2000 Palmer, Margaux

“A typical Palmer showing finesse alongside strength. I love the blackberry, plum, chocolate and cedar character. It’s very long and beautiful. The velvety, textured tannins are impressive.” (04/2014)

“Still tight, with a core of black currant, blackberry and plum fruit flavors that is quite youthful, while hints of dried anise, tobacco and singed alder are starting to peek through on the finish. There's a really vibrant iron note cutting through the finish too. (JM)” (06/2016)

“Breathe deep to enjoy the curl of violet and woodsmoke aromatics that are coming out of this glass. Softened russet pink around the edges at 21 years old, still deep ruby through the core. The fruits are a little more tertiary than I expected, brambled raspberry, with hawthorn, tobacco, white pepper, truffle and campfire notes, but as it opens up, the palate expands outwards and builds in concentration and grip. No question this once-stubborn vintage is now open for business, and overall this is soft and welcoming but has decades ahead of it.” (12/2021)

“One of the sexiest wines for drinking now and over the next 10-15 years is undoubtedly the 2000 Palmer. A blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Merlot, the wine has an almost exotic floral nose, soft, undulating tannins, and tremendous opulence and flesh, with a full-bodied mouthfeel, silky tannins, and loads of floral notes intermixed with blue and black fruits as well as hints of smoke and incense in its complex aromatics. This wine is drinking beautifully and should continue to do so for up to two more decades. (RP)” (06/2010)

“The 2000 Palmer is a very different “beast” than the 2001, and I use that word intentionally. This is much more feral on the nose, and quite ferrous, presenting leather and dried herbs, smudged red berry fruit, and a hint of fig that emerges with time. The brettanomyces sticks out a bit here. The palate is medium-bodied with dry tannins and good density, very earthy in style and certainly more evolved than the succeeding vintage, yet you cannot help falling for its charms. It evolves wonderfully in the glass, actually closing in a little toward the finish, and suggesting that contrary to what the nose suggests, it will repay further cellaring. Excellent. (NM)” (06/2021)

“At this stage, this is very closed, very tight, giving little. But it is possible to discern that this is going to be a beautiful wine. There are flavors of sweet raisins and the fruit has a new world richness, but the structure of dry tannins is always present. It looks as though it has a good, long life. (RV)” (06/2003)

“More noticeable toasty oak than the 2005, perhaps a reflection of the fashion at the time? But the fruit is right there on the palate, still full of freshness and purity. Wonderfully expressive nose – the full range of liquorice, pencil lead, toast, cocoa, cassis, leather. Absolutely perfect for drinking now, even though it will age a little further. 18.5/20 points (RH)” (06/2022)