Chateau La Fleur Petrus 2000

WEINWISSER: "Mitteldunkles Granat. Powervolles Bouquet, viel rote, reife Waldbeeren mit frisch gerösteten Himbeerkernen, bereits in der Nase mit einer pfeffrigen Rasse. Im Gaumen noch jung, stützende Adstringenz, Muskeln und Tannine, nach mehr Reife verlangend, sehr langes Finale, nach weiteren fünf Jahren Flaschenreife geht es los mit burgundischer Affinität, die sich mit der Kraft des Jahrganges 2000 paart."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "This is a wonderful, dense wine, very concentrated, very intensely flavored. At this stage of its development, it is the opulence which is most evident, but there are already hints that it will show pure fruit alongside sweet tannins, and will develop complexity."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "I am not convinced the 2000 La Fleur Petrus is going to eclipse the 1998, which performed even better in a recent tasting. Nevertheless, it is a terrific effort from this estate, sandwiched between the hallowed vineyards of Petrus and Lafleur. A deep plum/ruby color is followed by aromas of mocha, kirsch liqueur, loamy soil, spice box, and licorice. It is an opulent, medium to full-bodied, big, substantial yet elegant, precise Pomerol displaying beautiful purity. It is just beginning to drink well, and should continue to age for another 10+ years. One of the two bottles I tasted was corked."

JAMES SUCKLING: "A delicious nose of black olives, brown sugar, and sliced plums. Full bodied but shy, with a dense palate and soft and silky tannins. Flavors of milk chocolate, plums, and light vanilla bean come through. This is so good now, but wait three to four years to really see it shine. Find the wine"

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "A beautiful nose with its truffle, flower, dark plum, cedar and tobacco leaf aromatics. Lush, round and sultry on the palate with good weight and freshness. The finish shows off lots of ripe black cherry, plum, cocoa and strong green herb and pepper component. Some will like the older-school approach here, but it is mildly intrusive in my book. Not enough to deter me from drinking it, but enough to notice it."

WINE SPECTATOR: "Elegant, this starts slowly, unveiling stylish tobacco leaf and singed sandalwood notes first, with the core of soft plum cake and dried currant fruit taking time to catch up. When it does, the finish takes on new life, with warm tar and ganache flavors filling in and expanding the experience. A wine that seems to be growing still. I´d hold off a bit longer.—2000 Bordeaux blind retrospective (December 2015). Best from 2018 through 2028."