Moulin Saint Georges 2000

The finest Moulin St.-Georges ever produced, the exuberant, rich, textured 2000 boasts sumptuous aromas and flavors of creme de cassis and blueberry liqueur. The new oak is concealed by the wealth of fruit. While there is abundant tannin in the finish, it is both sweet and well-integrated. This seamless beauty, which is not terribly dissimilar from the perfect 2000 Ausone, is a sleeper of the vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2018.

Readers who can neither afford nor invest the requisite patience in Ausone should seek out the proprietor Alain Vauthier's other estate of note, Moulin St.-Georges (a 17.5 acre vineyard - the same size as Ausone). Made in the style of Ausone, it emphasizes pure, authentic blackberry, black raspberry, and currant fruit with a touch of minerals and wood. The 2000 is deep, structured, moderately tannic, and impressive. More backward than previous vintages, it is a high class, elegant offering to drink between 2003-2014.