WA 95 (2/2004): Paul Avril feels that purchasers of the 2001 Chateauneuf du Pape should “wait ten years” before drinking it. A blend of 65% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah, and 5% Counoise, all aged in large wood foudres prior to being bottled without filtration, was produced from low yields of 27 hectoliters per hectare. A deep ruby/purple color is accompanied by a sweet bouquet of figs, raspberries, new saddle leather, autumnal forest floor, and resiny notes. Full-bodied with beautiful purity as well as a strikingly rich mouthfeel, this seriously endowed Chateauneuf admirably conceals its 14.5% alcohol. A structured finish and impressive extract levels suggest considerable longevity. This firmly tannic, intensely concentrated 2001 boasts great aromatic and palate presence, but it remains young and unevolved. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2020+.
WS 93 (12/2005): Lots of black currant, mineral, grilled herb, olive paste and bittersweet cocoa notes. A sinewy texture up front steadily puts on muscle and flesh through the back end, allowing additional hints of chestnut, tar and grilled beef to emerge. A beauty. Drink now through 2015. 9,000 cases made.
IWC 93 (2/2004): Good full red. Complex, vibrant nose melds raspberry, blood orange, duck confit, tree bark and toasted hazelnut. Dense, sappy and penetrating, with superb inner-mouth energy. Very spicy, sharply delineated wine with an almost Burgundian texture. Finishes with building, sweet flavors of raspberry, cherry and strawberry, a saline suggestion of extract, and terrific persistence. This wine clearly benefitted from the high quality of mourvedre in 2001.
Producer: Clos des Pape
Vintage: 2001
Varietal: Proprietary Red
Country: France
Region: Rhone
Sub-Region: Chateauneuf du Pape
Appellation:
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SKU: #
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