The 2000 Montrachet is another wine that is hugely inviting today because of its soft contours and open-knit personality. Orchard fruit, lemon oil, white flowers and a host of bright flavors give the 2000 an attractive sense of lift, but it is the wine's gentle, approachable style that makes the biggest impression in this tasting, where so many wines are much more intense. Caressing and feminine, the 2000 should drink well for at least a handful of years, although it does not appear to have the pedigree of the very best surrounding vintages. The fruit was brought in on September 25, after all the Pinots had been harvested.

Supple, rich and elegant, with a silky-rich texture that’s backed by a classy core of balanced acidity. Explosive aromas of toast, grilled nuts and caramelized peaches burst from the glass, while the palate is more about charm and finesse than raw power in this vintage.——W.E.(10/1/2003)—— 93