The dark-ruby colored Corton, which has the potential to be outstanding, has blackberry and coffee scents, a ripe, full-bodied and tightly-structured personality as well as layers of thick black cherries, cassis and herbs. Its concentrated core of fruit and admirable length lead me to believe this wine may have more to it than my tasting revealed. Projected maturity: 2000-2006. As always, ratings with a score in parentheses indicate the wine was tasted from cask, not bottle. Importer: Clicquot, Inc., New York, NY; tel (212) 888-7575, and in Massachusetts: Classic Wine Imports, Boston, MA; tel (617) 731-6644.

Displaying scrumptious cherry character, this red glides across the palate, yet it's firmly structured, with an astringent finish. Best After 2000. -PM