According to Wilson-Daniels, Domaine Leflaive’s American importer, the United States’ allocation of 1997 Montrachet is only 36 bottles. This wine is certainly one of the finest 1997s produced in the Cote de Beaune. It offers fresh yet immensely ripe aromas of pears, apples, red berries, and candied almonds. On the palate, it reveals massive breadth, spectacular refinement, as well as huge concentration and complexity. Toasted white fruits, lemons, currants, hazelnuts, salt, and minerals can be found in its highly defined and extracted personality. This is quintessential Montrachet, combining the density, ripeness, and richness of a Batard, with the elegance, precision, and purity of a top-flight Chevalier. It is an unfortunate fact that only a handful of millionaires have the resources to locate and acquire this wine. C’est la vie! Anticipated maturity: 2003-2012. Importer: Wilson Daniels, St. Helena, CA; (707) 963-9661.