Barrel sample tasting is an inexact science. At this early stage all one can reasonably judge is the concentration of fruit (or lack thereof), tannin content, and sometimes, if the wine possesses an extraordinary amout of character, the complex nuances derived from its terroir. Anway, this is my opinion based on some 25+ years of tasting young Bordeaux. The "master" Robert Parker will folow in a few weeks with his opinion. We'll see if he got it right!
2001 is a very good vintage. Not as consistent as 2000 but, in some areas, equal in quality it is different in style. Where 2000 is rich, supple concentrated fruit, 2001 is more classically structured. The wines are lighter than the 2000's, but not light by any means. A case could be made that the well-made 2001 examples are more harmonious than many of the preceding vintage.
But as I stated, the 2001's are less consistent and there is the rub. You have to be selective. Since you probably won't have the opportunity to travel to Bordeaux to taste these wines before they're released, you'll have to rely on the word of trusted wine critics. If I were in your shoes, I'd compare multiple sources and purchase those wines where a positive consensus has been reached.
Because of the variation in quality from appellation to appellation Ive broken my reviews down by district. I'll also include recommendations of individual wines that I tasted. Please remember, however, that I did not taste everything. I missed several important wines. For example, I did not taste any 1st Growths and many "super seconds". But since those rarely disappoint I didn't think these categories were the most important to seek out.
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MARGAUX
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Generally remarkable wines in quality AND consistency. What a stunning turnaround the wines of this generally underachieving and irratic commune have made over the last 5-10 years.
Top wines tasted: Palmer, du Tertre, Angludet, Brane Cantenac, d'Issan, Giscours, La Gurgue, and Prieure Lichine.
Total wines tasted from this commune: 14
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ST. JULIEN
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My favorite commune in 2001! Superb quality across the board. These wines had everything: good fruit extract, structure, length, and if any commune could claim it in 2001, consistency. Bravo!
Top wines tasted: Leoville, Las Cases, Clos du Marquis, Gruaud Larose, Branaire, Lagrange, Leoville Barton, Leoville Poyferre and Talbot
Total wines tasted from this commune: 11
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PAUILLAC
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Some real highpoints here and, surprisingly, some real disappointments. The top wines had good power and Pauillac tipicity (cassis & minerality). The disappointments were dilute.
Top wines tasted: Lynch Bages, Haut Bages Liberal , Pichon Baron, Pontet Canet, Clerc Milon, and Lynch Moussas
Total wines tasted from this commune: 10
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ST. ESTEPHE
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I was completely puzzled by many wines from this area. Typically, St. Estephe produces hard, astringent wines that take many years, if not decades, to mature. Several 2001's displayed soft, forward, almost supple character. Is this an attempt to produce a more modern "commercial" style" Only time will tell. Judgement reserved on the wines as a whole but there were nevertheless several excellent ones.
Top wines tasted: Lafon Rochet, Meyney, and Montrose
Total wines tasted from this commune: 9
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PESSAC-LEOGNAN/GRAVES
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Many excellent red wines here and a consistency of quality to rival Margaux and St. Julien. The top wines had that wonderful tobacco, earthy, opulent fruit quality. Even in the second division these wines showed plenty of personality and the potential to provide a lot of pleasure.
Top wines tasted: Haut Bergey, La Louviere, and Pape Clement
Total wines tasted from this commune: 12
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HAUT MEDOC / MEDOC / MOULIS / LISTRAC
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The wine from these less prestigious appellations provided very good quality and superb value. These predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon based wines showed good fruit aromatics and concentration displayng a surprising amount of finesse. Some were short to medium term candidates for drinking while several showed the capacity to age quite well. All in all a strong showing.
Top wines tasted: Potensac, Cambon La Pelouse, Brillette, Sociando Mallet, Camensac, Haut Condissas 'Prestige', La Tour Carnet, Les Grand Chenes 'Prestige', Rollan de By, Lanessan, Maucaillou, and Poujeaux
Total wines tasted from this commune: 28
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ST. EMILION
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I was mildly disappointed in the Merlot dominated bastion. Some wines were diluted. Other examples seemed over-extracted. It seemed difficult to get it just right. 2001 was, overall, no competition for 2000 in this area but, there were some delightful surprises.
Top wines tasted: Canon La Gaffeliere, L'Angelus, Grand Mayne, Carillon de Angelus, Figeac, Berliquet,La Mondotte, Teyssier,and Laforge
Total wines tasted from this commune: 30
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POMEROL
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Unfortunately I had a small sampling of Pomerols (9) so my general impression of the area may not be quite accurate. Again, these are Merlot based wines. The level of quality seemed more consistent that St. Emilion, but little here seemed in the first rank.
Top wines tasted: Gazin
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MISC. 'RIGHT BANK' SATELLITE WINES
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No, I'm not referring to wine made in outer space, but to those districts on the east side of the Gironde River outside of St. Emilion and Pomerol. We're talking Cote de Castillon, Lalande de Pomerol, etc. I tasted only 4 from this region but 3 seemed very special. I hope this is indicative of the overall quality. They're great values, too.
Top wines tasted: d'Aiguilhe, La Fleur Bouard, and La Fleur Bouard Plus
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DRY WHITE BORDEAUX
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Now this is really exciting! 2001 white Bordeaux may be the region's best ever. Spectacular weather for white wine grapes combined with new modern wine-making techniques have produced wines that, I predict, will be as legendary as 2000 was for the reds. If the initial promise holds, these wines will make you forget about white Burgundy.
Top wines tasted: Dom de Chevalier, Carbonnnieux, La Louviere, Malartic Lagraviere, and Pape Clement
Total wines tasted in this region: 10
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SAUTERNES AND BARSAC
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So many wines, so little time! I literally ran out of time and could sample only 2. Everyone I talked to in Bordeaux who attended tastings of these wines came away praising these as a potential great vintage. The two I tasted, Coutet and Doisy Vedrines, were superb. A year to buy!
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As I write this few Bordeax properties have released their prices. Green's will be offering 2001 Bordeax on a "FUTURES" basis. If you received this report via email, you'll automatically receive our sales list. However, If you are visiting our website and are not signed up for the "hard copy" newsletter, "Green's Grapevine" send your address to: Green's, 445 Congaree Rd, Greenville, SC 29607, Attn: Doug Werner Or click here to sign up online:
Green's is South Carolina's premier source for Bordeaux. We also carry a world class selection of older wines from this region dating back to 1978. For information call :
In Columbia: Doug Aylard at 803-799-9499 - 400 Assembly St., Columbia, SC 29201
In Greenville; Tom Pomeroy at 864-297-6353 - 445 Congaree Road, Greenville, SC 29607
In Myrtle Beach: Dave Bohnsach at 843-448-1623 - 2850 N. Kings Hwy, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Better yet, stop in and say hello.
Green's Wine Buyer, Michael Bishop |
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