"It is a typical vintage for Bordeaux, producing
wines with lovely fruit and silky tannins. It is much less exotic than
2000, but ther are many excellent wines." James Suckling - Wine
Spectator
"
2001 has produced wines that are denser than the 1999s but also with
higher levels of tannin."
Generally speaking,
wine is more acidic with silky tannins and good fruit flavour. Structure
is good and wine is concentrated. Wine would mature slowly because of
its high tannins and the acid levels. Drinkers have to be patient. Though
2001 is less popular when compared to 2000, it will become more attractive
to drinkers because price is more reasonable and wine can be drunk young
as they are less aggressive.
Quality is
inconsistent especially wine of Medoc while Merlot based wine performs
better. Yet, it is still more consistent when compares to 2002. Among
all, the most successful ones are sweet wine from Sauternes and Barsac.
Graves white also performs very well.
It would not
be difficult to find something good value with careful selection.
Two
Consecutive Irregular Vintages
Bordeaux
2002 and 2003
Bordeaux 2002
"An
irregular with some very good surprises" is Robert Parker's description
of this vintage.
It is true that 2002 is an irregular vintage with weather being unfavourable
especially to Merlot. Cabernet Sauvignon performing well. Since the
overall demand is low and supply is high, drinkers can get some good
impressive Medocs at reasonable price.
Style is
backward and tannic. As such, exteneded cellaring and patience is
required. The big names have managed to produce some outstanding ones
while the smaller ones may not be able to achieve the same. Careful
selection is required since quality is less consistent when compared
to 2001.
Bordeaux
2003
"The
best wines of the 2003 are not only rich, they have a wonderful freshness
and a length of tannins and flavours on the palate¡K"
2003 is another irregular
year with no one style characterize the vintage. The style of wine
depends on the kind of soil where the vine is planted. Generally,
the wine is rich with ripe fruit, alcoholic content is high and acidity
is low. The early-accessible style.
Weather is extremely hot
in summer and only the water retensive clay soil is more favourable
in enduring the heat.As a result, areas with this kind of soil, like
St Estephe, Pauillac and St Julien, can manage to produce better quality
wine. Cabernet is then the more favoured varietal while the gravel
soil based Merlot is more irregular. Left bank is more successful
when compares.
Prices are high, especially
those of St Estephe where many outstanding wine like Chateau Montrose
and Calon Segur etc. are made. Drinkers have to be very careful in
making selection from this "irregular" and " complicated"
vintage.
>>>About
Vintage 1999
>>>About
Vintage 1998
Updated on
7 March, 2006