A real surprise. Purchased to bulk out an order and make free delivery, I didn't expect much. This wine bursts with cool menthol, kirsch liqueur, and plenty of fruit. It had a nice pepperiness too - my friend blind guessed 2014 Northern Rhone :D
What I liked most of all was the freshness after 23 years.
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I commented in 2022 that the fruit was beginning to dry out, but this last magnum was better in that respect and this was simply magnificent. Not much to add to Julian Marshall's note, but I'd emphasise that this is at the earthy end of the spectrum. However, that characteristic merges perfectly with all the other elements and made this superb Christmas drinking. I find it very difficult to believe the CellarTracker current price of about $38 a bottle, but if you do find it at that price, stock up for short term drinking. .
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This too had the classic Pauillac aromas at first, but then branched out towards red cherry and redcurrant, with some rose and violet too. More gentle than the Duhart, with an attack of soft blackberry, then a middle section of creamy blackcurrant and vanilla, and a very fresh, well-rounded finale featuring some wild strawberry. Again, utterly classic with its effortless charm. Delicious.
Very much a return to form, after several bad or indifferent bottles, on the basis of this bottle it has many years of pleasure left too. I always preferred the 01 to the 00 but it’s been a while since I tried a HBL 00 so I don’t know if it still holds true today.
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Wines needed time in a decanter about 2h, then it start to open upp Very classic in the style with ripe frut blackberries, lether, tobaco, famyard. Acidity driven the wine and tannisn are fine and polish. Will probobly last for another 5-10 years
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10th and 11th of 12, decanted an hour, perfect corks and levels, back on top form, decent nuance, Pauillac punch and fine 01 balance, plateau, no rush. F (17.5).....much nicer on night than potentially finer Haut-Batailley 2000!
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9th of 12, opened 90 minutes, perfect cork and level, back on track after couple of less impressive bottles (last 6/21), proper Pauillac punch and some complexity with super balance and freshness of 01, little upside but no rush. F (17.5).
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A classic Pauillac, fully resolved drinking beautifully now. Spicy, cigar box and tobacco nose. The fruit is however just beginning to dry out just a little, although my bottles are magnums. I would not hold for much longer.
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A classic Claret that checked all the right boxes. Nothing to blow your socks off, but all the elements of a classic Pauillac that one looks for.
Leather, pepper, dark fruit. Good acidity, nice balanced finish. The tannins felt fully integrated. Soft. The finish was medium. Just did classic BDX right.
I would drink this over the next couple years, although perhaps the remaining acidity means this could hold for 5.
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Not quite as good as it was a few years ago. The nose has a little leather and pepper along with the blackcurrant, the attack is still quite lively but the blackberries have seen better days and there's a creeping acidity which will take over more in the future. Still enjoyable but better with food than on its own.
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Au niveau des dernières bouteilles bues ! C'est très bien fait, typique de la rive gauche de Bordeaux. Commentaires similaires à la dernière fois.
Robe ; noire, peu évoluée. juste un disque légèrement orangé, nous indique que ce vin a un peu d'âge. Belles larmes grasses apparaissent à l'agitation du verre. Nez : sur le cassis, le sous-bois. Une légère odeur de havane. En bouche : les tanins sont fondus, mais on sent encore une belle matière, assez large. Très belle longueur en bouche.
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8th of 12, opened 2 hours, perfect cork and level, less pinched than last bottle but annoyingly lacking complexity, just a whack of nicely balanced black fruit, a proper Pauillac maybe, but nothing special and with time in hand. VGI (17).
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5th Growth "Grand Cru Classe" but I knew nothing about this wine before I bought it as part of a collection. At 20 years old, I was surprised by how well this relatively non-glorified wine held up. 2001 was not a great year but this Cab / Merlot blend seemed fully formed and balanced in every way. Solid cork, moderate shoulder stain, no decanting needed; ready to go.
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7th of 12, opened 2 hours, crumbly cork, perfect level, usual whack of attractive fruit but slightly pinched with odd overtone on exit, hence downgrade and hopefully bottle specific, no sense of fade. VGI (17).
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(3/5/21) From a 750ml bottle purchased from a local merchant/auction house with a fill that was well into the neck. Crimson in the decanter, showing only a little bricking on the very edge in the glass. Otherwise the wine was very dark and healthy looking.
On the nose there were dark and red fruits with a touch of sous bois and cedar chest. On the amply concentrated palate, there were cranberry and cassis flavors, dusty tannins, and a long finish of red fruit and sous bois.
In this bottle I saw what Liber and Jeff Leve described in previous notes—an "attractive fruit driven style" (Liber) and an "old-school Classic, stoic Pauillac" (Jeff Leve). In the end, I tend to like this style, so I’m with Liber on this one. I’m a fan of this wine—this bottle, anyway. 12.5% abv. (***+/16/92)
Decanted 2 hours before. Dark red, black currant and plum with ample secondary charactisterics of pencil shavings, cedar and licorice. Full velvety texture across the mouth with still enough tannin (not so chewy) to provide some depth. Enjoyed this very much.
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Dark brown, The wine looks garnet colored. The wine has leathery texture. The wine finishes medium. The wine has medium acidity. Mature dark berries,but has lost some fruit, perhaps over the hill. Decanted 30 minutes, getting better with aeration. Saved half, will report tomorrow.
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6th of 12, decanted an hour, perfect cork and level, back on top form, very attractive fruit driven style, attractive lift and balance of vintage, Pauillac weight, just lacking nuance for better than F (17.5)....but yummier than mark suggests (and really no sense of the stoic, more epicurean to my palate, pace JL)!
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Bouchon impeccable pas entamé Robe ; noire, peu évoluée. juste un disque légèrement orangé, nous indique que ce vin a un peu d'âge. Belles larmes grasses apparaissent à l'agitation du verre. Nez : sur le cassis, le sous-bois. Une légère odeur de havane. En bouche : les tanins sont fondus, mais on sent encore une belle matière, assez large. Très belle longueur en bouche. Beaucoup de plaisir en accompagnement de côtes de veau, cuites au feu de bois. Excellent
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Fully developed, the wine is medium-bodied, with a bright, crisp, cherry and cranberry character on the nose and palate. This is accompanied by herbs, cedar, leaf and green pepper accents. This old-school classic, stoic Pauillac will probably please some tasters over others.
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Stood upright for 10 days. Served with 2 hour decant at 64-65F
Lovely texture, very little brown in this bottle, tannins nearly fully resolved, the berries and pencil lead very harmonious
Second Pauillac in two meals, (first doubleheader in nearly 20 years), this was more enjoyable and balanced with lamb than its younger, more highly rated compatriot, being notably less intense, but less of a match for triple-creme brie
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This 375 bottle had less than normal sediment for a 19 year old Bordeaux. It is holding well and my rating has not chaged since I had the last one in 2012.
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Still drinking fine as you would expect from a bottle stored properly for 16 years. Beautiful color and aroma. Nice smooth, less tannic taste and flavor, but had not improved much from how I recollect it when purchased in a case 16 years ago.
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Aromas of black currant, pencil shavings, and black cherry. Still snowing a surprising amount of fruit. Really fine tannins and a long balanced finish.
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Last of case, has had two international moves plus one local, so aging effect may be more pronounced than average. Showing distinct brown/brick shades, pencillead and muted fruit on nose Tannins and acidity still relatively fresh, fruit wearing a little. On this sample, no point in holding longer. More stable storage might give it a couple more years before decline sets in
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En accompagnement d'un magret avec des champignons Bouchon impeccable, pas entamé Œil : pourpre foncé, très légère trace d'évolution Nez : sur le sous-bois, humus, puis le cassis et la boite à cigare En bouche : Les tanins sont fondus, on a une belle matière qui emplie bien la bouche et une belle persistance aromatique. Très bien
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New Years tasting 2017; A mixed set tasted fully blind. (@ SS): Just some short notes. Dark forest fruits and lead pencil. Same on the palate. Beautiful wine with still fresh acidity and good tannin. Mature, but no hurry at all. Will drink nicely until the end of the decade at least.
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4th of 12, decanted an hour, perfect cork and level, as last July 15 note, but now really getting into stride, that lovely balance of the 01s and wine nicer than its mark suggests! F (17.5).
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Not quite as good as my last bottle 6mos ago, but still a very nice of expression of a mid-weight Pauillac. Nice expressive nose of flint and leaf tobacco. Palate showing some youthful black fruits. Fine but mostly integrated tannins and a moderate length finish. Nice wine to drink now or hold for medium term.
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Delicious, dark Pauillac fruit with a streak of black. Still bright and firm for a 15 ear old. Classic. Not overly complex but very satisfying. Wish I had more bottles.
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Opened last night and I found the acidity just too piercing. But overnight it has toned down and is allowing the fruit to show. There is tobacco, and that is very pronounced on the nose. It is present on the palate with dry tannins and a streak of bell pepper along with with the dark fruit. Lovely finish and a beautiful pairing with leftover duck. I would also love to drink this with a filet mignon, as a I think that would be an exquisite pairing. Old school Bordeaux and I love it.
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Monthly Tuesday group #006: Bordeaux 2001 versus 2002 (By VD): The bouquet showed dark forest fruits, chocolate, vanilla, coffee and some pepper. On the palate beautiful dark and red forest fruits, sweet licorice, sweet spices, some chocolate, coffee, leather and minerals. A touch of bell pepper as well. Mild acidity and tannin. Overall a beautifully mature and refined wine. No real hurry.
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Weekly tasting group #199; New years tasting with some young and mature wines (@ My place): Beautiful and classical bouquet with dark berries like cassis, graphite, sweet spices and leather. Same on the palate; a classical Pauillac wine with some earth, leather, vanilla, autumn impressions and firm acidity. The tannin is a bit drying and still has some bite. The wine is completely ready now and there is no real hurry. 90 – 91
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This was a lovely Pauillac. A little lighter in style and power, but drinking very well now. Aromatic wine with flint and cigar box. Palate adds a slightly herbaceous character that I fine rather pleasing, mixed with some currants and a little spice. In an interesting place with a mix of primary and mature fruit elements. Moderate finish, slightly simple but pleasant. Fine tannins still present. I'll be drinking mine now as it's in a good place.
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3rd of 12, pnp, drunk over 3 nights, perfect level and cork, previous notes very good - dense garnet, almost black, little development; attractive bouquet, blackcurrant and plum with a touch of tobacco; fullish, decent length and persistence, ripe fruit, decent grip, Pauillac weight, best bottle yet and held up well over 3 nights. Fine (17.5).
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Decanted for one hour. Some sediment, but no bricking, very clear. Nose of blueberry and blackberry jam jump from the glass with some cedar and pencil lead notes on the background. The dark fruit is still very present on the initial palate, but softly fades into red fruit with a slightly tannic finish. Overall great balance and softness. Still very good fruit for a 14 year old.
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Eye: deep dark garnet. Nose: dried fruit, cherries, smoke, herbs. Palate: supple, good fruit, good structure, tannins softening though, lingering aftertaste. Brilliant!
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Dark purple, no bricking. Nose of cedar, leather. Plum &berries; on the palate, finishes with acid Has held up well, probably a few more years of drinking ahead.
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The wine is still developing for the better. Good cassis and dark fruits still. Nice dose of oak. Lead pencil. Good acidity and tannin. Nice to have 2 more bottles. Should wait until 2016 for the next one.
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Ruby with brick notes. Nose smokey, with meaty tones, some graphite . On palate, dry fruit and a hint of almond with tannins almost fully integrated and absorbed. Decanted one hour then venturi. Fully mature claret, possibly a couple of years at this level before it begins what is likely be a slow fading away.
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Very expressive nose, the blackcurrant and blackberry leaps out of the glass, with this time a touch of ripe blueberry on top. Like the 00, this has luscious fruit, a mouthful of blackberry and blackcurrant, very ripe and moreish, but unlike the 00 tried recently, the secondary phase of crushed blueberry and pencil sharpenings is lifted to the top of the mouth by some refreshing acidity, which also adds elegance and distinction. Not an old-style HBL by any means, it still lacks the power and depth of the 90, but better than the 00 at probably half the current price. One to look out for as it will improve further.
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Nose of smokey BBQ. Cloudy garnet color. Palate reminds of blackberry and leather, like wild blackberry bushes around a farm. Not a great deal of complexity, but tasty nonetheless.
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Same as the last one I tried in March, with a touch of liquorice on all the blackcurrant and blackberry. Very good, very enjoyable, just lacking a little intensity.
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Not showing any signs of aging in the glass; nose predominantly mature cab, nicely integrated cigarbox and red fruit. On palate, tannins softening and fruit coming into its own. Dominates mid-palate and lingering finish
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Very enjoyable, like the bottle I had last year. Plenty of cassis and blackberry, with redcurrants and some bright cherry. Lacking a little intensity and structure perhaps, but quite delicious and excellent value.
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Tasted Blind. Perhaps this was the most controversial wine of the night. Some people loved it while others hated it. I for one was in the loved it category. This had smoke, cherry and tobacco on the nose. It revealed flavors of cherry, raspberry, and a touch of earth. It ended with a very nice finish. Needed some air upon first trying but improved throughout the night. To me it screamed Bordeaux and I was right. I gave this 90 points but it came in 6th on the night.
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black currant nose, herb on the palate, midweight body, with some air it became flat, or lets say meager, hmmm may improve? at the moment this wine seems to be a little unfruitful.........
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Dark ruby, nose of cigar box, raspberry, minerals, even crushed stone. Palate is a lovely blend of dark fruits (blackberry, Italian plum) graphite and acid. Still some dry tannins remaining, but receding. These got 'lost/forgotten' for the last four years, but it seems they still have a long life ahead. A great example of a mature Pauillac; I will try to remember to enjoy these over the next half dozen years.
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92-93; popped & poured for a night out. Huge nose of mineral from the cork pull, some fruit layered in the nose but mostly secondary flavors. Palate was intense with a decent amount of fruit remaining. Lots of graphite and a long, long finish. This wine is only entering maturity, should have years to go. Typical of this producer that these wines are slow to mature, but a great example of a powerful Pauillac.
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Geur met rode en zwarte bessen, mint, potloodslijpsel, vleugje stal. Smaak: fruit uit de geur, warmte, drogende tannines, filmend, aangename bitterheid, tikje uit balans richting zuren, middellange afdronk met grafiet en frisse fruitzuren. Ik vond naar mijn smaak de zuren iets te prominent aanwezig om hem meer dan 88 punten te geven.
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My first HBL 01: blackberry with a touch of pepper, then pencil sharpenings and blackcurrants. In the mouth, an immediate sense of elegance and distinction because of the acidity, there is plenty of cassis and redcurrant, but it's all balanced, quite delicious. It tastes much more refined than most HBLs, very enjoyable. Excellent value still, it probably has hardly changed in price since I bought it ten years ago.
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Rubino luminoso e intenso, appena aperto profuma di mora e ribes nero, poi vira su sentori minerali e legno di cedro, leggera speziatura piccante al naso con un peperone giallo maturo, bocca snella, fresca, tannini fitti e sottili, con un bel finale fruttato e leggermente verde.
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Weekly tasting group #024; Bordeaux 2001 (@ VD): Garnet red with still a hew of purple in it. The bouquet is fairly complex and has cassis, beautiful oak and some vegetal impressions. In the mouth a lot of cassis and bitterness. Graphite and laurel as well. Good oak and round but still firm tannin. This is an excellent wine with still a lot of future in it. Maybe it lacks a bit finesse, but time will tell. I own several bottles and I think the wine possibly will show a bit more elegance around 2015.
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Decanted for 4 hrs. Muted nose with a hint of berry. Deep color. A big blast of fruit mixed with the usual Pauillac flint. Medium finish. Drinking very well right now. Went perfectly with braised beef shank.
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Popped and poured, and almost immediately open for business. Deep ruby color with some hints of amber at the rim. Aromas of cassis, paprika, some cigar box and hints of black pepper. Full bodied with chewy tannins, some dark fruit and fresh acidity. The finish is medium-long. This is a very nice Pauillac, only held back a little by its finish. It is quite well developed, and I expect that there is not much room for improvement. But it will last for several more years. Drink now - 2015
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Popped the cork on this one last night at El Paseo in Mill Valley. The place is a very upscale steak and chop house in a very upscale town in marvelous Southern Marin. It provided the perfect rinse for perhaps the best short ribs this side of beef eaters heaven. It also worked wonders on my wife's filet, which she so generously shared with me. I am glad that I finished off the case at this time, because I think it has peaked and should be enjoyed NOW. My bottle was just on the other side of its cycle, not quite over the top, but definitely "creaming the asymptote." For those looking for a full bodied drink by itself experience, this is not your best pick. It longs for rich food to balance itself against. Yes, call it reticent. But earthly too. Good gravel and lime, fruit in reserve, lean yet fills the mouth in the most pleasing way. Good color. Not very alcoholic (I drank the entire bottle myself over dinner). No bite. Low acid to match the overall leanness. The nose was small, but brought to my mind the pre-harvest autumn late afternoon air. As I said to my wife, "It's taste reminds me why I love french wines, you can taste their earth and smell their countryside." Given the richness of the cuisine, this wine afforded me a mouthful of balance.
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Appeared deep ruby with no bricking. Gracious aromas of blackberry and a hint of pepper. Bing cherry, blackberry and a slight herbal flavor came through at first pour. The herbal diminished with time. Dry, silky texture that was well balanced. Short but enjoyable finish.
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- Brick color with fast forming legs with a medium/full body. Polished texture with a long finish - Had with beef tenderloin. It was lovely. Good nose, great legs on glass. Nice finish. Cedar. Typical Paulliac. Drinking well now
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Regular dinner group (@ PZ): The bouquet is a bit locked. There is some paprika, cassis and good oak. On the palate also a classical wine with a firm amount of fresh acidity and some drying bitterness in the finish. Overall the bottle impressed me less than on most previous occasions.
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Rosso granato limpido e luminoso, naso verde peperone griglia, mora leggera, sensazioni di raspo e legno di cedro, bocca fresca , tannino polverolso, abbastanza persistente, finale minerale fruttato.
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Drinking really well right now. Pencil shavings, cassis on the nose. Good structure, sweet tannins, balanced acidity in the mouth. Will have to keep my eye out for more of this.
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The color is much more developed than I would expect from a 2001 Pauillac. The bouquet also shows some development. It is pleasant with cassis, pleasant oak, a little bit of barnyard and lead pencil. On the palate the cassis fruit is still evident and there is pleasant acidity and bitterness. Medium complexity and medium long finish. The wine will definitely last another 4 - 5+ years, but if you have more than 1 bottle, this is the time to start drinking it.
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Slight bricking starting to show on the rim of this bottle. Medium-fast legs. Nose shows graphite, classy (more than $3.00/bottle) perfume, and crispy leaves on a crispy fall day. Initial palate is melted caramel. Mid-palate is good fruit with nice backbone and wonderful minerality. There's a little thinness here that keeps it from jumping into the next level. The finish is deceptively long, with some nice transitions. Great bottle, pairing nicely with a boutique Soppressata salami. Good times.
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Had some cigar box or tobacco aroma with fruit underneath but as the wine warmed up the fruit became more prominent. This had very well integrated fruit, oak, acid and tannins. Very nice.
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Not bad, but not great either. Good structure, soft, but not too soft, tannins. The fruit part was somewhat bland without much dazzle. Not a bad value, as long as you are not expecting anything too complex.
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Very nice wine, especially the nose. Aromas of flowers, cigar box, and pencil shavings. Tasted lean and focused, with tart cherry flavors. Paired well with New York steak. I suspect it is in its plateau of maturity now. A relatively low alcohol wine like this (listed at 12.5) is such a pleasure to drink over the course on an evening in comparision to 15-16 percent Syrah monsters. I continue to believe (I know I'm not the only one) that 2001 Bordeaux is an underrated vintage. 91
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Popped and poured. First impressions included an assertive wet newspaper taste (something I find all too typical in French wines). Over the course of a few hours, the wine improved but never gave much in the way of fruit. Had my last glass six hours after opening. Wonderful texture, with a pleasant amount of tannins remaining and tastes of meat. My wife suggested a score of 91 because she said it was "interesting." No question that it had some stuffing, but I can't get passed the wet newspaper.
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Half the bottle of an evening, the other half decanted into half bottle for the next day. First half took a little while to settle. Lovely for a minute then a bit funky, a bit green for an hour. Next day good from the go. I have moments that are a bit too oaky, or a bit green, but overall it's a lovely welcoming Bx, not lots of complexity, not the most perfumed nose but a very pleasant drink. 2+/3
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Joli nez de cèdre, de fumée, de fruit noir. Bouche souple, tanins ronds, vin bien savoureux textbook claret. Très belle classe, finesse. Un excellent Pauillac, prêt à boire. 89-90 pts
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Very good but not great. Good Pauillac typicity, but perhaps somewhat superficial: more a snapshot than a portrait. For the price, a very creditable effort and one which is drinking very well now.
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Couldn't resist opening the last of these. Consistent with 2/8/09 notes. For those who are still holding this, I think it is now just about at peak and should hold nicely for several more years.
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Good cab fruit on the nose...nice core of fruit mid-palate balanced by what may be too much acidity for some. Had with grilled steak and it worked well. Should last a few more years if you can wait. Good bargain from Pauillac, impressive for 2001
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Now, that's more like it! This was clearly the best of all the bottles thus far. This was redolent with dark plum, tobacco, cedar, and a touch of vanilla. Very expressive.
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Another year, another bottle. Ruby garnet in color, but not quite as clear as I remembered. Nose of pencil shavings, tobacco, garrique and cherry. Cherry fruit followed by dry but soft tannins, earth, licorice. A little thin in the mid-palate. This still tastes young and will likely last. Splash decanted and poured, will assess again in an hour. Three hours later and this has really opened up. I could smell the glass from 10 feet away. Fruit has come forward and the whole has rounded out. I could probably up the score a point now. Definitely a pleasure to drink at this point.
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Haggis' Hawaiian Happy Hour (Honolulu, Hawaii): 3rd time I have had this wine and I have given it fairly consistent scores each time. The 2001 is a step down from the other more highly acclaimed recent vintages like 2000, 2003 and 2005. Nonetheless it is a very pleasant wine with typical lead pencil notes mixed with berries. A bit thin and lighter bodied than other vintages. 88 points.
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rich red to the rim - lovely bouquet even if slightly restrained - not a huge wine but seems to be drinking very nicely with well integrated tannins - lovely drinking! - drink now or keep
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Similar notes as before. I left one glass-full in the bottle overnight. 24 hrs later, this is very nice! I'll try to hold onto the remainder for a while (1-2 yr); however, the wife likes this so much that I might be forced to open them sooner rather than later!
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Earthy, blackberry, oak, oak, and smooth-as-silk tannins. This is just beginning to peak. Right out of the bottle, it was a little austere and on the thin side. After 2 hours, this had filled out impressively and was a delight. I could drink this all night, with or without food. I left some in the bottle overnight and by the next day, was just as good as the night before. A great value.
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Little good barnyard in the start. Good cassis and oak in the bouquet as well. In the mouth there is good and already somewhat developed, but still firm tannin, cassis, and good acidity. Full bodied and with certainly some distinction, but without the complexity of the best from this appellation. Already nice after decanting, but it will probably gain with ageing the next few years.
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i've had this a few times over the last 3 years. i can tell you that it is now ready to drink. the nose is filled with ripe black fruits and strawberry, and with a little vanilla. the velvety balance is now present with a very nice and lengthy finish. i would have scored this at 93 but for my several earlier so so experiences with this wine.
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Great old school Bordeaux nose with an inviting mixture of red and blue fruits and earth. Sour cherry on the palate with easy tannins and medium length finish. A tad more fruit on the palate would really set this wine off for me. Solid wine that is drinking really well right now.
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Deep garnet, nose of wood shavings, leather and black cherry. Dark fruit and leather on the palate, with mild acidity, smooth tannins and earth with a little garrique. This wine is enjoyable now but has a lot of life left in it.
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Excellent Pauillac. Clear, bright/brilliant, dark garnet in color. Consistent core to rim w/a slight brownish edge. This bottle was clean and healthy with a medium intensity bouquet. Blackfruit and earthy flavors with a hint of wood shavings on the nose. Dry, no acidity and mild tannins that softened after 2 hours of being decanted (need to decant this wine). On the palate blackfruit, leather and earthy/woody flavors. This is a full bodied wine with integrated alcohol and a long finish. A great QPR for this 5th Growth. Paired well with grilled strip steak.
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Very solid wine and a real bargain. 2001 vintage is drinking well now and is good bridge (if you have a good supply) to the 2000 (which will need more time).
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Tight and unyielding the first night. After being opened a second night, the wine opened up to show a medium bodied, somewhat simple wine with tight tannins. Could use another couple years in the cellar.
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Deep garnet color. Nose of leather, tobacco, cassis and cinnamon. Not as much fruit on the palate as the nose and color suggest, leaving a sense of wateriness. Lots of complex flavors mixed in here, dark fruit, garrique. I'll let this air for a while and see what develops. Tannins kick in on the finish leaving a dusty, dry sensation. Five hours later....This has really opened up. Much more fruit on the nose and palate; the thinness has given way to a medium body and complexity in a very classical Bordeaux style. The prospects for the long term of this wine are excellent. It will only get better over the next five years. These are pretty deep in my cellar and there they'll stay for a long while. Add another point.
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Very dark color. Deep, rich cedar and tobacco aromas with plenty of med weight current flavors and good balance. Really tastes like old style bordeaux. Delicious and should be great in 5 more years.
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Once this wine opened up, it was a winner. Nice but mild fruit. Dark color, but light and watery. The nose was better than the palate, and the finish was a bit peppery.
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A deep Shiraz-like color belies the less-than-concentrated nature of this one. The nose shows classic notes of tobacco, currant, and cassis, along with a ripe red apple scent and some pleasant cinnamon. The palate is a bit less attractive, showing slightly bitter herbal flavors or even some soy sauce. Again, the concentration just isn't there, and the finish comes up a bit short, too. Still, it's well-structured and charming enough, at least for the relatively reasonable price tag (around $30).
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Deep garnet color. Nice nose of mint, tobacco, dried currents, oak and pepper. Medium bodied and sweet in the mouth with rich black fruits, vanilla and herb flavors that are wrapped in smoky oak. Moderate acids and firm but fine garined tannins preceed a finish of moderate length and density. Very pleasant now and should reward 5 to 8 years in the cellar
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2/19/2024 - mark_k Likes this wine: 92 Points
A real surprise. Purchased to bulk out an order and make free delivery, I didn't expect much. This wine bursts with cool menthol, kirsch liqueur, and plenty of fruit. It had a nice pepperiness too - my friend blind guessed 2014 Northern Rhone :D
What I liked most of all was the freshness after 23 years.
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12/30/2023 - Brussels 1049 Likes this wine: 94 Points
I commented in 2022 that the fruit was beginning to dry out, but this last magnum was better in that respect and this was simply magnificent. Not much to add to Julian Marshall's note, but I'd emphasise that this is at the earthy end of the spectrum. However, that characteristic merges perfectly with all the other elements and made this superb Christmas drinking. I find it very difficult to believe the CellarTracker current price of about $38 a bottle, but if you do find it at that price, stock up for short term drinking. .
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8/7/2023 - GAET Likes this wine: 93 Points
Encore meilleure que la dernière fois.
Excellent en accompagnement d'un magret cuit au feu de bois.
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5/18/2023 - Julian Marshall Likes this wine: 92 Points
This too had the classic Pauillac aromas at first, but then branched out towards red cherry and redcurrant, with some rose and violet too. More gentle than the Duhart, with an attack of soft blackberry, then a middle section of creamy blackcurrant and vanilla, and a very fresh, well-rounded finale featuring some wild strawberry. Again, utterly classic with its effortless charm. Delicious.
Very much a return to form, after several bad or indifferent bottles, on the basis of this bottle it has many years of pleasure left too. I always preferred the 01 to the 00 but it’s been a while since I tried a HBL 00 so I don’t know if it still holds true today.
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5/16/2023 - martinmortensen91@hotmail.se wrote:
Wines needed time in a decanter about 2h, then it start to open upp Very classic in the style with ripe frut blackberries, lether, tobaco, famyard. Acidity driven the wine and tannisn are fine and polish. Will probobly last for another 5-10 years
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1/17/2023 - liber Likes this wine: 92 Points
10th and 11th of 12, decanted an hour, perfect corks and levels, back on top form, decent nuance, Pauillac punch and fine 01 balance, plateau, no rush. F (17.5).....much nicer on night than potentially finer Haut-Batailley 2000!
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6/19/2022 - liber Likes this wine: 91 Points
9th of 12, opened 90 minutes, perfect cork and level, back on track after couple of less impressive bottles (last 6/21), proper Pauillac punch and some complexity with super balance and freshness of 01, little upside but no rush. F (17.5).
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5/26/2022 - Brussels 1049 Likes this wine: 91 Points
A classic Pauillac, fully resolved drinking beautifully now. Spicy, cigar box and tobacco nose. The fruit is however just beginning to dry out just a little, although my bottles are magnums. I would not hold for much longer.
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4/16/2022 - dougogden Likes this wine: 92 Points
After 4-hour decant, really comes into its own. Big earthy flavors worthy of a hearty steak.
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4/9/2022 - dougogden Likes this wine: 92 Points
Delicious, especially after 4 hour decant.
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4/1/2022 - dougogden Likes this wine: 93 Points
Gorgeous after decanting for 4 hours.
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2/22/2022 - parkline_wine Likes this wine: 91 Points
A classic Claret that checked all the right boxes. Nothing to blow your socks off, but all the elements of a classic Pauillac that one looks for.
Leather, pepper, dark fruit. Good acidity, nice balanced finish. The tannins felt fully integrated. Soft. The finish was medium. Just did classic BDX right.
I would drink this over the next couple years, although perhaps the remaining acidity means this could hold for 5.
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11/22/2021 - Julian Marshall Likes this wine: 89 Points
Not quite as good as it was a few years ago. The nose has a little leather and pepper along with the blackcurrant, the attack is still quite lively but the blackberries have seen better days and there's a creeping acidity which will take over more in the future.
Still enjoyable but better with food than on its own.
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8/18/2021 - GAET Likes this wine: 92 Points
Au niveau des dernières bouteilles bues !
C'est très bien fait, typique de la rive gauche de Bordeaux. Commentaires similaires à la dernière fois.
Robe ; noire, peu évoluée. juste un disque légèrement orangé, nous indique que ce vin a un peu d'âge. Belles larmes grasses apparaissent à l'agitation du verre.
Nez : sur le cassis, le sous-bois. Une légère odeur de havane.
En bouche : les tanins sont fondus, mais on sent encore une belle matière, assez large. Très belle longueur en bouche.
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6/20/2021 - Caciolo wrote:
Drink up
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6/6/2021 - liber Likes this wine: 90 Points
8th of 12, opened 2 hours, perfect cork and level, less pinched than last bottle but annoyingly lacking complexity, just a whack of nicely balanced black fruit, a proper Pauillac maybe, but nothing special and with time in hand. VGI (17).
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3/30/2021 - Sanlucar Likes this wine: 92 Points
5th Growth "Grand Cru Classe" but I knew nothing about this wine before I bought it as part of a collection. At 20 years old, I was surprised by how well this relatively non-glorified wine held up. 2001 was not a great year but this Cab / Merlot blend seemed fully formed and balanced in every way. Solid cork, moderate shoulder stain, no decanting needed; ready to go.
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3/7/2021 - liber Likes this wine: 90 Points
7th of 12, opened 2 hours, crumbly cork, perfect level, usual whack of attractive fruit but slightly pinched with odd overtone on exit, hence downgrade and hopefully bottle specific, no sense of fade. VGI (17).
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3/5/2021 - Jake Barnes Likes this wine: 92 Points
(3/5/21) From a 750ml bottle purchased from a local merchant/auction house with a fill that was well into the neck. Crimson in the decanter, showing only a little bricking on the very edge in the glass. Otherwise the wine was very dark and healthy looking.
On the nose there were dark and red fruits with a touch of sous bois and cedar chest. On the amply concentrated palate, there were cranberry and cassis flavors, dusty tannins, and a long finish of red fruit and sous bois.
In this bottle I saw what Liber and Jeff Leve described in previous notes—an "attractive fruit driven style" (Liber) and an "old-school Classic, stoic Pauillac" (Jeff Leve). In the end, I tend to like this style, so I’m with Liber on this one. I’m a fan of this wine—this bottle, anyway. 12.5% abv. (***+/16/92)
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1/31/2021 - Jeffrey Brennan Likes this wine: 91 Points
Decanted 2 hours before. Dark red, black currant and plum with ample secondary charactisterics of pencil shavings, cedar and licorice. Full velvety texture across the mouth with still enough tannin (not so chewy) to provide some depth. Enjoyed this very much.
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1/5/2021 - hospad Likes this wine: 89 Points
Dark brown,
The wine looks garnet colored. The wine has leathery texture. The wine finishes medium. The wine has medium acidity. Mature dark berries,but has lost some fruit, perhaps over the hill. Decanted 30 minutes, getting better with aeration. Saved half, will report tomorrow.
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9/17/2020 - liber Likes this wine: 92 Points
6th of 12, decanted an hour, perfect cork and level, back on top form, very attractive fruit driven style, attractive lift and balance of vintage, Pauillac weight, just lacking nuance for better than F (17.5)....but yummier than mark suggests (and really no sense of the stoic, more epicurean to my palate, pace JL)!
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7/18/2020 - GAET Likes this wine: 93 Points
Bouchon impeccable pas entamé
Robe ; noire, peu évoluée. juste un disque légèrement orangé, nous indique que ce vin a un peu d'âge. Belles larmes grasses apparaissent à l'agitation du verre.
Nez : sur le cassis, le sous-bois. Une légère odeur de havane.
En bouche : les tanins sont fondus, mais on sent encore une belle matière, assez large. Très belle longueur en bouche.
Beaucoup de plaisir en accompagnement de côtes de veau, cuites au feu de bois.
Excellent
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6/26/2020 - Jeff Leve wrote: 89 Points
Fully developed, the wine is medium-bodied, with a bright, crisp, cherry and cranberry character on the nose and palate. This is accompanied by herbs, cedar, leaf and green pepper accents. This old-school classic, stoic Pauillac will probably please some tasters over others.
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4/13/2020 - jmcmchi Likes this wine: 91 Points
This is really my last bottle...
Stood upright for 10 days. Served with 2 hour decant at 64-65F
Lovely texture, very little brown in this bottle, tannins nearly fully resolved, the berries and pencil lead very harmonious
Second Pauillac in two meals, (first doubleheader in nearly 20 years), this was more enjoyable and balanced with lamb than its younger, more highly rated compatriot, being notably less intense, but less of a match for triple-creme brie
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4/4/2020 - Mel99 Likes this wine: 92 Points
This 375 bottle had less than normal sediment for a 19 year old Bordeaux. It is holding well and my rating has not chaged since I had the last one in 2012.
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11/24/2019 - jwilkey Likes this wine: 88 Points
Still drinking fine as you would expect from a bottle stored properly for 16 years. Beautiful color and aroma. Nice smooth, less tannic taste and flavor, but had not improved much from how I recollect it when purchased in a case 16 years ago.
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10/28/2019 - Sheila62 Does not like this wine:
Modern bordeaux..not my style
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10/29/2018 - Thief Likes this wine: 94 Points
Aromas of black currant, pencil shavings, and black cherry. Still snowing a surprising amount of fruit. Really fine tannins and a long balanced finish.
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10/13/2018 - Vaughanwallace wrote: 95 Points
Sensational. In great condition.
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9/13/2018 - maxima wrote: flawed
Bretté et/ou réduit...même après 4 heures de carafe, réessayer le lendemain, rien à faire le vin est MORT!
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6/24/2018 - dfusina wrote: 89 Points
Disappointing.
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12/28/2017 - jmcmchi Likes this wine: 89 Points
Last of case, has had two international moves plus one local, so aging effect may be more pronounced than average. Showing distinct brown/brick shades, pencillead and muted fruit on nose
Tannins and acidity still relatively fresh, fruit wearing a little. On this sample, no point in holding longer. More stable storage might give it a couple more years before decline sets in
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5/14/2017 - liber Likes this wine: 91 Points
5th of 12, pnp, perfect cork and level, more power, less nuance than last November's note, real Pauillac, still F (17.5).
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2/23/2017 - GAET Likes this wine: 91 Points
En accompagnement d'un magret avec des champignons
Bouchon impeccable, pas entamé
Œil : pourpre foncé, très légère trace d'évolution
Nez : sur le sous-bois, humus, puis le cassis et la boite à cigare
En bouche : Les tanins sont fondus, on a une belle matière qui emplie bien la bouche et une belle persistance aromatique.
Très bien
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1/6/2017 - Zweder wrote: 91 Points
New Years tasting 2017; A mixed set tasted fully blind. (@ SS): Just some short notes. Dark forest fruits and lead pencil. Same on the palate. Beautiful wine with still fresh acidity and good tannin. Mature, but no hurry at all. Will drink nicely until the end of the decade at least.
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11/18/2016 - liber Likes this wine: 91 Points
4th of 12, decanted an hour, perfect cork and level, as last July 15 note, but now really getting into stride, that lovely balance of the 01s and wine nicer than its mark suggests! F (17.5).
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11/7/2016 - jeffclavier Likes this wine: 90 Points
After double decanting, shows nice structure and fruit.
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9/1/2016 - Vaughanwallace wrote: 92 Points
Delicious rich aged Cabernet. Full bodied. Long finish.
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6/27/2016 - Nutty08 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Not quite as good as my last bottle 6mos ago, but still a very nice of expression of a mid-weight Pauillac. Nice expressive nose of flint and leaf tobacco. Palate showing some youthful black fruits. Fine but mostly integrated tannins and a moderate length finish. Nice wine to drink now or hold for medium term.
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4/30/2016 - jenniaa Likes this wine: 89 Points
Delicious, dark Pauillac fruit with a streak of black. Still bright and firm for a 15 ear old. Classic. Not overly complex but very satisfying. Wish I had more bottles.
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3/4/2016 - Diane (LI) wrote:
Opened last night and I found the acidity just too piercing. But overnight it has toned down and is allowing the fruit to show. There is tobacco, and that is very pronounced on the nose. It is present on the palate with dry tannins and a streak of bell pepper along with with the dark fruit. Lovely finish and a beautiful pairing with leftover duck. I would also love to drink this with a filet mignon, as a I think that would be an exquisite pairing. Old school Bordeaux and I love it.
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2/16/2016 - Zweder wrote: 91 Points
Monthly Tuesday group #006: Bordeaux 2001 versus 2002 (By VD): The bouquet showed dark forest fruits, chocolate, vanilla, coffee and some pepper. On the palate beautiful dark and red forest fruits, sweet licorice, sweet spices, some chocolate, coffee, leather and minerals. A touch of bell pepper as well. Mild acidity and tannin. Overall a beautifully mature and refined wine. No real hurry.
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1/4/2016 - Zweder wrote: 91 Points
Weekly tasting group #199; New years tasting with some young and mature wines (@ My place): Beautiful and classical bouquet with dark berries like cassis, graphite, sweet spices and leather. Same on the palate; a classical Pauillac wine with some earth, leather, vanilla, autumn impressions and firm acidity. The tannin is a bit drying and still has some bite. The wine is completely ready now and there is no real hurry. 90 – 91
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12/31/2015 - Vaughanwallace wrote: 90 Points
Cabernet dominant. Elegant nose. Medium weight. Long finish. Very structured and savoury. Starting to get a little old. Drink soon.
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12/18/2015 - Nutty08 Likes this wine: 92 Points
This was a lovely Pauillac. A little lighter in style and power, but drinking very well now. Aromatic wine with flint and cigar box. Palate adds a slightly herbaceous character that I fine rather pleasing, mixed with some currants and a little spice. In an interesting place with a mix of primary and mature fruit elements. Moderate finish, slightly simple but pleasant. Fine tannins still present. I'll be drinking mine now as it's in a good place.
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7/24/2015 - liber Likes this wine: 91 Points
3rd of 12, pnp, drunk over 3 nights, perfect level and cork, previous notes very good - dense garnet, almost black, little development; attractive bouquet, blackcurrant and plum with a touch of tobacco; fullish, decent length and persistence, ripe fruit, decent grip, Pauillac weight, best bottle yet and held up well over 3 nights. Fine (17.5).
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7/4/2015 - ddisler wrote: 91 Points
Decanted for one hour. Some sediment, but no bricking, very clear. Nose of blueberry and blackberry jam jump from the glass with some cedar and pencil lead notes on the background. The dark fruit is still very present on the initial palate, but softly fades into red fruit with a slightly tannic finish. Overall great balance and softness. Still very good fruit for a 14 year old.
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5/2/2015 - socidelvino wrote: 91 Points
Did not decant. Opened and poured.
Eye: deep dark garnet. Nose: dried fruit, cherries, smoke, herbs. Palate: supple, good fruit, good structure, tannins softening though, lingering aftertaste. Brilliant!
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11/29/2014 - absolut wrote: 90 Points
brauchte ca.3 Std. Luft im Dekanter! Graphit-Nase, schöner Bordeaux mit Struktur und Länge. Mittlere Dichte. Keine Eile!
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11/8/2014 - Zed57 wrote: 94 Points
Has evolved into a classic Bordeaux. Sophisticated and complex and is drinking perfectly. I adored it.
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10/31/2014 - ksmith wrote: 90 Points
Dark purple, no bricking. Nose of cedar, leather. Plum &berries; on the palate, finishes with acid
Has held up well, probably a few more years of drinking ahead.
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9/28/2014 - PauloRamos wrote: 90 Points
Brunch at Sá by Windsor
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9/28/2014 - Julian Marshall Likes this wine: 92 Points
Like the last one in February, this has become an excellent wine. Wish I had a few more.
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8/12/2014 - Zweder wrote: 90 Points
The wine is still developing for the better. Good cassis and dark fruits still. Nice dose of oak. Lead pencil. Good acidity and tannin. Nice to have 2 more bottles. Should wait until 2016 for the next one.
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7/26/2014 - pickhardt wrote: 89 Points
Very nice bordeaux. While softer than many new world cabs, I don't think it was faded or otherwise muted by age. Beautifully integrated flavors.
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7/18/2014 - eriktwist wrote: 91 Points
Solid at this point. A more than enjoyable wine.
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3/9/2014 - jmcmchi wrote: 90 Points
Ruby with brick notes. Nose smokey, with meaty tones, some graphite . On palate, dry fruit and a hint of almond with tannins almost fully integrated and absorbed.
Decanted one hour then venturi.
Fully mature claret, possibly a couple of years at this level before it begins what is likely be a slow fading away.
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2/22/2014 - Julian Marshall Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very expressive nose, the blackcurrant and blackberry leaps out of the glass, with this time a touch of ripe blueberry on top. Like the 00, this has luscious fruit, a mouthful of blackberry and blackcurrant, very ripe and moreish, but unlike the 00 tried recently, the secondary phase of crushed blueberry and pencil sharpenings is lifted to the top of the mouth by some refreshing acidity, which also adds elegance and distinction. Not an old-style HBL by any means, it still lacks the power and depth of the 90, but better than the 00 at probably half the current price. One to look out for as it will improve further.
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11/27/2013 - ksmith wrote: 91 Points
Nose of smokey BBQ. Cloudy garnet color. Palate reminds of blackberry and leather, like wild blackberry bushes around a farm. Not a great deal of complexity, but tasty nonetheless.
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6/23/2013 - Julian Marshall Likes this wine: 90 Points
Same as the last one I tried in March, with a touch of liquorice on all the blackcurrant and blackberry. Very good, very enjoyable, just lacking a little intensity.
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5/4/2013 - jmcmchi wrote: 88 Points
Not showing any signs of aging in the glass; nose predominantly mature cab, nicely integrated cigarbox and red fruit. On palate, tannins softening and fruit coming into its own. Dominates mid-palate and lingering finish
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3/4/2013 - Julian Marshall Likes this wine:
Very enjoyable, like the bottle I had last year. Plenty of cassis and blackberry, with redcurrants and some bright cherry. Lacking a little intensity and structure perhaps, but quite delicious and excellent value.
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2/16/2013 - slywka7 wrote: 90 Points
Tasted Blind. Perhaps this was the most controversial wine of the night. Some people loved it while others hated it. I for one was in the loved it category. This had smoke, cherry and tobacco on the nose. It revealed flavors of cherry, raspberry, and a touch of earth. It ended with a very nice finish. Needed some air upon first trying but improved throughout the night. To me it screamed Bordeaux and I was right. I gave this 90 points but it came in 6th on the night.
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12/25/2012 - fc1910 wrote: 85 Points
black currant nose, herb on the palate, midweight body, with some air it became flat, or lets say meager, hmmm may improve? at the moment this wine seems to be a little unfruitful.........
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12/23/2012 - PASimon wrote: 89 Points
Good. But it won't last two more years without heading downhill. I will pop this year for my taste....
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11/12/2012 - ksmith wrote: 91 Points
Dark ruby, nose of cigar box, raspberry, minerals, even crushed stone. Palate is a lovely blend of dark fruits (blackberry, Italian plum) graphite and acid. Still some dry tannins remaining, but receding. These got 'lost/forgotten' for the last four years, but it seems they still have a long life ahead. A great example of a mature Pauillac; I will try to remember to enjoy these over the next half dozen years.
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9/18/2012 - BBinSC wrote: 92 Points
92-93; popped & poured for a night out. Huge nose of mineral from the cork pull, some fruit layered in the nose but mostly secondary flavors. Palate was intense with a decent amount of fruit remaining. Lots of graphite and a long, long finish. This wine is only entering maturity, should have years to go. Typical of this producer that these wines are slow to mature, but a great example of a powerful Pauillac.
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7/21/2012 - theoakkermans wrote: 88 Points
Geur met rode en zwarte bessen, mint, potloodslijpsel, vleugje stal.
Smaak: fruit uit de geur, warmte, drogende tannines, filmend, aangename bitterheid, tikje uit balans richting zuren, middellange afdronk met grafiet en frisse fruitzuren.
Ik vond naar mijn smaak de zuren iets te prominent aanwezig om hem meer dan 88 punten te geven.
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7/9/2012 - brooklynJ&O wrote: 91 Points
really liked this. light. more secondary flavors than fruity.
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5/9/2012 - Julian Marshall wrote:
My first HBL 01: blackberry with a touch of pepper, then pencil sharpenings and blackcurrants. In the mouth, an immediate sense of elegance and distinction because of the acidity, there is plenty of cassis and redcurrant, but it's all balanced, quite delicious. It tastes much more refined than most HBLs, very enjoyable.
Excellent value still, it probably has hardly changed in price since I bought it ten years ago.
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4/4/2012 - vespa110 wrote: 89 Points
Rubino luminoso e intenso, appena aperto profuma di mora e ribes nero, poi vira su sentori minerali e legno di cedro, leggera speziatura piccante al naso con un peperone giallo maturo, bocca snella, fresca, tannini fitti e sottili, con un bel finale fruttato e leggermente verde.
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3/26/2012 - Zweder wrote: 89 Points
Weekly tasting group #024; Bordeaux 2001 (@ VD): Garnet red with still a hew of purple in it. The bouquet is fairly complex and has cassis, beautiful oak and some vegetal impressions. In the mouth a lot of cassis and bitterness. Graphite and laurel as well. Good oak and round but still firm tannin. This is an excellent wine with still a lot of future in it. Maybe it lacks a bit finesse, but time will tell. I own several bottles and I think the wine possibly will show a bit more elegance around 2015.
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3/19/2012 - imcarthur wrote: 91 Points
Decanted for 4 hrs. Muted nose with a hint of berry. Deep color. A big blast of fruit mixed with the usual Pauillac flint. Medium finish. Drinking very well right now. Went perfectly with braised beef shank.
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3/10/2012 - Jochems wrote: 90 Points
Popped and poured, and almost immediately open for business.
Deep ruby color with some hints of amber at the rim. Aromas of cassis, paprika, some cigar box and hints of black pepper. Full bodied with chewy tannins, some dark fruit and fresh acidity. The finish is medium-long. This is a very nice Pauillac, only held back a little by its finish. It is quite well developed, and I expect that there is not much room for improvement. But it will last for several more years. Drink now - 2015
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1/29/2012 - HobbNobbinginMarin wrote: 91 Points
Popped the cork on this one last night at El Paseo in Mill Valley. The place is a very upscale steak and chop house in a very upscale town in marvelous Southern Marin. It provided the perfect rinse for perhaps the best short ribs this side of beef eaters heaven. It also worked wonders on my wife's filet, which she so generously shared with me. I am glad that I finished off the case at this time, because I think it has peaked and should be enjoyed NOW. My bottle was just on the other side of its cycle, not quite over the top, but definitely "creaming the asymptote." For those looking for a full bodied drink by itself experience, this is not your best pick. It longs for rich food to balance itself against. Yes, call it reticent. But earthly too. Good gravel and lime, fruit in reserve, lean yet fills the mouth in the most pleasing way. Good color. Not very alcoholic (I drank the entire bottle myself over dinner). No bite. Low acid to match the overall leanness. The nose was small, but brought to my mind the pre-harvest autumn late afternoon air. As I said to my wife, "It's taste reminds me why I love french wines, you can taste their earth and smell their countryside." Given the richness of the cuisine, this wine afforded me a mouthful of balance.
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12/31/2011 - DJSeiler wrote: 89 Points
Appeared deep ruby with no bricking. Gracious aromas of blackberry and a hint of pepper. Bing cherry, blackberry and a slight herbal flavor came through at first pour. The herbal diminished with time. Dry, silky texture that was well balanced. Short but enjoyable finish.
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12/25/2011 - socidelvino wrote: 87 Points
Deep purple color. A bit alcoholic in the nose - overwhelmed the fruit. Vanilla, cherry, and some caramel in the mouth. Good finish.
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12/11/2011 - Zinlady wrote:
- Brick color with fast forming legs with a medium/full body. Polished texture with a long finish - Had with beef tenderloin. It was lovely. Good nose, great legs on glass. Nice finish. Cedar. Typical Paulliac. Drinking well now
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10/1/2011 - Zweder wrote: 88 Points
Regular dinner group (@ PZ): The bouquet is a bit locked. There is some paprika, cassis and good oak. On the palate also a classical wine with a firm amount of fresh acidity and some drying bitterness in the finish. Overall the bottle impressed me less than on most previous occasions.
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8/13/2011 - JMAC03 wrote: 90 Points
Very nice. Perfect for drinking now.
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7/25/2011 - vespa110 wrote: 87 Points
Rosso granato limpido e luminoso, naso verde peperone griglia, mora leggera, sensazioni di raspo e legno di cedro, bocca fresca , tannino polverolso, abbastanza persistente, finale minerale fruttato.
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7/16/2011 - Zweder wrote: 89 Points
See previous notes. Really nice Pauillac. Early maturity now.
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6/26/2011 - bundan wrote: 91 Points
I which I had more
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6/5/2011 - Sparkotron wrote: 91 Points
Drinking really well right now. Pencil shavings, cassis on the nose. Good structure, sweet tannins, balanced acidity in the mouth. Will have to keep my eye out for more of this.
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4/2/2011 - mmontejano wrote: 90 Points
A little thin, but nice.
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9/12/2010 - Zweder wrote: 88 Points
The color is much more developed than I would expect from a 2001 Pauillac. The bouquet also shows some development. It is pleasant with cassis, pleasant oak, a little bit of barnyard and lead pencil. On the palate the cassis fruit is still evident and there is pleasant acidity and bitterness. Medium complexity and medium long finish. The wine will definitely last another 4 - 5+ years, but if you have more than 1 bottle, this is the time to start drinking it.
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7/26/2010 - oldgrowth45 wrote: 88 Points
Slight bricking starting to show on the rim of this bottle. Medium-fast legs. Nose shows graphite, classy (more than $3.00/bottle) perfume, and crispy leaves on a crispy fall day. Initial palate is melted caramel. Mid-palate is good fruit with nice backbone and wonderful minerality. There's a little thinness here that keeps it from jumping into the next level. The finish is deceptively long, with some nice transitions. Great bottle, pairing nicely with a boutique Soppressata salami. Good times.
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5/3/2010 - WDK wrote: 87 Points
Decent nose of ripe currant fruit, but weak and diluted on the palate. Short tannic finish with mineral and a touch of green.
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4/20/2010 - Fur in the glass wrote: 91 Points
Had some cigar box or tobacco aroma with fruit underneath but as the wine warmed up the fruit became more prominent. This had very well integrated fruit, oak, acid and tannins. Very nice.
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2/11/2010 - WAS wrote:
Solid Pauillac. Still has many years to go...Structured, pencil shavings, tobacco and with black cherries.
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1/31/2010 - brownman6 wrote: 92 Points
vanilla, cherry, plenty of color and tannin left.
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1/23/2010 - ELH wrote: 88 Points
Not bad, but not great either. Good structure, soft, but not too soft, tannins. The fruit part was somewhat bland without much dazzle. Not a bad value, as long as you are not expecting anything too complex.
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1/23/2010 - Wiltse wrote: 91 Points
Very nice wine, especially the nose. Aromas of flowers, cigar box, and pencil shavings. Tasted lean and focused, with tart cherry flavors. Paired well with New York steak. I suspect it is in its plateau of maturity now. A relatively low alcohol wine like this (listed at 12.5) is such a pleasure to drink over the course on an evening in comparision to 15-16 percent Syrah monsters. I continue to believe (I know I'm not the only one) that 2001 Bordeaux is an underrated vintage. 91
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1/1/2010 - jmarks wrote: 88 Points
Popped and poured. First impressions included an assertive wet newspaper taste (something I find all too typical in French wines). Over the course of a few hours, the wine improved but never gave much in the way of fruit. Had my last glass six hours after opening. Wonderful texture, with a pleasant amount of tannins remaining and tastes of meat. My wife suggested a score of 91 because she said it was "interesting." No question that it had some stuffing, but I can't get passed the wet newspaper.
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12/31/2009 - WinePT wrote: 90 Points
Balanced with smooth tannins. Dark fruit, touch of pencil shavings. Good stuff.
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11/11/2009 - frankyB wrote: 92 Points
Amazing Wine, note of coffee, dark fruit with a dark chocolate finish at the end.
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9/26/2009 - Xavier Auerbach wrote: 90 Points
Lovely and complete Pauillac nose, creamy blackcurrant fruit, spicy oak, depth, estery cherries; medium weight, rounded, has reserve left; good length, vanilla, beef stew.
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8/7/2009 - d'Artagnan wrote: 90 Points
Même impressions
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8/2/2009 - h12 wrote: 88 Points
Half the bottle of an evening, the other half decanted into half bottle for the next day. First half took a little while to settle. Lovely for a minute then a bit funky, a bit green for an hour. Next day good from the go. I have moments that are a bit too oaky, or a bit green, but overall it's a lovely welcoming Bx, not lots of complexity, not the most perfumed nose but a very pleasant drink. 2+/3
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7/24/2009 - d'Artagnan wrote: 90 Points
Joli nez de cèdre, de fumée, de fruit noir. Bouche souple, tanins ronds, vin bien savoureux textbook claret. Très belle classe, finesse. Un excellent Pauillac, prêt à boire. 89-90 pts
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5/25/2009 - Niagara wrote: 86 Points
Very good but not great. Good Pauillac typicity, but perhaps somewhat superficial: more a snapshot than a portrait. For the price, a very creditable effort and one which is drinking very well now.
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5/9/2009 - slywka7 Likes this wine: 88 Points
Earthy notes of the nose. Some fruit and earth with a silky smooth medium finish
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3/4/2009 - Haggis wrote: 91 Points
Couldn't resist opening the last of these. Consistent with 2/8/09 notes. For those who are still holding this, I think it is now just about at peak and should hold nicely for several more years.
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2/17/2009 - rwatkin wrote: 89 Points
Good cab fruit on the nose...nice core of fruit mid-palate balanced by what may be too much acidity for some.
Had with grilled steak and it worked well. Should last a few more years if you can wait. Good bargain from Pauillac, impressive for 2001
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2/8/2009 - Haggis wrote: 91 Points
Now, that's more like it! This was clearly the best of all the bottles thus far. This was redolent with dark plum, tobacco, cedar, and a touch of vanilla. Very expressive.
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12/7/2008 - ksmith wrote: 89 Points
Another year, another bottle. Ruby garnet in color, but not quite as clear as I remembered. Nose of pencil shavings, tobacco, garrique and cherry. Cherry fruit followed by dry but soft tannins, earth, licorice. A little thin in the mid-palate. This still tastes young and will likely last. Splash decanted and poured, will assess again in an hour.
Three hours later and this has really opened up. I could smell the glass from 10 feet away. Fruit has come forward and the whole has rounded out. I could probably up the score a point now. Definitely a pleasure to drink at this point.
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12/5/2008 - Vino Me wrote: 88 Points
Haggis' Hawaiian Happy Hour (Honolulu, Hawaii): 3rd time I have had this wine and I have given it fairly consistent scores each time. The 2001 is a step down from the other more highly acclaimed recent vintages like 2000, 2003 and 2005. Nonetheless it is a very pleasant wine with typical lead pencil notes mixed with berries. A bit thin and lighter bodied than other vintages. 88 points.
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12/5/2008 - Haggis wrote: 88 Points
Not any different from previous bottles, but do find this to be rather thin and lacking in the mid palate.
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11/18/2008 - hargy wrote: 89 Points
rich red to the rim - lovely bouquet even if slightly restrained - not a huge wine but seems to be drinking very nicely with well integrated tannins - lovely drinking! - drink now or keep
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11/5/2008 - WDK wrote: 85 Points
Tight and not showing much
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10/1/2008 - Haggis wrote: 89 Points
Similar notes as before. I left one glass-full in the bottle overnight. 24 hrs later, this is very nice! I'll try to hold onto the remainder for a while (1-2 yr); however, the wife likes this so much that I might be forced to open them sooner rather than later!
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9/19/2008 - Haggis wrote: 89 Points
Similar notes to bottle consumed 10 days ago (9/9/08). Nice right out of the bottle. Great Bordeaux nose. Does need 2hr in decanter to blossom.
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9/9/2008 - Haggis wrote: 90 Points
Earthy, blackberry, oak, oak, and smooth-as-silk tannins. This is just beginning to peak. Right out of the bottle, it was a little austere and on the thin side. After 2 hours, this had filled out impressively and was a delight. I could drink this all night, with or without food. I left some in the bottle overnight and by the next day, was just as good as the night before. A great value.
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7/31/2008 - Zweder wrote: 88 Points
Little good barnyard in the start. Good cassis and oak in the bouquet as well. In the mouth there is good and already somewhat developed, but still firm tannin, cassis, and good acidity. Full bodied and with certainly some distinction, but without the complexity of the best from this appellation. Already nice after decanting, but it will probably gain with ageing the next few years.
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7/31/2008 - MitchL wrote: 91 Points
drinking nicely, wish I had bought more
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6/1/2008 - Alex H wrote: 87 Points
UGC Wine Review Dinner (Conrad Centennial): 86 to 88pts.
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5/26/2008 - Paul S wrote: 90 Points
Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux 2005 vintage tasting and dinner (Conrad Interntational, Singapore): UGC dinner. Not bad, earth, stewed fruits and smoke on the nose. Quite a bit of power and concentration on the palate, with nice cassis character. Surprisingly soft and low in acid for a 2001. Maybe just lacking bit in elegance for that, but a good for what it is.
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5/26/2008 - goldstein wrote: 89 Points
i've had this a few times over the last 3 years. i can tell you that it is now ready to drink. the nose is filled with ripe black fruits and strawberry, and with a little vanilla. the velvety balance is now present with a very nice and lengthy finish. i would have scored this at 93 but for my several earlier so so experiences with this wine.
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5/12/2008 - nschmidt wrote: 92 Points
Loved this with dinner at Tuckers Point. Old world flavors, very full bodied and smooth.
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5/10/2008 - flwino wrote: 91 Points
Great color and aroma
Saft tannins
Good finish
Paired with salmon
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2/29/2008 - keelegl wrote: 91 Points
Consistent with previous notes
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2/15/2008 - Zweder wrote: 88 Points
Expressive bouquet with cassis and good oak. Juicy cassis and liquorice. Complex. The tannin is still youthful. Will gain the coming years.
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2/9/2008 - keelegl wrote: 91 Points
Great old school Bordeaux nose with an inviting mixture of red and blue fruits and earth. Sour cherry on the palate with easy tannins and medium length finish. A tad more fruit on the palate would really set this wine off for me. Solid wine that is drinking really well right now.
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11/19/2007 - ksmith wrote: 89 Points
Deep garnet, nose of wood shavings, leather and black cherry. Dark fruit and leather on the palate, with mild acidity, smooth tannins and earth with a little garrique. This wine is enjoyable now but has a lot of life left in it.
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6/15/2007 - Cliff A wrote: 90 Points
Excellent Pauillac. Clear, bright/brilliant, dark garnet in color. Consistent core to rim w/a slight brownish edge. This bottle was clean and healthy with a medium intensity bouquet. Blackfruit and earthy flavors with a hint of wood shavings on the nose. Dry, no acidity and mild tannins that softened after 2 hours of being decanted (need to decant this wine). On the palate blackfruit, leather and earthy/woody flavors. This is a full bodied wine with integrated alcohol and a long finish. A great QPR for this 5th Growth. Paired well with grilled strip steak.
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5/27/2007 - Haggis wrote: 89 Points
Very solid wine and a real bargain. 2001 vintage is drinking well now and is good bridge (if you have a good supply) to the 2000 (which will need more time).
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5/13/2007 - VinAmante wrote: 91 Points
Balanced and rich; ready to drink within 15 minutes of opening
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4/12/2007 - Vino Me wrote: 89 Points
Opened at the Haggis aloha party. 2nd time I have had this wine. An earthy old world style. Nice wine for the vintage and a good value. 89 points.
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1/27/2007 - Zweder wrote: 88 Points
An easy afternoon with close friends. 2007-01: Bordeaux: Left bank. (@ PdV): Almost black. At this moment completely locked. Soft and sticky tannin, black currant and some butter from the oak are present. Wait for at least 4 years. Now 88, but when it opens up it could be several points more.
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1/27/2007 - Aiko165 wrote:
Drank w/ C&M. Good to even better. Yummy. Chicken pot-pie. Post skiing.
Delicious, smooh. More alchoholic nose that it is.
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1/7/2007 - WDK wrote: 89 Points
Tight and unyielding the first night. After being opened a second night, the wine opened up to show a medium bodied, somewhat simple wine with tight tannins. Could use another couple years in the cellar.
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12/16/2006 - ksmith wrote: 88 Points
Deep garnet color. Nose of leather, tobacco, cassis and cinnamon. Not as much fruit on the palate as the nose and color suggest, leaving a sense of wateriness. Lots of complex flavors mixed in here, dark fruit, garrique. I'll let this air for a while and see what develops. Tannins kick in on the finish leaving a dusty, dry sensation.
Five hours later....This has really opened up. Much more fruit on the nose and palate; the thinness has given way to a medium body and complexity in a very classical Bordeaux style. The prospects for the long term of this wine are excellent. It will only get better over the next five years. These are pretty deep in my cellar and there they'll stay for a long while. Add another point.
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11/13/2006 - chefee1 wrote: 90 Points
Very dark color. Deep, rich cedar and tobacco aromas with plenty of med weight current flavors and good balance. Really tastes like old style bordeaux. Delicious and should be great in 5 more years.
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10/17/2006 - mln124 wrote: 87 Points
Once this wine opened up, it was a winner. Nice but mild fruit. Dark color, but light and watery. The nose was better than the palate, and the finish was a bit peppery.
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5/29/2006 - Stephan O wrote: 88 Points
A deep Shiraz-like color belies the less-than-concentrated nature of this one. The nose shows classic notes of tobacco, currant, and cassis, along with a ripe red apple scent and some pleasant cinnamon. The palate is a bit less attractive, showing slightly bitter herbal flavors or even some soy sauce. Again, the concentration just isn't there, and the finish comes up a bit short, too. Still, it's well-structured and charming enough, at least for the relatively reasonable price tag (around $30).
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1/9/2006 - chefee1 wrote: 89 Points
Deep garnet color. Nice nose of mint, tobacco, dried currents, oak and pepper. Medium bodied and sweet in the mouth with rich black fruits, vanilla and herb flavors that are wrapped in smoky oak. Moderate acids and firm but fine garined tannins preceed a finish of moderate length and density. Very pleasant now and should reward 5 to 8 years in the cellar
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7/29/2005 - ntav wrote: 88 Points
Nice opened up, mildly tannic.
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6/18/2004 - Vino Me wrote: 88 Points
Union des Grand Crus de Bordeaux (2001 Vintage) (Vinexpo Chicago): Another wine which saw a step down from 2000. Round with minty fruit with leather notes. Mildy tannic. 88+ points.
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