(31.5 g/l dry extract; 13.4% alcohol): Deep ruby to the rim; much darker than both the 2001 and the 2003. Notes of milk chocolate, underbrush and cedar complicate the ripe red cherry and dark plum aromas. Enters sweet, dense and tactile, displaying ripe dark fruit, tobacco, porcini and mineral flavors of noteworthy precision and cut thanks to harmonious acidity. Finishes sweet, spicy, smooth and very long; once again, du Tertre comes across as remarkably fresh and focused in a hot vintage.

A dense purple color is followed by layers of concentrated blackberry fruit intertwined with damp earth, mushroom, and sweet, toasty barrique smells. With ripe tannin, medium to full body, a layered texture, and a concentrated, impressively endowed finish, this is the finest Du Tertre since their 1979. This is a property on the move ... up! Anticipated maturity: 2004-2018.

Medium ruby. Spicy, highly aromatic nose of boysenberry, dark chocolate, violet and mint. Juicy, shapely and intensely flavored, with lovely inner-mouth floral character. Very well balanced and vinous. Not a huge wine but suave and classy. Persistent finish features very fine tannins. The owners of Giscours purchased this chateau in 1997. I recently finished my last bottle of the seductive '79, and this 2000 may be the best vintage for Du Tertre since then.