This bottle was removed from an cellar of a gentlemen who passed away recently. There was no front label but the next label indicated the wine and the cork indicated the vintage. So far, the bottles removed from the cellar showed well although it was a passive cellar in northeast Ohio. I was unfamiliar with this bottling but it appears that it is Cabernet from four different vineyards in the Stags Leap District and labelled as SLD and as of the 2021 vintage is still made ($95 at the winery). Of course, 1997 was an exceptional year in Napa. There are many, however, who said these wines were too ripe and too alcoholic to last. One older picture on the internet seems to have a bottom front label indicating 13.9% abv. but others did not have that extra label. In any event, the wine showed very well. At age 27 it is ruby/purple in color with no obvious browning,. The nose has cassis, cigar box, dust, leather and spice. Medium to full bodied. LIght tannins. Good balance. On the palate, there is some complexity and plenty of fruit left. Flavors of cassis, slight dry earth and slight char. Good finish. Certainly not a rambunctious wine but still delivering plenty and not just enjoyable for historical purposes. Well done. Of course, at this age there are only good bottles, so don't let these go too much longer. Or do, you never know.
