The September installment of Pick My Next Bottle focuses on Bordeaux from the heralded 2000 vintage. As I mentioned in the first installment, the purpose of this series is to provide insight into specific wines or producers you may currently have in your cellar.
2000 was simply one of the best vintages ever in Bordeaux. It was the first vintage since 1990 where wines from both the Left and Right Banks were nearly perfect. From top to bottom great wines were made in the Medoc, Pomerol, St. Emilion and Pessac Leognan. The contenders in this version of Pick My Next Bottle should be entering a period where they are drinking well but I expect they will age beautifully for another decade. All of these wines should give us a little clarity into how the big guns from St. Julien and Pauillac are aging. Polls are open until Sunday afternoon.
The Contenders
- 2000 Talbot – This was a strong performance by the 2000 Talbot. Close to full maturity, it exhibits a dense ruby/plum/purple color in addition to a subtle herbaceousness intermixed with smoked meats, black currants, licorice, cedar, and foresty notes. Rich and full-bodied with light tannins, and a slightly richer, more savory, broader, deeper style than I remember, it should drink well for 10-15 years. 93 points from the Wine Advocate.
- 2000 Branaire-Ducru – A beautiful wine from Branaire, the 2000 is close to full maturity, and should offer plenty of pleasure over the next 15-20 years. Its deep ruby/purple hue is accompanied by scents of boysenberries, black currants, and spring flowers. This medium to full-bodied, pure St.-Julien hits the palate with authority, displaying silky tannins as well as wonderful richness, depth, and texture. 94 points from the Wine Advocate.
- 2000 Grand Puy-Lacoste – The 2000 Grand Puy Lacoste is even better than such recent vintages as 2005 and 2009. A broad, classic, large-scaled effort, it boasts a deep blue/purple color as well as tell-tale notes of creme de cassis, subtle smoke, flowers, and unsmoked tobacco. Powerful, full-bodied flavors have shed a lot of tannin, but they remain relatively youthful. This is a young adolescent, broadly flavored Pauillac with an enticing texture as well as abundant richness and fruit. It can be enjoyed now, but promises to hit its peak in five years, and last for two decades. 94 points from the Wine Advocate.
Which 2000 Bordeaux should I open?
- 2000 Branaire-Ducru (48%, 16 Votes)
- 2000 Grand Puy-Lacoste (27%, 9 Votes)
- 2000 Talbot (24%, 8 Votes)
Total Voters: 33
Loading ...Thanks for voting! I’d love to see a comment below on why you picked one bottle over another. Also, let me know if you have any suggestions for the October installment of Pick My Next Bottle.
If you enjoyed this post please consider subscribing to Zinfandel Chronicles updates by email.
I never pick the popular bottle:(
Nice line-up of 2000 Bordeaux from Saint-Julien! I’m jealous! For my palate, none of the three listed wines is ready for prime time drinking because they’re all still too young. My experience in drinking 2000 Bordeaux, although limited, leads me to believe that most classed growths will need 15 years to come out of their shells and settle down. That said, of the three candidates for Pick My Next Bottle, I think the 2000 Talbot is most drinkable right now.
I agree that they could all use more time in the cellar. Fortunately I own many bottles of each and it is always fun to check in on how a vintage is aging.
Once again, selfish reasons. Want to hear your comments on a wine I have not had:))
Talbot based off price and the cold cut reference from Parker
Tom just went for Talbot as suggested on twitter. Not the best wine of the v nice ljne up i reckon – that would be the GPL I’d imagine – but will be drinking best.
Branaire Ducru in a landside. I will have a Bottle Note up soon. In the meantime let me know if you have any suggestions for the October version of Pick My Next Bottle.