Published in June 2003

Wines, Spirits and Beers published in the June 2003 issue of Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

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Château Lafite Rothschild 2000 Red (Pauillac)

Price $400

Perhaps of all the first growths in the totally un-classic 2000, this retains most of the classic Bordeaux. It is certainly almost black in color, while the new wood flavors are very present. But it shows an impressive restraint, leaving the power of the wine to be revealed over the years rather than immediately. This could well be the longest-lived of the Pauillac… — R.V. (6/1/2003)

points

Château Ausone 2000 Red (Saint-Émilion)

Price $600

Forget all those garage wines, forget the upstarts of Saint-Emilion. When you want real class, you have to turn to Ausone. What a wine - magnificently dense and opaque, hugely rich and sensual. Yet it doesn’t seem in the least decadent - for deep inside the wine is a huge backbone of ripe tannins. Keep for at least 10 years — R.V. (6/1/2003)

points

Château Pétrus 2000 Red (Pomerol)

Price $1500

While the first impression with Pétrus is the wood, it is the fruit which gradually shows itself. It is extraordinary, this dense fruit, which simultaneously manages to float with elegance. There is layer after layer of fruit, sometime black, sometimes smoky, sometimes spicy. The wine is not yet totally integrated, still intensely young, with decades to go. But… — R.V. (6/1/2003)

points

Château Latour 2000 Red (Pauillac)

Price $450

This is such an expressive wine, with elegance a major factor in its character. It is certainly huge, rich and dense. But there is much more to it. You can peel layers of fruit and tannins away, and still never get to the end of the wine’s complexity. At every stage of its life, it will reveal a new character, but for now it is dominated by powerful tannins and… — R.V. (6/1/2003)

points

Robert Young 1997 Scion Red (Alexander Valley)

Online Exclusive

Price $50

The second wine, and first red, from this famous vineyard-owning family, it's a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. The wine is, in a word, classic. This great vintage provided super fruit, and the winemaking takes full advantage of it. This is very great Cabernet. It's so delicious you find yourself putting the glass down and thinking about it… — S.H. (6/1/2003)

points

Château Cheval Blanc 2000 Red (Saint-Émilion)

Price $700

In 2000, it seems the Cabernet Franc made Cheval Blanc. It has given a mysterious, wonderful perfume to the intense richness of the Merlot. It has less of the explosive power of Ausone, it is more subtle and elegant, reserving its explosion of richness for the end, when a welter of black fruits seems to go on for ever — R.V. (6/1/2003)

points

Château l'Eglise-Clinet 2000 Red (Pomerol)

Price $108

Denis Durantou’s obsessive search for perfection paid off handsomely with this stunning 2000. Despite the richness of the fruit, there is still a sense of lightness to the wine which makes it surprisingly easy to comprehend at this stage. The Cabernet Franc perfumes couterpoint the rich Merlot, while the wood underpins everything. — R.V. (6/1/2003)

points

Château Mouton Rothschild 2000 Red (Pauillac)

Price $450

With its distinctive antique bottle and gold etched label dominated by a sheep, this is definitely a move away from classic Bordeaux bottling. It is good that the wine can support the presentation. The fruit is so ripe, it almost tastes of raisins, but that sweetness is finely balanced by the dry tannins and concentrated texture. To finish, there are exotic spices… — R.V. (6/1/2003)

2010 Gauthier Rockin H Ranch Vineyards

Lots to like in this dry, smoothly tannic Pinot. It has complex berry…

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