2001, Chateau Margaux, Premier Grand Cru Classe Red

The unusual delay in the starting of the harvest, compared with what was calculated at flowering, is not easy to explain.  The weather conditions perhaps encouraged the vegetation to grow at the expense of the ripening of the grapes.  Thanks to a month of September which was on the whole favourable, the grapes managed to reach very good ripeness levels.  In a few plots however, Cabernet Sauvignon did not ripen perfectly.  On the other hand, all the Petit Verdot, though normally a later-ripening variety, was remarkably ripe and even better than in 2000.  The 2001 wines displayed from the start the aromatic purity and harmony on the palate of the greatest vintages.  The Petit Verdot added a hint of spice in the middle of the floral and fruity aromas of the great Cabernet Sauvignons.  The length on the palate was remarkable, with an overall firm but soft impression, average density, less of course though, than in 2000.  The 2001 Château Margaux clearly confirms its status as a very fine vintage.  It can be likened to the 99, both by its great aromatic finesse and its tannic texture, which is so tender and harmonious.  What more can we find to say about the sheer pleasure we are already experiencing, drinking these 2 wines?  We are convinced that this early developing of the wine, simply the result of perfect ripeness in the grapes, will bring us many years of drinking pleasure.  We can therefore drink the 2001 quite early and enjoy the freshness and purity of the fruit (why resist the temptation?) , or for those of us who prefer to wait, it can be laid down 15 to 20 years, to allow the finesse of the bouquet to develop as the wine matures.  While many aspects of the wine will develop, its balance, though, will remain. (December 2008)

Source: Chateau Margaux