1997 Gallo Barrelli Creek Cab

[newsguy]

well, this wine finally made its way to florida. it was in my regular wine store for all of three days before someone bought their entire stock, so i was thrilled to find it in another wine store i visit when i cross the bay to tampa. i wasn't so thrilled about the $27.99 pricetag, but i'm used to paying a few more dollars at this store.

so, i was more than thrilled when they restocked at my regular store. bought a case ($18.99 per with case discount) without having even tasted a drop. that is a first for me. tonight, i opened the first of the 13 bottles i have, just in case i want to buy even more. fired up the grill and threw on a rubbed, aged new york strip.

very dark garnet/black/purple (the wine, that is). decanted for an hour, then sniffed. good nose of currants, plums, black cherries and a little oak. taste of same, minus the oak. a half hour later, eucalyptus kicked into the nose, and the black cherry became more pronounced. has a nice mouthfeel and a very good finish.

this wine is as tannic as any i've tasted. BUT these tannins don't cut off the finish like most do.

folks, help me out here. i'm thinking that means this wine has a very long way to go (10 or so years 'til peak) because of the heavy tannins, and this could develop into a fabulous wine. does that sound right?

as far as comparing the 97 to the 94 barrelli creek, i'd say the 94 is a bit more "in your face" and still fairly loaded with finish-stomping tannins. the 97 is a little more refined, but still very concentrated and even now loaded with sediment.

bottom line: i think the purchase of another 6-12 more bottles of the 97 are in my near future. and i don't think i'll try the next bottle until 2003. 92/100 (with the definite potential to move higher over the years).

[This message has been edited by newsguy (edited 11-06-2001).]