2000 Vintage: General Appreciation
A generous vintage in terms of the size of the crop and like so many others, it was overshadowed by the preceding excellent 1999 vintage. The early part of the growing season went well leading to uniform flowering in early June. July was one of the coolest on record with plenty of rain but August was warm bringing everything back on track. Harvesting started in the Cote de Beaune on 11th September and was immediately hit by rain though the Cote de Nuits starting on 18th September avoided the rain. As ever those who worked diligently in the vineyards undertaking green harvests and then employing triage did best. On the whole a difficult vintage to summarise but there are some excellent whites where the ripeness of fruit could support the acidity. The best of the reds provided pure with soft fruits though, not exceptionally concentrated. 
Red Wines
In general, the best of the Cote de Nuits reds were easier than those of the Cote de Beaune. The best of the reds have an open, generous character with succulent red fruits without being hugely concentrated.  The tannins are riper and softer and acidity levels are lower so they are drinking well in their youth though, many are not necessarily be built for the long haul.
White Wines
As with the reds, there are some highly attractive whites and I have been impressed with many. The general problem was ensuring that there was sufficient ripeness of fruit to match the higher level of acidity. The top examples have considerable finesse and class with good fruits, positive acidity and minerality.

Best Red Wines of the Vintage

Red Wines of the Vintage

Gevrey Chambertin: Chambertin Clos de Bèze (Groffier), Charmes Chambertin (Claude Dugat), Charmes Chambertin (Dugat-Py), Gevrey Chmbertin Clos Saint Jacques (Rousseau), Griotte Chambertin (Drouhin), Griotte Chambertin (Claude Dugat), Latricières Chambertin (Leroy), Mazis Chambertin (d’Auvenay), Mazis Chambertin (Dugat-Py), Ruchottes Chambertin (Georges Mugneret), Ruchottes Chambertin (Christophe Roumier), Ruchottes Chambertin Clos des Ruchottes (Rousseau)

Morey Saint Denis: Clos de la Roche (Dujac), Clos  de la Roche (Domaine Leroy), Clos de la Roche (Rousseau), Clos Saint Denis (Bertagna), Clos de Tart (Mommessin)

Chambolle Musigny: Bonnes Mares (Dujac), Chambolle Musigny Les Amoureuses (Jadot),Musigny (Jacques Prieur), Musigny Vieilles Vignes (Vogüé)

Vougeot: Clos Vougeot (Engel), Clos Vougeot (Domaine Leroy), Clos Vougeot Le Grand Maupertui (Anne Gros)

Vosne Romanée: Échezeaux (Engel), Grands Échezeaux (Gros Frère et Soeur), Richebourg (Grivot), Richebourg (AF Gros), Richebourg (Anne Gros), Richebourg (Gros Frère et Soeur), Richebourg (Hudelot-Noëllat), Richebourg (Domaine Leroy), Romanée Saint Vivant (JJ Confuron), Vosne Romanée Les Beaumonts (Rouget), Vosne Romanée Les Brülées (Engel), Vosne Romanée Les Brülées (Meo Camuzet), Vosne Romanée Aux Malconsorts (Sylvain Cathiard), Vosne Romanée Aux Reignots (Arnoux)

Nuits Saint Georges: Nuits Saint Georges Les Boudots (Meo Camuzet), Nuits Saint georges Aux Boudots (Meo Camuzet)

Aloxe Corton: Corton Clos Rognet (Meo Camuzet)

Savigny Les Beaune: Savigny Les Beaune Narbantons (Domiane Leroy)

Volnay: Volnay Champans (Marquis d’Angerville)

Best White Wines of the Vintage

White Wines of the Vintage
Pernand Vergelesses/Aloxe Corton: Corton Charlemagne (Henri Boillot), Corton Charlemagne (Bonneau du Martray), Corton Charlemagne (Coche Dury)

Meursault: Meursault Les Perrieres (Henri Boillot), Meursault Les Perrieres (Comtes Lafon), Meursault Les Perrieres (Coche Dury),

Puligny Montrachet: Batard Montrachet (Henri Boillot), Batard Montrachet (Drouhin), Batard Montrachet (Domaine Leflaive), Batard Montrachet (Pernot), Chevalier (d’Auvenay), Chevalier Montrachet (Henri Boillot), Chevalier Montrachet (Leflaive), Chevalier Montrachet (Ramonet), Chevalier Montrachet La Cabotte (Bouchard), Chevalier MonTâchet Les Demoiselles (Jadot), Montrachet (Henri Boillot), Montrachet (Bouchard), Montrachet (Lafon), Montrachet (Marquis de Laguiche/Drouhin), Montrachet (Domaine Leflaive), Montrachet (Jacques Prieur), Puligny Montrachet Champs Canet (Louis Carillon), Puligny Montrachet Les Clavoillon (Domaine Leflaive), Puligny Montrachet Les Folatieres (d’Auvenay), Puligny Montrachet Les Folatieres (Pernot), Puligny Montrachet Les Pucelles (Jean Boillot), Puligny Montrachet Les Pucelles (Domaine Leflaive), Puligny Montrachet Les Pucelles (Pernot)

Chassagne Montrachet : Batard Montrachet (Fontaine-Gagnard), Batard Montrachet (Jean-Noel Gagnard), Chassagne Montrachet Les Ruchottes (Ramonet), Montrachet (Ramonet)