William Hill Estate : Napa Valley

1997 Napa Valley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Grape Source

This Reserve wine is a blend of benchland and mountain-grown Cabernet Sauvignon (91%), Merlot (6%) and Petit Verdot (3%) from the Napa Valley.  The grapes were harvested between September 1 and October 7, 1997, at an average 24.3º Brix.

Vintage

In terms of sheer quality and volume, 1997 has been called “the vintage of the century” for California Cabernet Sauvignon. The growing season was characterized by nearly perfect weather, vine health, grape set and harvest conditions. 1997 Cabernets are distinguished by round, plush tannins and ripe, opulent currant, black cherry and wild berry flavors.

Winemaking

20% of the wine was whole-berry fermented.  Aging took place in a combination of new, one- and two-year-old French oak barrels for 24 months.

Winemaker notes

Our Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is a complex and fruit-forward wine with generous oak spice notes.  The vines from our estate on Silverado Bench, with its rolling terrain and rocky soils, produce tiny berries in long, loose clusters that possess intense, full-bodied flavor.

The 1997 William Hill Estate Napa Valley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is an excellent example of the rich, lush fruit flavors and round, plush tannins that characterized this outstanding vintage. The wine features ripe, forward black cherry and berry flavors.  French oak aging integrates supple vanilla characteristics that balance well with the lush, cassis-laden Cabernet Sauvignon fruit. This is a big, rich Cabernet to enjoy now or continue to age for the next ten to fifteen years.

Food Recommendations

This fruit-forward wine works beautifully with a succulent roast leg of lamb that has been basted with a thick berry/cherry or reduction sauce with this wine as the base.  Try it with a tenderloin of beef or rib roast that has been lightly salted and slow-cooked on a radiant heat outdoor grill.