Opened tonight with some broiled lamb chops and a selection of heirloom tomatoes insalata caprese.
c: dark garnet with no browning at the edge n: a bit reticent initially, but after decanting it opens and shows pencil lead, plums, berries and smoke p: medium-full body, stiff acidic spine that softens with time, soft tannins, smoky berryish fruit and mineral notes; still youthful several hours after decanting
Another '97 picked up on the cheap at Sam's when they were clearing the shelves for the '00s. This wine is far from profound, but certainly weightier than most of its contemporaries. Although I'm not sure that it's likely to improve much, it's probably good for another 5 years easily before it begins any sort of decline. Needless to say, it went well with the lamb.
Mark Lipton