2001 Vin de Pays des Bouches du Rhone

Full bottle 1,365 g. Cabernet/Syrah blend made near Les Baux. Extremely rich and yet vigorous. Mature and thoroughly satisfying but still with something to give. (JR)

Gorgeous decadent aroma of deeply sweet fruit, a bloody meatiness and still a lively almost floral note. Then on the palate, meaty, firm tannins, deeply satisfying. Still a firm grip, seems much firmer than the 2012 is likely to be. (JH)

Already a bit of development on the rim. Dark ruby. Very complex and developed aromatically. Balsamic note again (like the 2009). Tapenade (is this autosuggestion?). High toned. Much mellower than most vintages. Definite candied black-olive notes on the finish. Some richness before a firm finish. Already drinking well. (JR)