Union des Grand Crus de Bordeaux (2001 Vintage)

The Union des Grand Crus de Bordeaux held their annual tasting in conjuction with Vinexpo in Chicago this weekend. There were quite a few wines I missed (the Lynch Bages was gone before I got to it and time constraints made me pass on many others).

Based upon the limited number of wines I tried from this vintage, I would give the 2001 Red Bordeaux vintage 89-90 points. The wines were surpisingly soft and approachable for being so young. They had classical flavor profiles and were rather good (although a far cry from 2000). This being said, I do not plan on buying any. Even in this potentially early drinking year, the wines will take 15-20 years to be at their best. 20 years from now I will be glad I purchased 1998 Right Bank, 2000's and 2003 Left Banks. I doubt I will look back and wish I had more wines from this vintage (despite the fact that some wines were outstanding and the prices are good).

The sweet dessert wines from Sauternes and Barsac are another matter. I purchased about 50 bottles of them based upon the incredible quality of the vintage.

• 2001 Château Smith Haut Lafitte 90 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

  A soft wine with mild tannins. Black cherry, chocolate and some slight minty notes. 89-90 points.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2001 Château Angélus 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

  A dark and aromatic wine. One of my favorites and a point or 2 better than when I had it last month. Yet it is well off the mark set by the 2000 vintage of this wine. Soft and velvety with rather approachable tannins for a wine so young. Integrated fruit with herbal notes. Elegant. 92-93 points.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2001 Château Canon 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

  Bitter tannins which hid most of the raspberry and other fruit notes. Full mouth feel and a long finish. This needs substantial aging. 92+ points.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2001 Château La Gaffelière 89 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

  A fairly open and giving nose. Chewy texture with red fruit and chocolate notes. 88-89 points.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2001 Château La Tour Figeac 91 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

  This was recommended by Italian Wino. A smooth and soft wine with earthy flavors of mushroom and violets. Dry finnish. Firm tannins. 91+ points.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2001 Château Clinet 90 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

  Round ripe fruit notes with wet black earth. Somewhat sour finish. Moderate tannins. This came off a bit simple at present though. 89-90+ points.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2001 Château du Tertre 88 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2001 Château Ferrière 87 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

  This is an estate which failed to reach the heights of its 2000 vintage(92-93 points). Medium bodied with currant notes. Lacking depth. 87 points.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2001 Château Giscours 90 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

  I like this style. A cherry and herbal nose. Raw earthy wine with fig notes. Medium to full bodied. 89-90 points.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2001 Château Rauzan-Ségla 84 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

  Disappointing. Tannic with a soapy character among some black fruit. 84-85 points.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2001 Château Beychevelle 87 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Saint-Julien

  Pleasant but nothing spectacular. Berry notes with dry tannins. 87-88 points.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2001 Château Branaire (Duluc-Ducru) 89 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Saint-Julien

  Ripe tannins. A smooth wine which flows on the palate. Blackberry and currant notes. 89-90 points.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2001 Château Gruaud Larose 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Saint-Julien

  Here is an estate which may have equalled the wine they made in the 2000 vintage. My favorite of the tasting. Rich with spiced fruit, raspberry and black fruit notes. Dry tannins. Full bodied. Needs significant time. 93+ points.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2001 Château Lagrange (St. Julien) 91 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Saint-Julien

  An elegant and soft texture in this wine. Ripe fruit and mocha notes. 91+ points.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2001 Château Langoa Barton 88 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Saint-Julien

  A nice wine but nothing too exciting here. Mild tannins. Red fruit notes. 88-89 points.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2001 Château Léoville Barton 90 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Saint-Julien

  This does not have anywhere near the tannins that the 1999 bottling of this wine had. Much softer and rounder with berry and currant notes. Dry but interesting finish. 90-91 points.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2001 Château Léoville Poyferré 91 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Saint-Julien

  Rather fruity for its age. Strawberry notes and medium to full bodied. Firm tannins. 91+ points.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2001 Château Haut-Bages Libéral 88 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  Another wine which saw a step down from 2000. Round with minty fruit with leather notes. Mildy tannic. 88+ points.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2001 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron 90 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  Crushed grape skin and mocha notes. Rounded texture and good fruit on the finish. 89-91 points.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2001 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 91 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  Better than the Baron. Red and black berries. Medium to full bodied. Firm tannins. Needs time. 91+ points.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2001 Château Suduiraut 97 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  Tasted in June 2004. An amazing wine. The nose had a creamy vanilla character. Notes of pineapple, honey and spices. Very deep with a long finish. Otis went back to try this 4 times (I went back twice). This is only going to get better. 97+ points

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2001 Château Nairac 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Barsac

  Excellent. A little heavier than the Suduiraut with a thick mouth coating texture but not as deep. Notes of melon and pineapple. 93+ points.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2001 Château de Rayne-Vigneau 91 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  Spicy notes with herbal, lemon and tropical fruit notes. Oily texture. Very nice but it faded in comparison to the previous 2 wines. 91+ points.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2001 Château Bastor-Lamontagne 90 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  A bit restained now. Needs time. Sweet and unctuous with tropical fruit notes. Medium bodied in comparison to the others. 89-90+ points.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No