Mondavi - Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 1997

WINESPECTATOR: WINESPECTATOR:"Superb, showing a wonderful sense of harmony. Complex and creamy, with telltale currant, anise and mocha scents. Excellent length."

ANTONIO GALLONI: "(15.9% alcohol; 93% from To Kalon vineyard fruit): Dark red-ruby. Very expressive, ripe, slightly inky aromas of blueberry, camphor and licorice, plus a hint of sweet butter; distinctly warm but not roasted. Wonderfully concentrated and deep if a bit unrefined; a real fleshpot of fruit but this still needs time to burn off some of its baby fat and reveal its dark berries and minerals underneath. Finishes chewy, deep and very long, with big, slightly tough tannins. Will additional bottle aging bring more elegance? Give this a long spell in a decanter if you plan to uncork a bottle anytime soon. This bottle was way better than the one I tasted as part of a vertical tasting of this wine in 2016."

WINEADVOCATE: "As for the 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, this wine seems more subdued than it did last year and might be going through a relatively closed stage. As it sat in the glass, it took on an almost Ducru-Beaucaillou or Leoville-Las Cases St.-Julien-like character, with notes of minerals, cedar wood, black currants, tobacco, and spice."

WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Cedar wood, tobacco, herbs and cassis on the nose, the wine is medium bodied, soft, elegant in style, ending with a soft, polished finish."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "Very tight nose, with blackberry, coffee and cocoa notes, this is a big wine that shows great intensity and depth. Quite closed now, the dark profile keeps its cards close to the vest. One thing for sure: this is definitely one for the cellar. The finish is lengthy, with brisk tannins as well as espresso and bitter-chocolate notes. Hold for eight to ten years; this wine should keep til 2020."