Chateau La Croix Saint Georges 2000

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "This was a great sleeper of the vintage in 2000 from producer Jean-Jacques Janoueix. A 100% Merlot cuvee coming from a nearly 12-acre vineyard situated between Vieux Chateau Certan and Le Pin, the 2000 shocked a number of people at the tasting, only because they had no expectations, and had never had the wine before. It wasn’t a surprise for me. Inky blue/purple-colored, with notes of graphite, blueberry liqueur, smoke, incense, sweet licorice, and hints of chocolate fudge and spicy oak, this full-bodied, opulent, rich wine seems to just be entering its window of full maturity, where it should last for another two decades. Very impressive."

WEINWISSER: "Tiefdunkles Granat-Purpur. Delikates, nach Black Currant, Cassis und Vanille duftendes Bouquet, komplexe Fülle in der Nase. Saftig-samtener Gaumen, viel Brombeeren und wiederum Nuancen von Cassis, schwarzer Schokolade, guter Rückhalt, sehr konzentriertes Extrakt. Unsere Entdeckung des letzten Jahres ist bereits an die Pomerol-Spitze vorgestossen."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Deep crimson, going to ruby. Very warm and winning on the nose. Unmistakably Pomerol. (Hoorah!) Gentle vinification and elevage. You could almost drink this now, though there are very well-balanced tannins and I expect this to go on and on."

WINE SPECTATOR: "Interesting combination of berry and green olives on the nose. Full-bodied and silky, with ripe tannins and a long, fruity finish. Big wine. This is a Pomerol that I seldom taste, but it has plenty of stuffing. Drink now through 2010."