Red-ruby color. Lower-pitched, redder aromas of plum, redcurrant and mulberry. Soft, sweet and lush, with an enticing layered texture and plenty of body. Currently more expressive in the middle palate than the '96 but not quite as sharply delineated; conveys an impression of lower acidity. Finishes with very good length and even, ripe tannins. This gentle, ripe, seductive wine seems virtually unaffected by the bottling.

This wine has evolved beautifully since last year. While it is no 1989 or 1983, it is a convincingly beautiful, dark purple-colored, elegant, medium to full-bodied Palmer. Loaded with sweet, ripe, black fruits judiciously touched with spicy wood, this is a fleshy, medium-bodied, moderately tannic wine that should age well for 20 years. Anticipated maturity: 2002-2016. Last tasted 1/97