Armailhac 2000

A slight downgrade from my original score, this wine is quite evolved, displaying ripe plum, black currant, and chocolate notes as well as hints of cedar and espresso. Soft, round, and close to full maturity, overall it is a medium-bodied wine to drink now and over the next decade or more.

Pretty unevolved crimson in hue though the rim is starting to fade. Hint of buckwheat on the nose. A little jagged next to the completeness of the Tour Haut-Brion. Bloody and quite dry and solid on the finish. The tannins are more rustic than the Tour Haut-Brion. Relatively light. Good balance. Drink 2010-2018. Date tasted 6th May 09.

One of the most seductive and luscious d'Armailhacs I have ever tasted, the 2000 is a blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon and 42% Merlot. It boasts a saturated purple color along with smoky, licorice-infused, cedary, black currant-scented aromas with plenty of toasty oak. Dense, opulent, seamless, and medium to full-bodied with sweet tannin, it has more volume, depth, and power than either the 2001 or the 1999. Anticipated maturity: now-2016. Last tasted, 1/03.

This continues to be one of the most seductive and luscious d'Armailhacs I have ever tasted. It may be my favorite vintage of d'Armailhac. Opaque purple-colored, this blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon and 42% Merlot has surprisingly good acidity with the high Merlot content and high tannin, but an expressive, opulent mid-texture and loads of charcoal-infused, cedary, black currant fruit intermixed with spice box, dried herbs, and espresso notes. The wine is full-bodied, sweet, and expansive. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2020.