1997 Seavey Cabernet Sauvignon

Dark, rich and perfumed, with ripe, supple black cherry, currant, chocolate, herb and sage notes. Finishes with a supple texture and fine tannins, making it appealing now. 1,400 cases made.

Author: James Laube

Saturated ruby to the rim. Complex, subtle aromas of black cherry, cassis, minerals, clove, mace, licorice, graphite, dark chocolate and violet. Very concentrated and very dense but not at all heavy. A spiciness at the core adds brightness to the impressively intense black cherry, leather and earth flavors. Big, dusty tannins are also ripe and sweet (the wine was fined with egg whites). Very long and suave on the aftertaste. At the anticipated price of about $60, this will be practically a bargain by California standards.

Author: Stephen Tanzer

Issue: May/June 2000

The 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon (1,400 cases) is very good. I rated this wine 96 last year, but after an additional year of bottle age, it may be even better. It spent 18 months in 40-45% new French oak, and was bottled after a light fining yet no filtration.

A monumental, classic California Cabernet Sauvignon, it boasts an opaque plum/purple color as well as an extraordinary bouquet of jammy cassis, plums, toast, and licorice. With its humongous fruit and glycerin, full body, smoky blackberry and coffee flavors on the mid-palate, as well as a silky, moderately tannic finish that lasts for nearly a minute, this seamless effort is a modern day Cabernet elixir. A blend of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Petit-Verdot, it should be at its best between 2004-2025.

Author: Robert Parker