Aromas of cedar, smoke, earth, and currant. Some sweet fruit, earth, and sage on the almost abrupt finish.

My blind impression was that this was a very dull Mouton. Other guesses included Latour and Lafite. We were all wrong. It's the 97 Haut Brion!

I'm giving it a generous 90.

First of all, let me say that it was a privilege to drink a first growth with the Chicago boyz, especially considering that this was Vino Me's first ever sip of one.

Initially this went down the wrong pipe due to excessive air intake, I was eventually able to recover and scrambled back for a second glass. Still getting back in drinking shape after taking a couple weeks off following my overindulgence in Vegas.

My notes on the '97 Haut-Brion, which was one of my two favorites of the tasting:

Wonderful cigar box aromas. Big-shouldered structure, with lovely black raspberry, cassis, and black pepper flavors. Soft and inviting, a "fireplace" wine. Very enjoyable now. 92P.

Cheers,

Otis

I expected more from a first growth, even if it was a '97. To me, nothing distinguished it above any of the other wines we tasted. I liked it less than the '99 Ducru, or the '96 Angelus, or the '95 Leoville, which were my top 3 of the selections we tried.

I wish I was operating at 100% (getting over the flu) so that I could enjoy this wine to the fullest (as well as the others). There are not many opportunities for me to taste a 1st growth - esp. since my budget will not allow any for the cellar. Anyway, I noticed aromas of tobacco. Medium bodied with good balance and a long finish. 91 pts.

Blue Oval

I'm glad I was able to try this as I have 4 bottles of the 1998 Haut Brion waiting for a comparison. Of course the 1998 is said to be far superior having garnered ratings of WS97 and WA96+ compared to the Parker 91 rating for this 1997.

I agree with JCubed that I expected more from this wine and there was nothing to distinguish it from many of the other wines in the tasting. However, all of the wines in the tasting were very good to outstanding.

This wine had a nutty/walnut nose. It was decanted for 2+ hours before we tried it. I detected a little sweetness upfront. Floral, plum and a hint of spice was noted. Full bodied with a long but somewhat dry finish. Nice depth. 90-92 points.

VM

At least I am not the only person that found this wine to be lacking. I had it about a year ago and it had a very pronounced vegetal/dill element that I don't care for in reds. I rated this and the '97 Mouton at the bottom of the 5 first growths at the tasting, Latour being in the top spot followed by Margaux and Lafite.

SO much wine so little time.