Devils Lair has adopted a future path of concentration and consolidation. Consolidation in terms of what it does best - i.e., Chardonnay and Cabernet. Concentration in terms of focusing on building the brand reputation for high quality, world benchmark wines. The very late harvest of 1997 was completed in "Indian Summer" conditions with the Cabernet Sauvignon picked in late April. As a consequence of the difficult vintage conditions, Cabernet Franc has been excluded from the 1997 Margaret River. The result is a more concentrated and deep Cabernet Sauvignon style of dark berry and briary layers of fruit in a fine tannin structure. While Merlots contribution to the sweetness of the middle palate is subtle, with time it will be more evident. The use of fine and tight grain French oak sits well with the finer and tighter structure of the 1997 wine. The wine was matured in new and one to two year old French oak.