Most of the wines I describe here are only available from private collectors at this point, as they were all released at least 10 years ago. The vintage was over-hyped vintage by the Wine Spectator and the Wine Advocate,as well as several other publications, which touted it as one of the best from Tuscany in the last 20 years.

Still, I have always liked this vintage. Many of the wines were enjoyable even upon release, although the best from 1997 have the structure to age for decades in your cellar. There are several critics today who feel these wines have taken a turn for the worst and are now on the decline.

After tasting these eight wines, I can tell you with confidence that if you like vintage or older wines, you can hold on to your 1997 Tuscans for another decade or more. Everything that we opened was still quite lively and a few of the wines, like the Sammarco and the Montiano, still have room to improve with more time. Most of the wines on the table were at their peak or near their peak, and they should continue to drink at this plateau for at least another decade or more.

1997 Castello Di Ama Chianti Classico

Some dark peppery spice, fresh earth, notes of dried meat, brown spice and fine herbs showing to the red, plum-like fruit. A bit light on the tongue, but very elegant and still quite fresh and lively on the finish. Excellent

1997 Tenuta San Giusto a Rentennano Chianti Classico Riserva

A complex bouquet of red cherry, fresh earth and dried tobacco, with dried meats and dark coco spice. Still has good fruit. This wine is quite lively, with excellent concentration and depth of flavors and soft and smooth tannins. Drinks very nicely, but still has some legs left. Lovely freshness and a long, complex finish. Finish 50+ Most Excellent

1997 Col D'Orcia Brunello Di Montalcino

A very classic nose with dried meats, black tar and fine herbs, some sundried cherry-like fruit and fresh earth. Dried meat notes on the finish, and fairly rustic on the palate, still with some firm tanins. This wine still has time. Finish 50+ Most Excellent

1997 Poggio Antico Brunello Di Montalcino

Classic nose with dried meat, beef jerky and smoky incense spice. Light and savory style. with red cherry and red licorice spice, finishing with fine tannins. Very fresh finish. Finish 40+ Excellent +

1997 Poggio Antico Brunello Di Montalcino Altero

Located at an average altitude of approximately 450 meters (1,476 feet) above sea level, Poggio Antico is one of the highest altitude producers of Brunello. Altero was created back in 1983 with the intention of making a more modern style of Brunello. Altero is a proprietary wine that is distinguished by being aged in 500-liter French oak tonneaux for a period of two years rather than for three years in the large new Slavonian oak barrels used for the traditional Brunello. Classic tar and fresh- plowed earth, mushroom and dried meats. Nice complexity on the nose and richness on the tongue. The tannins are very smooth and silky, with notes of black spice, tar and black truffles. Still has good freshness. Finish 45+ Most Excellent

1997 Falesco Montiano Lazio

Dark plum and a bit of beef stew-like aromas to the nose. Needs to open up. Dark, bittersweet chocolate notes with fine herbs and dried meats. Nice complexity on the nose. Very smooth and velvety on the tongue, with layers of dark spices and fine herbs. Tobacco spice and nice complexity on the finish. Finish 50+ Most Excellent +

1997 Tenuta San Giusto a Rentennano Percarlo

A blend of Sangiovese and Sangiovese100% varietal, this later harvest wine has lots of ripe strawberry fruit, with fine herbs and porcini truffle like notes to the nose. Lovely richness and concentration on the palate, with smooth tannins. Still has good freshness and a zesty finish with exotic spice and incense-like notes. Finish 45+ Most Excellent

1997 Castella Di Rampolla Sammarco

A blend of 90% cabernet sauvignon, 5% sangiovese and 5% merlot made by the great Giacomo Tachis. A good amount of fresh-plowed earth and fine herbs, tobacco, dried sausage, dark cocoa spice and cassis. Black currant and plum-like fruit. Very full and rich. Smooth and plush on the tongue, with nice freshness and balance. Finish 45+ Most Excellent +