Wine 2001

Our view on the 2001 vintage

In Bordeaux, the wines from the 2001 vintage are lower than 2000 (in quality and price), but higher than the ones of 1999. The wines are marked by acidity (because of a cool and rainy summer, but sunny September). This vintage is considered late, because the maturity of the Merlot was not reached until the end of September, but the Right Bank has very successfully managed it (in 2001 Pomerol and 2001 Saint Emilion). Some disparities in the 2001 Medoc Crus Classes, many of which lack of magnitude and charm. There are notable successes in Graves  wines (2001 Pessac Leognan), fine and elegant (especially among the white wines). The Sauternes produced a 2001 vintage of anthology, and the sweet white wines of Bordeaux are particularly rich, of rare opulence, and of very long aging potential. In 2001 Burgundy, it was a good vintage of red wine in the Cote de Nuits. The summer was cool and rainy and really started only in August, alternating heat and heavy rainstorms or hail, sometimes causing some localized damage. The 2001 white wines of the Cote de Beaune are intense and successful, to drink now. The structure of the 2001 red wines from the Vosne Romanee, Gevrey Chambertin and Nuits Saint Georges sectors should allow good ageing potential. Disappointment for 2001 vintage in Champagne, which was a weak vintage diluted by the September rains. In the Rhone Valley, the 2001 vintage is better in the North (2001 Cote Rotie, 2001 Cornas) than in the South (2001 Chateauneuf du Pape) where the summer heat has hardened the tannins, making them drier. In the Loire Valley, the 2001 vintage produced good sweet wines (Coteaux du Layon, Vouvray) , as well as dry whites in Savennieres and Pouilly Fume. The  2001 Alsace produced a late vintage, a bit lower than 2000, but with very interesting Rieslings and Pinot Gris. The Languedoc Roussillon has an excellent 2001 vintage giving powerful and complex wine, to be cellared, such as 2001 Grange des Peres.