Some bricking though the core remains a healthy ruby. A ripe and slightly roasted nose reflects notes of brown sugar, exotic tea and spice along with plenty of secondary aromas that with air slowly emit a touch of sous-bois. There is both good richness and volume to the supple and velvet textured flavors that display interesting bitter chocolate and burnt orange peel characters on the solidly complex and moderately persistent finale. There are still some unresolved tannins that aren't drying per se, though they do impart a slight asperity and as such, I would advise drinking up over the next decade as the '97 RC risks drying out in time. Best with food. Tasted several times over the years with largely consistent results.

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