A deep ruby colour with very little ageing. There is a tangible stalkiness on the nose that seems to dissipate with a few swirls of the glass. The nose is reticent at first, dark cherries, blackberry leaf, a touch of dried blood and cooked meats with blueberries and violets evolving after twenty minutes in the glass. The palate has beautiful poise, firm tannins and moving towards secondary flavours: sour cherry, dried orange peel, and a ferrous finish. I feel this La Tache is undergoing its adolescence, an “awkwardness” that will resolve itself five or six years hence. “A moody git” are the last three words I scribbled as I vainly tried to extract it out of its sulk, but I give up. Just cellar it because it will deliver! Tasted February 2008.

Fantastically pure with the classic spice box, hoisin and soy nose followed by big, rich, very structured flavors that display notes of earth, leather and tea. The tannins are big, ripe and are completely buffered by the sap with length that is simply phenomenal. This remains completely primary in character and seems not to have budged at all since it was bottled. A genuinely great vintage for La Tâche that is softer in the mouth than the '96 Grands Ech and this should improve for another decade and last for 50 years. Very classy juice.

This blockbuster wine possesses a profound nose. It exhibits awesomely ripe red and black fruits, raw meat, and Asian spices, all of which are encased in sweet toasty oak. This full-bodied, wide, thick, focused, harmonious, and intense wine releases amazingly powerful layers of candied black cherries and blackberries. It is structured, totally precise, pure, and possesses an exceptionally long finish loaded with abundant sweet tannins. It will require patience. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2020. Importer: Wilson-Daniels, St. Helena, CA; tel. (707) 963-9661.

Excellent ruby-red color. Initially reticent black fruit nose opened to reveal notes of violet, vanilla and char. Rather unforthcoming in the mouth, but very intensely flavored, pure and penetrating. Superb sweetness is already apparent. Very firm finish, with tannins coating the entire mouth. Will require at least six to eight years of patience.