This surprisingly powerful, medium to full-bodied, concentrated 1987 is a success for the vintage. The dark ruby color with no amber at the edge, is followed by an emerging bouquet of licorice, blackcurrants, herbs, and toasty new oak. It should be drunk over the next 7 years. Last tasted, 6/93.

Approaching full maturity, this is one of the great sleepers of the vintage and a wine to search out on restaurant wine lists and at auction. Phenomenally concentrated for the vintage, Clinet’s 1987 still has a dense plum/garnet/purple color and a gorgeously sweet nose of cedar, truffles, caramel, violets, black currants, and licorice. Surprisingly full-bodied, powerful, and concentrated, the 1987 Clinet seems somewhat magical in terms of the quality this vintage produced elsewhere. A brilliant effort. Anticipated maturity: Now-2007. Last tasted, 10/02.