220. Château La Rame, Sainte-Croix-du-Mont, 1997

£??; 13.5%

Having failed to get the 1996 label off in Book #1, definitely had to get this in! Overall, a pleasant, if a little simple, dessert wine. Mid-yellow-gold colour with a thin, watery rim. Intense nose of honey, banana, marmalade and botrytis notes. Lemony-honey flavour, with medium sweetness and fresh acidity (high Sauvignon Blanc %?). Medium-long finish, with unexpected degree of bitterness – reminiscent of lemon-rind or grapefruit. This bitterness was the only major detraction.