Mathusalem Château Haut Bailly - Pessac-Léognan 2000 b5952cb1c3ab96cb3c8c63cfb3dccaca

La Revue du Vin de France

17.50 / 20

the12/1/2009

Encore légèrement sur la réserve, avec une bouche que l'on perçoit dense et profonde et une jolie maturité du fruit. Très long et racé.

Wine Advocate

94 / 100

byNeal Martinthe7/23/2009

The 2000 is endowed with an intense nose of blackberry, smoke, cedar, crushed stones all with magnificent definition and focus. Very primal. The palate is full-bodied with a wonderful citrus-like freshness that cuts through the powerful black fruits with a hint of briary. Again there is that crushed stone quality coming through towards the finish. This remains a majestic millennial Haut-Bailly with a lovely dark cherry, crushed violet finish. Drink now-2030. Tasted March 2009.

Wine Advocate

92 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe1/1/2005

Les bordeaux de ce style, plutôt portés sur la retenue et la subtilité, récompensent généralement les amateurs sachant s'armer de patience.D'un rubis profond, ce Haut-Bailly impressionnant tant il paraît jeune séduit par ses arômes de cerise noire, de framboise et de groseille nuancés de fumé, de terreau et de boisé. l'ensemble, faible en acidité , est marqué de tannins très présents; il se distingue par sa pureté et son équilibre.Un classique exemple de finesse et d'élégance. A boire à son apogée entre 2007 et 2025.

TAST

18 / 20

the6/25/2004

classe du tanin (un rien plus épicé que la moyenne) font très « grand vin » et l’on ne peut encore une fois que remarquer à quel point le magnum rend davantage justice que la bouteille à ces grands crus bordelais ! Somptueuse suite en bouche !

Wine Advocate

90 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/2003

Patience will be rewarded with this style of Bordeaux that typifies restraint and subtlety. The deep ruby-colored 2000 is an impressive youthful Haut-Bailly. It offers endearing notes of black cherries, raspberries, and currants mixed with tobacco smoke, soil overtones, and subtle wood. The acidity is low, the tannin is present, and the overall quality is pure and well-balanced. This is a classic example of finesse and elegance. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2025.

Wine Spectator

92 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe3/31/2003

Wonderful finesse and length to this wine. Loads of plum and berry, with hints of raspberry. Full-bodied, with a solid, velvety core of ripe fruit and tannins. Long finish. One of the few Pessacs better in 2000 than 1998. American-owned. Best after 2010. 6,665 cases made.

Wine Advocate

89-91 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe2/28/2002

This is one of the lightest, most elegant offerings from Pessac-Leognan. As I have learned the hard way, Haut-Bailly often tastes light and innocuous when young, but 5-7 years later, it is a different story. This is due primarily to the abundant Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend (47% along with 53% Merlot and, oddly, no Cabernet Franc). The deep ruby-colored 2000 is one of the most impressive youthful Haut-Baillys I have ever tasted. It reveals endearing notes of black cherries, raspberries, and currants mixed with tobacco smoke, soil overtones, and subtle wood. The acidity is low, the tannin is present, and the overall quality is pure and well-balanced. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2025.

La Revue du Vin de France

/ 100

the10/1/2001

Robe grenat intense aux reflets vieux rose, nez complexe, mûrs, qui s’enrichit à l’aération, une belle maturité, des notes minérales et de griotte confite. Bouche ferme et rigoureuse, avec des tannins bien présents mais non accrocheurs, une grande finale fraîche et un équilibre parfait.

Wine Advocate

89-91 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/2001

Never an easy wine to evaluate young, Haut-Bailly, which I have a tendency to underestimate, is a wine of undeniable finesse, elegance, and restraint. It often tastes weak and insubstantial when 5-6 months old, and for that reason I was surprised by the strong performance of the 2000. The new American owners are obviously making a stricter selection. Forty-five percent of the production made it into this blend of 53% Merlot and 47% Cabernet Sauvignon. The eloquent Daniel Sanders told me they are now doing malolactic in barrique, which undoubtedly gives the wine more charm at this early age. The 2000 Haut-Bailly exhibits the finesse, elegance, and restraint for which this cru is known, as well as deeper fruit with more body and density. Gorgeous notes of black raspberries, crushed cherries, and black currants intermixed with balsam wood, vanilla, and earth are hard to ignore. This may be the finest Haut-Bailly produced in the last two decades. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2025.