Chateau Palmer 2000

JAMES SUCKLING: "A typical Palmer showing finesse alongside strength. I love the blackberry, plum, chocolate and cedar character. It’s very long and beautiful. The velvety, textured tannins are impressive."

WEINWISSER: "In der Farbe dunkles Kirschrot-Pupur, lila Schimmer. In der Nase tiefgründiges Edelholzbouquet, Cassis, Brombeeren, Trüffel, Tabak, noch verschlossen, kompakte Anlagen zeigend. Margaux-typisch im Gaumen, rund, üppig, samtig, rot-, blau- und schwarzbeeriges Spiel, wiederum viel Maulbeeren, sehr dicht, bereits fette Rundungen zeigende Gerbstoffe, reife Frucht, aber nicht überreif, klassische Statur, grossartige Charakteristik, schwarze Schokonoten, wieder Brombeeren im lange nachhallenden Finale. Ein Topwein, gewisse Parallelen zum Jahrgang 1985, vielleicht sogar noch ein bisschen perfekter."

DECANTER: "Now at 20 years old, and absolutely singing, after a sometimes frustratingly slow start to its life. The tannins are ripe but rich and still broad-shouldered, and it will probably still show at its best with a good plate of food to draw out the mouthwatering acidities. Dense, powerful, complex, with a menthol-laced finish, no signs of going anywhere yet. No Petit Verdot in the blend in this vintage, because the then director Bouteiller didn't feel it was adding to the overall balance achieved by the already rich and concentrated Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Harvest September 21 to October 7. Drinking Window 2020 - 2043"

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "This bottle was much better than the one tasted a few months ago. With the texture of pure silk, from the moment the wine left the glass, it was where it needed to be with its perfume seemingly created in a tobacco shop with flowers on every counter. Full-bodied, elegant, fresh and refined, the silky tannins and layers of sweet, ripe, soft red fruits on your palate sealed the deal. You can enjoy this for another 2 decades with ease."

WINE SPECTATOR: "Still tight, with a core of black currant, blackberry and plum fruit flavors that is quite youthful, while hints of dried anise, tobacco and singed alder are starting to peek through on the finish. There's a really vibrant iron note cutting through the finish too. Hold off for now.—Blind 2000 Bordeaux retrospective (December 2015). Best from 2018 through 2028."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "One of the sexiest wines for drinking now and over the next 10-15 years is undoubtedly the 2000 Palmer. A blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Merlot, the wine has an almost exotic floral nose, soft, undulating tannins, and tremendous opulence and flesh, with a full-bodied mouthfeel, silky tannins, and loads of floral notes intermixed with blue and black fruits as well as hints of smoke and incense in its complex aromatics. This wine is drinking beautifully and should continue to do so for up to two more decades."

FALSTAFF: "Kräftiges Rubingranat, zarte Randaufhellung. Verhalten, feine Kräuterwürze, wirkt sehr scheu. Feinwürzig, elegant, zeigt aus dieser Flasche nicht ganz balancierte Tan­nine, der Merlotanteil ist gut spürbar, aber insgesamt ist dieser Wein sehr zurückhaltend, hat im Moment vielleicht ein Tief. Diesen Wein kennt man bereits viel besser."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Mid blackish crimson. Light, very fine, mature nose that has more than a hint of old fashioned claret with lightly tarry note that segues into the cusp of floral and fruity. Certainly very light and fragrant – good old fashioned Margaux. Beautiful balance. Long and silky. Dry finish after lovely sweet fruit. The antithesis of bodybuilder wine."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "At this stage, this is very closed, very tight, giving little. But it is possible to discern that this is going to be a beautiful wine. There are flavors of sweet raisins and the fruit has a new world richness, but the structure of dry tannins is always present. It looks as though it has a good, long life."