Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte 1998

WEINWISSER: "Sattes Purpur mit lila Rand. Intensives, würziges Cabernet-Bouquet, Tabaknoten, Rosen, schwarze Oliven, frisch gerösteter Kaffee, noch reduktiv, grosses Potential anzeigend. Satter, fester Gaumen, viel Stoff, sehr konzentriert, Kirschen, Maulbeeren, wiederum Kaffeetöne, Kakaobohnen, gebündeltes Finale. Ein grosser Wein, der zu den Top-Values der «rive gauche» gehört."

WINE SPECTATOR: "Decadent aromas here, with meat, ripe fruit and spices. Full-bodied, with round, soft tannins and lots of spicy, earthy and leafy flavors. Long and rich. Give it a little more bottle age. This has always been excellent.—'88/'98 Bordeaux blind retrospective (2008). Best after 2010. 9,165 cases made. — JS"

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "A beautiful wine of symmetry, finesse, and elegance, this deep ruby/purple-colored offering reveals classic aromas of black currants, new wood, and scorched earth. This pure, medium-bodied, restrained, measured, graceful 1998 offers impressive overall symmetry as well as well-integrated tannin. Anticipated maturity: 2003-2018."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "This is drinking in a good place today. The nose, with its espresso, smoke, licorice, truffle and dark red berry scents has a lot to offer. Medium/full bodied and round in texture, the wine ends with black cherries, thyme and coffee notes in the lush finish."