1997 Cab Tasting at Phil's

I decided to hold a tasting for friends prior to moving out of NYC and took the opportunity to open a number of 1997 California Cabs. The wines were paired blind with a "ringer" or two thrown in and served in flights. The wines had all been stored extremely well or were sourced from very reliable merchants that are known for good storage and provenance. Although these were not "cult classics" of the vintage I believe the represented very high quality wines from the better AVA's for cab in California.

1997 Kistler "McCrea Vineyard" Sonoma County
Nose of toasted marshmallow, pear, smoke and rich hazelnut. The palate is rich and the color is golden yellow. At the peak of drinkability, not falling apart one bit. This was a gorgeous chardonnay with strong buttery flavors and smokey marshmallow. Great chardonnay in its later years. 92+

2006 Joseph Drouhin Mersault
Light color in the glass, appears strawlike with an almost sauv blanc hue. The palate is elegant with slight buttery richness that underlys pure granny smith apple, starfruit and just a hint of oak. The finish is moderate with the fruit still dominant. 88 - 89

1997 Ferarri Carano "Tresor" Sonoma County
Nose of menthol, bright cherry and currant. The entry is strong, but this bottle was past prime as the finish began to fall apart. Good bright cherry and acid appear in the midpalate but the finish fades quickly. 86

1997 Viader Proprietary Red
Portlike concentration on the nose. Cherry liquor, Framboise, Blackberry flavors rise off the nose in a perfume that is just highlighted with some flowers. Velvety richness on the palate that is softer than any aged Viader I have had prior. Black cherry, sage and blackberry cover the palate. The finish has strong notes of heat, that subside and give it a touch of eucalyptus on the finish. Decant 1 hour or so. 88-91

1997 Livingston Moffett Cabernet Sauvignon "Gemstone Vineyard"
Nose of eucalyptus, wild berry, cherry. The entry makes a huge impression with red currant, blackberry and cherries. Midpalate is nice with Red Cherry flavors, minerals, blackberry, sage and a nice balance of cool menthol/eucalyptus. This is fantastic and has a long lingering finish. 93 pts. WOTF

1998 Chateau Gruaud Larose St. Julien
3 hour decant on this bottle. Gorgeous classic St. Julien nose of earth, smoke, black currant and truffle. The palate is loaded with dark black currant that is covered by bretty/barnyard subtleties and leather. Not viscous or thick, but has a nice structured balance. This could go 20 years more no problem. Long finish. 92 pts

1997 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon Estate
Nose of eucalyptus, mint, black cherry, and red currant. Slightly austere entry, but nice bordeaux like fruit accompanies the nuances. Black berries, sweet tobacco, and graphite in the midpalate with leather and dry brush showing through. Finish is nice with bright cherry, good acidity and mint/eucalyptus showing. Soil/earth develops as it finishes and tobacco becomes more prominent. This has been plateaued for a while. 94+ WOTN

1997 Spotteswoode Cabernet Sauvignon
Very youthful for a wine with nearly 12 years of age. Plums, Black Cherry, Blackberries, Sweet Herbs, and a touch of smoke. The entry is very nice with a great expansive softness of fruit, and the compexities start to reveal themselves slowly. Ripe fruits to tobacco, sage and ash on the finish. This one lingers for a long time.

The tasting was a great success. Everyone involved had fun and got to drink a lot of great wine.