2000 Colgin Cariad (USA, California, Napa Valley)

Medium red in color with pretty crimson edges. Nose of dried red fruits with the forefront being cherries. The palate shows very refined and pure, and a low key elegance that showed breed and femininity. There is some warm-earth and dried red fruits and more of a red raspberry/cherry as well as some red currant components. Some dried tea leaf, worn leather, and spring white flowers become evident. As time passed, any variances from these first impressions were minute, maybe just a gaining of a bit more mid-palate weight as well as a softer tannin attack, but those tannins do seem fully resolved and impeccably balanced. Classically structured and such a beautiful (not to mention welcomed) Cabernet-blend expression from such a dismal year in the valley. Just Fantastic. 94 pts