A new, elegant, yet heavy bottle (obviously designed to encourage lower back pain) was introduced with the 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon Backus Vineyard. Aged in 100% new Taransaud barrels, it exhibits a dense purple color along with a sweet nose of smoke, blueberries, blackberries, and cassis. Firmly tannic, rich, and medium to full-bodied, with a slight narrowing at the finish, this is an outstanding effort in a difficult vintage. It requires 1-2 more years of cellaring, and should keep for 12-15. Tel. (707) 963-2745; Fax (707) 963-4831

Mature, with notes of dried herb, berry, mineral and cedary graphite-pencil shavings that are full-bodied, ending on a simpler plane, with crisp, clipped tannins.—2000 California Cabernet blind retrospective (August 2010). Drink now through 2015. 1,000 cases made. -JL

Attention to detail shows in the intensity of the currant and cassis flavors, the elaborately crafted tannins, and the vibrant edge of acidity. It’s not an ager, but is as good a representative of 2000 Napa Cabernet as you’ll find. ——D.T.(2/1/2004)—— 93