The 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon is a candidate for "wine of the vintage." It boasts a saturated black/purple color as well as a sexy up-front nose of melted licorice intermixed with creosote blueberry and blackberry liqueur and graphite scents. It is layered opulent full-bodied and atypically accessible for a young Bryant Cabernet with low acidity and exceptional length. This remarkable effort will be one of the easiest to drink as well as fastest to evolve Bryants made to date. Anticipated maturity: now-2015.

A big rich extracted style with a gutsy core of currant pencil lead earth and plum. Full-bodied from start to finish with a long detailed aftertaste mouthcoating tannins and touches of herb cedar and spice. Builds momentum. Drink now through 2012. 800 cases made. (JL)