Léoville Barton 1997

It is a dense ruby/purple-colored wine with more tannin and structure than many of its peers. There is plenty of structure to this virile, more backward 1997. The sweet nose of peppery fruit and black cherries intermixed with toast and cassis is alluring. The wine has a soft middle, but the tannic power is noticeable. This is not exactly a vin de garde, but for the vintage it will be uncommonly long-lived.