1997 Napa

Dinner at Neighborhood.

2012 Franck Bonville Les Belles Voyes, dégorgée en octobre 2019 - smooth and easy to drink.

First pair: decanted more than 4 hours after opening, and served 15 minutes after decanting.

1997 Barnett Cabernet Sauvignon Peacock Family Vineyard - minty, fruity, rich on the palate.

1997 La Jota Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain Selection - initially a little more closed, more barnyard, smoky, leather, pungent.

Second pair: decanted more than 4 hours after opening, and served 45 minutes after decanting.

1997 Araujo Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard - surprisingly concentrated, some oak, smoke, and black fruits. More elegant and very well-integrated. After 1½ hours in decanter this was really lovely. About my favorite wine tonight.

1997 Whitehall Lane Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve - smoky, more concentrated, the fruit was still going strong, and the tannins were still here.

Third pair: served more than 2 hours after decanting.

1997 Beaulieu Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Clone 4 - initially more muted, more balanced, with a little less fruit.

1997 Beaulieu Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Clone 6 - minty, smoky, leaner. Later on more fruit, almost a hint of savory notes. Ripe and almost jammy towards the end.

Fourth pair: served more than 2½ hours after decanting.

1997 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cask 23 - nicely balanced, a little smoke, a bit of leather, and still got good concentration. Just about my favorite wine tonight.

1997 Pahlmeyer Proprietary Red Blend - some smoke, a little riper, and definitely sweet on the palate.

1997 Philip Togni Ca' Togni, from half-bottle - lychee, floral, a little dried longan. Very sweet on the palate.

Full post on dinner is here.