? for the wine experts

[Ferdelious]

I'm thinking about opening a magnum of '97 Dominus to celebrate my Uncle's birthday who is a wine enthusiast. It's probably the best bottle in my small collection but there is no one I would rather open it for. My first question, is ready for drinking or should I keep it in the cellar? Second, if I do pop the cork how long should I decant it for.

I have some early 2000's 2nd-5th growth Bordeaux's that I would open alternatively.

I would appreciate any input.

[rr-nyc]

Dominus makes some amazing wine. One of my favorites

97 is decent. Ive had it and would open another but know that yours will drink younger given the larger format.

[fusionstorm]

'97 was an acclaimed year for Napa. But interestingly, myself and a few other friends have noticed it hasn't been as "long lived" as the '94 vintages and earlier.

Considering it's been in mag, I think you should be in the latter part of its drinking window. Please do report back on how it was!

[TheRolexKingofLV]

Heres a couple hundred tasting notes regarding your 1997 Dominus from Cellar Tracker...hope this helps.

http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=5417

[Jcuenco]

I have had the Dominus several times. I would recommend decanting 1/2 hour prior to serving just to get any sediment out. It's a pretty easy drinking wine. If you have a 2000 Bordeaux, you could open that too, I would probably decant 1/2 hour to 1 hour prior and enjoy how the wine opens up

[Lawman77]

Too young. It'll last another 5-7 years in the magnum bottle.
I'd personally choose a Colgin, Hundred Acre, or ideally, a Screaming Eagle instead.

[Runnin' Rebel]

Originally Posted by rr-nyc

Dominus makes some amazing wine. One of my favorites

97 is decent. Ive had it and would open another but know that yours will drink younger given the larger format.

+ 1 but I bet it's ready and a 1/2 decant depending on storage etc..is about right, I make sure I drink the sediment as it gives you a little more prowess under the sheets

[wantonebad]

You've already been given great advice, only thing I would add is perhaps open it a bit earlier, the extra exposure to a 20 year old wine will do two things. You'll know in an hour if it's fallen off and can make an alternate plan without your guests knowing. If it's spot-on than the more O2 the better it will open and evolve.

[Tri-Tip]

On Christmas day, I was invited to a friend's house.

I have 2 bottles of Opus One, 2002 and 2003, and figured that if they sat any longer they would go bad, so I took the 2002.

Cork broke apart upon opening and most fell into the bottle. We ran it through a strainer into a decanter, let sit for 1/2 hour or so, and it was GREAT. Next year, I take the '03.

[Runnin' Rebel]

Originally Posted by Runnin' Rebel

+ 1 but I bet it's ready and a 1/2 decant depending on storage etc..is about right, I make sure I drink the sediment as it gives you a little more prowess under the sheets

EDIT: was trying to say 1/2 hour decant..as it's better to sit less time then more time

[George Burdell]

Open it! Do not pass go. Do not collect $200. Just open it.

Twenty years is plenty of sleep for that wine, even in the larger format. Plus, the experience of tasting it will be framed by the experience of sharing a great bottle with your uncle, who it sounds like will certainly appreciate it. That is what that wine was made for, so do it!

My only two cents is I wouldn't decant it. With wines with that age, I like to watch them develop in the glass over the course of drinking the bottle. But, to each his own.

Cheers and enjoy the experience!

[Runnin' Rebel]

Originally Posted by George Burdell

Open it! Do not pass go. Do not collect $200. Just open it.

Twenty years is plenty of sleep for that wine, even in the larger format. Plus, the experience of tasting it will be framed by the experience of sharing a great bottle with your uncle, who it sounds like will certainly appreciate it. That is what that wine was made for, so do it!

My only two cents is I wouldn't decant it. With wines with that age, I like to watch them develop in the glass over the course of drinking the bottle. But, to each his own.

Cheers and enjoy the experience!

George Burdell, I like your style lol
In any event it's should be a great bottle