Served blind by the Good Bishop Gill. Quite mature in appearance with wide tawny rim. A mature nose of autumn leaves and a little cedar, mellow and not intense. The palate must have one of the silkiest textures I have ever encountered. Beautiful balance and harmony, quite earthy and natural. A beautiful, though not amazingly complex wine that on this showing appears to be reaching the end of its plateau of maturity. Tasted April 2006.

One of the prettiest noses in this group with forward, elegant, fine, ultra spicy aromas framed by the barest hint of sous bois leading to medium weight, relatively fine flavors and a long but fairly tannic finish. This resembles the '87 in the sense that time will eventually resolve the tannic structure but it's hard to see the nose ever improving from here. This is an undeniable success for a difficult vintage. Consistent notes.

PRODUCTION: 1,694 cases. This is another fully mature La Tache that requires drinking over the next 4-5 years. The medium garnet color exhibits some lightening at the edge. The wine reveals an attractive, herbal, earthy, berry fruit-scented nose. Slightly tannic, but soft and diffuse, this wine is likely to dry out by the end of the century.