Don't know why, but I certainly did not enjoy this bottle as much as I have a couple of others I've had. The oakiness was overwhelming and never quite settled down. The fruit had a hard time breaking through.
Might have just been me last night. Matched with a grilled hamburger. Will try another bottle soon.

King;
I'd have to agree w/you on this one...as I remember from our dinner party w/Sarah and Sparky the CS was the most tannic and oaky of the wines tasted that night. Of the three 'value' priced offerings, the Merlot was the winner by far, IMHO.

king-in agreement. i tasted all of the 2000 offerings. the only one i bought more, was the shiraz. i found the others to be one dimensional with fruit over powered by the oak.

Kybo,
Different strokes for different folks I suppose. The merlot got the lowest "rating'' from WS. An 86 as I recall. Thought it was the fruitiest of the 2000s.
I think Sarah and Sparky learned something from the first vintage. The 2001 cab and Sarah's blends are much more restrained and not so heavy-handed with the oak.

Wow, I am suprised...of the 2000 lineup it was the Cab I favored most just slightly over the Shiraz. I am still sitting on 6 bottles of the 2000 Cab.