The state of 2000 Second Growths

Has anyone been drinking 2000 Bordeaux second growths? I generally like wines on the young side, and a lot of lesser 2000 Bordeaux wines are drinking great now IMO. I have a few second growths that I’m tempted to start opening, but I’m wondering whether that would be a mistake. What’s everyone’s opinion?

Not so much 2nd Growth, the 2000 Alter Ego of Palmer was a suave and very enjoyable bottle a few weeks ago. Edges smoothed out, but definitely young which sounds like what you like.

A.

Udo, it may be difficult fo me to answer your question since I have not opened any 2nd growths from 2000 in 2 years. I actually plan to soon. I have them all. My guess is that they still need at least 3-5 more years. Only a guess but I like wines with a little age on them and not on the younger side. If you have a bunch, by all means open one and please report.

Jack, I have a total of about 2 1/2 cases, so don’t want to start tearing into them, but I’ll probably do as you say and try a couple to see for myself how they’re doing. I don’t usually drink this far up the hierarchy, so I don’t really know what to expect.

Within the past 2 years, I’ve tried the '00 Montrose, Gruaud Larose, las Cases, Poyferré and Pichon Lalande which I found all much too young. I haven’t opened any since then because I am of the opinion that they should wait for at least another 4-6 more years. That said, I also prefer wines at that level with a bit of age on them.

For the '00 right bank, off the top of my head, I’ve had Figeac (around 6 months ago), Troplong Mondot (around 2 years ago), etc. and also found them way too young and I don’t expect tem to be good to go yet - especially the Figeac - same with La Fleur de Gay. Even the '00 La Petit Cheval (2nd wine of Cheval Blanc) was way too young around 3 years ago, but this one, I think, may be coming around already.

For cru bourgeois, even the '00 Siran, though already enjoyable, could use a few more years. The '00 Cissac is already drinking well enough, I find.

Just my 2¢,

N

Had an opportunity to taste the 2000 LLC saturday night. In keeping with what you might expect, still very tight and primary. Lots of expresso on the front end with some cherry tobacco finish. Not completely as tight as I would have expected LLC to be but it needs, even for babykillers, many years to yield pleasure.

Last summer - maybe June of 2008 ??? - the 2000 La Chapelle de LMHB was in a very nice place.

It will probably continue to improve for a long time, but I wouldn’t feel guilty about opening one now.

The 2000 Pichon Lalande was brought to a dinner party I attended about a month ago. With over 2 hours of decant, it was still wound up tight. This wine needs numerous more years of bottle time to come around.

I can think of no redeeming factors for opening these wines now. Unless you have so much money, wasting it is of no concern to you. These wines will provide wonderful drinking opportunities in 5-15 years. Reward yourself and have patience.

Thanks for the input everyone. It sounds like these won’t be really enjoyable for at least several years. I may still open one or two just for my own education.

I’d agree with the concensus here. Start opening the 2nd wines asthese should be near their peak but leave the Grand Vin alone for now.