Haut Bailly 1997

A moderate garnet core. The nose is a step down from the aromatics of the 1996, but has a certain femininity and purity: black cherries, pencil box from your secondary school with just a hint of capsicum that becomes stronger with aeration. Also a touch of garrigue developing after 30 minutes. The palate has an attractive supple entry that eases you in to a surprisingly firm middle, yet again just pick-perfect acidity and a nice spicy quality developing with aeration. A hint of white pepper towards the mid-weight rather than lightweight finish with cherry, a touch of cranberry and spice. Drinking perfectly now and certainly a 1997 boxing above its weight. Drink now-2016. Tasted September 2007.

Light to medium-bodied, with pleasant spicy tobacco and sweet black cherry/berry fruit, this low acid, delicate wine can be drunk now and over the next 6-7 years.