Good, mature garnet color with meaty berry and earthy aromas and flavors. Still fresh with a firm backbone of tannins and lovely chocolate notes. Drink now.--The Bordeaux 50. -JS

This wine has just begun its slide down the slippery slope. It was an outstanding La Conseillante that drank beautifully young. Once the baby fat began to fade in the mid-nineties, the wine was less enticing, although still an excellent, and perhaps outstanding if drunk from larger format bottles (i.e., magnum). The wine possesses a deep ruby color with some lightening at the edge. The toasty, cherry and raspberry-scented nose is followed by smoky, roasted herb, sweet cherry and raspberry flavors judiciously infused with spicy oak. The acidity is adequate, and the tannin and fat have faded away. Anticipated maturity: Now. Last tasted 11/97