Aged Napa hits different! 1997 Etude Cabernet Sauvignon

Won this on auction and went straight to PnP.

This needed time to open, but let it open in the bottle and glass, then enjoyed over two hours.

Initially was a little muted and I was worried it was over the hill, but even just twenty minutes revealed a very different wine.

Black cherry, dark plum, blackberry, blueberry, dark chocolate, thyme, slight tobacco, strawberry stems. Over time, some black tea notes emerged as well.

Shockingly high acidity, but it's balanced by the fruit and tannins.

This continued to get better in the glass with air and swirling.

Paired well with Vijaywada Paneer Biryani.

I think this can last another decade.

92 points.