Ferrand Lartigue 1998 750ml

Château Ferrand Lartigue is a tiny Saint-Émilion property that Robert Parker described as a highly regarded "garage" operation, part of the wave of small, ambitious Right Bank estates that emerged in the 1990s. The 1998 vintage was outstanding on the Right Bank, where Merlot ripened beautifully and Saint-Émilion and Pomerol produced some of their finest wines of the decade. On release it showed a dark ruby-purple color, black fruit, new oak and saddle leather, with concentrated, pure flavors on a medium- to full-bodied frame, while Stephen Tanzer noted violet and mint aromas and firm grip. Now fully mature, it should offer softened tannins and savory, cedary complexity. Drink now.