1997 Chateau Montelena 'Montelena Estate' Cabernet Sauvignon

This magnum from Chateau Montelena was my contribution to Scot's epic large format tasting; I'd be itching to open it for several years!   The aromatics are exciting and inviting, dark berries, spice, followed by mature rich red plum and blackberry with wonderful oak integration.  The tell-tale sign that it's now begun the second half of its bottle life is the finish -- thin and retreating, slipping away too quickly...   So don't make the mistake of holding on to your 1997 Napa Cabs too long!     This one is still very satisfying and in most ways a superior Napa cab -- but it's beginning to show its age...    $380 (1.5L); 92 points