Stylistically, this borrows elements from both the '97 and the '96 as it combines moderate floral notes with most of the spice, soy and hoisin of the '96 plus the densest flavors of any vintage to this point. The mid-palate doesn't have quite the same sap of the '96 and the long, dusty finish offers a hint of chocolate. This too has the potential to be very long lived. Multiple notes with consistent results; in fact, a recent bottle tasted in Burgundy was even better than the bottle in the big La Tâche tasting held in early '03.