Chateau Mouton Rothschild 2000

WEINWISSER: "Tiefes, dichtes Granat mit schwarzen und violetten Reflexen, undurchdringliche Tiefe. Rauchiges Cassis-, Brombeer- und Heidelbeerbouquet, Lakritze, Palisander, Ebenholz, Malznoten, gerösteter Sesam, schwarze Oliven, umwerfende Eukalyptus-, Minze- und Orangeatnote (gehackt) wie beim legendären 1959er, geballtes Nasenbild, konzentriert, von einer Terroir-Fruchtkraft, wie wir das bei einer Fassprobe noch nie festgestellt haben. Das Nasenerlebnis kumuliert im Gaumen in vollendeter Form, wieder blau- und noch mehr schwarzbeerige Töne, Fleisch in Hülle und Fülle, viel saftigere und fettere Gerbstoffe als bei vorangegangenen, oft etwas enttäuschenden Jahrgängen, gaumenumfassende Adstringenz, minutenlang nachklingendes Aromenfinale."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Deep garnet colored with a touch of brick, the 2000 Mouton Rothschild (composed of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Merlot) boldly bursts from the glass with tantalizing Black Forest cake, dried mulberries, kirsch and blackcurrant pastilles notes plus wafts of iodine, incense, potpourri and cinnamon stick with a hint of cigar boxes. Medium to full-bodied, the palate packs in the muscular fruit, framed by firm, ripe, grainy tannins and seamless freshness, finishing with phenomenal length. This is an incredibly complex and multifaceted wine, and it's drinking deliciously now. This said, I can’t help but feel that it is holding something back, that it still has another layer of opulence and seduction to reveal in its tight-knit fruit and solid structure. I personally can’t wait to see how this beauty will continue to unfold over the years to come."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Espresso bean, Asian spice, crushed stone, mulberries, cassis and floral aromas make up the complex perfume. Luscious, rich, round and filled with plush, dark berries, this opulent, stylish Pauillac finishes with silky tannins, rich, spicy, dark berries. 5-10 more years will add a lot to this strong wine."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "With its distinctive antique bottle and gold etched label dominated by a sheep, this is definitely a move away from classic Bordeaux bottling. It is good that the wine can support the presentation. The fruit is so ripe, it almost tastes of raisins, but that sweetness is finely balanced by the dry tannins and concentrated texture. To finish, there are exotic spices, giving an almost oriental character to the long aftertaste."

DECANTER: "A little more open than the other four Firsts in the vintage, with undergrowth, baked earth and gentle spice alongside the truffles, smoked caramel, spice and bilberry fruits. It shows plenty of the trademark Mouton generosity and ripe tannic structure and is lusciously textured. This came in at 80% 1st wine. It wasn't until Philippe Dhalluin arrived a few years later that production for the 1st wine would be lowered, with significantly more Petit Mouton being made (Lafite and Latour both closer to 50% 1st wine for similar sized estates). That's not to say that you won't be thrilled to open and drink this wine, and it will undoubtedly show that same stubborn unwillingness to fade away that the First Growths all share. 100% new oak. Drinking Window 2020 - 2050"

FALSTAFF: "Kräftiges Rubingranat, zarte Randaufhellung. Dunkles Beerenkonfit, feine Röstaromen, ein Hauch von Minze, facettenreich und mineralisch. Saftig, komplex, elegant, wirkt fast leichtfüßig, frische rotbeerige Nuancen, Kirsche, zartes Cassis klingt an, sehr ausgewogen, gut integriertes reifes Tannin, bereits zugänglich, sicheres Reifepotenzial."

JAMES SUCKLING: "The nose is very intense, super-ripe and rich, verging on jammy. Notes of leather, spices and prunes. Full-bodied, soft and beautiful with ripe tannins and a long finish. This is soft and yummy right now. Drink or hold."

WINE SPECTATOR: "Rounded, fleshy and a bit extracted in feel, with dark plum, blackberry and fig jam flavors that flirt with a pruny edge, picking up lots of warm mocha, singed vanilla bean and ganache notes through the finish. This relies more on easy opulence than on depth or purity on the end.--Blind 2000 Bordeaux retrospective (December 2015). Drink now through 2023. 20,833 cases made."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Dark, glowing ruby. Notably toasty nose – odd for a first growth! Easy to like for its sweetness and toastiness. This does not seem to have first growth subtlety – though it does have that snazzy heavy bottle with the gold sheep engraved on it…"