1997 Newton Claret

[winoweenie]

Without a shadow the best under 20 buck bottle I've had in years. Naturally there's no label defining the blend in the bottle but Cab is dominate with some amount of Merlot and Cab Franc. Could have some Malbec but the winery has nonone I could reach who had any idea of what the devil I was inquiring about. Lovely brite ruby. Nose had red fruits, flowers(Malbec?), spices and just enough vanilla to add complexity. Entry was soft, center weighty, and a surprising almost 4 lapper finish. 88/92. 14.2% alc. 19 by the box. WW

[winoweenie]

Had another of this amazing lil' hummer for lunch yesterday and am tempted to kick it up a notch but will hold steady for the time being. Definately dead-on-top but should hold another 2-5(but why wait?). As an added note there seems to be a cream de Cassis feeling that shows up on the center and finish. Nicely done. WW

[winoweenie]

Revisited for lunch yesterday and can't believe how this lil' hummer has stood up. Dead on TTOIOG and holding. Only 1 more left from the box. Great buyers remorse for not grabbing 3 or 4 boxes of this delightful bottling. Taking it up to a very solid 90-pointer. WW

[winoweenie]

Kiss thar sucker adios! It literally jumped from the bin yelling "DRINK ME....DRINK ME". Being soft as a marshmallow naturally I succombed. Seductive as a 60s' movie poster and as mellow as Chet Baker. Not a whale of a lot to add except (as the bugler plays taps).....Goobye ole' fren. WW