Rich, ripe, youthful aromas suggest black cherry, black currant, cedar, and mint. Noticeably tannic on entry, with concentration and depth. This meaty, chewy, textured, peppery wine has not quite come together. The acidity is very good and there’s decent fruit extract. The 2000 Gracia wasn’t singing tonight, although it wasn’t bad either. There’s lots of potential. No score

This is a big upgrade for this spectacular micro-cuvee, a true garage wine from a 4.4-acre vineyard. A blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, I always find Gracia to be reminiscent of Ausone. The dense, rich 2000 reveals notes of a spring flower garden intermixed with smoky barbecue meat, blackberries, black currants, and crushed rocks. The extraordinary perfume is followed by a wine of great depth and richness, full-bodied power, and not a hard edge to be found. This velvety blockbuster is just beginning to strut all its stuff, and should age easily for another 15+ years.

Full bright ruby. Tangy aromas of bitter cherry, blackberry, violet, minerals and exotic spices. Offers lovely creamy sweetness and pliancy in the mouth but also shows excellent clarity of flavor and penetration, thanks to the cabernet component. Firm but sweet tannins build on the very long finish.

Bright medium ruby. Superripe, slightly medicinal kirsch aroma, complicated by licorice, earth and exotic oak tones. Plump and smooth, with impressively concentrated flavors of liqueur-like black raspberry and black cherry. Finishes with big, dusty, late-arriving tannins and a note of roast coffee. Considerably less primary than the 2001 and 2002 vintages, but undeniably sweet and fat.