| 72617 | 72616 | US | Cassis, menthol, black olive, and some alfalfa make for a complex bouquet. It's undoubtedly forward—red fruit, chocolate and vanilla on the palate—with a piercing quality that could subside with age. This wine has the stuff to please: it's round, mouthfilling and very correct. | Bates' Ranch | 90 | 35 | California | Santa Cruz Mountains | Central Coast | | | Ahlgren 1997 Bates' Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon (Santa Cruz Mountains) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Ahlgren |
| 72618 | 72617 | US | Fairly heavy and full, with a powerfully spicy and chocolaty nose. Dark-fruit and herb tastes are accented by a strong shot of coffee from the oak. The finish is tannic and drying, with more of that coffee and also some notes of licorice. Perfectly chunky, in the Napa/Oakville style. | Estate Grown | 90 | 85 | California | Oakville | Napa | | | Oakford 1997 Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon (Oakville) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakford |
| 72619 | 72618 | US | Red fruit in the nose is accented by a little tomato, some juniper and blueberry, and a fair amount of barrel char. Features a mouth of leaner black cherry and tart plum. Finishes dry, and with mouth-coating tannins. Now it's harmonious, but it could use some time to soften up. | Kara's Vineyard | 90 | 35 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Robert Pecota 1997 Kara's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Robert Pecota |
| 72620 | 72619 | US | Some sweetness in the form of kirsch and Port, as well as chocolate and the clear essence of wood shavings. At only 53% Cabernet, there's lots of Merlot-influenced red fruit. It's more light and elegant than many dense Napa Cabs and keeps a reserved nature all the way through to the end. | Holbrook Mitchell Trio | 90 | 30 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Rosenblum 1997 Holbrook Mitchell Trio Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rosenblum |
| 72621 | 72620 | US | Blackberry and vanilla make for a sweet, syrupy bouquet. The fruit on the palate is nice—it's mostly cherry and cassis. The finish is potent and slightly tart. Now it's hard to assess, as it's short on dimensions. Could use some time to integrate its components. | | 90 | 120 | California | Santa Cruz Mountains | Central Coast | | | Kathryn Kennedy 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon (Santa Cruz Mountains) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Kathryn Kennedy |
| 72622 | 72621 | US | Black-cherry and plum aromas on the nose open to similar flavors, with toast and mineral accents on the palate. An elegant and refined wine, with a lengthy finish that displays cassis and earth flavors, and moderate, even tannins. Not a heavy or fat wine, it shows very good balance and should be cellared for three to five years. | Reserve Beckstoffer IV Vineyar | 90 | 41 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Guenoc 1997 Reserve Beckstoffer IV Vineyar Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Guenoc |
| 72623 | 72622 | US | Meaty and also jammy, with popcorn and cedar aromas. Dry and complex, typical of the winery's style, and mildly astringent. The tannins are starching at this point, but should fade. Given time, the red fruit should emerge and conquer the youthful astringency. | Estate Reserve | 90 | 55 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Conn Valley 1997 Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Conn Valley |
| 72601 | 72600 | South Africa | This complex, assertive dessert wine starts with aromas of orange marmalade, honey and tobacco spice, and on the palate, its smooth, integrated flavors of honey, citrus, cigarbox and spice are both elegant and unique. Its spicy, dry finish is an extra boost. | Estate Noble Late Harvest | 89 | 20 | Stellenbosch | | | Susan Kostrzewa | @suskostrzewa | Morgenhof 2002 Estate Noble Late Harvest Chenin Blanc (Stellenbosch) | Chenin Blanc | Morgenhof |
| 72624 | 72623 | US | Solid and elegant, this standard-bearer offers round, plummy aromas and flavors, as well as cocoa and tobacco accents. The fruit is very clean and bright, and the flavors well defined on the lush, well-balanced palate. Finishes dark and juicy, with fine tannins. This wine should improve over the next three to five years, and then drink well until 2008. | Estate Bottled | 90 | 50 | California | Chalk Hill | Sonoma | | | Chalk Hill 1997 Estate Bottled Cabernet Sauvignon (Chalk Hill) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Chalk Hill |
| 72625 | 72624 | US | Extremely dark, with toast, cherry liqueur and forest notes on the nose; this opens into deep black fruit, licorice and espresso flavors. The mouthfeel is full and rich, as it transitions effortlessly into a smooth, dry, anise and briar-tinged finish that has an interesting and elegant viscosity to it. A black beauty needing three to five years to develop. | Non Plus Ultra | 90 | 110 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Paoletti 1997 Non Plus Ultra Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Paoletti |
| 72626 | 72625 | US | “Swan Song” indicates that this is the last vintage of Cabernet to be produced from this vineyard block. So enjoy it while it's here: There's plenty of dry black cherry, licorice, cola and smoked meat, and dusty tannins with nice grip close the show. Our critique is that this is an excellent finalé. | Sarah Block Swan Song Reserve | 90 | 39 | California | Sonoma County | Sonoma | | | Murphy-Goode 1997 Sarah Block Swan Song Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma County) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Murphy-Goode |
| 72627 | 72626 | US | Deep, pungent dark-berry aromas open this round, inviting cherry and raspberry flavored wine. Round and almost overly suave on the palate, it has ample black cherry, chocolate and toast flavors, and closes with a finish sporting dried fruits. The dry, talcum-like tannins allow for early drinking. | Rock Cairn | 90 | 75 | California | Oakville | Napa | | | Nickel & Nickel 1997 Rock Cairn Cabernet Sauvignon (Oakville) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Nickel & Nickel |
| 72628 | 72627 | US | Taut but complex aromatics of black plum, chocolate, soy, and cedar open this very dark-hued contender. The oak here is lavish, and the wine appeals with its dark-cherry and toast flavors. Closes with a dry, evenly tannic finish. The insistent heavy toast makes it perhaps a bit of a one-noter, but it's a good example of this popular style. | Reserve | 90 | 40 | California | Sonoma Valley | Sonoma | | | St. Francis 1997 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Francis |
| 72629 | 72628 | US | Lots of inky, jammy aromas of black fruit set up the red-fruit palate that is covered with a blanket of powerful oak. Not a light-hearted cuvée; rather it's drying, concentrated and strong. With a few years of aging it could show additional subtleties. | Gemstone Vineyard | 90 | 75 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Livingston Moffett 1997 Gemstone Vineyard Red (Napa Valley) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Livingston Moffett |
| 72630 | 72629 | US | A power-packed heavyweight from Sonoma, this delivers a piercing black-fruit aroma and flavor profile. Cassis and plum flavors are tight and tasty, and the long, juicy finish indicates that it could evolve nicely. Anyone planning on drinking it soon should expect a punch. Elegance is not its strong suit right now. | Christopher's Vineyard | 90 | 70 | California | Sonoma County | Sonoma | | | Stonestreet 1997 Christopher's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma County) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stonestreet |
| 72602 | 72601 | US | With its 10% alcohol, bright fruit and lush, round mouthfeel, this is more mainstream (and main meal) than the late harvest label would suggest. The sweetness is perfectly balanced against firm acids, and the fruit flavors combine citrus and peach with light streaks of honey. | Summit Reserve Late Harvest | 89 | 8 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Washington Hills 2007 Summit Reserve Late Harvest Riesling (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Riesling | Washington Hills |
| 72603 | 72602 | France | A Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated wine, which reveals great structure to go with its black berry fruits. American Daren Miller, married to a Bordeaux native, has been involved in the restoration of this property in the Médoc, producing a classic wine, that pays great respect to its origins. | | 89 | 31 | Bordeaux | Haut-Médoc | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Haut Beyzac 2005 Haut-Médoc | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château Haut Beyzac |
| 72604 | 72603 | Spain | Add Aurora to your list of dry Sherries that won't steer you wrong. It is a concentrated, slightly more powerful style of manzanilla with pear, pepper and rosemary aromas as well as a true, refined palate. Flavors of fresh mushroom and nuts are dry and just fruity enough. Like a kiss from the sea. | Aurora Manzanilla Extra Dry | 89 | 13 | Andalucia | Jerez | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Pedro Romero NV Aurora Manzanilla Extra Dry Sherry (Jerez) | Sherry | Pedro Romero |
| 72605 | 72604 | Spain | Nicely done and racy for an oloroso, with quince, baked peach and honey on the nose and then apricot and mocha flavors taking over in the mouth. Arguably a bit acidic, but that only helps to propel it toward an orange-tinged finish that's natural, sheer and clean. | Full, Dry Oloroso | 89 | 13 | Andalucia | Jerez | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Pedro Romero NV Full, Dry Oloroso Sherry (Jerez) | Sherry | Pedro Romero |
| 72606 | 72605 | France | Fine tannins, dusty and sweet, play a major part in the success of this wine. It's fruit, initially subdued by the tannins, then bursts through with cherry jelly, dark plums and an edge of licorice. It's certainly rich, but it all hangs together well. | Roc de Candale | 89 | 40 | Bordeaux | Saint-Émilion | | Roger Voss | @vossroger | Château Candale 2005 Roc de Candale (Saint-Émilion) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Château Candale |
| 72607 | 72606 | US | The nose here offers a real mixed bag: some funk, a little perfume, worn leather, even pepperoni and peanuts. The mouth blends flavors of black fruit with peppery spice and herbs. It may be a touch linear and tight, but the basics are definitely there. Overall a very good wine. | Parks Vyd | 90 | 37 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Bartholomew Park 1997 Parks Vyd Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Bartholomew Park |
| 72608 | 72607 | US | Heavily oaked, with peanut aromas masking the fruit. But in the mouth it has more accessible fruit—mostly cassis—and once again the full allotment of wood. It's no surprise when it finishes buttery, and with coffee flavors. A tough one to call now. Will the wood integrate? Will the fruit emerge? | Reserve | 90 | 60 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Whitehall Lane 1997 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Whitehall Lane |
| 72609 | 72608 | US | Big mountain fruit here throws powerful aromas of ripe plum, thyme and bacon, while full-scale oaking yields maple aromas, vanilla flavors, and coffee on the finish. The wood element is a little weighty at this point, but there's solid fruit to support it. | Buckeye Vyd | 90 | 45 | California | Sonoma County | Sonoma | | | Kendall-Jackson 1997 Buckeye Vyd Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma County) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Kendall-Jackson |
| 72610 | 72609 | US | Some cedar and olives accent an earthy nose. Cassis and some cherry make up the pleasant palate, which features nicely integrated oak as a high point. Fairly long and drying on the back end, with ever-so-slightly prickly tannins. | Baritelle Vyd | 90 | 60 | California | Rutherford | Napa | | | Bell 1997 Baritelle Vyd Cabernet Sauvignon (Rutherford) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Bell |
| 72611 | 72610 | US | Aromas almost of blackberry syrup, with herb, toast and earthy, even barnyardy accents open this rich yet tart cherry-chocolate wine. Smooth and unevolved, with chocolate and orange-peel notes on the austere finish. It's the baby brother of Dominus, offering a look at the style of the estate without the price tag of the flagship offering. | Napanook Vyd | 90 | 30 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Dominus 1997 Napanook Vyd Red (Napa Valley) | Bordeaux-style Red Blend | Dominus |
| 72612 | 72611 | US | Impressive and elegant, this one leans American with its R & B name and packaging, but is rather French in profile. The black-cherry fruit is offset by a lead-pencil element reminiscent of some top Bordeaux chateaus. Angular and fairly crisp, it shows coffee accents and a fairly long finish. If it adds some weight with age, it will drink above the present rating. | Reserve | 90 | 74 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | R & B Cellars 1997 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | R & B Cellars |
| 72613 | 72612 | US | Leathery fruit and a bit of bramble or field greens mark the nose, and the earthy red-currant palate strikes a claret-like note. It's a little lighter than the competition, and it does show some defined tartness. Drink sooner than later, and try to serve it with food. | | 90 | 50 | California | Sonoma County | Sonoma | | | Wattle Creek 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma County) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Wattle Creek |
| 72614 | 72613 | US | Big and lush, this one's got gobs of chocolate, plum, spice, black cherry, spice, coffee, herb, toast, and vanilla, all framed in creamy smooth tannins that give a supple quality to the blend. Long, lush and smooth at the end. | Samsel Vineyard/Maggie's Reserve | 90 | 42 | California | Sonoma Valley | Sonoma | | | Rosenblum 2001 Samsel Vineyard/Maggie's Reserve Zinfandel (Sonoma Valley) | Zinfandel | Rosenblum |
| 72615 | 72614 | US | Made by Cathy Corison, this wine is now in its second vintage, where it shows black-cherry fruit touched up by leather and spice. A big wine needing some time to come together; it is stylish for sure, with a vivid, exciting finish. | | 90 | 50 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Long Meadow Ranch 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Long Meadow Ranch |
| 72616 | 72615 | US | Plum aromas are pounded home with notes of meat and menthol. When you next hear the word “opaque,” think of this. But the body is surprisingly svelte, and the flavors emphasize red fruit. Some tannins are manifested on the finish, which shows licorice and buttery oak. | | 90 | 75 | California | Napa Valley | Napa | | | Bacio Divino 1997 Sangiovese (Napa Valley) | Sangiovese | Bacio Divino |