Saint-Julien 2000

Provenance

The late David Brice was a respected wine connoisseur, collector and co-founder of Brice and Burnett – The Fine Wine Specialists (formerly Wine Cellar). His lifelong passion for wine from all corners of the world wine, and generosity, helped develop a culture of fine wine in South Africa and beyond. Always with value and authenticity in mind, the collection spans a wide range of styles from leading producers and diverse regions. The wines were professionally imported under refrigeration and carefully stored at Brice and Burnett (formerly Wine Cellar) thereafter. Many of the producers are not available in South Africa and provide an excellent buying opportunity.

David studied and tasted Bordeaux more than any other region and he purchased en-primeur, or pre-release, for more than 3 decades. He bought the great vintages, loved magnums, and enjoyed the sweet wines of Sauternes. The cellar contains the famous names, but also highly regarded but lesser-known Chateaux and appellations.

For more detailed information on the lots, please feel free to contact Roland Peens (roland@winecellar.co.za). Roland spent many years sharing and enjoying these wines with David Brice and is happy to provide further insight into the collection.

Critics Ratings

'Concentrated and full of still-confident tannins at 21 years old, this really gives a sense of how slowly and carefully Gruaud Larose ages. Black pepper spice ripples through the blackberry and blackcurrant liqueur, and you feel the ripeness in the grapes. Black truffle, slate and espresso come out as it opens, as is so often the case with Gruaud Larose, along with plenty of charred cedar and a juicy finish. Now opening up, but still with the freshness and slightly austere tannins of a young wine, a brilliant combination of power and delicacy. Harvest September 21 to October 4, 35% new oak.' – Jane Anson, janeanson.com, 95/100

“A very strong effort, pure and full-bodied with plenty of new saddle leather, cedarwood, black currants, cherries, licorice and Provençal herbs. Spicy, earthy, full-bodied and rich, it has hit its plateau of full maturity where it should stay for another 20 or more years.” - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 94/100 (Jun 2010)

“Do not ignore this Gruaud-Larose: the best in recent years. Introverted on the nose with blackberry, cedar, tobacco and a hint of cassis. Good definition, then leather coming through with further aeration. Firm, obdurate tannins, good grip, masculine with black fruits and cedar. Decant this for a couple of hours and you will be rewarded.” - Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, 93/100 (Sep 2010)

'There's nice richness here, with velvety-textured blackberry, fig and boysenberry confiture flavors rolling through, edged by a graphite note that slowly takes over on the finish. This has serious spine, with tar and ganache echoes hanging in the background, boding well for continued development. - Blind 2000 Bordeaux retrospective (December 2015).' – James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 93/100

'Fully mature (yet I'd say in the early stages of its drink window), the 2000 Château Gruaud Larose offers a ripe, powerful, medium to full-bodied style as well as lots of currant and darker fruits followed by cedarwood, tobacco, iron, and assorted meaty, spicy nuances. It's a rich, almost chunky effort with a great mid-palate, still present yet ripe tannins, and a great finish. It lacks some of the purity and precision of today's wines yet is a satisfying, rich, impressively textured Saint-Julien to drink over the coming 15-20 years.' – Jeb Dunnuck, 92/100