($100) Deep red. Enticing aromas of currant and plum; comes across as less oaky and less green than most of Bringer's other 2000 cabernets. Juicy and intensely flavored if not especially fleshy or sweet, but offers more structure and shows less herbal character than most of the 2000 vineyard-designated cabernets from this winery. A bit uniting on the finish, but the tannins are fairly fine.

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Production: 6,100 cases; Alcohol: 13.7%; Blend: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon; Harvest Dates: September 16 to November 8.This was the first vintage where a lot of the post-phylloxera planted vineyards began producing fruit and I suspect that the average age of the vines was 3-4 years. It was a relatively cool growing season with moderate temperatures from spring through September. Both Ed Sbragia and his assistant winemaker, Laurie Hook, seemed to have done everything right in 2000, having learned from the two previous cooler than normal years that waiting is the best solution. A sleeper vintage for Beringer, the 2000 harvest took place over seven full weeks. Atypically, 98% of the fruit came from Howell Mountain, a lot from two new sources, Rancho del Oso and the Quarry Vineyard (which sits on the Rutherford/St. Helena appellation border). Ed, Laurie and I all agreed that this is a better wine than the 1999. Sweet black currant, blueberry and raspberry fruit intermixed with crushed rock and floral aromas jump from the glass of this sleeper of the vintage. The wineâÂ?Â?s saturated purple color, heady, medium to full-bodied mouthfeel and supple tannins result in a delicious, nearly fully mature Cabernet Sauvignon that can be enjoyed over the next 10-15 years.

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Some notes of leather, tobacco. Not overly impressive in any facet. I think it is probably on the downside of over the hill from a peak drinking perspective. Getting a bit raisiny. Drink it if you got it.