NAPA VALLEY
	The 1997 growing season provided Robert Keenan Winery with yet another stellar vintage. The Cabernet grapes were harvested at the peak of maturity, and ripe fruit flavors and aromas dominated this wine. Keenan's 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon is composed primarily of grapes grown on Spring Mountain; the remainder of the fruit was harvested from select vineyards on the floor of the Napa Valley. Keenan's winemaker, Nils Venge, carefully chose these vineyards' grapes to add complexity, and to soften the powerful Keenan Estate fruit. The 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon has been aged in French oak barrels for 24 months. After conducting extensive blending trials, Keenan opted to leave the wine as a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon varietal (no Cabernet Franc or Merlot was added). The resulting wine shows concentrated black cherry and currant aromas, yet classic earthy Cabernet characters are noticed as the wine opens up. The rich flavors and full body are complimented by a nice amount of oak and a lingering toasty finish.
WINE DATA AWARDS & RATINGS 2000 Los Angeles County Fair, Limited Production Category Gold Medal Global Village Quarterly "Best Buy" 94 Points Wine Enthusiast Magazine 92 Points Wine Advocate, Robert M. Parker, Jr. 87 Points Alcohol 13.5% Total Acidity 0.56 grams/100mL pH 3.60 Residual Sugar Dry Bottling Date December 3, 1999 Blend 100% Cabernet Sauvignon Production 2,300 cases