2000 Domaine Anne Gros Clos de Vougeot Grand Maupertui Grand Cru

While much less prominent than it once was, there is still noticeable wood on both the nose and the finish and it detracts ever-so-mildly from the otherwise solidly complex and now fully mature dark berry and earth-suffused nose. The round, rich and quite supple flavors offer fine depth and excellent length though again, the mouth coating finish does evidence enough wood influence to detract somewhat from the overall purity of expression. This is drinking perfectly now and while it could certainly be held further there is no additional upside development to be had.

(80% new oak). The aggressive oak spice that this displayed in barrel has been almost completely absorbed and has been replaced by highly expressive and complex black fruits beautifully framed by traces of earth. The rich, supple, full-bodied flavors are underpinned by firm, ripe, round tannins that offer solid depth and excellent length. Young Clos de Vougeot typically is quite reserved, indeed even austere but this is quite approachable and remarkably elegant for such a young example. Though this could be enjoyed now for its lovely spice and richness, it will benefit from 5 or so years in the cellar. A very solid performance for the vintage and it should age for perhaps as long as 15 years. Allen Meadows, Burghound, Nov01,2005