WTN: 1997 Thunder Mtn Bates Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon

1997 Thunder Mtn Bates Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon
I've had maybe 6 or 7 bottles of different wines that Milan produced and they have been all over the lot for me. A '96 Star Ruby Blend was stunning about 5 years ago and a '93 Merlot was almost undrinkable, with the rest falling someplace between these extremes. This 1997 Bates Cab was certainly above drain food, but it also wasn't very memorable. The color was fine, but the fruit was very subdued and couldn't handle the wood treatment.
BP

maybe you held it too long?

Could be. I've been known to do that on occasion. Could be bottle variation, etc.. We'll never know. FWIW, I generally prefer Cali-Cabs at the 8-10 year mark.