Decided to take a peek at this vintage from half bottle (since I own various halves from 2000). 1st night: dark color, with baked plums and some gritty, firm tannins. 3rd night: dark garnet to the rim, hints of cigar leaf, baked plums, and baking spices on the nose, very balanced on the palate with sweet fruit, great spirit integration, and rounded tannins. Very approachable now, but probably should be with 17 years on it.
