WTN: 1997 Barnett Napa Cabernet Spring Mtn.

[geo t.]

1997 Barnett Napa Cabernet Sauvignon Spring Mountain District, 13.8% alc.: I had the opportunity to chat with Fiona Barnett at a trade tasting in Dearborn a few months ago, while tasting through some of the Barnett Vineyards wines. She was most gracious, and while the basic Napa Valley wines were pleasant, they weren't particularly memorable. The Spring Mountain Cab and Merlot were another matter however, so getting a chance to taste one recently with some age on it was a special treat. This deep, dark garnet doesn't give much more on the nose than some stingy black currant and cassis at first, but it gradually opens to reveal added impressions of blackberry, black plum and a little leather, all of which follows through in the deep, pure full bodied flavors. Densely textured, this has at least five years worth of improvement ahead of it, but it's already so fine; it keeps opening more and more, becoming richer and sweeter, without ever falling into the "fruit bomb" category. A beautiful Cabernet that's already a joy to drink, and its best days are still ahead. Now, if only I could snag a glass of that Rattlesnake Hill sometime...

Reporting from Day-twah,

geo t.