2000 La Fleur Petrus

The 2000 La Fleur-Pétrus is a vintage I have not tasted for a while. This has an intense, enveloping bouquet that wraps its arms around your senses and gives it a gentle cuddle. Minty black fruit, wilted violets and sage emerge with time. The palate is well-defined and structured, displaying a bit more backbone than I recollect on previous bottles. Cedar and graphite impart a nuanced Médocian tang on the finish. Delightful. Probably reaching its peak in the next four to five years. Tasted blind at Medlar restaurant dinner.

I am not convinced the 2000 La Fleur Petrus is going to eclipse the 1998, which performed even better in a recent tasting. Nevertheless, it is a terrific effort from this estate, sandwiched between the hallowed vineyards of Petrus and Lafleur. A deep plum/ruby color is followed by aromas of mocha, kirsch liqueur, loamy soil, spice box, and licorice. It is an opulent, medium to full-bodied, big, substantial yet elegant, precise Pomerol displaying beautiful purity. It is just beginning to drink well, and should continue to age for another 10+ years. One of the two bottles I tasted was corked.

Light, bright ruby. Very light nose that seems very developed. Rather a pale shadow of a right bank wine, this bottle. Perfectly amicable but without much of a message. Luncheon claret with rusty nails on the end. (JR)