Chateau la Conseillante 2000

18 WEINWISSER: "Erstaunlich helle Farbe, bereits erste Reifenuancen. Wuchtiges, zu Kopf steigendes, offenes, mit viel reifen Pflaumen durchsetztes Bouquet, nussige Pralinennoten, darin eine fast himbeerige Frische zeigend. Im Gaumen ebenfalls füllig, schmelzender Körper, Red-Currant-Noten, Lakritze, jetzt auch ein Hauch Trüffel, ausufernde, reife, kompottige, sehr schöne Frucht, sich in roten, blauen und auch schwarzen Beeren widerspiegelnd. Ein Musigny aus Pomerol." 96 THE WINEADVOCATE: "La Conseillante made an excellent wine in 2001, another great one in 2005, and the estate hit home runs in both 2008 and, above all, in 2009. In fact, the latter vintage may well end up being the modern-day reference point for La Conseillante. Nevertheless, there’s a lot to be said for this 2000. An elegant, gentle style that is never a blockbuster, the 2000 La Conseillante has a deep ruby/plum/purple color and an unbelievably expressive nose of sweet kirsch liqueur intermixed with raspberries, incense, toast, and licorice. Full-bodied yet ethereal in the sense that it seems to combine power along with eloquence and delicacy, this is a beautifully pure wine that has just hit its plateau of full maturity, although ideally I think it would benefit strongly from another 4-5 years of bottle age and drink well for two to three decades." 96 THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Showing a hint of age at the edge of the glass, truffle smoke and wild cherry is the first thing you notice. The wine is fresh, sweet, sensuous, rich and elegant. There is complexity in the nose and on the palate. If you like young wines that are just now showing secondary flavors, but are not fully developed, this is a nice time to pop a cork. Else you can wait for more evolution. Popped and poured, the wine improved in the glass." 95 WINESPECTATOR: "Pretty, with a perfumy hint to the range of bergamot, blood orange, kirsch and damson plum fruit flavors, which are backed by a graceful, floral-edged finish. Very silky and suave, this expands steadily and dramatically in the glass but still forgoes power for a lacy seduction. This really stands apart from the powerfully ripe general profile of the AOC in ´00 but seems likely to last just as long in the hunt as the other top dogs.--Blind 2000 Bordeaux retrospective (December 2015). Drink now through 2028. 5,000 cases made." 92 JAMES SUCKLING: "An incredibly subtle and sexy nose of perfume, flowers, red fruits, and sliced plums. Full-bodied, yet refined and silky. This is delicious and pretty, and just starting to open up with flavors of tobacco, cedar, and cigar box. No need to wait." 90-93 ANTONIO GALLONI: "Medium-deep ruby. Captivating, perfumed nose combines blackberry, licorice and violet; exotic and sweet. Thick and intensely flavored, with the strong violet and exotic spice character carrying through on the palate. Offers a very firm structure, no doubt largely due to the wine substantial cabernet franc component. Ripe tannins spread out to cover the entire palate. Offers outstanding potential. My sample of the ´99 Conseillante was distinctly green."