Beaulieu Vineyard Georges de Latour Private Reserve (half-bottle) 1997

Nearly opaque, magenta-ruby color. Strong, sweet cassis, blackberry, roasted chestnut and herbal aromas are framed by definitive but not overarching vanilla-oak scents providing additional nuance. Ripe and sweet blackberry cabernet flavors show succulent fruit and mid-palate texture, with full body and ample mouthfeel. Firm but ripe tannins add structural support in the finish. An enjoyable and fleshy wine now, it should age well for two decades or more.