The turn of the millennium marked an unforgettable period that seems otherworldly today. 24 years ago, Apple’s first iPod was still in beta, Beyoncé had yet to go solo, and it turned out that the new N'SYNC single "Bye Bye Bye" caused more global chaos than Y2K. In the wine world, Napa Valley had just shifted into a new gear after a game-changing 1997 vintage, New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc had not yet become a ubiquitous wine shop mainstay, and Bordeaux was in the midst of one of its greatest vintages ever.
2000 was a legendary year for Bordeaux red wines in particular. To the delight of both Left and Right Bank vintners, the warm, dry summer was followed by perfect harvest weather, resulting in grapes capable of extraction and tannic structure – ideal for crafting expressive, ageworthy wines. Demonstrating his characteristic prescience, Robert Parker doled out lavish praise for the vintage based on early tastings and the wines have since been released to receive worldwide admiration.
Over the decades, these wines have retained their vaunted status as the tannins and intensity required many years to unravel their full potential. 24 years in bottle has allowed more taut aromatics to relax into generous bouquets of leather, black tea, and forest floor with tannins well-integrated. The 2000 vintage may mark the last classic representation of Bordeaux reds, an end of a stylistic era, as the next series of critically-praised vintages reflect a richer, more fruit-driven profile fueled by warmer weather. To some Bordeaux aficionados, this is a good-bye tour, but a cherished and delicious one.
Stand-Out Millenium Bottlings:
2000 Château Margaux - Triple 100-Points, “a prodigious, flawless wine that shows the elegance and seductive hallmark of the estate paired with incredible density, depth, and richness…going to continue evolving for another 3-4 decades. Bordeaux...doesn’t get any better – Jeb Dunnuck
2000 Château Mouton-Rothschild - aka “The Golden Ram,” one of the most iconic bottles in the world, “the palate packs in the muscular fruit, framed by firm, ripe, grainy tannins and seamless freshness, finishing with phenomenal length. This is an incredibly complex and multifaceted wine, and it's drinking deliciously now” – Lisa Perrotti-Brown
2000 Château Pavie - Double 100-Points, a Right Bank Gem, “a powerhouse of a wine that does everything right…incredible sense of freshness and a weightless texture. Fully mature, yet in the early part of its drink window, it has another two decades or prime drinking ahead of it” – Jeb Dunnuck
2000 Château La Mission Haut-Brion (12 pack, OWC) - RP100, “Extremely powerful, full-bodied and superbly concentrated with good acidity and high but round tannins, this massive La Mission-Haut-Brion should take its place among this estate’s most hallowed vintages when it hits full maturity” – Robert Parker
One bonus in showcasing such a consistent vintage in Bordeaux is its universality of expression across all regions, making it an uncommon opportunity for eye-opening horizontals across producers and regions. Next year will also mark the vintage’s 25th anniversary – a perfect chance to stock up for your special occasions!
