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.