This wine contains an extremely high percentage of Semillon (usually about 90%), which was to its benefit in 1997. The wine is light medium gold-colored, with a blockbuster nose of Grand Marnier liqueur intertwined with flower blossoms, smoky new oak, and coconut. Well-integrated wood has resulted in a seamless, full-bodied, unctuously-textured wine with considerable sweetness. This is a stunningly proportioned, beautifully pure wine. Anticipated maturity: 2002-2025. (No tasting note was provided in Issue 128. We have instead included the text of the tasting note from Issue 122)

Rich and concentrated, the wine is already drinking well. This is more about power and volume than complexity and purity (as seen in the 2001). Creamy caramel and crème brûlée notes on the nose with a touch of toasted oak. Palate dense, fat and toothsome, a note of acidity providing balance on the finish.