2000 Bordeaux Second Growths

WINE TALK
1

I’m thinking about opening some, anyone try any lately?

2

I’ll help.

3

Do tell Patrick.

4

Any specific producers? I’ve had most of them in the last 1-2yrs. Ducru is the one off the top of my head that has been showing well recently.

5

Had the Ducru Beaucaillou last weekend and it’s drinking well. Early days for sure but a pleasure to drink…balanced, good fruit, complex, wafts over the palate with still primary but subdued fruit, hints of oak, flowers, etc. Nice.

6

2000 Leoville Lascases rocked last summer

7

Brane Cantenac has been lovely for a while. I have a 2000 Gruaud I have been eyeing, but I keep telling myself these will only get better.

8

I was thinking about the Leovilles, Baron and Montrose, most worried about the last one.

9

Worried? Why

10

I am thinking that the Montrose needs another 5 years minimum, and maybe 10.

I am kind of surprised any of these wines is giving a lot of pleasure.

11

I recall some feedback, in various threads, that higher end 2000 Bordeaux is much more approachable than anticipated, that it was supposed to be a long-term ager, but is showing so well right now, there is doubt it will go the long haul. Most certainly that is true with the lesser Bordeaux Chateau with that vintage, but even some First and Second Growth seems similar

12

I have yet to try a 2000 Leoville Barton that was ready to drink. It’s the only recent vintage that has been unapproachable. I would love to hear that it has turned the corner.

13

People are welcome to worry about that but there is no reason to worry with them.

14

Ramon, same reason Neal said, plus Montrose’s track record for aging at glacial speeds and being fairly unaccommodating until it hits maturity. Seems going older is the right way to go in the near term.

I haven’t tried any in the past year or two, but my experiences have not supported the early drinking theory. An LP about three years ago was tough, as was an LB shortly after.

15

I have had a few 2000 Lynch Bages that have been relatively open, as well as Canon La Gauffliere (sp). Troplong Mondot may be relatively open now, based on a tasting from two years ago. [cheers.gif]

16

Most of them do not seem to be fully ready–certainly not the 2000 Leoville Barton, always a backwards wine.

One that was showing surprisingly well a year or so ago was the 2000 Pichon Lalande. I do not know if that was an usual bottle, but it was very aromatic and complex, far from closed down. Actually was showing as a bit more expressive than a 1996 Pichon Lalande.

17

Leoville Barton a couple of months back, very little pleasure to be had from it. Still pretty obdurate.

Pichon B, Lynch, Las Cases, Palmer are real standouts and lovely with a decent decant.

18

Montrose is more approachable than you might expect, but is still tannic and tight. Haven’t had '00 LB in a while. LLC was pretty tight last year but had plenty of fruit, LP was more open.
Agree that brane cantenac has been showing very well for the last couple of years.

19

Just my 2 cents:

Almost all Bx wines 2000 on the level of 2nd growth are not really mature.
They may provide some pleasure when opening yet, but they will definitely not show everything they have …

If 2000, I would stick to Cru Bourgeoise or lesser classified growth …
L´Aiguilhe was nice recently.

20

I would bury the 2000 Montrose and L. Barton for another 10 years probably. But I like my claret quite mature.