Is 97 too young to drink? - Printable Version +- WineBoard (https://www.wines.com/wineboard) +-- Forum: GENERAL (https://www.wines.com/wineboard/forum-100.html) +--- Forum: For the Novice (https://www.wines.com/wineboard/forum-2.html) +--- Thread: Is 97 too young to drink? (/thread-19413.html)

- wineguruchgo - 12-18-2004 Hello Folks, Not very often I find myself asking a question. I have a few 97 cabs and bordeaux blends from California. I know that wines go through a transitional phase where the tannins actually break down and they taste funky. Anyone had any 97's of late? Are they any good or should I wait a little longer? Thanks! - Innkeeper - 12-18-2004 It all depends on how well made they are. If they are premium wines hold off for two or three years. If they are journeyman level drink away. We have finished all our entry level Tobin James '01s (Legend) and they drank just fine. - wineguruchgo - 12-18-2004 Thanks IK, After I wrote it I started an excel spreadsheet for all of my older vintages - then I went to the often berated Spectator for their ideas. Some I'm really questioning. Like the 97 Freemark Abbey Bosche that they are saying should have been consummed years ago. How can that be? Guess I'm going to have to pop the baby open and see for myself. My luck it would be fine and need more time. - winoweenie - 12-18-2004 Hi WineC and as usual the Spexculator is dispensing some VERY bad info. The Bosche is one of the great Calif vineyards with superb ageing potential. I'm not touching my Bosche for another 2-4. Looking back I tasted it at 5 (02) and came away with the same impression. WW Go back a year on the cab thread and you'll find many posts I've made on the various 97s. [This message has been edited by winoweenie (edited 12-18-2004).] - wineguruchgo - 12-19-2004 Thanks WW! I appreciate your input. Not going to touch the Bosche for at least another few years. I'll check out the cab references. - wineguruchgo - 12-19-2004 Anyone have any thoughts on these wines - thoughts that I should have drunk them by now or should do so now? Otherwise, I'll consider it that I should keep them laying down. I have more that I need to add to the list - I just haven't gotten to them yet! Any insight is appreciated. 1993 Heitz Cabernet 1993 Mondavi Cabernet Rsv 1994 Ferrari Carano Tresor 1994 Freemark Abbey Cabernet 1995 Ferrari Carano Tresor 1995 Freemark Abbey Cabernet 1995 Frescobaldi Mormoretto Cabernet 1995 Meerlust Merlot 1996 Chalk Hill Cabernet 1996 Col Solare 1996 Conn Creek Cabernet LTD 1996 Conn Creek Anthology 1996 CSM Cabernet Rsv 1996 Far Niente Cabernet 1996 Freemark Abbey Bosche 1996 Heitz Cabernet 1996 Krug Generations 1996 Mondavi Cabernet 1996 Quintessa 1996 Simi Cabernet Rsv 1997 Chapoutier La Bernardine 1997 CSM Meritage 1997 Dom. La Gros Vosne Romanee 1997 Estancia Meritage 1997 Far Niente Dolce 1997 Fransciscan Magnificat 1997 Freemark Abbey Bosche 1997 Frescobaldi Nippozano Rsv 1997 Fritz Shop Block Chardonnay 1997 Gundlach Bundschu Merlot 1997 Heitz Cabernet 1997 Krug Cabernet 1997 Lindemans Limestone Ridge Cab/Shiraz 1997 Luce Blend 1997 Lucente Blend 1997 Mondavi Cabernet 1997 Mt. Veeder Cabernet 1997 Penfolds Bin 707 1997 Penfolds Bin 389 1997 Simi Cabernet 1997 Tommasi Amarone 1998 Byron IO 1998 Chapoutier Les Becasses 1998 CSM Merlot 1998 CSM Cabernet 1998 Far Niente Cabernet 1998 Ferrari Carano Eldorado Noir 1998 Mondavi Cabernet Rsv 1998 Mondavi Chardonnay 1998 Quintessa 1998 Rutherford Hill Merlot 1999 Cesare Amarone 1999 Chapoutier Les Meysonniers 1999 Cline Ancient Vine Zin 1999 Lungarotti Rubesco 1999 Renteria Pinot Noir 2000 Pio Cesare Dolcetto 2000 Torres Sangre de Toro [This message has been edited by wineguruchgo (edited 12-18-2004).] [This message has been edited by wineguruchgo (edited 12-18-2004).] - hotwine - 12-19-2004 Just a couple of notes.... Tommasi Amarone: hold Pio Cesare Dolcetto: drink quickly Sangre de Toro: give away to someone you don't like - winoweenie - 12-19-2004 You need to start drinking your stash beginning with the 93s and work forward to the 96s. Skip the 97s temporarily and do the 98s, then the 2000s and back to the 97s. Hopefully you wont be too dissapointed in the bottles that may have seen better days. Good drinking. WW - wineguruchgo - 12-19-2004 Thanks guys! Hotwine - very funny about the Spanish! I've got several in mind! WW-I'll take your advice. The good thing about this is that I didn't pay for one bottle! One of the perks for working for wine distributor who didn't pay attention to what we were pulling! - Kcwhippet - 12-19-2004 Good thing this isn't a "real names" board. [This message has been edited by Kcwhippet (edited 12-19-2004).] - wineguruchgo - 12-19-2004 not to fear KC! Can't pull anything over on you guys! Person I was speaking of is soon to be former boss! - wondersofwine - 12-20-2004 WW gave good advice. The '98 is a softer vintage (and the 2000 may be also) so will not need as much time as the '97 to resolve tannins. - wondersofwine - 12-20-2004 Is 97 too young to drink? Nah--I started drinking at 21 (and had a few illegal cocktails before that).