Wine Advocate
par Robert Parker le 30/04/2003
While the bottled 2000 still reveals a certain sternness in addition to tough tannin, it is sweeter and more expansive and flavorful. The dark ruby/purple color is saturated and impressive. With coaxing, notes of lead pencil shavings, black currants, earth, cedar, and spice box emerge from a relatively closed, firm, medium to full-bodied wine or, as the French would say, a classic vin de garde (for long-term cellaring). Although austere, it is a classic, authoritatively flavored effort that requires patience. I would like to see sweeter tannin and more flesh built into the mid-palate, but there is no denying the classicism and purity of this 2000. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2025.