Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: 92 points
While two bottles of the 2000 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Reserve were corked at this tasting, importer Dan Kravitz came to the rescue and provided a bottle (tasted in Colorado) that showed nicely. Fully mature, with a ruby/amber color that shows some lightening at the rim, it offers classic Pegau garrigue, olive tapenade, beef blood and wild herbs to go with a medium to full-bodied, seamless and resolved profile on the palate. It still has a core of sweet fruit and is drinking nicely now, so don?t make the mistake of waiting too long on this. It should be consumed over the coming couple of years.
Review date: August 2014
Vinous: 93 points
(14.8% alcohol) Full ruby-red. Liqueur-like aromas of black raspberry, black cherry and licorice. Lush, fat and full in the mouth, with superb concentration and richness. A seamless wine with great Chateauneuf du Pape character. Complicating notes of tar and chocolate. Finishes with dusty, broad tannins and great persistence. This can be enjoyed now with the right dishes but should age gracefully.
Review date: January 2003