As I reported last year the 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon Madrona Ranch is a perfect Cabernet Sauvignon. It has been in bottle for over a year and this wine like all the others has easily soaked up its aging in 100% new Taransaud barrels. It is a sumptuous unctuously-textured fabulously concentrated Cabernet Sauvignon that hits all the sweet spots on the palate and puts the olfactory senses into overdrive. The wine smells and tastes perfect. It is a compelling effort that one day will be considered part of a small group of elite California Cabernets that may be rewriting the definition of greatness in Cabernet Sauvignon. The 1997 boasts an opaque black/purple color as well as a gorgeous bouquet of roasted meats scorched earth blackberry creme de cassis minerals and toast. The soaring aromatics are matched by a phenomenally intense seamless palate with full-bodied opulence exquisite purity and symmetry and a multidimensional finish that lasts for nearly a minute. This wine will be delicious when released next year and will last for 25-30 years. It is a tour de force in winemaking.(Not yet released)