Description:

I tasted this twice, once at the Orders tasting and again at the domaine and while both bottles were outstanding they varied in their degree of evolution. Somewhat curiously the bottle opened at the domaine was more forward and closer to its peak maturity. In both cases though the brilliantly spicy and wonderfully pure nose has gone largely if not completely secondary with hints of rose petal, plum and violets. There is a lovely sense of energy and underlying tension to the lush and vibrant flavors that brim with impressive reserves of dry extract before culminating in a palate staining and hugely persistent finish. Where the wines tended to differ the most was the amount of remaining structure as one bottle was still quite firm yet the other was close to its peak. My suggested drinking window splits the difference between the two but the essential take away is that this is one of the great wines of the '98 vintage. Burghound 95