I have had two very different experiences with this wine as a bottle tasted in 2012 was notably advanced with notes of sous bois and a lean, slightly hard finish; I rated it 89. By contrast, this most recent bottle was much better with no bricking though there is some lightening of color at the rim. The nose has now turned largely secondary with its dried flower, earth, game and humus scents. The dense, powerful and serious big-bodied flavors are both robust and muscular while delivering a gorgeously long and complex finale. The mid-palate brims with dry extract that imparts a sappy mouth feel and overall, while this is not especially refined, it is a most impressive '98. I would further add that though this could easily be enjoyed now, I would suggest holding it for another 3 to 5 years first with the hopes of resolving some of the remaining structure. 2020+

The saturated medium-to-dark ruby-colored 1998 Clos de Vougeot has superb talcum powder rose spice and juicy blackberry aromatics. On the palate it has huge sweetness in the attack with black pit fruits and cassis flavors. It then slams shut on rugged hard tannins that will most likely never soften.</P>