Very saturated black ruby to the rim. Dark aromas of cassis, black raspberry, licorice, maple syrup, shoe polish and flowers. Superripe and compellingly layered and deep; as thick and sweet as the merlot but more tactile, with a stronger impression of acidity and structure and superb flavor definition. Thoroughly ripe, noble tannins reach the entire palate. Pahlmeyer still shows a slight preference for his cabernet sauvignon-based blend. "The merlot, after all, used to be the leftover juice, the stuff that didn't go into the red blend," he explained.

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The finest proprietary red produced by Pahlmeyer to date is their 1997 (a blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, and the rest Petit-Verdot, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec). Production is 3,300 cases, and the wine tips the scales at 14.7% alcohol. A super-rich, blockbuster effort, it exhibits an opaque purple color in addition to a fabulous bouquet of black fruits, espresso, cocoa, mocha, and flowers. A prodigious red, with low acidity, spectacular concentration, and fabulous purity as well as overall symmetry, it can be drunk now, but promises to last for 20-25 years.

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Ultraripe and rich, with jammy wild berry, blackcherry, currant and spicy nuances that are deepand concentrated, finishing with a long, detailedaftertaste. Wonderful sense of harmony andfinesse. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot,Cabernet Franc and Malbec. 1,900 cases made.

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Fresh and vibrant, with snappy red currant, herb, sage and mineral flavors that are focused and persistent. Best of two bottles. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec.--'97 California Cabernet retrospective. Drink now. 1,900 cases made.