Château Haut-Marbuzet 2000

This wine was disappointing from barrel, disappointing from bottle seven years ago, and continues to reveal a washed-out, diluted character with excessive herbs and new oak. It lacks the concentration exhibited by this estate’s great vintages. The disjointed, round 2000 needs to be drunk up as it will not improve.

Always a high achiever. Rich red, with spice, vanilla and plummy character. Full- to medium-bodied, with plenty of rounded tannins and a medium finish. Bit tough now, but better with time. Best after 2008. 30,000 cases made.

The aromas are all dominated by new wood. But to taste, this super cru bourgeois is all about fruit. It is sweet, generous, not having typical Saint-Estèphe tannins, but showing more elegance. A great success.

Good full deep red. Exotic aromas of black raspberry, baked plum, licorice and roasted meat. Lush, sweet, round and fat, with a mineral firmness in the middle. Still, this opulent 2000 doesn't have quite the verve of the 2001. Finishes with sweet tannins and very good persistence. "In the Northern Medoc, 2001 was better than 2000," asserts Bruno Duboscq.

I was surprised by how hard and firm this bottle showed. The wine is much better on the nose than the palate. Usually, the wine is round, voluptuous and fun, but not in this vintage. Did they miss the boat in 2000? Such is life...

Brightened purple, with a gentle rusty shimmer. Spicy, strongly toasty bouquet, with nutty notes, bread crust and Far Eastern spices. Medium-bodied on the palate, with firm tannins, a certain sharpness in the extract, and a rough, forward texture.

01: Bright, highly radiant purple with a gently rusty shimmer. Spicy, very toasty bouquet with nutty notes, bread crust and Far Eastern spices. Medium-bodied on the palate with firm tannins, a certain sharpness in the extract, and a somewhat abrasive, upfront texture. 16/20 2005 – 2012

In this vintage, Haut-Marbuzet is a beautifully harmonious wine, but without the rich, intense depth it usually has. It is a more flowing wine, with a velvety, well-balanced texture.

This is a very supple, light Haut-Marbuzet for the vintage, with a mid-weight palate. The finish is both delicate and silky, but not very intense. It’s ready to drink.

Dark, intense, developed colour. Fruity nose, with oaky notes as well. A smooth, juicy, aromatic palate, showing a truffled note on the finish and a rather noble texture. Good length.