3 | Wine | 91 to 95, 2001

"The 2001 Imperial Gran Reserva has a more complex, better defined nose than the 2000, with black cherries, spice and Seville orange marmalade. The palate is medium-bodied, with fine tannins cloaked in sweet dark cherry, bitter orange and strawberry fruit. It is lighter on its feet than the 2000, with less persistence, yet it shows greater harmony and tension. This is a fabulous Gran Reserva with enormous weight and dimension."

"Expansive bouquet of musky red and dark berries, medicinal cherry, rose oil and Asian spices. Juicy raspberry and rose pastille flavors are framed by silky tannins and given a boost by zesty minerality. Packs a solid punch but comes off almost weightless. The tannins fade into the sweet fruit on the finish, which is strikingly pure and very persistent. Lovely right now."

"I prefer the 2001 Chianti Classico Riserva Ducale Oro with the gold label, however, very elegant in its aromas and flavors of cranberries and raspberries, tobacco, and violets, vigorous and sustained on the mid-palate and finish and with tasty, textured tannins on the close."

"The impeccably made 2001 Dominus boasts a dense plum/purple color in addition to a fragrant, promising perfume of cocoa, cedar, coffee, roasted herbs, and copious quantities of black fruits. There are 7,000 cases of this 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 4% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot blend. Rich and medium to full-bodied, with sweet but noticeable tannin, a layered mid-palate, and a long finish with obvious tannin, it will require 3-4 years of cellaring. It should last for two decades." Reviewed by Robert Parker

"The estate’s 2001 Barolo Bric del Fiasc is a massive and strapping Barolo with an exciting nose of sweet ripe fruit, licorice, tar and mint. This deeply colored, masculine, full-bodied Barolo is packed with layers of dense backward dark fruit, prune, plum and macerated cherry flavors, with a distinctly mentholated note that gives it a sense of freshness and balance. It finishes with huge tannins which suggest patience will be required."

"Very ripe aromas of strawberry, licorice, minerals and truffle, with balsamic and dried floral nuances. Fat, sweet, rich and deep; at once succulent and seamless, with a wonderfully layered texture and great early appeal. Very full without coming across as weighty. The slow-building finish features substantial sweet tannins." Reviewed by Stephen Tanzer.

"The 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is one of Bo Barrett’s finest efforts. While tightly knit, 24 hours of aeration reveals its upside potential. Dense ruby/purple with a nose of crushed rocks intermixed with creme de cassis and a hint of licorice, this full-bodied, pure, deep offering will be at its peak between 2010-2025. It is a blend of 96% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Cabernet Franc that came in at 14.1% alcohol."

"Knockout nose presents a smorgasbord of ripe peach, dried apricot, vanilla, marzipan, white chocolate and dried herb aromas. Then surprisingly light and linear given the opulent aromas, with noteworthy precision to the ripe peach, citrus, herb and white chocolate flavors. Finishes very smooth and long but with an obvious alcoholic warmth. Though I'm not sure this is as successful as the great Vin Santos made here in '97 or '98, this is still excellent, and its nose alone merits 95 points."

"Rich, elegant, and nuanced, this dense ruby/purple wine offers a nose of creme de cassis, incense, licorice, chocolate, and spice box. It is full-bodied, opulently styled with plenty of tannin, but the structural aspects of the wine are well-concealed by its intensity and overall richness." Reviewed by Robert Parker.

"Deep red. A complex, heady bouquet of dried red berries, sandalwood, rose oil, black tea and licorice pastille. Smooth, focused and gently sweet cherry and raspberry flavors coat the palate, with gentle but integrated tannins providing shape. This silky, seamless wine finishes with a strong echo of candied flowers, spices and minerals."