A reminder of what well-made CA cabs were all about. Fully integrated tannins, great balance of fruit, wood, vanilla. Long finish. So good with grilled beef.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Amazing with beef tenderloin for New Years dinner. Best Last Bottle purchase ever bargain of all time in $30 range. This is at its best now enjoy it in the new year.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very nice. Aged well. Strong red color. Nose was mild when first opened. Developed upon decanting. Very clean and fresh. Fruit forward. Nice smooth finish. Wish I had more.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
at Zeas with Vidrines. Hadn't had one in years - cedar, hint of cinnamon, mild oak still dominating the nose; moderate black fruits on front, very pleasant mild licorice on mid to finish, and drying tannins on 30 second finish. Very smooth and enjoyable 21 year old bottle that I have owned since buying a case on release. No bricking in the color. This one still has time to go - hoping the oak flavors will continue to mellow.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Showed it's age upon opening. The wine was awkward in the first hour. After some air, the wine began to demonstrate some life. The wine drank well, but would say that the fruit was on its last leg.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Awesome bottle. Color is brick on the edges Classic aged Napa cab nose
But on the palate, the fruit is alive. And the floral notes, wow. Dusty, aged Cabernet. Tannins are there... Not sure if it would have bettered with time or not. In any case, totally enjoyable now. I wish there were more.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This wine was in its prime. The greatest aspect in my mind was the floral bouquet. The wine could probably be enjoyed on its own given the fairly low alcohol content, and low tannin remaining or present. Drink up if you have it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very nice but at the end of its run. Fruit is fading but with are gentle notes of black cherry. Tannins are thin but its not flat - almost adds a slipperiness to the palette This is really nice but drink it now. In a year it may be gone.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
My only bottle so no sense of it's progression. Funk blew off after about 20 minutes. Concentrated dark flesh fruit and slightly musty earthiness. Medium structure, resolved tannins, medium-long finish. This came across as wonderfully integrated and balanced, a real pleasure to drink. I suspect it won't improve further.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I decanted the wine for approx. 45 minutes; however, I found that it started losing the flavors and getting flat. I have not had good tasting experience decanting these older wines.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Resilent, upstanding Cabernet that is at a great drinking stage. Expansive flavors of blackberry, wild berry and nutmeg with bright plum notes. This wine has classy symmetry binding refined tastes with soft, supple tannins. A long, detailed finish shows a touch of blueberry on a black licorice laced oak platform. I'm finding that the news of the 97's being dead is greatly exaggerated.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Bottle is at TTOIG! Right from opening, this thing performed well, ripe, but balanced, rutherford dust, slightly spicy, still a little bit of tannins. Lush, smooth, and very well made.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
medium bodied with sweet fruit and sharp tannins but faded fast and is nowhere near its peak after release, in the days when WHL was producing killer cabs for the price point
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Took to John Howie Steak. Decanted for a half hour. Dark ruby red color, little to no sediment. This wine is the poster child for a mature Napa Valley Cab. Generous sweet black fruits with mid palate tannins and and complex long silky finish. Simply the best of all the '97s in my cellar
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted for an hour. Drank side-by-side with 92 Silver Oak Alex (dinner was lamb rack w/liggonberry demi-glace). Initally, more fruit than the SO. As the evening wore on, this gained more complexity; never quite caught up with the SO, but was outstanding. Silky smooth, big tannins, moderate fruit. The liggonberry was a little too much for this wine (too sweet) -- no fault of the wine. This is great now and still has 3-4 more years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Took this one to dinner with the boys at Delfina. We decanted it as we were having our pasta course so it had about 30 minutes to breathe. There were some floral and fruit notes on the nose and the palate was silky smooth. Slightly overpowered by the food. I think this was a little past it's prime. Other 97's I have opened lately have had more complexity.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This is a classic Napa Cab. If possible it is still improving from my last bottle 18 moths ago. It was a little muted at first but after about 30 minutes the wine comes at you with waves of flavors. Sweet black fruits, a bit of tobacco and very smooth finish. Excellence in a bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
upon opening nice black licorice nose, with black cherries and alcohol showing on finish; 30 minutes in the decanter and the alcohol blew off to reveal powerful black cherry flavors from the midpalate through the finish and hints of earthiness on the very smooth finish - no browning or hints of 11 years of age here - think this can get even better with more time in the bottle, try again in a year
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Really beautiful bottle of wine. Was deceiving at first, as it seemed to lack a little depth, but really opened up after 30-45 minutes. Tannins were well integrated, and the fruit was strong, yet subtle, with nearly 30 second finish. Last bottle - wish we had more.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Upon opening it had the smell of a very mature cab - tasting a dissappointment maybe over the hill and a short muted finish. After 60 minutes man this wine blossemed. The structure was great with plenty of mid-palate, tannins beautifully integrated giving the wine srtucture and it put on weight builing into a 30-40 second finish. Beaultiful secondary aromas, plenty of tobacco (13.4% alc) all balanced by great black fruit. Color was slightly faded at the rim but nice and black. Great showing - Drink up!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
tobacco and hint of bellpepper on nose; losing fruit, but delicious Bordeaux style herbal flavors, very dry and tannins still there after all this time - try again in 6 months to see what this one is doing
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Drank tonight with chicken. Needed about 30 minutes of air to come around. Tannins are dissapating so this one is for near-term drinking. Complexity in the aromas with pencil lead, some cream soda and throngs of juicy black fruit. Smooth tannins and good mediaum mouthfeel with notes of plum and a touch of spice. Good finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Impressive wine. Has held up very well. Decanted for about 45 mins. The wine had a deep red ruby color. The fruit was full of blackberry and blueberry flavors. Drink now!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
a little old at furst but that mellowed quickly. very mellow indeed. still some tannins, a lot of heat. a little fruit, but its getting pretty hidden. mostly earth and leather notes. great $28 cab.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This almost 10-year-old cab offered up some funky aromas at first with acetone and vegetal notes. After about 30 minutes, the wet coffee grinds, tar and chocolate came through. Flavors of wild cherry and raspberry on the nose. This wine showed little if no hints at reaching its decade mark. Tannins were in balance and this wine was ready to go. Drink now!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
WIML90,PURPLE89,WA88,WS91 Tasted April 4, 2006 at home with a dinner of grilled Ostrich tenderloin. Opened and served immediately without decanting in a Spiegelau Authentis Magnum glass. Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of currants, black licorice, cherries, smoke and some leather. Also picked up some floral components. Flavors of black cherries, cherries, red licorice and plums. There was a decent amount of sediment stuck to the side of the bottle but less than ¼ teaspoon from the last pour from the bottle. Decant only for sediment, do not allow it to breath too much. Drink now. Value is agreeable. My last bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted 45 minutes with just a little sediment showing. Dark cherry color with no bricking evident, but not colored to the rim. Very deep core of cassis and blackberry with hints of vanilla and licorice. Very primary cab fruit. Palate follwed from the nose and was well balanced with a satisfying midpalate. Finish was medium length and displayed soft, well-integrated tannins. Pleasurable now and has some years left in it, but if I had anymore of these I would be drinking now and over the next three years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
7/5/2022 - oldcabman Likes this wine: 90 Points
A reminder of what well-made CA cabs were all about. Fully integrated tannins, great balance of fruit, wood, vanilla. Long finish.
So good with grilled beef.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/16/2022 - AlexHop Likes this wine: 92 Points
Really nice- super mellow with age, lots of old Cabernet character. No obvious off notes, just warm and beautiful
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/2/2020 - KLDrake wrote: 95 Points
Amazing with beef tenderloin for New Years dinner. Best Last Bottle purchase ever bargain of all time in $30 range. This is at its best now enjoy it in the new year.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/28/2019 - AJ1005 wrote:
Last bottle. Well worth waiting for. Outstanding.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/27/2019 - hcjoyce Likes this wine: 90 Points
Very nice. Aged well. Strong red color. Nose was mild when first opened. Developed upon decanting. Very clean and fresh. Fruit forward. Nice smooth finish. Wish I had more.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/8/2019 - mjiman Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drinking beautifully. Still very fresh tasting so I believe it has some years to go. Tannins are still evident but mellow.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/17/2018 - AlexHop Likes this wine: 92 Points
Beautiful, elegant. Nice aged character. Perfect age.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/25/2018 - Louisiana George wrote: 91 Points
at Zeas with Vidrines. Hadn't had one in years - cedar, hint of cinnamon, mild oak still dominating the nose; moderate black fruits on front, very pleasant mild licorice on mid to finish, and drying tannins on 30 second finish. Very smooth and enjoyable 21 year old bottle that I have owned since buying a case on release. No bricking in the color. This one still has time to go - hoping the oak flavors will continue to mellow.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/3/2017 - europat55 wrote: 92 Points
A little bit on the heavy side, but delicious.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/15/2017 - Bobbusch wrote: 90 Points
Showed it's age upon opening. The wine was awkward in the first hour. After some air, the wine began to demonstrate some life. The wine drank well, but would say that the fruit was on its last leg.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/24/2016 - europat55 wrote: 93 Points
Really delicious!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/31/2015 - mdipietro wrote: 94 Points
Awesome bottle. Color is brick on the edges
Classic aged Napa cab nose
But on the palate, the fruit is alive. And the floral notes, wow. Dusty, aged Cabernet. Tannins are there... Not sure if it would have bettered with time or not. In any case, totally enjoyable now.
I wish there were more.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/25/2015 - wine maestro wrote: 91 Points
97 Retro
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/28/2014 - Aideng12 Likes this wine: 93 Points
This wine was in its prime. The greatest aspect in my mind was the floral bouquet. The wine could probably be enjoyed on its own given the fairly low alcohol content, and low tannin remaining or present. Drink up if you have it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/9/2013 - rwerner Likes this wine: 89 Points
Decanted for an hour and opened up to full flavors. obviously past its prime however.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/4/2012 - kstackle wrote: 90 Points
Still very nice. Had with steak and lobster and worked well with the food. Not going down hill yet, but close.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/26/2012 - grapejuicedrinker wrote: 90 Points
Very nice but at the end of its run. Fruit is fading but with are gentle notes of black cherry. Tannins are thin but its not flat - almost adds a slipperiness to the palette This is really nice but drink it now. In a year it may be gone.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/14/2012 - Vitispulmonus Likes this wine: 92 Points
Mature but not past due. Slight brown on rim. Nice fruit still present. Won't hold on too much longer.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/28/2012 - JSolo wrote: 90 Points
Very good. Did not decant. Ready to drink.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/10/2012 - g289519 wrote: 90 Points
Chocolaty. In a good place right now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/4/2012 - Empirate wrote: 92 Points
My only bottle so no sense of it's progression. Funk blew off after about 20 minutes. Concentrated dark flesh fruit and slightly musty earthiness. Medium structure, resolved tannins, medium-long finish. This came across as wonderfully integrated and balanced, a real pleasure to drink. I suspect it won't improve further.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/27/2011 - jfont123 wrote: 92 Points
So sad that this was my last bottle
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/29/2011 - JSolo wrote: 88 Points
I decanted the wine for approx. 45 minutes; however, I found that it started losing the flavors and getting flat. I have not had good tasting experience decanting these older wines.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/7/2011 - jfont123 wrote: 92 Points
Terrific. Still going strong with slight browning on the edges... drink now!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/17/2011 - mtdv wrote: 89 Points
Very good. The last of a case. It may be 6 months past its ideal window.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/12/2011 - ssterioff wrote: 91 Points
Minimal nose; soft, lost some fruit, but very enjoyable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/14/2010 - wine maestro wrote: 91 Points
Resilent, upstanding Cabernet that is at a great drinking stage. Expansive flavors
of blackberry, wild berry and nutmeg with bright plum notes. This wine has classy
symmetry binding refined tastes with soft, supple tannins. A long, detailed finish
shows a touch of blueberry on a black licorice laced oak platform. I'm finding that
the news of the 97's being dead is greatly exaggerated.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/22/2010 - JDRFoster wrote: 91 Points
Showing great balance, ripe dark fruit, smoky oak, this is drinking beautifully.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/20/2010 - rfras wrote: 92 Points
My last bottle of this great '97 Cab. Notes similar to my last tasting. Great wine!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/23/2010 - TheEngineer wrote: 94 Points
Bottle is at TTOIG!
Right from opening, this thing performed well, ripe, but balanced, rutherford dust, slightly spicy, still a little bit of tannins. Lush, smooth, and very well made.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/14/2010 - S. Lorin wrote: 85 Points
medium bodied with sweet fruit and sharp tannins but faded fast and is nowhere near its peak after release, in the days when WHL was producing killer cabs for the price point
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/19/2009 - Chrisinroch wrote:
Wow, still lots of grip and strong fruit. Has plenty of life left in it
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/12/2009 - wongkevins wrote: 95 Points
Fantastic wine, dark ruby color, great fruit and body. Drank better and better as the night went on.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/9/2009 - rfras wrote: 94 Points
Took to John Howie Steak. Decanted for a half hour. Dark ruby red color, little to no sediment. This wine is the poster child for a mature Napa Valley Cab. Generous sweet black fruits with mid palate tannins and and complex long silky finish. Simply the best of all the '97s in my cellar
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/23/2009 - Wino from Michigan wrote: 92 Points
Great wine -- what a balance of fruit and body. The fresh fruit with the the tannic finish is a great company to any meal.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/16/2009 - Paco wrote: 93 Points
Decanted for an hour. Drank side-by-side with 92 Silver Oak Alex (dinner was lamb rack w/liggonberry demi-glace). Initally, more fruit than the SO. As the evening wore on, this gained more complexity; never quite caught up with the SO, but was outstanding. Silky smooth, big tannins, moderate fruit. The liggonberry was a little too much for this wine (too sweet) -- no fault of the wine. This is great now and still has 3-4 more years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/25/2009 - mtdv wrote: 93 Points
Even better than we remembered. AGing very well
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/5/2008 - AllRed wrote: 92 Points
The Blind Drunks 1997 California Cab Retrospective Dinner (Dunham Woods Riding Club, Wayne, Illinois): Aromas of red currant, cherry and mint. Red fruit qualities on the palate, with nice length to the finish. Developed a slight pruny quality as it sat in the glass.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/13/2008 - rjbsfo wrote: 88 Points
Took this one to dinner with the boys at Delfina. We decanted it as we were having our pasta course so it had about 30 minutes to breathe. There were some floral and fruit notes on the nose and the palate was silky smooth. Slightly overpowered by the food. I think this was a little past it's prime. Other 97's I have opened lately have had more complexity.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/26/2008 - ptmantb wrote: 92 Points
STILL QUITE FRESH WITH GOOD FRUIT AND A COMPLEX MIX OF FLAVORS. NICE FINISH
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/6/2008 - winemaker wrote: 92 Points
Still terrific. At peak in my view.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/30/2008 - rfras wrote: 93 Points
This is a classic Napa Cab. If possible it is still improving from my last bottle 18 moths ago. It was a little muted at first but after about 30 minutes the wine comes at you with waves of flavors. Sweet black fruits, a bit of tobacco and very smooth finish. Excellence in a bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/22/2008 - Louisiana George wrote: 92 Points
upon opening nice black licorice nose, with black cherries and alcohol showing on finish; 30 minutes in the decanter and the alcohol blew off to reveal powerful black cherry flavors from the midpalate through the finish and hints of earthiness on the very smooth finish - no browning or hints of 11 years of age here - think this can get even better with more time in the bottle, try again in a year
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/16/2008 - winelovr2001 wrote: 92 Points
Sweet, delicate fruit and a long finish. It is at its peak right now, and I would not hold it more than a few more years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/3/2008 - zippythep wrote: 94 Points
Really beautiful bottle of wine. Was deceiving at first, as it seemed to lack a little depth, but really opened up after 30-45 minutes. Tannins were well integrated, and the fruit was strong, yet subtle, with nearly 30 second finish. Last bottle - wish we had more.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/15/2007 - David S wrote: 95 Points
At its peak - an amazing bottle of wine
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/29/2007 - sgamiz wrote: 97 Points
One of the best Napa Cabs I ever tasted!!!!!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/26/2007 - Brett wrote: 91 Points
Nice nose, very nice flavors. Last bottle....
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/8/2007 - bmauger wrote: 92 Points
Upon opening it had the smell of a very mature cab - tasting a dissappointment maybe over the hill and a short muted finish. After 60 minutes man this wine blossemed. The structure was great with plenty of mid-palate, tannins beautifully integrated giving the wine srtucture and it put on weight builing into a 30-40 second finish. Beaultiful secondary aromas, plenty of tobacco (13.4% alc) all balanced by great black fruit. Color was slightly faded at the rim but nice and black. Great showing - Drink up!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/10/2007 - mmeng wrote: 90 Points
Solid. Opened up after only 15 minutes, in bottle. Well balanced, with less fruit than anticipated.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/3/2007 - Louisiana George wrote: 92 Points
tobacco and hint of bellpepper on nose; losing fruit, but delicious Bordeaux style herbal flavors, very dry and tannins still there after all this time - try again in 6 months to see what this one is doing
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/14/2007 - Double D wrote: 94 Points
It was worth the wait...wish I had more. Tannic while young this one did get better over time.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/13/2007 - lafon_rochet wrote: 92 Points
Drank tonight with chicken. Needed about 30 minutes of air to come around. Tannins are dissapating so this one is for near-term drinking. Complexity in the aromas with pencil lead, some cream soda and throngs of juicy black fruit. Smooth tannins and good mediaum mouthfeel with notes of plum and a touch of spice. Good finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/25/2006 - rfras wrote: 91 Points
Impressive wine. Has held up very well. Decanted for about 45 mins. The wine had a deep red ruby color. The fruit was full of blackberry and blueberry flavors. Drink now!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/19/2006 - twoamps wrote: 89 Points
a little old at furst but that mellowed quickly. very mellow indeed. still some tannins, a lot of heat. a little fruit, but its getting pretty hidden. mostly earth and leather notes. great $28 cab.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/1/2006 - lafon_rochet wrote:
This almost 10-year-old cab offered up some funky aromas at first with acetone and vegetal notes. After about 30 minutes, the wet coffee grinds, tar and chocolate came through. Flavors of wild cherry and raspberry on the nose. This wine showed little if no hints at reaching its decade mark. Tannins were in balance and this wine was ready to go. Drink now!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/19/2006 - dwhsieh wrote: 95 Points
excellent. Drinking very well now
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/5/2006 - wineismylife wrote: 90 Points
WIML90,PURPLE89,WA88,WS91
Tasted April 4, 2006 at home with a dinner of grilled Ostrich tenderloin. Opened and served immediately without decanting in a Spiegelau Authentis Magnum glass. Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of currants, black licorice, cherries, smoke and some leather. Also picked up some floral components. Flavors of black cherries, cherries, red licorice and plums. There was a decent amount of sediment stuck to the side of the bottle but less than ¼ teaspoon from the last pour from the bottle. Decant only for sediment, do not allow it to breath too much. Drink now. Value is agreeable. My last bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/30/2005 - thomaskeil wrote: 90 Points
Decanted 45 minutes with just a little sediment showing. Dark cherry color with no bricking evident, but not colored to the rim. Very deep core of cassis and blackberry with hints of vanilla and licorice. Very primary cab fruit. Palate follwed from the nose and was well balanced with a satisfying midpalate. Finish was medium length and displayed soft, well-integrated tannins. Pleasurable now and has some years left in it, but if I had anymore of these I would be drinking now and over the next three years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/9/2000 - brianofthevine wrote: 90 Points
Black cherry, mocha, chocolate, earth, smooth tannins, long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment