Deep ruby colour. Rich opulent nose with notes of cooked meat and black coffee. Very powerful palate with wonderful definition. Backward compared to some of the other DRC wines. Sustained soft berried fruits with fine balance. Touch of dark chocolate on the stern, perhaps slightly foursquare finish. A long-term Richebourg. (1,015 cases produced) Tasted February 2000.

The ruby-colored 1997 Richebourg is big and flavorful. Its rose, violet, talcum powder, and crushed berry-scented nose leads to a boisterous, dense personality. Medium-to-full-bodied and loaded with spices freshly ground black pepper, and blackberries, this is a deeply ripe, expressive wine. Projected maturity: now-2009. Importer: Wilson-Daniels, St. Helena, CA; tel (707) 963-9661.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 30/10/1999 The ruby-colored 1997 Richebourg is big and flavorful. Its rose, violet, talcum powder, and crushed berry-scented nose leads to a boisterous, dense personality. Medium-to-full-bodied and loaded with spices freshly ground black pepper, and blackberries, this is a deeply ripe, expressive wine. Projected maturity: now-2009. ()

Very good deep red. More expressive, oakier aromas of red berries. Sweet, lush and quite suave; like the above, full but in a rather feminine style. Finishes with ripe, full tannins and sweet, spicy fruit.

An expressive nose amply reflects the ripeness of the '97 vintage with its floral and spicy black berry fruit aromas that are both elegant and refined while transitioning into rich, sweet and full-bodied flavors that possess good muscle and solid if not sensational depth and length. In sum, this is a quality '97 that should benefit from another 5 or so years in the cellar.