The 1998 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve spent 22 months in wood, of which 50% was new French. Now think about this ... the price will be $145 for the screw cap, but only $135 for the cork-finished wine. The 1998 displays great texture, and a sweet and expansive mid-palate, in addition to a fat, ripe finish. I don't really know how they pulled this off in 1998, but certainly some of the very best 1998 Cabernet Sauvignons have emerged from the Oakville corridor. The wine is full-bodied and beautifully scented, with aromas of cassis, plums, cherries, minerals, and smoke. Surprisingly full-bodied, with a plush texture in addition to layers of fruit and richness, it is a brilliant 1998 that can be drunk upon release or cellared for 15-16 years.
(WA 23rd Dec 2000)
