Chateau La Clusiere 2001

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The last vintage of La Clusiere before this tiny parcel of 45-year old Merlot was incorporated into the Pavie vineyard, the 2001 will be somewhat of a collector’s item. Dense plum/purple to the rim, it offers up an exotic, flamboyant smorgasbord of aromas including smoked meats, cocoa, mocha, blackberry and cherry liqueur, and incense. Fleshy, opulent, and full-bodied, with tremendous intensity as well as an admirable seamlessness, it will be undeniably captivating in 2-3 years, and should last for 12-15. It is only marginally less concentrated and profound than the perfect 2000."

WEINWISSER: "Sattes Rubin-Purpur, lila Schimmer. Reifes, süsses Kirschenbouquet, Hauch Grenadine. Viel reife Frucht, kirschige Noten, prägnanter Ausdruck in der noch sanft pelzigen Extraktion, viel intensivere Gerbstoffe als beim Pavie, gaumenumfassende Adstringenz, immenses Potenzial, mit dem Bellevue-Mondotte der beste Perse-Wein."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "My last bottle from the case was clearly the best. Supple, round, ripe and rich, the nose offers fresh sweet fruits, earth, smoke and stone, while the palate combines freshness and pure fruits. This was the final vintage as the vines were annexed into Pavie the following year."