Chateau Leoville Las Cases Saint-Julien 2001
Product price
$350.00
Description
"Here's a hot take; 2001 has proven itself to be a better vintage than 2000. Before you come at me in the comments (I know, there are no comments here), I will caveat that I'm talking about now, 25 years later. 2000 was the vintage which set off Bordeaux mania in the aughts. But the problem with a lot of snap judgements, my own included, is what tastes great out of barrel is not typically what is awesome in a quarter century. 2001 was just before my time in terms of tasting barrel samples (2003 was my first) but I have to imagine they were backwards and not particularly flamboyant. When you consider how powerful was Robert Parker at that time, and the types of wines he preferred, it makes sense 2001 has never gotten the credit it deserves. But nearly every 2000 I've had in the last 5 years has been at the end of its life whereas the 2001s are still singing.
"Put more simply, 2005 is the best vintage for Bordeaux in the 21st century but I put 2001 in second place, hands down."
JT Robertson, General Manager-Le Du Wines
jt@leduwines.com
Product Details
| Category | Wine |
| Color | Red |
| Country | France |
| Region | Bordeaux |
| Subregion | Saint-Julien |
| Varietal | Cabernet FrancCabernet SauvignonMerlotBordeaux Blend |
| Vintage | 2001 |
| Size | 750 ML |
| Container | Bottle |
Expert Reviews
One vintage that was missing from my extensive vertical earlier this year was the 2001 Léoville Las Cases, and when curiosity got the better of me, I opened a bottle from my own cellar. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of cassis, cigar wrapper, pencil shavings and classy new oak, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with a layered core of vibrant fruit, ripe structuring tannins and a long, penetrating finish. Youthful and a little aloof, it's a classic Las Cases that is just at the very beginning of a long drinking window. It would be fascinating to compare the 2001 directly with the much-lauded 2000, as the two are very close in quality to my palate.