2000 BORDEAUX 'GREATEST EVER'

Published: 23 July, 2008

The 2000 vintage was the greatest Bordeaux has ever produced', according to the influential American critic, Robert Parker. Writing in the latest issue (139) of The Wine Advocate, Parker describes the vintage as remarkably consistent from top to bottom there has never been a year where so many exceptional wines were produced'. Since he first pronounced on the vintage last year, Parker has changed his mind on a number of wines, after retasting them earlier this year. On his 100-point scale, Parker has upgraded Le Pin (+6 points), Ptrus (+4.5), Magrez-Fombrauge (+4), Lagrange (+4), Lafleur-Ptrus (+3.5), L'Eglise-Clinet (+3) and Lafite (+3 points). Losers include Phlan-Sgur (-7.5 points), Beychevelle (-2.5) and Anglus (-2.5). Calon-Sgur, which Parker did not visit in 2001 because of a scheduling glitch', is described as an amazing effort' and receives 94-96 points. Parker warns against high prices, but is upbeat about the future. In spite of the shocking, sometimes appallingly high prices asked for these wines, my prediction is that prices will largely remain stable throughout 2002 however, assuming there are no major terrorist acts, 2000 Bordeaux prices sooner rather than later will escalate.' We knew Parker was very keen on the vintage,' Stephen Browett of Farr Vintners told Harpers, but it's still a big surprise that he should call it the greatest ever.' Browett added that, with the prices already so high, we don't foresee any big increases in price. 2000 is still a good long-term investment, but it's not a vintage for short-term speculative profit.'

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