2000 Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmody McKnight, Paso Robles

I opened this bottle in celebration of my daughter having her 1st child, my 1st grandchild, four days ago.  Her husband BBQ's a steak and I thought what better time than to open a special bottle of 10yr cab from Paso.  I had the pleasure of working at Carmody McKnight over 6 years ago in 2004.   The property is a must see and must tasting through all the wines, understanding the terrior in this special place.  A beautiful location for weddings, picnics, celebrations. I remember driving in the gate for the first time and thinking, yikes, how pretty, I am actually working here!  Being from the Bay Area, this scenery was certainly amazingly wonderful.  In addition the family who owns the winery is also the most caring people.  I just loved them when I worked there.  And, they take you in as family. As for the 2000 cab, it is tasting very fine.  The tannins smoothed out, the fruit is perfect, chocolate, cherries, and a pepper finish.  A licorice nose starts out the pleasure of how amazing this wine has stored over the ten years since it was bottled.  Unfortunately I did not buy a case of this.  Carmody McKnight's winemaker, builds these wines for laying down.  Make sure you buy a case of their cab, cab franc and blends.  They are gold medal winners.  Save these for a special occasion like me.  I love this winery.  So please visit and ask for Kathleen.  Her dad and mom are also so very talented.  Gary Conway is an outstanding artist and designs all the wine bottle labels.  Some of his art work is also at the winery.  It certainly is worth the trip.  Please click on www.carmodymcknight.comhttp://www.carmodymcknight.com for a great adventure.  They are the winery before you get to Justin Vineyards.  Justin bought 90 acres from the Conways in the early 80s and planted grapes.  Gary Conway followed, planting grapes, after having many other adventures.  Long story. Now CalPoly has been studying the terrior and other nuances about this special property of volcanic intrusion and limestone soils.