Andrew Cullimore

9.4

Quite deep ruby and , garnet terracotta rim. Quite spicy nose , slightly green touches , mix of red and dark fruit . On the palate fills out quite well , good acidity , slightly gritty tannins still with mineral , tobacco notes on the finish . Ok reasonable length . This comes across a bit greener than I remember it , so not sure how representative this bottle is , fine to drink now and over the next 10 years . 91

Second bottle medium deep ruby with garnet rim . Took a bit of time to open up , but very good definition , red and dark fruits, truffle , undergrowth, cigar box and grafite. On the palate quite charming sweet red fruits, red plum, cassis , dried spices, undergrowth , elegant for las cases , grafite and tobacco stained finish . Well balanced acidity and quite gritty but ripe tannin . This is lovely now with time in the decanter and over the next 10 -15 years . Completely different from first bottle . — 3 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.3

Nice, aged Cabernet. Debated opening this one. This started more on the plum and raisin side and a little muted. 15 minutes later? Fig and mushroom with basil and oregano, but not a whole lot of fruit. 30 minutes after that? Dirty black cherry, plums, seemed to find itself after a 31 year sleep. Rather substantial weight in the middle. Finishes with a gritty note. Tannins are definitely dropping here and this one is showing all it has. Good time to drink now! — 7 years ago

with Dan, Shay and 1 other

Andreas Frei

8.9

Gritty tannins and bitter but enjoyable. — 8 years ago

with Charlotte

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Blueberries leap out of glass with black licorice, violets, dark currants, loamy soils, vanilla & caramel. Dry, sticky, meaty, chewy M+ tannins, dark currants, dark chocolate, mocha powder, vanilla, caramel, blackberries, black cherries, blueberries, black raspberries, bright violets, grippy, gritty volcanic minerals, a good level of spices, warm, semi-sweet dark, soils, solid acidity with a ripe, round, lush, juicy fruit finish. Barrel tasted the 2016 vintage at the Nickel & Nickel. Photos of Sofia relaxing in the cellar and attendees enjoying lunch. — 9 years ago

Sue Mohle

9.0

Beautifully floral with the gritty tannins — 9 years ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.3

Classic Grezeaux aromas. Tobacco, tea leaf, cigar, dead leaves, blackberry fruit, elegant and ripe, amazing tannins, a bit gritty as it always and so fresh. — 10 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

Fruits are fresh and run juicy to dry. Black plum, blackberries, dark raspberries, bit of stewed strawberries, tannins are dusty/gritty, leather, spicebox, baking spices, dark powdery minerals, good acidity, balance and finish. Check it again in 8-10 years but good for 20 years. — 10 years ago

Dan Thomas

9.1

Vibrant and full of energy. Gritty tannins. Needs time to show its best. — 11 years ago

Jose Ramirez

9.0

Perfecto para una noche fría, buen cuerpo. — 12 years ago

Justin Pierce

10

I grabbed this in my mad dash through Kroger. In short, I would do it again. — 12 years ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.1

Thinner and bright pink rim . Touch more red fruit and floral than the 2017, spicy, richer and riper also . Bit more riper and spicier darker fruits . Nice balancing acidity with quite gritty tannin . Quite long and detailed, well balanced on the finish . Richer than the 2017 or 2016 . Needs time but will be good . Leave 5 years then drink over the next 10 — 4 years ago

Seth Morgen Long

Broker • Arterberry Maresh / Winemaker • Morgen Long

9.4

Youthful, bright, long, maybe a touch gritty, and green in the best kind of way. — 7 years ago

Austin Hohnke

9.1

Drinks like aged Rioja with a slightly more meaty palate. Gritty tannin with mature notes of licorice and leather. Cool wine. — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.8

Few wines fit perfectly into my wheelhouse. This is one of a few. I picked this up at Seavey last weekend. 1997 is such a historic Napa vintage and this wine lives up to every inch of it. It’s a wine that you want to slowly sip all night.

On the nose; very, ripe; blackberries, sweet & sour dark cherries, black raspberries, black plum, huckleberries with slightly baked strawberries haunt the background. Mixed berry cola, vanilla, cherry liqueur notes, some black licorice, limestone minerals, very light clove, soft subtle dark spices, dry crushed rock powder, sweet tarry notes, saddle-wood, very soft leather, forest floor, blue flowers and dark fresh & withering flowers.

The body is gloriously soft, round and beyond elegant. Still has plenty of soft, round, slightly tarry tannins. The structure, tension, length and balance have hit its sweet spot with another 7-10 years of really good drinking left. It’s harmony on the palate. Ripe; blackberries, sweet & sour dark cherries, black raspberries, black plum, huckleberries with slightly baked strawberries haunt the background. Mixed berry cola, vanilla, notes of caramel, cherry liqueur notes, steeped fruit tea, some black licorice, just a hint of herbaceous, limestone minerals, very light clove, soft subtle dark spices, dusty tannins, dry crushed rock powder, gritty volcanic minerals, dry clay, sweet tarry notes, saddle-wood, chewy soft leather, forest floor, blue flowers and dark fresh & withering flowers. The acidity is about as perfect as I’ve had. The finish is nothing short of astounding. It’s long, elegant, ripe, well balanced and doesn’t end. One of the more exceptional wines I’ve had in some time.

Photos of, Seavey Winery & tasting room, the stairs the lead up to Williams office and show that late 18th century architecture, Williams desk in his old office and their Estate vines with the hillside painting the background. — 8 years ago

Mike Evans

9.0

Showing a little oxidation on the nose, but much younger on the palate with a little leather, ripe plum, and slightly gritty tannin. — 9 years ago

with Eric

LM Segal

9.3

Brooding and intense. Ripe black cherry and sweet plum, powerful gritty tannins with a tinge of iron. Amazing purity for something so big. Got better every minute it lasted in my glass...too few. Will get way better. — 10 years ago

with Joe and Melissa

Tobin Trevarthen

9.0

Delicious. Gritty berries. Perfect pork chop partner. — 10 years ago

Devin Bray

9.1

Dried roses, graveland potpourri on the nose, nicely tannic and gritty on the tongue with a mixture of baked cherry and some dark fruit. Kirsch on the finish with just a little subdued dry stones. No tar. Some oak. Elegant, refined, and ready to drink. — 10 years ago

Gerry Baker

9.0

Anise wrapped in dark fruit, tannin a little gritty — 11 years ago

Ehren Jordan

Owner/Winemaker Failla Wines

9.6

Gritty and perfect — 12 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

A blend of 54% Cab Sauv, 38% Merlot & 8% Cab Franc, aged in 60% new oak, deep Ruby with aromas of dark berry fruits, floral and sweet notes. On the palate flavors of blackberry, currents and cacao with notes of violets, oak and spice. Fine gritty tannins, long finish ending with fruit, floral and mineral spice. Tasting well! — 4 years ago

Devin Bray

9.0

Gritty, muscular, and high in acidity, this eventually came through with gorgeous stewed plums and figs, pressed flowers, potpourri. A juggernaut, and perhaps it’s more acidic qualities will soften with time. — 6 years ago

LM Segal

9.1

Really yummy, tastes as if just bottled. Chocolate-laced gritty tannins and lots of dark earth tones. — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Boom💥...there it is! Might as well be my 3,500 post. Not many better ways to kick off a Friday night. Cheers! 🥂

Love the leaner, ripe & slightly sour fruits of, strawberries, cherries, white peach, tangerine, watermelon near the rhine, black cherries, powdery razor sharp chalkiness, gritty grey volcanic minerals, sea shell/spray, baguette crust, pink rose petals, beautiful acidity and rich, round reductive, long beautiful finish.

Photos of, the House of Billecart, cellar with the bottles A-framed racked and ready to be riddled, cellar-hand crushing grapes and the best time to be in wine country, harvest. — 8 years ago

Ben Jones

9.1

Rich, fruity, very good! — 9 years ago

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.0

Deep ruby red maybe even a purplish hue. Dark berries with a touch of earthiness on the nose. Graphite and bark too. Moderate tannins (6.5/10) and medium bodied. Layered palate but a little tight with a little anise, dark fruits, spices, dark bitter cocoa and black cherries. Dry and slightly gritty texture with a medium finish. Drink till 2024. — 9 years ago

with Sean

Vann R

9.1

Left it in the decanter over night. Got smoother, with more refined tannin an acidity, but slightly more gritty. This won't be a knock out in a 5 more years, but it'll be closer. — 10 years ago

John Blazon

Master Sommelier & Educator Spire Collection

9.0

Beautiful balance, finesse - love the gritty terroir Bret ish background. — 10 years ago

David Kline

9.1

Grape wood, yellow oak leaves, baked apple, dried blackberry, jasmine incense smoke, pine bark, cran -black cherry fragrances, elegant mouthfeel, aggressive tannin initially, though balanced between fruit and oak, red currant, cranberry, stone-licking, dusty and dry. Twigs and berries on the stiff fruit and cedar wood finish. I like this immensely, but certainly not for everyone. This is cave tools made of flint for gritty combat, not fruit bombs dropped by mad scientists in the hopes of sugaring the masses to death. Hirsute cave ladies, the moon is full, I think you know it's time for bone rattling, plaintive ululating and the coming of Boognish. — 11 years ago

Brad Hemmer

9.3

Love the deep purple color. Mint, dark fruit, gritty texture, dried herbs. Glad we have another. — 12 years ago

with Jenny