1997 Robert Craig Affinity

I definitely have an affinity for this Bordeaux-style beauty. Someone on the internet called it spectacular and they are right. Not all American wines fade early. This one, at ten years of age, seems to be only about halfway through to full maturity. Deep rich brick red in color, the nose is full of black fruit notes especially and truly cassis followed by meat, tobacco, tar - almost like a traditional Barolo. Big and youngish tasting, reminiscent of a big Washington state Syrah. Not a fruitbomb but somewhat jammy and in the Robert Parker style -raspberry, cherry, blueberry and chocolate. This would be great with a Valentine's Day dinner of steak followed by a chocolate dessert. Robert Craig is kind of a super-second in the cult world of Napa wines - that is delicious, but not outrageously expensive and more available than, say, Screaming Eagle.