2001
La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 890 Selección Especial 2001 Rioja 750 mL
Red plum and blackberry lead a layered bouquet of sandalwood, dried flowers, dill and exotic spice. With air, cherry, cedar, rooibos tea and a subtle cocoa note come forward. The palate is concentrated but refined, supported by fresh acidity and smooth, integrated tannins. Mature oak contributes vanilla and gentle balsamic detail without overwhelming the fruit. Long and composed, it closes with dried red berries, spice and a quiet earthy note.
Bruichladdich Port Charlotte PC6 Cuairt-Beatha 2001 6 Year Old
Peaty and energetic, with wood smoke, maraschino cherry and toasted pastry lifted by a grapey sweetness. The palate is balanced but forceful, bringing warm spice, oak and ripe fruit through a firm layer of peat. A quinine-like bitterness adds definition without taking over. The finish is long and smoky, tapering through cardamom, ginger and a final touch of fruit.
Henschke 2001 Mount Edelstone Shiraz
Mulberry, blackcurrant and plum rise with sage, rosemary and black pepper, followed by tobacco leaf, anise and gently developed oak. The palate remains rich and concentrated, with savoury herbal detail, fine acidity and long, silky tannins. Mature yet composed, it closes with spice, depth and remarkable persistence.
Trimbach 2001 Riesling Clos Sainte Hune
Dry and concentrated, with ripe citrus, yellow orchard fruit and white flowers held by a clear mineral line. The palate is taut yet generous, carrying finely layered fruit through bright, measured acidity. Subtle honeyed and stony notes develop with air, while the finish remains exceptionally long, precise and composed, showing the depth of a mature Riesling without losing freshness.
Penfolds Grange 2001
Rich and still youthful, with blackberry, blackcurrant and cherry layered with dark chocolate, liquorice, vanilla, mint, sandalwood and dried fruit. Full-bodied and concentrated, the palate is fleshy yet controlled, with fine ripe tannins that turn gently chalky through a long, smooth finish. Decant for about three hours and serve with veal chops or lamb.
Joseph Phelps Insignia 2001 Napa Valley
Deep and layered, with black cherry, plum, cassis and dark berry framed by cedar, graphite, mocha, chocolate, tobacco and floral notes. Full-bodied and opulent yet precise, the palate brings excellent concentration, supple sweet tannins and measured oak into a long, structured finish. Allow generous air before serving with grilled beef, lamb or mushrooms.
Chateau Mouton Rothschild 2001 Pauillac
Deeply coloured and composed, with bilberry and blackcurrant layered over cigar box, smoke, autumn leaves and supple leather. The palate is concentrated and richly textured, yet held in balance by fresh acidity and finely structured tannins. Graphite and smoked tobacco carry through the long, savoury finish. Decant gently and serve with roast beef or lamb.
Mouton Rothschild 2001 Pauillac
Deeply coloured and composed, with bilberry and blackcurrant layered over cigar box, smoke, autumn leaves and supple leather. The palate is concentrated and richly textured, yet held in balance by fresh acidity and finely structured tannins. Graphite and smoked tobacco carry through the long, savoury finish. Decant gently and serve with roast beef or lamb.
Château Lafite Rothschild 2001 Pauillac
Cassis, blackberry and red fruit sit at the centre of an increasingly mature bouquet, framed by cedar chest, tobacco, stone and forest floor. Supple and medium-bodied, the palate is polished and fresh, with refined tannins and a silky, composed texture. Decant for about two hours to encourage the secondary notes, then serve with roast veal, duck or mushroom dishes.