2001 Chateau Margaux Premier Cru Classe, Margaux 1x750ml

Robert Parker 95

Tasted blind at Bordeaux Index’s 10-Year On horizontal. This has a classic pencil-lead, Pauillac bouquet with fine delineation and lift, nothing ambitious, no frills but superb focus. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannins and mineralite, black fruits intertwined with graphite and a touch of cedar. Conservative but very well crafted and full of breeding. Tasted March 2011. [03/01/2011]

Vinous 93

Enticing aromas of boysenberry, cedar, espresso and roasted oak. Sweet, lush and broad in the mouth, with sappy berry and espresso flavors. This boasts the pliant texture and near-perfect balance of the vintage’s best examples. Finishes with a fine dusting of tannins. Like so many 2001s, this is easy to taste today but may well close down in the coming year or so. "The 2001 is a smiley wine," says Pontallier, "while the 2002, though a bit stiff today, has more power and excellent aging potential. But neither ranks among our greatest vintages." [Stephen Tanzer, 01/05/2004]