1997 PlumpJack, Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville
It´s a long time ago that I had a californian wine in my glass. You have to know it is not quite easy to find TOP wines from California here in Berlin and as you could imagine a cheap oak-soup is not my case. Therefore I really enjoyed this gift.
First, to judge and enjoy appropriately this wine I think you have to drink this Cabernet together with a big steak and a smoky american barbecue-sauce. Really a perfect match.
Great juice! Black currants, blackberry, licorice, leather and grip tannins. Powerful and elegant on the same time, also shows quite young at the moment. Good potential for the next 5-10 years. This perfect harmony is stunning, I guess these american winemakers make such kind of wines in order to have the perfect partner for their big steaks.
Nice note. Thanks for it.
have had this bottle and agree, total winner.
I believe 97 was this first year they bottled this wine under both cork and screwcap. Since you did not mention it, I’m assuming you had a cork-finished bottle, no? Continue to be very curious to hear side by side takes on cork vs screwcap finish on this wine and their later vintages . . .
Cheers!
Larry,
You are right on with the 97 being the year they offered both stopper formats. I bought one two pack at the winery of it. We will definitely open the wines together.
Martin,
A nice note. Thanks.
I had a bottle with normal cork.
BTW, a few weeks ago I had 2002 Künstler “Hölle” Auslese trocken GK which is a TOP Riesling in Germany and the used plastic cork as a trial. Quite obvious this Riesling showed more developped than it should be.
Cheers,
Martin
97 is the first year for the screwtop but i think it was solely for the reserve cab.
great juicebtw.
The cork vs. screwcap experiment is on the RESERVE bottling only, not the regular stuff.
When I first got ITB, Plumpjack was always a memorable wine.