Chateau Angelus 2000

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Medium garnet-brick in color, the 2000 Angélus comes galloping out of the glass with a powerful nose of fragrant earth, damp soil, iron ore and cigar box over a core of prunes, blackberry jam and dried mulberries. Medium-bodied, the palate is elegantly styled with great freshness and loads of earth and mineral-inspired layers, framed by grainy tannins, finishing with a lingering menthol lift. It is in a sweet spot for drinking right now, although it should go on for another 15-20 years."

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "A blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, the 2000 Angelus has a deep garnet color, with a touch of brick. It comes bounding out of the glass with expressive, mature scents of baked black cherries, prunes, and boysenberry preserves, followed by nuances of cigar box, new leather, fennel seed, and iron ore. The medium-bodied palate has a seductively satiny texture, with well-knit freshness supporting the fragrant black fruit preserve layers, finishing long and earthy. Drinking beautifully now, it still has a good 20-25 years+ to go!"

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Compelling in every sense of the word, the star of the show is all the perfectly ripe, silky berries cloaked in layers of velvet-textured tannins on the palate. The seemingly endless finish, with its layers of plums, chocolate fudge, black cherries, spice, and earthy nuances keeps you coming back for sip after sip. The only issue here is that the bottle is emptied faster than you'd like."

WEINWISSER: "Tiefes, sattes Purpur mit schwarzen Reflexen. Wuchtiges Bouquet, viel reife Maulbeertöne, reich wirkende Frucht, sanft marmeladige Anflüge, dunkle Edelhölzer, helle Kaffeenoten dahinter. Im Gaumen viel Stoff, aber auch viel Souplesse in den cremigen, rollenden Tanninen, reiches, endloses Finale. Der harmonischste, vollkommenste neuere Angélus, auch wenn das Potenzial hinter Jahrgängen wie 1988, 1994 oder 1998 liegt."

JEB DUNNUCK: "The 2000 Château Angélus showed beautifully, with a monster-sized array of ripe black fruits, leafy herbs, Asian spices, iron, and incense-like aromas and flavors. With full-bodied richness and depth, it hits the palate with a massive amount of fruit, ripe, sweet tannins, ample mid-palate depth, and one hell of a great finish. As opulent and decadent as they come, it easily has another decade of prime drinking. While I don't think this matches the 2005, it's not far off and certainly shares plenty of similarities to that vintage."

WINE SPECTATOR: "This shows some extraction and is very solidly built, as the core plum, black currant and fig paste flavors have flesh and density that unfurl slowly in the glass, but there's energy and freshness to match, thanks to mouthwatering ganache and licorice root notes and brambly tannins. A strong roasted apple wood element gives the finish range and length. A bit of a chest-thumper, but "it ain't bragging if it's true." -- Blind 2000 Bordeaux retrospective (December 2015). Drink now through 2030. 7,080 cases made."

JAMES SUCKLING: "Furnished with wonderful richness, this has notes of amazingly dark fruit and dark chocolate on the nose. Full-bodied and soft, this has a lovely velvety texture and a chocolate and coffee character. This is extensive and fresh, with hints of mint and spice on the finish. Don’t drink this for another five years, pull the cork in 2015."

DECANTER: "Gorgeous, this has the classic 2000 shoulders and depth, which at 20 years old have softened into melted tannins and deep berry fruits. There is a little more lift in the 2001 at the moment, but the 2000 is packed with welcoming black truffles, soft tobacco, woodsmoke, cocoa beans and saffron. There is still clear freshness with its bitter black chocolate and crushed mint finish, but the main takeaway is of pleasure and extended enjoyment. Right at the beginning of its tertiary phase, getting settled in on its haunches for the long term. Harvest September 14 to 27."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "50% Cabernet Franc, 50% Merlot. Very deep crimson but with some development at the rim (much more so than the 2001). Slightly burnt, tarry notes on the nose. Sweet start, much less freshness than the 2001. Tastes as though it were picked later. A very luscious wine with some strong green streaks."