1997 Arrowood Vineyards and Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Special Reserve Sonoma County

It sounds preposterous, but when I put my nose in the 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Speciale, it reminded me of the 1996 Latour. California Cabernets are bigger, weightier efforts than most Bordeaux, so the comparison ends with the aromatics. There are 1,611 cases of this profound Cabernet Sauvignon, which spent 28 months in primarily French oak (a tiny bit of American oak was utilized), and was bottled with neither fining nor filtration. Its dense black/purple color is accompanied by layers of cassis, cedar-tinged fruit, and abundant spice. Muscular, with remarkable intensity, purity, and overall symmetry, this larger than life, full-bodied, profound, 100% Cabernet Sauvignon will be at its best between 2003-2030.(Release date 05/01)Tel. (707) 938-5170; Fax (707) 938-5195 Review Date: December 2000