Vinous (93)

Domaine d’Auvenay’s 1997 Meursault Narvaux has a precise bouquet with impressive mineralité: flint like scents complemented by hazelnut, and just a suggestion of brioche with aeration. The palate is well balanced and certainly displaying much more ripeness than I expected, almost rounded in texture yet this is counterpoised by that acidity. It becomes more taut towards the finish, long and sustained in the mouth with a detailed, precise and deliciously saline aftertaste. Superb. Tasted at the La Paulée in Beaune.

Vinous (92+)

Perfumed aromas of hazelnut, lime and spice. Rich but racy and stylish; youthful and minerally. Rather elegantly styled wine, quite precise for the vintage. Very long on the finish. Lafon now uses just 50% new oak for his Genevrieres; as recently as 1992, this was made in all new barrels.

Presenting the prestigious d'Auvenay Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Folatieres 1997 – an expression of French viticulture at its finest. Produced by Domaine d'Auvenay, revered for its collection of white Burgundies, this gem originates from Les Folatières, the largest Premier Cru vineyard in Puligny-Montrachet. The wine is an embodiment of the nurturing terroir, marrying a calcareous soil base with a favourable microclimate that gives life to the signature Chardonnay grapes used in the blend.

Brimming with elegance and finesse, this d'Auvenay Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Folatieres 1997 vintage is testament to meticulous traditional wine-making approaches. It offers a vibrant palate, seamlessly blending opulent fruit flavours with sizzling acidity, all layered with complex mineral undertones. Its extended lees aging enhances the wine's structure and depth. The wine's distinctive bouquet and balanced intensity promise an unparalleled tasting experience. A French enigma, indeed.

Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (89)

Complex, expressive aromas of lemon, honey, ginger, quinine, butterscotch and fresh herbs, plus a waxy suggestion of semillon. Supple and ripe, with moderate depth of flavor and good citric cut. Seems a bit stunted by the August '98 bottling. Finishes with good but not outstanding length.

Vinous (95)

Starting to take on a deep golden hue, the 1997 Moulin Touchais Coteaux du Layon is a sensuous sweet wine (92g/L of residual sugar) that offers ripe and concentrated flavors of apricot jam, cooked oranges botrytis-derived spices (60% of the fruit was affected by botrytis, a high proportion for this wine). It is intense, rich and honeyed, coating the palate with its sucrosity. There's just enough acidity here to keep things going but it does not have the vivacious refreshment of cooler years, providing a weightier, fully charged expression. The finish is lengthy and fragrant.

Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (92+)

Captivating, tangy aromas of vineyard peach, pear, white flowers and curry powder. Supple and very concentrated; thick but lively thanks to perfectly integrated acidity. Fruit notes nicely complemented by spice tones. Conveys a tactile impression of extract. Long and strong on the back end. Still quite youthfully unevolved and built for long life.

Robert Ampeau Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Combettes 1997 offers an unforgettable journey to the heart of fine winemaking, embodying the renowned tradition of French viticulture. This exquisite white wine, crafted under the watchful eye of the esteemed Robert Ampeau, hails from Puligny-Montrachet in Burgundy and is part of the premier cru, denoting its exceptional quality.

The wine is famed for its elegant vibrancy and subtle complexity, a testament to Robert Ampeau's meticulous approach. Spared from invasive modern techniques, Ampeau tends his vineyards with care, allowing the authentic terroir of Montrachet to your glass.

The Robert Ampeau Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Combettes 1997 showcases rich character, nuanced with pear, citrus, almond and stony mineral notes. The palate is robust yet impeccably balanced, carrying through to a lingering, sophisticated finish.

Let this vintage transport you, an emblem of time, passion, and the indomitable spirit of French winemaking tradition.

LaRVF (95)

Encore un extraordinaire 1997, somptueusement liquoreux mais avec ici un fruit éclatant qui équilibre à merveille le fruit. Longueur hallucinante : pas loin de la minute !

Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (94+)

Very closed chalky, minerally nose. Even less forthcoming than the Riesling Frédéric Emile , and much harder to taste today. Quite dense and tactile. Then very long and ripe on the firm finish; conveys an impression of crunchy, minerally austerity.