1997 Opus One, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1997
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

Purple in color.  The nose has cassis, tobacco, it is slightly dusty and cedar.  On the palate, this still has some tannins left and plenty of fruit but is fully mature.  Cassis with some black olives.  This seems like a good bottle.  There is a nice complexity to it.  Very smooth.  Very food friendly.  Blind, i think most people would guess mature Bordeaux.  Of course, with a wine of this pedigree, there is always a lot of anticipation, but I think this is probably the wine producers were trying to  make back in 1997.  It succeeds at that if a very different wine from most 1997's.  

2009 Rivers-Marie Cabernet Sauvignon Corona Vineyard

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A

Wow.  This was excellent.  This is why you let the better California Cabernet's age.  Sure, they are delicious young.  Juicy and full of fruit and energy.  But at age 9, this has all of that still but also starting to show some development.  This wine could easily go another two decades though it will undoubtedly lose fruit and sunshine.  For those lucky enough to have a bunch, it will be fun to watch this.  Purple in color.  The nose has cassis, cedar, slight dust and saddle leather.  With air, some black cherries come out.  On the palate, this took about an hour or two to really start to

2015 Ghost Block Zinfandel Pelissa Vineyard, USA, California, Napa, Oakville, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

This is a big, forward style Zinfandel but stays just shy of being over the top for that style.  Purple in color.  The nose has blueberry pie, slight fruitcake spice and black pepper.  With air roasted herbs come out with a bit of bramble.  On the palate, this is delicious with black raspberries, blueberries and cherries.  Deep and complex.  Long finish.  Would go well with bold flavored food especially cooked over a grill.  

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