Medium red-ruby. Confectionary aromas of raspberry, cocoa powder, mocha and sexy oak; more evolved than either the '99 or '98, even considering its extra year of age. Fat, sweet and harmonious; offers lovely balance but just misses out on the density and depth of a great year. Finishes with firm but very suave tannins; this must be one of the longest '97s.

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Undoubtedly a success for the vintage, this immensely charming, dark ruby/purple-colored wine exhibits floral, black currant, and smoky, toasty oak aromas. There is admirable richness, excellent ripeness, not a great deal of density, or superb concentration, but plenty of finesse, suppleness, and character. It can be drunk young, or cellared for 12-15 years.

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All in finesse, with berry, currant and light vanilla character. Medium- to full-bodied, with silky tannins and a fresh finish. Lovely, long finish. Gorgeous core of fruit in this wine.

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Quite a remarkable wine for what considered an unimpressive vintage. Still young at 15 years of age, classical notes, deep earthy fragrance, well balanced, subtle, and extremely long aftertaste. It started as relatively flat for the first half an hour in a glass but then opened up and was going strong for hours and getting subtler and more delicate. Tasted blind in the small tasting of 1997 horizontal (the winner was the Mouton, but the Margaux was very close).