Chateau Faugeres 2000

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "This is a big time sleeper of the vintage as well as one of the vintage's most attractively priced wines. Faugeres has turned out an opaque black/purple-colored 2000 displaying aromas of ink, blackberry liqueur, licorice, and toasty oak. Seamless, rich, and full-bodied, with even more weight and length than it revealed prior to bottling, it is a reasonably-priced, serious wine that merits attention from consumers. Delicious stuff! Anticipated maturity: 2004-2018."

WEINWISSER: "Sattes Purpur, rubiner Rand. Herrliches, volles Beerenbouquet. Im Gaumen viel Stoff, Gerbstoffe mit Charme, sich zu einer leicht kernigen Gaumenadstringenz zusammenziehend, im Finale Kirschen und gekochte Waldhimbeeren. Ein toller Wein."

WINE SPECTATOR: " Intense aromas of crushed raspberries, minerals and lilacs. Medium- to full-bodied, with firm, yet very silky tannins and a long berry and vanilla aftertaste. Very fine indeed. Best after 2009. 8,330 cases made."

JAMES SUCKLING: "A nice nose of blackberries and hints of fresh herbs like lemon grass. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a soft, friendly finish. This is open and fun."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Drinking perfectly today, the wine offers all its soft, round textured charms with layers of licorice, coffee bean, black cherries, earth, anise and spice. There is no need to age this wine any longer."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "Corinne Guisez scored a great success with her 2000. The wine is finely polished, shining, with its generous, deeply concentrated fruits and fine perfumes. The tannins show through the fruit, while the wood flavors hide much more discreetly in the background."