3 | Wine | 95 or higher, 2001

"Dark ruby-colored with a garnet rim, it displays a lovely nose of Asian spices, incense, tobacco, balsamic, and blackberry. On the palate it has exceptional depth, layers of spicy black fruit, excellent ripeness, and an elegant personality. Upon release it should continue to evolve for another 5-6 years and drink well through 2040."

"The 2001 Yquem reveals a hint of green in its light gold color. While somewhat reticent aromatically, with airing, it offers up honeyed tropical fruit, orange marmalade, pineapple, sweet creme brulee, and buttered nut-like scents. In the mouth, it is full-bodied with gorgeously refreshing acidity as well as massive concentration and unctuosity. Everything is uplifted and given laser-like focus by refreshing acidity. This large-scaled, youthful Yquem appears set to take its place among the most legendary vintages of the past, and will age effortlessly for 75+ years." Reviewed by Robert Parker.

"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."

"The 2001 Yquem reveals a hint of green in its light gold color. While somewhat reticent aromatically, with airing, it offers up honeyed tropical fruit, orange marmalade, pineapple, sweet creme brulee, and buttered nut-like scents. In the mouth, it is full-bodied with gorgeously refreshing acidity as well as massive concentration and unctuosity. Everything is uplifted and given laser-like focus by refreshing acidity. This large-scaled, youthful Yquem appears set to take its place among the most legendary vintages of the past, and will age effortlessly for 75+ years." Reviewed by Robert Parker.

"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.

"The 2001 Chateauneuf du Pape Hommage a Jacques Perrin is a blend of 60% Mourvedre, 20% Grenache, 10% Counoise, and 10% Syrah. Full-bodied, excruciatingly backward, and nearly impenetrable, it boasts an inky/blue/purple color in addition to a promising nose of new saddle leather, melted asphalt, camphor, blackberries, smoky, roasted herbs, and Asian spices. A huge lashing of tannin as well as a formidable structure result in the antithesis of its more flattering, forward, and voluptuous sibling, the classic Beaucastel." Reviewed by Robert Parker.

"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.... 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, Dec 2003.