Opened tonight with some broiled lamb chops and a selection of heirloom
tomatoes insalata caprese.

c: dark garnet with no browning at the edge
n: a bit reticent initially, but after decanting it opens and shows
pencil lead, plums, berries and smoke
p: medium-full body, stiff acidic spine that softens with time, soft
tannins, smoky berryish fruit and mineral notes; still youthful several
hours after decanting

Another '97 picked up on the cheap at Sam's when they were clearing the
shelves for the '00s. This wine is far from profound, but certainly
weightier than most of its contemporaries. Although I'm not sure that
it's likely to improve much, it's probably good for another 5 years
easily before it begins any sort of decline. Needless to say, it went
well with the lamb.

Mark Lipton