Last Tasted 12/91It is hard to believe this wine was aged for three years in new oak casks given the fact that it no longer exhibits any aromas of toast, vanillin, or smoky new oak. The super concentration of fruit has simply absorbed the oak, and the result is one of the top wines of the year in France. Still dark ruby/purple/garnet, with a huge, smoked meat and black-raspberry nose, this rich, voluptuous, concentrated wine has reached full maturity, but promises to last for several decades. A glorious tasting experience. Anticipated maturity: now-2005.

Firm, thick and somewhat dry, offering dark flavors of chocolate and truffle. A cloudy color suggests that other bottles might be better.--Guigal Cote-Rotie vertical. -TM