2000

The biggest Bordeaux wine tasting of this year in the fantastic 2000 vintage was organized by Philipson Wine in Copenhagen at the end of April 2003. And it turned out to be excellent. Here are the wines tasted, one by one:

Château Lynch Moussas is on the rise in terms of quality. It was a delicious and pleasant wine with well-integrated fruit and tannins. Started out a little rustic and edgy, but that went away very quickly. This wine will ...

Weather conditions / The 2000 vintage was proclaimed from the start as one of the best vintages of modern times. In the spring of 2003, I had many opportunities to find out if we really had a true dream vintage on our hands.

During the 2000 harvest, while doing a “personal inspection” in the vineyards, I noticed that something extraordinary was on the way. The grapes looked extremely healthy.

While the sorting table was rolling, I observed that there were few leaves, stems and weeds among the grapes. This is why sorting the grapes was so easy and quick. This must be one of the characteristics of the 2000 vintage, because normally even great vintages require a lot of work at the sorting table.

The 2000 vintage is a classic, extravagant and extremely long Bordeaux with dark and extremely dense wines, which have a huge concentration of fruit, length and superbly concentrated tannins. The tannin is not allowed to dominate, as it is well enveloped by the fruit. A scent of under-ripeness is only present in a few wines. One of the hallmarks of this vintage is an intense, deep aroma of dark berries, such as blueberries, blackberries and black cherries.

All red grape varieties have reached perfect maturity, including Bordeaux's most temperamental and unruly grape variety, Petit Verdot. Petit Verdot brings to wines the long-awaited addition of backbone and power.

Additionally, the grapes for whites, such as Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon and Muscadelle, ripened perfectly and produced extremely fine dry white wines. The sweet white wines have unfortunately transformed into some light, elegant and charming wines, based 100% on the September harvest. From October 11, it rained a lot in Bordeaux and this continued until the end of the year.

The 2000 vintage in Burgundy, France, is generally considered a very good to excellent vintage for both red and white wines. It was a year marked by favorable weather conditions, which allowed grapes to ripen well and produced wines with good structure and aging potential. Here are some key characteristics of the Burgundy wine vintage 2000:

1. Quality: The 2000 vintage is highly regarded in Burgundy and is often praised for its overall quality. It is considered one of the standout vintages of the early 21st century.

2. Weather Conditions: The weather in 2000 was characterized by a warm and dry growing season, which was particularly beneficial for grape ripening. This allowed for optimal maturity and concentration of flavors.

3. Red Burgundy: Pinot Noir is the primary grape variety for red Burgundy wines, and in 2000, it produced wines with ripe fruit flavors, balanced acidity, and good tannin structure. These wines are known for their elegance and finesse.

4. White Burgundy: Chardonnay is the dominant grape for white Burgundy wines, and in 2000, it yielded wines with good acidity, freshness, and a balance of citrus and mineral notes. White Burgundies from this vintage have aging potential.

5. Aging Potential: Both red and white Burgundies from the 2000 vintage have shown good aging potential. Many of these wines have evolved gracefully and can still be enjoyable today.

6. Availability: While some of the top Grand Cru and Premier Cru Burgundies from 2000 may be scarce and expensive, there are still excellent village-level and lesser-known producers' wines available that offer value and quality.

Overall, the Burgundy wine vintage 2000 is remembered for producing wines that showcase the elegance and terroir-driven character for which Burgundy is known. It remains a sought-after vintage among wine enthusiasts and collectors.

Here are some of the top Burgundy wines from the 2000 vintage, though availability may vary:

1. Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (DRC): DRC is one of the most prestigious producers in Burgundy, and their wines, including Romanée-Conti and La Tâche, are highly sought after and regarded as some of the best in the world. The 2000 vintage from DRC is exceptional.

2. Domaine Leroy: Leroy is another renowned producer known for producing exceptional Burgundy wines. Their 2000 vintage wines, particularly those from vineyards like Richebourg and Romanée-Saint-Vivant, are highly regarded.

3. Domaine Armand Rousseau: This producer consistently creates outstanding wines, and their 2000 vintage Clos de la Roche and Chambertin are among the top choices.

4. Domaine Comte Georges de Vogüé: Their Musigny wines from the 2000 vintage are often praised for their elegance and complexity.

5. Domaine Georges Roumier: The 2000 Bonnes-Mares from Georges Roumier is highly regarded for its concentration and structure.

6. Domaine Dujac: Dujac's wines from the 2000 vintage, including Clos de la Roche and Clos Saint-Denis, are known for their finesse and balance.

7. Maison Louis Jadot: Jadot produces a range of Burgundy wines, and their 2000 vintage offerings, particularly from the top Premier Cru and Grand Cru vineyards, are worth exploring.

Remember that the availability of these wines may be limited, and prices can vary significantly depending on the producer, vineyard, and current market conditions. It's advisable to consult with wine specialists, retailers, or collectors to find specific bottles and recommendations based on your preferences and budget. Additionally, personal taste plays a significant role in wine appreciation, so what is considered the "best" can vary from person to person.

A warm and wet winter was followed by an equally wet spring. First, in May, came the seri- ous heat, which gave a fast owering around June 14. Chlorosis and mold growth were evi- dent. June and August were hot and dry. But if you were like me, and tried to have a July vaca- tion in Champagne that year, you noticed how cold and rainy it was. The weather was almost as bad as at home, with constant rain and local hailstorms. 

Everything looked hopeless, but the good weather during harvest saved a decent amount of fresh grapes. Harvest started on my birthday—September 11—and ended in early October. Chardonnay and pinot meunier did better than the delicate pinot noir. The year will become sought after thanks to their magic number. The quality does not look too fancy yet though. The wines are quite light with short lives. However, it is a very enjoyable moment, with its intense exotic aromas of passion fruit and tangerine. I am delighted to recommend some romantic bottles of the successful pink trio William Deutz Rosé, Louis Roederer Cristal Rosé, and Pommery Cuvée Louise Rosé. 

by Richard Juhlin/ 

The 21st century in the Napa Valley began with a virtually picture perfect growing season. The almost uneventful spring and summer weather pattern, every grower's dream, produced fruit of exceptional quality. A cool, even growing season throughout, except for a three-day heat stretch of unusually high temperatures in June and ominous rain clouds in late August, led to a compact harvesting period that finished in mid-October. Yields were were average on a per acre basis, however, with numerous post-phylloxera vineyards coming on line, the year's overall tonnage was up noticeably.

The winter 2000 in Australia was quite dry and Spring was cold and miserable.  Summer and Autumn had a few rainfalls through them, with temperatures were normal.  The results were very low crops producing wines of nice fruit character and extremely juicy but not particularly tannic (below average).  The wines are lovely fruit wines.

The new millennium inspired the pioneers of Italy’s wine revolution to set their sights on new regions. It was interesting to see how Antinori invested so heavily in Apulia, and Gaja in Tuscany's Maremma. In Italy the field has been joined by a large number of new small-scale producers, which have the capital to realise ambitious aims, with the assistance of top consultants.

The first vintage of the new millennium turned out to be a rather good one. Both in Piedmont and Tuscany, 2000 was a crop year of extreme proportions. The weather was very unpredictable, demanding a great deal of work on the plantations. The warm spring resulted in early blooms, which was followed by a fine, balmy period that boded well for a large crop. But July brought with it chilly, rainy weather. A hot and dry August neatly remedied the situation and record temperatures were posted in Piedmont. At the end of August plantations were barraged with hailstorms. The 2000 wines are softer than the 1996s and resemble the more mature vintages of 1997 and 1999. In Tuscany this vintage was a good one throughout the region.

The 2000 vintage in Portugal, particularly in the Douro Valley, which is known for its production of Port wines, is considered a very good to excellent vintage. This vintage is often highly regarded for both Port wines and table wines produced in various regions of Portugal. Here are some key characteristics of the Portugal wine vintage 2000:

1. Quality: The 2000 vintage is generally regarded as producing high-quality wines. Both Port and table wines from this vintage are often well-balanced and have good structure.

2. Port Wines: In the Douro Valley, where Port wines are produced, the vintage 2000 is considered outstanding. The conditions during the growing season were favorable, resulting in grapes with excellent ripeness and concentration.

3. Aging Potential: Wines from the 2000 vintage in Portugal, particularly top-quality Ports and red table wines, are known for their aging potential. They can continue to develop and improve with extended cellaring.

4. Varietal Characteristics: The vintage expressed the characteristics of traditional Portuguese grape varieties, such as Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, and Tinta Roriz, with rich fruit flavors and complexity.

5. Longevity: Many of the wines from the 2000 vintage are still drinking well today and are considered excellent choices for those seeking mature Portuguese wines.

It's important to note that the quality and characteristics of wines can vary depending on the specific region, producer, and grape varieties used. While 2000 was generally a successful vintage in Portugal, individual wine selections and labels may have their unique qualities and aging potential. As always, for specific wines or producers, it's advisable to consult wine experts, reviews, and recommendations to make informed choices.

The Rioja vintage of 2000 in Spain is generally considered a very good vintage, although it may not have reached the same exceptional status as Bordeaux's 2000 vintage. Here are some key characteristics of the Rioja Vintage 2000:

1. Quality: The 2000 vintage in Rioja produced wines of good to very good quality. While it might not be regarded as one of the absolute best vintages in Rioja history, it was a solid year overall.

2. Weather Conditions: The weather during the growing season was generally favorable, with warm and dry conditions in the lead-up to the harvest. This allowed the grapes to ripen well and resulted in wines with good fruit concentration.

3. Aging Potential: Rioja wines from the 2000 vintage tend to have the potential to age gracefully, particularly those from top producers and reserva or gran reserva wines, which are aged for extended periods before release.

4. Varietal Characteristics: Rioja wines are typically made from Tempranillo grapes, which often show characteristics of red fruit, spice, and oak aging. In the 2000 vintage, these characteristics were generally well-expressed.

5. Diversity: Rioja is a diverse wine region with various subzones and wineries, so the quality and style of wines can vary depending on the producer and specific terroir.

Overall, the Rioja Vintage 2000 produced wines that are well-regarded by enthusiasts and collectors. It may not have garnered the same level of global attention as some Bordeaux vintages, but it remains a solid vintage for Rioja wines, and well-made bottles from this vintage can still be enjoyable and have aging potential today.

The 2000 vintage in Germany is generally considered a very good year for German wines. It was marked by favorable weather conditions that contributed to the production of high-quality wines, particularly in the country's renowned wine regions, such as the Mosel, Rheingau, and Pfalz. Here are some key characteristics of the Germany wine vintage 2000:

1. Quality: The 2000 vintage is often regarded as a very good to excellent vintage in Germany. It is known for producing wines with good ripeness, balance, and complexity.

2. Weather Conditions: The growing season in 2000 featured a warm and dry summer, which allowed the grapes to ripen fully and evenly. This resulted in wines with concentrated flavors and well-balanced acidity.

3. Riesling Dominance: Riesling is the most prominent grape variety in Germany, and the 2000 vintage showcased the potential of this grape. Many Riesling wines from 2000 are highly regarded for their purity, vibrant acidity, and pronounced fruit flavors.

4. Aging Potential: German wines from the 2000 vintage, especially the top-quality Rieslings, have good aging potential. They can continue to evolve and develop complex characteristics with cellaring.

5. Late Harvest and Noble Rot: Some of the finest wines from this vintage were made from grapes affected by noble rot (Botrytis cinerea), which can concentrate sugars and flavors. This led to exceptional sweet wines, including Auslese, Beerenauslese, and Trockenbeerenauslese.

Overall, the Germany wine vintage 2000 is considered a standout vintage for its quality and the remarkable Riesling wines it produced. These wines are often praised for their balance and longevity, making them highly sought after by wine enthusiasts and collectors.

Rapport d’époque de Richard Geoffroy, Dom Pérignon, Chef de Cave / L’année 2000 a été chaude, avec des températures plus fraîches que la moyenne au mois de juillet et des tempêtes fréquentes qui ont apporté des quantités importantes de pluie et de grêle. Les premières dégustations ont révélé que les raisins Chardonnay récoltés en dernier étaient souples, amples et complexes ; ils donnent à Dom Pérignon Vintage 2000 son caractère suave. La récolte du Pinot Noir était structurée et offrait une grande longueur. Contrairement aux millésimes précédents, une homogénéité qualitative a été constatée dans les deux cépages récoltés, conférant à Dom Pérignon Rosé Millésime 2000 son équilibre classique bien défini.

Burgundy:  As in 1999, the yield of the 2000 harvest is important for the two grapevarieties (only 10 to 15% less than 1999). The Pinot Noir suffered from the weather conditions, resulting into damage due to borrytis. The phenolic maturity was not consistent so the selection of grapes in the vinyard and over a sorting-table in the cellar was crucial.

We expect tender pleasant wines but not to be compared to their predecessors from 1999 who were exceptionnal.

On the other hand the Chardonnay grapes did resist to all these climatic agressions and we were even surprised about the overall health quality of the grapes. The good weather incited us for more patience so we did. If the sugar level of the grapes was just good it is especially the balance (acidity - sugar – Quality of the skins) that makes us optimistic for a very good vintage.

The wines will keep better than the previous vintages of 1998 and 1999. The wines are dry, a bit austere with a beautifull terroir expression.

At the beginning of the Winter an important storm with rain and wind swept over France causing a lot of material damage especially in the forests. The vines however did not suffer and the finnally relatively mild winter temperatures resulted in a normal budspring mid-April. The vegetation grew fast without any incidents from climat nor natural diseases.

The flowering took place as usual early June and afetr fruitset the number of grapes per vine appeared important but not as much as in 1999.
At this stage it promises to be an early harvest. The weather in June was quite nice where July was covered and stormy.

The maturing of the grapes started at the beginning of August but the real nice weather commences after ten days and will last for over three weeks when another perturbation appears.From the 4th of September wonderfull conditions come forward assuring an exceptionnal maturity of the Chradonnay grapes despite the storm of the 12th September. The weather at harvest time was sunny and warm with winds dominantly from South.