97 California

A short post: the 1997 California reds have been a huge disappointment.  What started out as a big (and expensive) year with loads of promise had its fruit dying off quickly in 2003 and through 2004.  In 2005 it was hard to find a red from that vintage that didn't taste too big for its fruit, with heavy concentrated tannins overriding any roundness that might have been there.  I have talked to sommeliers at several Wine Spectator Award of Excellence restaurants and the results have been consistent: the 97s are dead, and probably not coming back.  Too bad, because I have a cellar full.