1997 Guenoc Cabernet Sauvignon North Coast

[newsguy]

1997 Guenoc Cabernet Sauvignon North Coast. $16.99. 14,382 cases made.

First off, be assured that this, indeed, is the wine that Wine Spectator rated at 91. This is their Estate Series bottling with the pink label that has a small cameo picture of Lilly Langtry. Guenoc's lower priced offering also has Cabernet Sauvignon North Coast on the label, which has a cream colored background. This explains all the confusion. That wine tends to go in the $14 range and was on the shelves a few months ago -- right after Wine Spectator touted that higher offering. I was chuckling seeing people snap up those bottles, thinking they were getting a great bargain on a highly-rated wine. (How often does THAT happen?) And I was very dismayed to see that several wine stores have been promoting this bottle as the one that Wine Spectator raved about. Even if they weren't intentionally misleading people, they still should have known better. I bought a bottle just to try, and was disappointed. Didn't think it was even in the same league as their 1994, which was the bottle that really got me liking red wines.

Anyhow, here goes my first attempt at posting my tasting notes in this forum...

After opening and pouring into the glass, and letting it sit for 15 minutes, I took a few deep sniffs. The nose started with cherry and sweet oak, then gave up dark fruits. The taste: chocolate, turning to toffee, lingering finish before the medium-to-full tannins take over. I'd call this a fairly smooth, elegant, tasty wine. I didn't find it to be all that sophisticated, but I really liked the flavor. IMHO it's very drinkable now, but I'd guess it will really come into it's own in 2003 or so. If I had a place to store wine long-term, I'd buy a case. Even though I don't have proper storage, I still might buy a case [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/wink.gif[/img]

Hope my beginner's palate was up to a board-worthy post!

And I also promise this will be the longest post I ever make.

Keith




[This message has been edited by newsguy (edited 02-09-2001).]

[winoweenie]

Newsguy, I assure you your first post, IMHO, is rite smack-dab in the middle of the target. The Guenoc is, again IMHO, one of about 5 great P/Q wines of the 97 vintage. A closet will work! Go fer` it. WW

[newsguy]

WW,

wow! hearing from you that my notes were right-on has me beaming. you're a legend in my mind -- and i am totally sober [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/wink.gif[/img]

thanks!

keith

[newsguy]

i had heard on another board that people seemed to think this wine already was on the downslide. popped a bottle this weekend, and that didn't seem to be the case to me. the alcohol seemed a little more prevalent that i remembered, but still plenty of fruit left, along with a decent amount of tannins. just in case, though, you might want to pop a bottle and check for yourself. i think i have 4 left and won't be opening the next for at least another 6 months.

[winoweenie]

Newsguy, fear not. This wine still has plenty of muscle and vibrancy to go the time-frame outlined. I've seen so many bad posts about wine on the other boards that I've quit going to them as I have to bite my keyboard to keep from being obnoxious. WW

[newsguy]

WW,

thanks for the update. i'll put a late 2003 timer on my next bottle.

[californiagirl]

WW- what is your thoughts on the 2001 northcoast and regular bottlings?

[winoweenie]

Sorry CG haven't tried either yet. Normally I don't get into a vintage until 5 yars ben past. WW