Saturated dark ruby. Aromas of black fruits, bitter chocolate, caramel and nutty, charred oak. Amazingly lush and silky for the year, with ripe flavors of black cherry, black raspberry and licorice. Can't match the '97, or the '99, for sheer density but this is bright, concentrated, suave and very long. Tannins are even and fine. A remarkable performance in the context of the year.