Sampled a bottle of this just when it arrived late last week (Wine Club S.F., $18). Decanted only briefly (20 minutes). It delivered a dense (but not particularly complex) mid-palate consisting of dark berry and licorice with slight hints of spice and herbs. Tannins are polished and sustain themselves nicely through the moderately lengthy and entirely satisfying finish. The entire package appears to be oaked just right and poised too improve with short term cellaring. An excellent QPR at under $20. 90-92 pts IMO.

P.S. The designation "Alexander Valley" is even more prominent on the label than the "Appellation Selection" moniker.

[ 09-24-2002, 04:07 PM: Message edited by: The Riddler ]

If I am correct this new labeling is what used to be their "cask" bottling. The 1997 Sonoma Cask was one of my favorite QPR CS.

IW

Riddler, Nice TN's, sounds like Sebastiani is still maintaining the quality at a very, very good price for Sonoma County wines.

I have had the 93, 94, 96, 97, and 97 Sonoma Valley CS's this year and they were all drinking very nicely. Haven't had the courage to try the 98, but I am glad to hear the 99's are right back in the groove.

IW, your assumption is the same as mine. I have seen nothing to suggest that Sebastiani intends to market a "Sonoma Cask" offering similar to the wonderful '97 that they put out. I finished my last bottle of that a few months back and it was still going strong.

I will say that the '99 Appellation Selection has a different taste profile than the '97 Sonoma Cask. The '99 seems to trend slightly more to the cassis and chocolate end of the spectrum, while the '97 (especially now) arguably features a stronger berry component. I still rate them equal in quality, which is saying alot given their very attractive price points.

Given the price and availability of the '99, hopefully others will soon have comments to share that are consistent or inconsistent with my humble views.

Riddler (and all);
Posted TN's recently on the '99 Sebastiani Carneros PN, also an "Appellation Selection" labeled wine. I thought the '99 PN was absolutely wonderful - not a long-term ager but a great drinking PN for now and the next 2-3 yrs., perhaps a bit more. At $18 (locally) I've purchased all I can find - a real favorite PN priced right.

kybo, I second your view on the Appellation PN. Really nice bottle at a great price. Supposedly the PA state store syetem bought 1/4 of the supply of this wine so it is widely available in PA stores. I have 3 or 4 bottles and I've been meaning to buy more.

Thanks for the TNs, Riddler. The retailers here in Minneapolis are still trying to get rid of the 98, so I haven't seen the 99 yet, but have been anxiously looking. I kick myself for only buying 2 of the 97s. One of the best QPR wines ever! At least I still have one left.

thanks also for clarifying the new name. I figured that to be the case, based on the price you indicated.

MQ:
HOGS! Geez, there are only 1,917 cases of this stuff floating around...1/4 of the allocation goes to PA?!?!?

Now, that makes me MTH!!!!

kybo, you have to let us Pennsylvanians have whatever crumbs we can find. This is one minor high point in the otherwise bleak and barren PA state controlled liquor distribution system.

Did I mention that you can't buy wine and beer in the same store in this God forsaken state? Or that you can't buy anything on Sunday, ever?

MisterQ,
Of course you can buy beer on Sunday in PA! Just go to any package goods store and pay $10-$12 for a 6-pack of Yuengling! Where's your loyalty?

Yes, budman, who among us has not had to take those desperate measures, else be beerless for the big game.

I hate when that happens.

The Appellation bottling is a different wine than the Sonoma Cask. I bought multiple bottles of each from the 1997 vintage and while I loved both the Appellation wine is a little "bigger" and more brooding than the Cask. Thanks for the note.

With you all on the Seb. 97 cask. Very nice wine. Have not had the 99 Seb. AV yet but it does appear, reflecting on the Hanna AV 99 Cab, that the 99 AV appelation may be putting out some great valued wines.