A cool earthy complexity in the late afternoon shade of the east side of the hill. Zingy balsamic fruit and garrigue. Surging and receding in 30-45 minute pulses. Still prominent tannins and--in finer moments--an endless colorful tail.

Fresher springier legs than the 2000 and with still-primary fruit, this is pre-plateau though the baby fat's gone. A note-worthy rusty middle keeps the intrigue but this hasn't developed the complexity of the '00 ... and it shows the summer '03 heat on it's tail. Held up more than the 2000 over the course of the rosebowl.