Full ruby-red. Explosive, liqueur-like aromas of black raspberry, violet pastille, minerals and licorice. Boasts wonderful flavor intensity and vibrancy; silky but nicely delineated, thanks to harmonious acidity, with enticing inner-mouth floral and mineral perfume. Comes across as fresher than the Reignots yet conveys an impression of lower acidity. Possesses lovely volume and complexity, not to mention underlying backbone.

Oaky black fruits can be discerned in the aromatics of the 2000 La Romanee. This feminine, medium-bodied effort is a big, fresh, black cherry, coffee, violet, and black olive-flavored wine. Loads of firm yet ripe tannin make an appearance in its long, muscular finish Anticipated maturity: 2005-2012. According to Philippe Prost, this large negociant’s winemaker, “the 2000 reds had very thin skins, and the sanitary conditions were not very good, in fact we battled rot more and more as we approached harvest.” The firm’s director, Bernard Hervet, stated that “the vintage gets better as you move north through the Cote d’Or, we had lots of trouble in Maranges and Chassagne-Montrachet, for example. Overall, using your method of rating vintages, I’d score the 2000 reds a 92+.” My impression differed from Hervet’s, as I found most of the firm’s 2000s hard, astringent, and lacking in fruit. They did produce a few delicious wines, as the tasting notes indicate. Importer: Clicquot, Inc., New York, NY; tel. (212) 888-7575

Tasted at the La Romanée vertical at Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair. The 2000 La Romanée Grand Cru was a Bouchard Père et Fils bottlings and came from Louis-Michel's own cellar. It was picked on September 16, according to the estate's records. It has a glossy bouquet with quite a lot of oak submerging what appears to be some attractive red fruit underneath. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, moderate acidity, a little dryness developing toward the finish with white pepper and leathery notes. There is decent depth here, but like the 1998 it is missing charm and nuance. Tasted June 2015.