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. This elegant Cabernet will be at its finest between 2006-2020. Tel. (707) 226-1395 and (800) MONDAVI; fax (707) 251-4386

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. This elegant Cabernet will be at its finest between 2006-2020. Tel. (707) 226-1395 and (800) MONDAVI; fax (707) 251-4386

Elegant, with mature cedar, loamy earth, dried currant and green olive notes. Full-bodied and balanced, this is best now.—2000 California Cabernet blind retrospective (August 2010). Drink now through 2015. -JL

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.——S.H.(11/15/2003)—— 92