Ruby-red. Perfumed aromas of red berries, tar, cedar, iron and mint; seemed to shut down in the glass. Sweet, succulent and fat; rounder and more opulent than the 2001 and highly aromatic in the mouth. Quite lush and seamless. This will rely more on its huge but ripe mouthcoating tannins than on its acids for longevity. Very long and ripe on the back end.

While the bottled 2000 still reveals a certain sternness in addition to tough tannin, it is sweeter and more expansive and flavorful. The dark ruby/purple color is saturated and impressive. With coaxing, notes of lead pencil shavings, black currants, earth, cedar, and spice box emerge from a relatively closed, firm, medium to full-bodied wine or, as the French would say, a classic vin de garde (for long-term cellaring). Although austere, it is a classic, authoritatively flavored effort that requires patience. I would like to see sweeter tannin and more flesh built into the mid-palate, but there is no denying the classicism and purity of this 2000. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2025.