As follows:
2000 Pichon Longueville Lalande: took a while to open up but when it did this was really singing, lovely nose and real structure here, firm tannins and acidity, will age beautifully
2000 Lynch Bage: Lovely "meaty" wine (as in texture not smell) bigger and richer than the pichon and not quite the enticing structure, definately a keeper though.
2000 Cos D'Estournel: Not on song tonight, a but closed and soupy, didnt do much for me and not one I would buy, others suggested it was in a bad patch.
2000 Carbonnieux: bit stalky and greenish, lots of aspargus, not my cup of tea, pass.
2000 Essence: A premium negotiant brand with the best grapes from 2 classed growths (Belvair and one other I forget). Very nice wine, more in the fruit forward australian style, slightly jammy, drinking well now, will age a few more years. An interesting concept founded from the owners son suggesting they should blend all of the first growths and make a super blend...
What this proved for me was that the best of the 2000's have plenty of structure to age very well, and the small selection that I have will sit in my cellar for quite a few more years yet.
I then took the winemaker (from Essence) and the importer for a few more drinks, we tried the 1999 Cape Mentelle Cabernet, not quite in the class of the above with more sweet fruit, but a nice wine none the less, will keep longer. Then after that a 1999 Messorio....absolutely stunning stuff but I have raved about this enough before, WOTN.
Then to finish a JJ Prum riesling spatlese 1996, lovely wine with the perfect balance between sweetness and acidity to provide the perfect finish to the evening...plus I just love those labels!