1998 La Louviere: Good minerality and appropriate flavors, but already on the downhill slide with drooping midpalate fruit and parchy tannins that take over the second glass. Drink up!
2000 Riou de Thaillas, St. Emilion: classic and traditional St. Emilion nose and flavors. A nice little wine that drinks very well right now but is probably at peak--I decanted it to separate sediment (needed) and let it open over the course of an hour and a half before dinner, but in retrospect I wouldn't give it that kind of airtime again--it lost some fruit and finish.
2001 Mercier, Cotes du Bourg: Jammy ripe nose with a hint of mint. Full-bodied with black cherry, green olives and soy sauce on the palate. Awkward and unbalanced with some residual sugar, dry tannins, too little acid and nothing but worse days ahead.