The wine was lovely: well-balanced and a good match for pasta with duck and shiitakes. Loads of cedar in the nose, this wine would have fooled many if placed in a lineup of Bordeaux (though of course Parker would find it "thin, acidic swill"). Not yet at full maturity, but drinking quite well.
Thanks so much, Lee. Here's my note from 2001 on this wine:
1996 Olga Raffault Chinon Les Picasses Loire Valley France. 12.5% alcohol. Louis/Dressner import, NY. Way too young; check in again in five years. Promising but asleep. T2*.
You saved me opening a bottle a bit too soon -- I'll try it next year.