Deep ruby-red color. Captivating aromas of currant, black cherry, violet, tobacco, iron and smoky oak. Very silky on entry, then broad, rich and sweet, with superb, expressive fruit. Seamless, full, very suave wine, with lovely layered texture and flavor definition. Really opens out on the finish, showing fine-grained tannins and terrific length. (ST)

Oak dominates in the wine’s youth, with scents of wood and smoky earth. In the mouth, rich and dense. The tannins are thick, but soft and melted. Acidity kicks in on the finish. Structurally superb, but curiously lean and herbal in flavor, as thought it were deliberately picked early. No doubt meant for the cellar.

There are 18,000-20,000 cases of the 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, one of the finest efforts from this difficult vintage. The wine is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Merlot and Malbec. It exhibits a deep purple color as well as an elegant, sweet perfume of black currants intertwined with licorice, loamy soil, and hints of mints as well as new oak. It is ripe, long, and structured, with medium to full body, outstanding purity and concentration, and a persistent finish. (RP)