An attractive compote of red fruits makes up the aromas of the 2000 Echezeaux. This lively, cherry-flavored offering has excellent concentration, and a firmly structured yet ripe character. It should be consumed over the next 6-7 years. According to Philippe Prost, this large negociant’s winemaker, “the 2000 reds had very thin skins, and the sanitary conditions were not very good, in fact we battled rot more and more as we approached harvest.” The firm’s director, Bernard Hervet, stated that “the vintage gets better as you move north through the Cote d’Or, we had lots of trouble in Maranges and Chassagne-Montrachet, for example. Overall, using your method of rating vintages, I’d score the 2000 reds a 92+.” My impression differed from Hervet’s, as I found most of the firm’s 2000s hard, astringent, and lacking in fruit. They did produce a few delicious wines, as the tasting notes indicate. Importer: Clicquot, Inc., New York, NY; tel. (212) 888-7575