Distinguished, concentrated, classically-styled Pomerol nose: this has a nice smoke, cool clay and turned earth edge to the fruit. Warm with a touch of exotic spice, white flower and ground coffee. Lots of substance, purity and character on the palate: macerated raspberry, damson, spicecake. The tannins are ripe and classy; firm, this has an impressive backbone and acidity for a ’97. Outside of Lafleur and Pétrus this may last the longest of the ’97 Pomerols. In the context of a lesser year, this is a very fine bottle. Now – 2017.
