The 2001 offers a huge spectrum of aromas including notes of smoke mocha chocolate coffee and loads of blackberry cherry and currant fruit. The superb aromatics are followed by an elegant medium-bodied deliciously supple-textured expansive fleshy beautifully pure well-delineated Pomerol. It is a brilliant effort as well as one of the candidates for the wine of the appellation in 2001. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2014.

Lots of menthol, assorted dark fruits, cured meats, and gamey notes emerge from the 2001 Clos L'Eglise, a complex, pretty, more medium-bodied Pomerol. With ripe tannins, a beautiful elegance, and outstanding purity of fruit, it's drinking at point today yet has the balance to evolve nicely over the coming 7-8 years or more, although, as with the 2000, there's no need to delay gratification.

The 2001 Clos l’Eglise has a vivacious bouquet with intense eucalyptus scents bursting from the glass. Maybe I would have toned this down? The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannins, good weight and a little more precision compared to the 2000. Grainy in texture, truffle and sage, a little minty towards the finish with a lively finish that has more energy than the preceding vintage. Well worth seeking out. Tasted at the Clos l’Eglise vertical. -- Neal Martin

Rich and solid red with fantastically silky tannins and cool mineral and berry character. Full-bodied with well-integrated tannins and a long caressing finish. This is very good indeed. Best after 2008. 1330 cases made. –JS