Picardy 2000 Merlot Cabernet was the predecessor of the Merlimont and is still available for about $33. This wine is the anthesis of the 2001 version; this vintage was all about structure and by its very nature demands to be cellared. The wine is ample weight with firm but supple consistency, the abundant fine grained tannins supplying a solid layered structure which should become seamless in time.

Rated as Highly Recommended with *** for value this wine should not be touched till 2007+ and should happily last till 2015. The rating should increase as the wine matures.