The 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon leads with dark chocolate and star anise, layers of spicy/toasty oak and loads of dried bay leaf, tobacco and licorice. The cork fell apart upon opening (crumbled, is a more accurate descriptor—it is still bobbing around in the bottle), yet it has done its job, and the wine is in excellent condition. Elegant, plush and moving to ethereal, there are notes of beef stock, bone broth, field mushrooms, cocoa powder, mulberry and nori. It also has autumn leaves and blood plums in profusion. This is really good, pleasurable, with plenty of time to go. Matured for 20 months in French oak barriques. 14.5% alcohol, sealed under natural cork.