1997 Lanessan, Haut-Médoc

This is an interesting vintage. Many wine critics and noted wine magazines initially gave this harvest bad reviews due to weather problems (rain and cold before and during the harvest). But, as I have pointed out to my colleagues and customers, when I started in this business in the very early 1970s, many, if not most, Chateaux would wait for veraison to take place, go to their calendars and mark off forty-five days when the harvest would begin, regardless. And, they would then pick everything, good or bad. But, in the early 1980s, their century-plus practices began to change. Instead, most began to selectively pick grapes as they ripen, take them to a sort room (tossing any questionable clusters), and only crush those grapes of high quality. So, you have a wet vintage as 1997 that would have been a disaster back in the 60s (like 1965 and 1968), actually resulting in lovely, near-term productions. I love this wine and have watched it evolve gracefully for the past ten years. Medium-deep ruby in color, the nose offers cassis to blackberry notes with cedary undertones. In the mouth, it is silky, almost creamy, broad, balanced, complex, and just a pleasure to drink. Rusty has informed me that this Gem will be one of our house reds for however long it is around. 13.0% ABV

Can't find a better deal on a 15 yr old bordeaux anywhere! Beautifully balanced with sweet ripe red fruit and that beautiful sweet, leathery earth that makes my mouth water.

The savvy claret drinker quickly learns two important facts about Bordeaux - (1) prices vary enormously by vintage, and (2) not every vintage ages at the same pace. An essential grasp of the above leads one directly to the 1997 vintage. These wines are well-priced and perfectly aged. A superb example newly arrived off the boat from Bordeaux is the 1997 Chateau Lanessan, Haut-Medoc, available at a mere $17.99. A hint of youthful purple lingers within a wine shaded almost fully to garnet red. Notes of aromatic cedar and piquant truffle emerge from the glass. On the palate the wine is medium to full bodied with a suprising richness of texture. Red fruits predominate - tart red currant and sweet cherry. There is a hint of herbaceousness that lends a savory spiciness to the wine without any unripeness or astringency. About an hour into a meal of ribeye steak, brussel sprouts, and faro the wine really started singing - a choral trio of savory, sweet, and spicy that had me leaping to my feet in sheer excitement and shouting "Bravo!" The perfect choice for Friday night steak and claret.

Softer, more integrated tannins with some earthy, savory flavors. Great tasting, mature Bordeaux for $20. Will the string of fantastic 1997 wines at K&L never end? You gotta love the "off" vintages in Bordeaux because when everyone else overlooks these wines, we make out like bandits!

Buy this one by the case before it sells out.Good solid aged Bordeaux at this price is just another reason why i love working for K&L.

A heavenly wine for $17--balanced and fruity. It has no hard edges, but is still vibrant and full of life. This wine tends to be on harder side, but is more approachable when combined with a soft vintage. This will sell out immediately (for the fourth time).

This is the best value of the vertical tasting at only $17. Like a lot of the other 97's the acidity remains on the finish providing a tartness to the fruit but with dinner this wine with flesh out a bit. Mineral, floral and red fruit comes through on the nose. On the palate mushroom, cassis and cranberry are the dominate flavors with the tart red fruit continuing throughout the finish.

Dark Garnet color. Tobacco, graphite, cedar notes on the nose. Very enticing. Delicious palate, very balanced indeed. Sweet plums and currants, dried herbs, and a delicious note of chocolate! This is an awesome deal.

This is a mature medium bodied Medoc with berry flavors. A little light in flavour but nice.