Hartwell Sunshine Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 1997

1997 was a spectacular vintage right from the beginning, with the new year bringing ferocious, flooding rains, then softening to one of the earliest Springs in recent memory. Warm, bright weather throughout the growing season brought us the rare good fortune of a plentiful harvest of exceptional quality. This highest-quality Cabernet Sauvignon was made from selected blocks of our hillside Sunshine Vineyard. The wine was aged in 100% new French oak for 22 months in the perfect storage conditions of our new hillside cave, gaining richness and concentration all the while. The finished wine is a perfect balance of power and grace, with strong black cherry and cassis flavors supported by vanilla and cocoa tones. The texture is soft and elegant. Approachable upon release, this wine is yet young, and will continue to improve with age for the next 5-6 years.