The best of the First Growth ’97s. A limpid, garnet/ruby core with ruby rim. The nose is exquisite with great delineation and purity with much more vigour that the other Firsts. Mint, blackberries, violets and blueberries all leap from the glass, oblivious to the fact that they stem from a poor vintage. The palate has a slightly voluptuous feel to it, rounded black fruits, raspberry, cassis, tobacco, graphite and a touch of Asian spice towads the finish. Sheer class. A superb success for Paul Pontallier in a difficult vintage. Drink now-2025. Tasted September 2006. [Neal Martin, 01/09/2006]
“This bottle is a vintage product from 1997. While we have taken every care to describe its external condition and fill level accurately, we cannot guarantee the drinkability.
“TCA (cork taint) is a natural occurrence that affects a small percentage of wines sealed with natural cork. As this bottle is from 1998, we cannot guarantee its internal quality or ‘cork-free’ status. The buyer accepts this inherent risk of vintage wine, and no refunds or replacements will be provided for bottles found to be corked upon opening.
