1997 Stonegate Napa

[winoweenie]

Opened this last nite and for the 1st time since 1978 I was in love with this way,way underachieving property. Located just so of Calistoga and under Sterlings majestic winery, they have managed to produce some of the most forgettable cabs since Shawn and Sons went under. In 78 they bought grapes from the Steiner vineyard and made one of the stars of that spetacular vintage. Maybe they be back...Hope so. WW

[newsguy]

WW,

i was thinking while driving into work today that i need to post on this tasty wine, but you beat me to it. it's not a huge knife-and-fork cab, but more smooth and elegant -- all dark fruit and a hint of chocolate/brownies. maybe what i like most about it is the smooth tannins: this baby's drinking fine now. not many good 97s you can say that about (at least that i know of).

keith

[winoweenie]

Newsie, this is a special wine. A friend of mine in Stockton and I drank our weight in the 78. Was a great wine and the 97 is a great one too. Don't let the structure of this wine fool you. This lil' sucker will go a minimum of 15 yars. WW

[newsguy]

popped my second -- and last -- bottle of this over the weekend. and wow! that's what i said out loud after i gave it a whiff after opening. this wine has a fabulous nose and taste: currants, plums, toasty oak, with hints of vanilla and chocolate. it is drinking just great, yet the dusty tannins will carry it a long time. just ask WW. boy, i sure wish i had more of this wine. those of you that do, enjoy!

p.s. not many wines make you say "wow" after your first sniff, especially at the $17 a bottle i spent on this.