This is a wonderful bottle of wine right smack into its drinking window.
A wine that showcases the warmth of the vintage. Outside of 2014, which is a modern direction of this once-very traditional winery, this 2000 shows the darkest fruit profile that I’ve had in a Les Carmes. Coming on the heals of the 1999, which is a red fruit, Chinon-lover’s Bordeaux, this 2000 is a stark contrast. But it’s a full-bodied beauty. The nose and palate reveal such a depth of earth, more of the Pomerol wet mossy type than the dry earth and minerality that I tend to pick up in wines from Pessac. The wine exudes such incredible warmth, depth of dark fruit and tilled soils, with leather and tobacco notes following some time in the decanter. Tannins are resolving, the wine finishes with a long grainy presence. Alcohol and oak are superbly in balance.
Very happy to see this note–I have a 98 that I am very much looking forward to opening in 3 years—part of my first ever set of futures purchases, this will be the last of 3 bottles.
Popped another last night, and another excellent bottle from this somewhat under-the-radar Chateau. Into its drinking window, tannins nicely resolving, impeccably balanced. This bottle showed more of the Cab Franc profile that I tend to experience in mature bottles from this estate. Was a nice balance of red and dark fruits, the Cab Franc mild herbaceousness and acid with some darker, plummier fruits as well from the merlot and Cab. Really excellent.
Related to our spirited debate on the 1980s Bordeaux thread, there is no way that the 2014-2016 and beyond vintages will taste like this.
Nice note, Robert! I have to admit that I have a soft spot for the 2000 Carmes Haut-Brion. For me, a wine near to perfection. Incredibly balanced indeed… But the subtle 2001, and the sexy 2006 are great too.
I will look for those vintages, Rudi. Thanks! The 1999 is a geeky pleasure, a Chinon-lovers Bordeaux. The 2000 is one of the best that I have experienced from this estate, but I also think 2010 will hit these heights.