The 1988 offers a promising bouquet of ripe plums, dense, rich, concentrated fruit, and medium body, but I was surprised by the relatively compact finish. Nevertheless, this is one of the best wines of the Margaux appellation in 1988. Anticipated maturity: 1994-2006. Last tasted, 10/92.

Aromas of coffee bean, tobacco and plum follow through to a full body, with chewy tannins and a long finish. A little rustic, but rich and youthful. Chewy. It would be better with a bit more bottle age, but why bother?—'88/'98 Bordeaux blind retrospective (2008). Drink now. 16,000 cases made. -JS

Sumptuously ripe and enticing. Gorgeous fruit and spice flavors are woven into a plush but lively texture, and a fine mousse keeps them vibrating on the finish. Better showing than last year. Drink now through 2000. -

This wine, like a number of 1988s, has matured well and is just beginning to show maturity. It has a dense, somewhat rugged constitution, with plenty of density, some earthy black fruits intermixed with licorice, compost, camphor, and roasted herbs. The wine is dense, medium to full-bodied, with some coarse tannins in the finish. I do not expect the tannins to ever melt away, but there is plenty of depth to this mouth-filling Palmer. Anticipated maturity: Now-2010. Last tasted, 5/02.