2000 Xavier Vignon "2000" Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Staff Reviews

KM

Keith Mabry

Keith Mabry

K&L Buyer

Review Date: 04/2025

I have tasted (and drank) this wine a dozen or so times over the last few years. I recently opened a bottle to see where it was, and it is still one of the most impressive wines in its category right now. From a great vintage, with an amazing back story, it is hard to believe just how amazing this juice is and how much more promise there is in this wine. Since it was all aged in tank for 20+ years before its bottling, this wine still shows youthful vigor. There is a nose of mulled plums, potpourri, new saddle leather and strawberry compote. The palate joins the nose and fleshes and rounds out with a silky and inviting texture. Cinnamon, allspice and dried rose petals contribute to the fascinating finish with its almost seamless texture. An extraordinary and memorable wine. Built to last for another decade and maybe even two.

SB

Scott Beckerley

Scott Beckerley

Review Date: 10/2024

This has to be one of my favorite CNP's in the last decade. Relatively ripe with classic tannins and (lighter) wood notes. Black cherry fruited with exotic spices and bitter chocolate. The tobacco and earth tones are somewhat muted and blanace, rather than overpower. The long, long finish lasts and lasts. This is a wonderful bottling to drink with 24 years under its belt but, it will also be able to age for decades longer.

WB

Will Blakely

Will Blakely

Truthfully, I could not contain my excitement when I saw these wines had arrived from France. Aged Chateauneuf in and of itself is always a treat, but to see multiple library releases from such an esteemed producer felt like Christmas. This 2000 vintage is the most muscular and youthful of the three, displaying firm structure and still-taut tannins despite being old enough to legally drink itself. That said, its impressive strength belies its polish and sophistication. Dense, savory and chocolatey at first, it opened up generously in time, showing a soft core of dark cherry, brambly berry, Chinese five spice and lacquered wood. A tremendous bottle for any occasion, this would pair best with a meat dish that matches its power and grace.

Notes

Xavier Vignon's greatest strength as a winemaker is his ability to establish long lasting and unique relationships with his partner winemakers and growers. For 25+ years Vignon has made exciting and sumptuous modern wines but he has also indulged in a few unique and interesting projects along the way. The "2000" follows the "1972" in that it is from a single source. Instead of concrete aging however, the 2000 has been brought up entirely in wooden tanks for the past 20 years. It is composed of 80% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre with remainder Cinsault and Syrah. All from red clay soils with rolled pebbles, it reflects the stellar vintage of 2000. Warm rich fruit, plush tannins, and a mix of potpourri and baking spices make for one of the most fabulous wines you will drink this year. Fully mature and ready-to-drink or perfectly capable of aging for another decade or more. A must buy!