This has always been a controversial vintage for DRC and it remains so today though I continue to believe that it will prove to be a great effort. No bricking at all with a supremely elegant if still completely reserved nose of dried roses, spice and Oriental tea followed by dense, complex and powerful flavors underpinned by very prominent structure. The remaining tannins are ripe and balanced and remain well integrated though certainly not invisible on the phenomenally long finish. This is arguably the best DRC Grands Echézeaux of the decade and it will certainly prove to be the longest lived.

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Deep and concentrated, with lots of smoky nutmeg and tea overtones to the core of plum and cherry flavor, hinting at violet on the nose. Very firm and tannic; will need until 2000 to soften. Should age well. 1,000 cases made.

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I have been telling people for years that this domaine's "best buy," if such a label can be applied here, is the Grands Echezeaux. While it is not Romanee-Conti or La Tache, it often comes very close to those two titans, at a fraction of the price. In 1988, it is fabulous. In fact, my unedited tasting notes had the words "fabulous" in them twice and "awesome" once. It is decadently rich and spicy with an extraordinary perfume of violets, gamey, plum-like fruit, toasty new oak, and a finish that must last several minutes. It, like the Echezeaux, should not be consumed for at least 5 years, and should easily last until 2010 or longer.

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Just a perfect wine after decanted and let breath for 1 1/2 hour.