The 1998 possesses an opaque purple color as well as a firm but promising bouquet of black fruits crushed stones and smoky new oak. There is plenty of depth and purity as well as a well-delineated style in this backward tannic muscular effort. While it is the finest La Clusiere yet produced it requires 4-5 years of cellaring. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2020. Readers can expect this wine to continue to improve now that new proprietor Gerard Perse is in charge. No expense is being spared in the pursuit of quality.