Readers should be aware that this is a wine I underrated in my original report on the 1998 vintage. It is performing better out of bottle than it did from cask. With age, the mid-section has filled out and the wine has put on weight. A deep plum/garnet color is accompanied by an up-front, seductive nose of melted licorice, cedar, plums, black cherries, and cassis. This attractive Talbot is nicely-textured and medium to full-bodied, with sweet tannin. It is pleasing to see how this wine has matured. Anticipated maturity: 2003-2016.