Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (91-92)

(also sur colle) Very good deep ruby. Blackcurrant, cedar and Havana tobacco on the nose. Lush but vibrant, with superb depth of flavor and layered texture for the vintage. Dense but tender. Ripely oaky finish features even, tongue-dusting tannins.

Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (91-92)

(also sur colle) Very good deep ruby. Blackcurrant, cedar and Havana tobacco on the nose. Lush but vibrant, with superb depth of flavor and layered texture for the vintage. Dense but tender. Ripely oaky finish features even, tongue-dusting tannins.

Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (87-88)

Full deep red. Alluring aromas of raspberry, coffee, brown spices and nutty oak. Lush, fruity and sweet; holds its shape nicely through to the firm, ripe finish. A very good sample. My sample of the '98 was impressively dense and lush, but showed a distinctly oxidized raisiny quality; I assume this example was not representative. Judgement deferred.

Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (89-91)

Lot #1: Good medium red. Floral aromas of cassis and raspberry. Creamy-sweet, with an almost eau de vie-like sappy quality. Very long and spicy, with sound underlying structure for this wine. From young vines (just a portion of this juice will go into the final blend): Minerally and smoky on the nose. Less dense and creamy in the mouth, but quite harmonious. Lot #3, from the estate oldest vines (comprising 35% of the total): More saturated red-ruby. Sappy raspberry and chocolate nose shows a hint of surmaturite More sauvage black fruit aromas complicated by a note of cinnamon. By far the strongest component, and the most typical Le Pin. The blend should merit

Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (90)

Deep ruby-red. Black cherry, blackcurrant and graphite on the nose. Fresh and intensely flavored; dense and thick for the vintage but with an essential gentleness. Finishes fresh and long, with tannins covered by fruit. Excellent for the vintage.

Vinous (92-94)

Ruby-red. Precise, fine, stony aromas of raspberry, rose petal and smoke; totally different from the last sample. Less volume and sheer ripeness, but higher-pitched, stronger in acidity and more sharply defined. Still, this is a big boy. Shows terrific fruit and great finesse through to the very fine, long finish.

James Suckling (99)

Intense nose of preserved lemons, salted yellow plums, walnuts, toast, salted caramel, roasted chestnuts and dried pineapple. Beautiful and complex, from 15 years, 5 years en pointe, before disgorgement in 2018. Delicious, salty toffee character. Soft, silky bubbles. Long and powerful. Thought-provoking. Unique. Will be launched in September 2022. Drink on release or hold.

Decanter (97)

A touch of Mirabelle plum is framed by strident lemon on the nose. Smoky echoes seem to appear with more air, alongside freshly picked chestnut mushrooms. Later on, there is a real note of honey. The palate is bundled in its lemon expression: pure, heightened, linear, alive with lemon zest, almost like freshly squeezed Amalfi lemon juice tempering ripe Mirabelle plums. Yet there are shadows of grilled nuts, of deep chalk, of subtle smokiness - the bubbles still burst, carrying all these flavours. The finish presents a lovely note of peppery rye crumb. A very complex and compelling wine. You want to go back because every time you do, new things happen. Wow. Tasted from magnum.

Decanter (97)

A touch of Mirabelle plum is framed by strident lemon on the nose. Smoky echoes seem to appear with more air, alongside freshly picked chestnut mushrooms. Later on, there is a real note of honey. The palate is bundled in its lemon expression: pure, heightened, linear, alive with lemon zest, almost like freshly squeezed Amalfi lemon juice tempering ripe Mirabelle plums. Yet there are shadows of grilled nuts, of deep chalk, of subtle smokiness - the bubbles still burst, carrying all these flavours. The finish presents a lovely note of peppery rye crumb. A very complex and compelling wine. You want to go back because every time you do, new things happen. Wow. Tasted from magnum.

LaRVF (95)

Château Margaux Margaux 1997

LaRVF (95)

Château Margaux Margaux 1997

LaRVF (95)

Château Margaux Margaux 1997

Vinous (95)

Starting to take on a deep golden hue, the 1997 Moulin Touchais Coteaux du Layon is a sensuous sweet wine (92g/L of residual sugar) that offers ripe and concentrated flavors of apricot jam, cooked oranges botrytis-derived spices (60% of the fruit was affected by botrytis, a high proportion for this wine). It is intense, rich and honeyed, coating the palate with its sucrosity. There's just enough acidity here to keep things going but it does not have the vivacious refreshment of cooler years, providing a weightier, fully charged expression. The finish is lengthy and fragrant.

Wine Spectator (92)

This is a forgotten Pétrus. Good dark color, with lovely plum and light raspberry aromas. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a fresh, fruity finish. A beauty. Fresh and long. Slightly better than when I tasted it a few years back.

Wine Spectator (92)

This is a forgotten Pétrus. Good dark color, with lovely plum and light raspberry aromas. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a fresh, fruity finish. A beauty. Fresh and long. Slightly better than when I tasted it a few years back.

Wine Spectator (92)

This is a forgotten Pétrus. Good dark color, with lovely plum and light raspberry aromas. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a fresh, fruity finish. A beauty. Fresh and long. Slightly better than when I tasted it a few years back.

Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (91-93)

Two component cuvées tasted.Cuvée #1 (20- to 30-year-old vines picked late): Medium red. Explosive aromas of raspberry liqueur, fresh cherry and smoke. Very rich, almost liqueur-like, with hints of leather and game. Impressively ripe and deep. Has sound acidity and a firm tannic underpinning.Cuvée #2 (from a higher percentage of older vines, picked earlier): Deeper red. Much less forthcoming on the nose. More intensely flavored and powerful, with excellent grip and structure for the year. Strong peppery quality in the mouth and on the aftertaste. Tannins are substantial but ripe. A robust sample. The combination of these two cuvées should produce a strong wine.

The Rene Renou Bonnezeaux Cuvee Zenith 1997 is a remarkable dessert wine crafted from Chenin Blanc grapes by the consummate artisan, Rene Renou. This exquisite wine hails from the Bonnezeaux appellation of the Loire Valley, celebrated for its luscious sweet wines. Traditionally harvested by 'try', a technique of gathering grapes at their zenith of ripeness.

The 1997 vintage is a testament to Renou's distinct mastery, producing a wine that is all at once complex, enlivened, and intensely aromatic. Radiating hues of deep amber, its nose reveals layers of ripe apricot, candied oranges, and exotic honeycomb.

On the palate, the wine presents a rare harmony of sweetness and acidity, dominated by notes of dried fruits, clove, and minerals -- a tale of the terroir from which it was born. This Rene Renou Bonnezeaux Cuvee Zenith 1997 is a testament to Rene Renou's dedication and an ode to the beauty of Bonnezeaux.

Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (92+)

Captivating, tangy aromas of vineyard peach, pear, white flowers and curry powder. Supple and very concentrated; thick but lively thanks to perfectly integrated acidity. Fruit notes nicely complemented by spice tones. Conveys a tactile impression of extract. Long and strong on the back end. Still quite youthfully unevolved and built for long life.

Robert Ampeau Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Combettes 1997 offers an unforgettable journey to the heart of fine winemaking, embodying the renowned tradition of French viticulture. This exquisite white wine, crafted under the watchful eye of the esteemed Robert Ampeau, hails from Puligny-Montrachet in Burgundy and is part of the premier cru, denoting its exceptional quality.

The wine is famed for its elegant vibrancy and subtle complexity, a testament to Robert Ampeau's meticulous approach. Spared from invasive modern techniques, Ampeau tends his vineyards with care, allowing the authentic terroir of Montrachet to your glass.

The Robert Ampeau Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Combettes 1997 showcases rich character, nuanced with pear, citrus, almond and stony mineral notes. The palate is robust yet impeccably balanced, carrying through to a lingering, sophisticated finish.

Let this vintage transport you, an emblem of time, passion, and the indomitable spirit of French winemaking tradition.

Indulge in the remarkable essence of Robert Gibourg Morey-Saint-Denis La Bidaude 1997, a sophisticated Villages wine renowned in the fine wine world. As gems of the Burgundy, Robert Gibourg has crafted this exceptional vintage within the prestigious vineyards of Morey-Saint-Denis, France.

Every bottle reveals an exquisite blend of complexity and finesse, resulting from meticulous cultivation and judicious harvesting. Hand-picked Pinot Noir grapes encapsulate the refined terroir expression, imbued with intricately woven layers of dark fruit tones, earthy hues and aged nuances.

The East-facing La Bidaude vineyard, with well-drained limestone-based soils, generously endows this wine with its vibrant richness and subtle depth. Traditional open vat fermentation further enhances the symphony of flavours, ensuring a harmonious, beautifully balanced finish. Reveal your distinguished palate with the Robert Gibourg Morey-Saint-Denis La Bidaude 1997, a prestigious embodiment of artisan winemaking.

James Suckling (97)

This is phenomenal with mineral, sliced apple and honeysuckle aromas and flavors. It's full-bodied and so refined. Racy and intense. So youthful and long. Like a great and fresh Batard-Montrachet. Long life to go.

James Suckling (97)

This is phenomenal with mineral, sliced apple and honeysuckle aromas and flavors. It's full-bodied and so refined. Racy and intense. So youthful and long. Like a great and fresh Batard-Montrachet. Long life to go.

Wine Advocate (95)

From a recently released bottle disgorged in 2018, the 1997 Blanc de Blancs Le Mesnil Brut is showing very well indeed, offering up aromas of citrus oil, crushed chalk, white flowers, warm bread and iodine that are appreciably more youthful than the more mature dried fruit tones that readers will find in bottles of the original disgorgement. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, tensile and incisive, with superb concentration, chalky structure and a long, searingly mineral finish. The 2018 disgorgement saw 3.5 grams per liter dosage, somewhat less than the original release. While the 1996 has the edge, I doubt that, 20 years ago, anyone could have imagined how close the 1997 and 1996 would be as they approach maturity.

LaRVF (95)

Encore un extraordinaire 1997, somptueusement liquoreux mais avec ici un fruit éclatant qui équilibre à merveille le fruit. Longueur hallucinante : pas loin de la minute !

Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (94+)

Very closed chalky, minerally nose. Even less forthcoming than the Riesling Frédéric Emile , and much harder to taste today. Quite dense and tactile. Then very long and ripe on the firm finish; conveys an impression of crunchy, minerally austerity.

Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (85-88)

Healthy red-ruby color. Cassis, mint, spice and an intriguing floral perfume on the nose. Similar flavors in the mouth. Lovely texture and sweetness, with nicely integrated acidity. My enthusiasm for this wine is tempered only by a suggestion of damp earth on the finish.