Buttered toast vanilla beans anise and honeysuckle blossoms are found in the 1997 Corton-Charlemagne's nose. It is a huge dense oak-laden concentrated and extremely dense wine. Its super-spicy flavor profile is loaded with poached pears caramelized apples and minerals whose flavors last throughout its exceedingly persistent finish. Projected maturity: now-2006.Importer: Robert Kacher Selections Washington DC; tel. (202) 832-9083.

A bit odd at first with a menthol apple pie and wet earth character. Shows some rich fruit in the end but don't expect it up front. A big wine. Better than previously reviewed. Best from 2004 through 2009. 200 cases made. –PM