Groth’s reputation for age-worthy wines is on full display in this two-bottle vertical of our Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon, which includes the heralded 1997 vintage — a wine that was ranked on the 2000 Wine Spectator Top 100. Stored in the optimal conditions of our cellars since their original release, these wines were recently re-evaluated by our winemaking team and selected for limited re-release. They are well-suited to those who appreciate the complex, tertiary characteristics that emerge with extended cellaring.
1997 CABERNET SAUVIGNON, OAKVILLE
84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot
Color and aromas: Deep crimson with a touch of brick on the edges. Aromas of Black Forest cake, with undertones of cedar, leather, humus and a touch of black peppercorn.
Palate: Smooth, juicy entry with crisp acidity, building quickly into the firm tannin structure. It is still big and showy with layers of mixed bright red and dried black fruit, and a dry and persistent finish.
Winemaker’s Assessment: This wine took a while to open up (about 45 minutes), so consider a careful decant to get it off any sediment but avoid extra splashing. Give it a few minutes, as first impressions can be deceiving. This wine should be savored now.
1998 CABERNET SAUVIGNON, OAKVILLE
81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot
Color and aromas: Deep crimson with a touch of brick. Big and intense on the nose, it is more youthful than expected. Dark plum and dried black currant fruit along with cedar, leather, anise and molasses notes.
Palate: Opens crisp, lively and still quite fresh, with bright mixed red and black fruits. Layers of candied cherries, big phenolics, plush tannins and very nicely balanced acidity, with a long, juicy, sweet fruit finish.
Winemaker’s Assessment: Sometimes the press gets it wrong. A vintage that was initially panned is aging dramatically better than other acclaimed vintages of the period. This wine still has plenty of time left to age and enjoy, though it is certainly showing exceptionally well now.
