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- 49 cases made. Last tasted 12-13-05. The recent tasting confirmed our previous tasting notes from last year - a candidate for one of the best wines we have made, and a challenge to those who think "vintage" matters above all. We would put the '98 up against any '97 Napa Cab, but alas we have only a few bottles left. For those of you who have this wine it is a real treasure. '98 is a wine of incredible balance and elegance. As we balanced the fruit intake that year, the wine ended up with less eucalyptus and more black licorice notes in nose and palate than '97. When last tasted, the wine started with a heady aroma of earth and cedar/cigarbox /tobacco scents. As it opened over the course of dinner, those notes faded and the traditional Hourglass black licorice, eucalyptus, coffee/toffee, mint aromas came forward. As they crossed, all we could think was Bordeaux meets Napa Valley. The '98 has softer tannins than either '97, or '99, with nicely balanced fruit/acidity/alcohol. Mouth coating mid -palate, with deep black fruit, chocolate, crème-de-cassis, and black licorice, but much less pomegranate flavors than '97 and '99. Incredible balance, with a silky long finish. Decant 4 hours for full aromatics and texture.
Aging Potential - All the elements are in place for this wine to continue aging well (how long ???), but it is magic in the glass right now!!! What we especially like about its current showing is the combination of the effects of some age with youthful fruit. Drink, or cellar?? Its a tough call.
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