Decided to try one of these (purchased in Atlanta) to gauge how well the case I have at home is progressing. Opened, but not decanted.

Deep purple color, not completely opaque, initial aromas of plums, smoke, cedar, and heat from the alcohol content (14.7%). Initial dark fruit, strong coffee and vanilla flavors were nearly squelched by the gripping tannins. Way out of balance.

After ½ hour the wine began settling down, with more dark plum, currants, and cedar showing through. The tannins became less pronounced, though were still in the forefront, powdery-dry and mouth-filling.

At the 1-hour mark the wine began to show some complexity, with pencil shavings and cocoa emerging on the nose and palate. A tart twinge of red fruit hits the front of your tongue, then a rush of blackberry and cedar followed by a bitter chocolate and red-fruit laden finish, still with a bit of heat on the long finish. Much better balance between the fruit, acid, and tannins.

At the 2-hour mark the wine had come into its own. The nose showed dark fruit, currants, wet cedar and a touch of vanilla. The flavor profile included tart plums, black fruit, spicy cedar, cocoa, a touch of mint, and a mouthful of dry tannins powering the long finish, where red fruit and a nice touch of spicy oak predominate. Very nicely balanced, though still quite tannic.

Verdict: The wine is probably 2-3 years away from prime, and will probably hold its own for another 5 years beyond that. I’d suggest waiting till ’04, though it can be enjoyed now w/at least 1.5 hrs. of decanting, preferably longer. 91 pts. with potential for 93-95 pts., $51, a solid “A” QPR. A big, mouth-filling Cal cab for those who enjoy that sort of thing…..me inclusive!

Kybo,

As always thanks for the notes. Based on your notes, I will be patient with the one bottle you gave me a few months ago. If you get a chance call me at home or on my cell.

IW

I have 1 bottle also. And, as a matter of fact, my hands were itching for a few months now. Thank You, I guess I will wait now.

If it's anything like the '97 Etude lcc opened for us, you've got a case of winners in your cellar. Btw, lcc, I found that I have two bottles of the '94 Etude Cabernet Sauvignon in my cellar. Tried it yet?

1. I doubt this Wine will compare to the Etude. Very few do. But, should be a good 1.

2. I have a case of the '94 Etude(s), & a case of every vintage after that upto the '98 (6 bottles).

NO, I have Not. My brother did, but I was Not there. Also, a WOW, he says. The '97 was, in fact, my 1st one ever. WOW. Aging all of them. As you saw, needs time, will be "something else" indeed.

The '97 Etude is the best young American Cabernet I've ever tasted. Thanks again, lcc.

And, yours was the best French Wine that I had so far.

Hopefully, more & better to come, more & better to come...

I have never tried Etude. It sounds like so many of you love this cab. I will make an effort to find some soon. It appears that the 97 vintage is well thought of. Any others?? Thanks

I have a lot of it. But, only had a '97, so far (it's a WOW). From what I heard, they are all great up to the '97. They were bought out by Beringer last year. A lot of changes now. So, don't go crazy paying the big $$$ for '98 & above. But, any other ones---WOW.