Chateau Pape Clement Rouge 2000

Just drinking brilliantly, the 2000 (50/50 Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon) is still lively ruby-hued and has a classic Graves nose of earthy currant and cherry fruits as well as smoked earth, lead pencil, tobacco, wood smoke, and leafy herbs. It starts out up-front and leads with its fruit, yet over the course of the evening. it offers more and more Graves smokiness, earth, and deeper, herbal goodness. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it’s seamless and has terrific freshness, integrated tannins, and a great finish. It’s certainly in its prime drink window yet has another 10-15 years of prime drinking, with a gradual decline after that, assuming perfect storage.