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Score |
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| Château Angélus St.-Emilion 2001 |
92-94 |
| Silky, with superfine tannins and luscious fruit and body. Lots of berry and chocolate character, yet very refined. Lovely. Tasted two preliminary blends and both are outstanding. Almost classic. -- J.S. |
| |
| Château d'Armailhac Pauillac 2001 |
89-91 |
| Black licorice, currants and hints of wet earth. Medium- to full-bodied, with fine tannins and a medium to long finish. Balanced and refined. -- J.S. |
| |
| Château Ausone St.-Emilion 2001 |
95-100 |
| Lots of currants, mineral and licorice character. Full- to medium-bodied, with racy tannins. Mouthpuckering and very polished. Super well-crafted. Equal to or better than the 2000? Final judgment after it's bottled. -- J.S. |
| |
| Bellevue-Mondotte St.-Emilion 2001 |
95-100 |
| First year and a hell of wine. Like Vintage Port. Perhaps slightly overdone, but impressive. Full-bodied, with loads of fruit and tannins. Mouthpuckering but outstanding. A modern interpretation of an ancient style of wine. Blockbuster. 90 percent Merlot, 5 percent Cabernet Franc and 5 percent Cabernet Sauvignon. Don't ask the price, which will be out of this world. -- J.S. |
| |
| Château Bourgneuf Pomerol 2001 |
89-91 |
| Textbook Pomerol, with black olive and berry character. Medium- to full-bodied, with fine, polished tannins and a long finish. A beauty. -- J.S. |
| |
| Château Calon-Ségur St.-Estèphe 2001 |
92-94 |
| Wonderful elegance and seductiveness. Silky tannins. Full- to medium-bodied, with licorice, mineral and spice. Very long. A beauty. Almost classic. I'd buy this. -- J.S. |
| |
| Château Canon-La Gaffelière St.-Emilion 2001 |
92-94 |
| Wonderfully integrated and refined, with a seamless tannin structure. Full-bodied and ultrafine, with mineral, berry and tobacco character. A serious wine. -- J.S. |
| |
| Château Cantenac-Brown Margaux 2001 |
89-91 |
| Plenty of berry, violet and cherry character. Medium-bodied, with well-polished and solid tannins. Compacted and refined. Improving in quality. Better than the 2000. -- J.S. |
| |
| Château Certan de May Pomerol 2001 |
89-91 |
| Big, grapey red, yet refined and polished in texture. Medium- to full-bodied, with fine tannins and a fruity finish. Better than 2000? -- J.S. |
| |
| Château Cheval-Blanc St.-Emilion 2001 |
92-94 |
| So fine. So pretty. Loads of green tobacco and plums, with hints of violets. Full-bodied and juicy. Velvety and caressing. Classy red. -- J.S. |
| |
| Château Clerc Milon Pauillac 2001 |
92-94 |
| Currants and lead pencil, with ripe fruit on the nose. Full-bodied and very strong, with lots of tannins, but incredibly refined and polished. Almost classic in quality. Serious Clerc. Better than the 2000. -- J.S. |
| |
| Clos de l'Oratoire St.-Emilion 2001 |
89-91 |
| Plenty of crushed grape and green tobacco character. Full- to medium-bodied, with fine tannins and a fruity, refreshing finish. -- J.S. |
| |
| Clos des Jacobins St.-Emilion 2001 |
89-91 |
| Gorgeous aromas of blackberries, cherries, wet earth and tobacco follow through to a full-bodied palate, with soft, fine tannins and a pretty, refined finish. Very fine indeed. A new and exciting beginning here. -- J.S. |
| |
| Clos l'Église Pomerol 2001 |
92-94 |
| Voluptuous. Chewy and rich, with tobacco, milk chocolate and berry character. Full-bodied, with a rich texture. Serious red. -- J.S. |
| |
| Château La Clusière St.-Emilion 2001 |
95-100 |
| Big and juicy Merlot, with loads of tobacco and berry. Full-bodied and velvety. A muscular and impressive red. Blockbuster. Serious micro-cuvée from Gérard Perse. -- J.S. |
| |
| Château Cos-d'Estournel St.-Estèphe 2001 |
95-100 |
| Cos is on top of it now. Very long and racy. Full-bodied, with a solid core of fruit and big, racy tannins. The palate goes on and on. Very serious indeed. As good as or better than 2000. -- J.S. |
| |
| Château Ducru-Beaucaillou St.-Julien 2001 |
92-94 |
| Chewy and racy, with firm tannins and a long mineral, fruity finish. Very solid and typical in style. -- J.S. |
| |
| Château Duhart-Milon Rothschild Pauillac 2001 |
89-91 |
| Soft and silky, with plenty of mineral, berry and currant character. Medium- to full-bodied, with a long finish. -- J.S. |
| |
| Château L'Église Clinet Pomerol 2001 |
95-100 |
| Superb. Licorice and plum character, with mineral and violet. Full-bodied and racy, with super, polished tannins and a long, long finish. A beauty. Love it. This is as great as the 2000. -- J.S. |
| |
| Château L'Evangile Pomerol 2001 |
92-94 |
| The violet, sweet berry and cherry character in this wine is impressive. Soft and refined, with a caressing texture. A sweet, fruity and friendly red. Delicious. -- J.S. |
| |
| Château La Fleur-Pétrus Pomerol 2001 |
89-91 |
| All in harmony. Lots of berry and violet character in a medium-bodied package, with fine tannins and a fruity finish. -- J.S. |
| |
| Château Le Gay Pomerol 2001 |
89-91 |
| Seductive, with crushed berries, flowers and minerals on the nose and palate. Medium-bodied, with refined and polished tannins. Delicious. -- J.S. |
| |
| Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste Pauillac 2001 |
89-91 |
| A solid, young red, with plenty of berry, tobacco and mineral character. Medium- to full-bodied, with well-integrated tannins and a long finish. -- J.S. |
| |
| Château La Grave à Pomerol Pomerol 2001 |
85-88 |
| Pleasant and fruity Pomerol, with berry, cherry and tobacco character. Medium-bodied, with fine tannins and a fresh finish. Slightly disappointing. -- J.S. |
| |
| Château Gruaud-Larose St.-Julien 2001 |
92-94 |
| Wow. This is really, really good. Excellent for the vintage. Full-bodied, with well-integrated tannins and super-refined and classy fruit. A beauty. Verging on classic. Buy it. -- J.S. |
| |
| Château Haut-Batailley Pauillac 2001 |
85-88 |
| A grapey and fruity red, with fine tannins, good fruit and a pretty, fresh finish. Balanced. -- J.S. |
| |
| Château Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan 2001 |
95-100 |
| Loads of black olives, berry, cherry and tobacco character. Full-bodied, with glorious, silky tannins and a medium to long finish. Better than the 2000. May be not as opulent, but very, very classic in style. -- J.S. |
| |
| Château Hosanna Pomerol 2001 |
92-94 |
| Full-bodied and rich, yet refined and polished. This is a long and seductive young red, with lots of berry, black olive and mineral character. Verges on classic quality. Better than the 2000. This estate is on its way to the top. From Christian Moueix of Pétrus. -- J.S. |
| |
| Château Lafite Rothschild Pauillac 2001 |
95-100 |
| Fabulous for the vintage. Very grapey, with dark fruits and cured tobacco, leading to a cedar and berry undertone. Full-bodied, with round and rich fruit and big, velvety tannins, yet with all in reserve. A generous, seductive young wine that surprises you with its length. -- J.S. |
| |
| Château Lafleur Pomerol 2001 |
92-94 |
| Fabulous. A solid core of smoke, chocolate and cherry character in this full-bodied red. Long and enticing on the palate. Shows wonderful promise. -- J.S. |
| |
| Château Latour à Pomerol Pomerol 2001 |
85-88 |
| Aromas of violets and berries follow through to a medium-bodied palate, with fine tannins and a silky finish. Not a big wine, but pretty. Wish it had more richness. -- J.S. |
| |
| Château Latour Pauillac 2001 |
95-100 |
| Powerful and racy. Pungent, tarry and rich in the nose. Full-bodied and very dense, with lots of velvety yet firm tannins, and a long, long finish. -- J.S. |
| |
| Château Léoville Las Cases St.-Julien 2001 |
95-100 |
| Big, grapey and powerful, yet there's some warmth. Loads of currants and flowers. Full-bodied and very compact, with super-racy tannins and a finish that goes on and on. Very intense. Lasts for minutes. One of the wines of the vintage. -- J.S. |
| |
| Château Lynch-Bages Pauillac 2001 |
89-91 |
| Firm and balanced, with silky tannins and good fruit. Medium finish, with fine tannins and a fruity, currant aftertaste. -- J.S. |
| |
| Château Magdelaine St.-Emilion 2001 |
89-91 |
| Delicious young wine. Lovely and round, with a fresh chocolaty, fruity character. Medium- to full-bodied. Long finish. -- J.S. |
| |
| Château Magrez Fombrauge St.-Emilion 2001 |
89-91 |
| Solid, with berry and tobacco character, although a bit hot. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a fruity finish. Slightly flabby. A bit more lively acidity would help. What's all the hype about this new wine? -- J.S. |
| |
| Château Margaux Margaux 2001 |
92-94 |
| Plum, cassis and berry aromas, with hints of flowers. Medium- to full-bodied, with refined yet firm tannins and a long, refreshing finish. Very fine indeed. Textbook Château Margaux. -- J.S. |
| |
| Marojallia Margaux 2001 |
89-91 |
| Muscular, with plenty of berry and mineral character. Full-bodied, with a solid backbone of tannins and a medium finish. Slightly hollow center palate. -- J.S. |
| |
| Château La Mission-Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan 2001 |
92-94 |
| Violet and mineral character comes through right away, with hints of green tobacco. Full-bodied, with a firm yet elegant tannin structure and a long, fresh finish. A beauty. -- J.S. |
| |
| Château Monbousquet St.-Emilion 2001 |
89-91 |
| Lots of smoky, ripe fruit in this young red. Full-bodied, with a soft and fine tannin structure and good fruit. Slightly hollow center-palate, but well-done. -- J.S. |
| |
| Château La Mondotte St.-Emilion 2001 |
92-94 |
| Sweet and refined, with a full yet racy structure. Medium- to full-bodied, with tobacco, berry and cherry character. Long, silky finish. Very pretty. -- J.S. |
| |
| Château Montrose St.-Estèphe 2001 |
92-94 |
| Sweet and ripe fruit, with spice and tarragon. Full- to medium-bodied, with silky tannins and a long finish. Refined. Almost like 1996. -- J.S. |
| |
| Château Mouton-Rothschild Pauillac 2001 |
95-100 |
| Loads of tobacco, berry, mineral and currant character. Full-bodied, with firm tannins and a long, long finish. Solid and very, very fine. This goes on for a long time. A baby 1986. Very close to the 2000, but in a different style, less exuberant. (I underrated the Mouton last year. It's a classic, 95-100.) -- J.S. |
| |
| Château Nenin Pomerol 2001 |
92-94 |
| Juicy and fruity, with loads of berry, mineral and black cherry character. Hints of fresh mushrooms. Full-bodied and well-knit, with fine tannins and a long, chewy finish. The new and modern Nenin. -- J.S. |
| |
| Château Pavie St.-Emilion 2001 |
92-94 |
| Wonderful mineral and berry character, with green tobacco and cherry character. Full-bodied, with well-integrated tannins. Beautiful finesse and harmony. Very long finish. Exciting. Close in quality to the 2000. -- J.S. |
| |
| Château Pavie-Decesse St.-Emilion 2001 |
92-94 |
| Big and rich, with lots of chocolate and berry flavors and velvety tannins. Full-bodied and round, with a polished texture. Very long. -- J.S. |
| |
| Château Petit-Village Pomerol 2001 |
89-91 |
| Lots of chocolate, berry and violet. Medium- to full-bodied, with fine tannins and a fresh, fruity finish. Better than the 2000. -- J.S. |
| |
| Château Pétrus Pomerol 2001 |
95-100 |
| Cerebral, baby Bordeaux. Glorious aromas of blackberries, milk chocolate and flowers. Full-bodied and super-refined, with a long, long finish. A fabulous, seductive young wine. -- J.S. |
| |
| Château Pichon-Longueville-Lalande Pauillac 2001 |
95-100 |
| Has muscle. Starts slowly and then climbs up to a powerful height. Full- to medium-bodied, with a very serious level of tannins. Very well-integrated. Reminds me of the super 1996 Pichon-Lalande. -- J.S. |
| |
| Château Le Pin Pomerol 2001 |
95-100 |
| Honey and sweet red fruits. Like a great Pinot Noir. Superfine. Silky and seductive. La Tâche of Pomerol this year. -- J.S. |
| |
| Château Quinault-L'Enclos St.-Emilion 2001 |
89-91 |
| Tobacco and berry character throughout, with a medium to full body, refined tannins and a long, racy finish. Pretty red. May move up a notch in bottle. One of my favorite Quinaults yet. -- J.S. |
| |
| Château Rauzan-Ségla Margaux 2001 |
89-91 |
| Perfumed and floral, with a fruity, mineral nose. Medium-bodied, with fine tannins and a smoky tobacco finish. Refined. -- J.S. |
| |
| Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte Pessac-Léognan 2001 |
89-91 |
| Very polished, with fine tannins and a pretty structure. This is elegant. Full- to medium-bodied, with finesse and a long, caressing finish. A pretty wine. A departure from the sometimes overblown style of Smith, and I like it. -- J.S. |
| |
| Château La Tour-Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan 2001 |
89-91 |
| Minerally and rich, with currant and wet earth character. Full-bodied, with firm yet refined tannins and a long finish. -- J.S. |
| |
| Château Trotanoy Pomerol 2001 |
89-91 |
| Balanced and reserved, with a solid core of fruit and tannins. Medium- to full-bodied, with refined tannins and a fresh finish. I like it. -- J.S. |
| |
| Château de Valandraud St.-Emilion 2001 |
92-94 |
| Rich and seamless. Berry, violet and mineral character follows through to a medium to full body, with well-integrated tannins and a lively finish. Shows class. -- J.S. |
| |
| Vieux-Château-Certan Pomerol 2001 |
95-100 |
| Real wine here. Lovely, smoky and licorice, with lots of berry and plum character. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins. Super quality. Alexandre Thienpont is a master. -- J.S. |
