This was fun. No real expectations...I mean what would you expect from a Kenwood 1997. Very pleasant surprise. Needed about 1/2 hr of air. Still dark still somewhat fresh. Reminded me of a value priced Medoc at 5-7 years without the green pepper. Good on the attack, short to medium on the finish. This is not going to get better. Don't over complicated the food pairing. A simple steak and salad. Baked potato with sour cream and bacon. Again, who would have thought..a 1997 kenwood!
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Scoring a Random Mini Vertical - Kenwood Jack London Cabernet - 1996, 1997, 1998 (Pueblo West, Colorado): This was the unanimous WOTN for myself and the two family members who are somewhat into wine and enjoyed these bottles with me. Much darker aromas and color than the 96, with more blue and black fruits dominating and sweet cassis. This was drinking much younger than the 96 and definitely had a bigger/more full mouth-feel. Blind I probably would have called it an early 2000 cab. Incredibly smooth with integrated tannins and a long finish. A great 1997 cab that has aged very well and IMHO, drinking at it’s peak.
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I am surprised at the nose of a wine this old. It seems “fresher” than I would have guessed—not oaky at all. Introduction to the palate is quite pleasant—fairly smooth with typical cabernet cassis flavors. Very tame tannin. However, as the wine moves past mid-palate a sharp tartness takes over. Sadly, what begins as a terrific, aged Cabernet Sauvignon slides down on the finish to a good wine, but not a special wine.
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2/5/2017 - JohnTelford Likes this wine: 90 Points
This was fun. No real expectations...I mean what would you expect from a Kenwood 1997. Very pleasant surprise. Needed about 1/2 hr of air. Still dark still somewhat fresh. Reminded me of a value priced Medoc at 5-7 years without the green pepper. Good on the attack, short to medium on the finish. This is not going to get better. Don't over complicated the food pairing. A simple steak and salad. Baked potato with sour cream and bacon. Again, who would have thought..a 1997 kenwood!
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7/4/2016 - RichEB1 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Scoring a Random Mini Vertical - Kenwood Jack London Cabernet - 1996, 1997, 1998 (Pueblo West, Colorado): This was the unanimous WOTN for myself and the two family members who are somewhat into wine and enjoyed these bottles with me. Much darker aromas and color than the 96, with more blue and black fruits dominating and sweet cassis. This was drinking much younger than the 96 and definitely had a bigger/more full mouth-feel. Blind I probably would have called it an early 2000 cab. Incredibly smooth with integrated tannins and a long finish. A great 1997 cab that has aged very well and IMHO, drinking at it’s peak.
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4/25/2015 - SadEdjo Likes this wine: 92 Points
Textbook premium Cali-cab. Ripe sweet cassis, pencil shavings, sweet, well-integrated tannins. Not a rough edge to be seen. At peak
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3/29/2015 - BucketList wrote: flawed
Unfortunately this bottle is well past it's prime. Not really drinkable.
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8/10/2014 - EMark wrote:
I am surprised at the nose of a wine this old. It seems “fresher” than I would have guessed—not oaky at all. Introduction to the palate is quite pleasant—fairly smooth with typical cabernet cassis flavors. Very tame tannin. However, as the wine moves past mid-palate a sharp tartness takes over. Sadly, what begins as a terrific, aged Cabernet Sauvignon slides down on the finish to a good wine, but not a special wine.
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