Dry-aged ribeye with bone marrow butter and roasted shallots

Silky integrated tannins (4/10) and dark cherry and mocha complexity (ground truth) match aged beef beautifully; mineral precision (ground truth) and vivid acidity (8/10) cut through richness with focus.

Braised lamb shoulder with herbes de Provence and olive jus

The 2004's cigar box and dried herb complexity (ground truth) harmonizes with lamb and herb preparation; refined elegant backbone (ground truth) and medium-full body (7/10) match the richness without overwhelming.

Aged 18-month Manchego with quince paste

Quiet authority and mineral finish (ground truth) align with nutty aged sheep cheese; silky integrated tannins (4/10) complement without clashing; dark fruit and secondary complexity echo the quince's sweetness.

Service & cellaring

Serving Temp: 62-65F (17-18C)
Decanting: In 2026, decant 45 to 60 minutes. The 2004 has silky, fully integrated tannins and does not need aggressive aeration, but benefits from 45 minutes in a wide Bordeaux bowl to fully open the composed dark fruit and mineral complexity. The wine changes noticeably over 2-3 hours of a meal as it warms: the mineral precision and secondary dried herb complexity become more prominent as it breathes. Given only 6 years of peak remaining, drink at least one bottle now to assess the current state before cellaring the remainder through 2030.
Cellar Storage: 55F (13C), 65-70% humidity, bottle on its side.

Track this bottle Read the Napa Valley, California guide

The drinking window on this bottle is calculated with the Cellared Ageability Index (CAI) v1.0, a 10-factor model. Try the free drinking window calculator on any wine, or read when to drink wine for the practical signals.

Frequently Asked

When is the 2004 Hundred Acre Kayli Morgan at peak in 2026?

Still in peak, with 6 years remaining (peak_end 2032). The wine is in the final third of its drinking window, showing composed, fully evolved complexity with silky integrated tannins and mineral precision. The recommendation in 2026 is to drink now rather than continue extended cellaring - the wine is at its best today and will plateau toward 2032 before declining. Hard decline is 2041. Browse the [Napa Valley wine guide](/wines/region/napa).

How does the 2004 Kayli Morgan compare to warmer Hundred Acre vintages?

The 2004 is the most refined and precise of the current Hundred Acre Kayli Morgan collection. Where warmer vintages like 2007 or 2013 lead with opulence, concentration, and hedonistic richness, the 2004 leads with elegance, mineral precision, and structural restraint. Ground-truth notes describe it as showing 'quiet authority' and a 'refined, elegant backbone' rather than sheer weight. For collectors who prize precision over power, the 2004 is the reference vintage. Compare the [Kayli Morgan 2000](/wines/hundred-acre/kayli-morgan-vineyard-cabernet-sauvignon/2000).

Is 2026 a good time to open the 2004 Kayli Morgan?

Yes - an ideal time. The wine is in its final third of peak (6 years remaining), drinking with composed, fully evolved complexity that shows both the vintage's precision and twenty-two years of bottle development. The silky, fully integrated tannins (4/10) and dark cherry and mineral character are accessible without patience. Given only 6 years of peak remaining, the recommendation is to drink now and hold remaining bottles through 2030 at most.

What food pairs best with the 2004 Hundred Acre Kayli Morgan?

The 2004's refined, structured character calls for classic Napa Cabernet pairings with substance but not vulgarity: dry-aged ribeye with bone marrow, braised lamb shoulder with herbs, wild mushroom risotto with truffle, or aged hard cheese like 18-month Manchego or Pecorino with quince. The wine's mineral precision and dried herb complexity (ground truth) reward preparations with depth and umami rather than heavily smoked or charred flavors. Browse [Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings](/wines/varietal/cabernet-sauvignon).

How should I cellar the remaining 2004 Hundred Acre Kayli Morgan?

Store at 55F (13C), 65-70% humidity, bottle horizontal. The wine has 6 years of peak remaining (peak_end 2032) and a hard decline of 2041. Given the final-third position in the peak window, the recommendation is to drink the majority now and hold only through 2028-2030 maximum. Open a bottle in 2026, 2028, and 2030 to track evolution and ensure you are not cellaring past the optimal window.