Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan 2000

99-100 points (19.5-20) The World of Fine Wine: "A knockout perfume of blackcurrant, earth, tobacco, mint, and leather. Sweet, fleshy dark fruit on the palate; more opulent than the 2001 but at no cost to its balance. This is such an elegant, beautifully proportioned, delicious Haut-Brion. Another legend in the making, and it will be fun to watch its evolution alongside the 2005. (Issue #32; 2011)"

99+ points Neal Martin (Wine Advocate): "Tasted from an ex-château bottle in Bordeaux, I was not surprised to find the 2000 Château Haut-Brion flirting with perfection. The nose is simply breathtaking - quintessential Haut-Brion with ebullient red berry fruit, roasted herbs, gravel, terracotta tiles on a warm summer's day...it is simply wave after wave of intoxicating scents that could bring even the most stoic person to tears of joy. The palate displays heavenly balance, pitch-perfect acidity, perhaps spicier than previous bottles that I have tasted, and what depth and dimension in this outstanding wine. That hint of graphite on the finish is a cheeky nod to Pauillac, as if to thumb its nose at the First Growths, because alongside Château Latour, almost by stealth, the Haut-Brion is one of the greatest Bordeaux in this millennial year. Tasted November 2014. Drink: 2020-2060. (7/28/16)"

99 points Robert Parker: "Its bigger sister, the 2000 Haut-Brion (a blend of 51% Merlot, 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc) showed incredibly at the tasting, and for me is one of the three or four most prodigious wines of the vintage. A compelling nose of roasted herbs, scorched earth, sweet blueberries, plums, black currants, and a hint of graphite is followed by a deep, layered, sumptuously textured, full-bodied Haut-Brion, but one with extraordinary complexity. This wine seems more evolved and approachable than I had expected it to be at age 10. My window of maturity seven years ago was 2012-2040, but I would change that to 2010-2050. (Jun 2010)"

99 points (19.5/20) Decanter: "Spicy, smokey, cigar leaf, mineral nose, with a beef broth character similar to the 1998 and 1961; plums, chocolate, black cherry and cassis with a long, rich finish. Slight edge over La Mission 2000. Drink: 2012-2030. (Sep 2011)"

99 points Jeff Leve (The Wine Cellar Insider): "Still young, yet it is impossible not to be awed by the wine. Intense, concentrated, complex, and filled with smoked, red fruits, charred wood, tar, spice, forest leaves, spice, and a farmers market of red berries, this is long, rich, mouth-coating and attention-seeking. At 24 years of age, this is only starting to display its greatness. Drink from 2024-2075. (2/4/24)"

98 points Bettane & Desseauve's Guide to the Wines of France: "With its unmatched fine tannin texture splendidly integrated into its body, this is a chef d'oeuvre of harmony. For very long aging. Drink: 2011 up to 2030. (2011)"

97 points Neal Martin (Vinous): " The 2000 l’Eglise-Clinet was picked from 18 September and matured in 80% new oak. This has a magnificent bouquet with black fruit infused with bay leaf, smoke, freshly rolled tobacco and a touch of spice. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, quite firm in the mouth with blackberry, clove, allspice and white pepper. This has always been a very complex millennial Pomerol with a very grippy, quite masculine finish and therefore decanting is advised. Denis Durantou informed that this was the only vintage neither fined nor filtered. Tasted at the l’Eglise-Clinet vertical at the château in April 2018. Drink: 2020-2060. (Jul 2019)"