Incredibly fine, mineral-suffused and mildly tropical fruit aromas that evidences a pronounced chalk and stone quality lead to dense, fine, rich, delineated, powerful, elegant and superbly focused middle weight flavors that deliver outstanding complexity on the stunningly long backend, all the while displaying dazzling purity. An absolutely gorgeous wine that has it all. Note that while this could easily be cellared for another 3 to 5 years first, I generally like to begin drinking vintages that begin to show a certain tropicality earlier than those that do not. This is obviously a personal choice however and the balance and freshness here are so good that there is certainly no rush. Tasted several times with consistent notes.

Leflaive's 2001 Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru emerged as one of the real sleepers of this tasting, bursting from the glass with an expressive and botrytis-inflected bouquet that mingles scents of grilled peaches and confit citrus with nuances of barley sugar, petrol and freshly baked bread. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, ample and enveloping, with excellent depth at the core, impressive vibrancy and a long, precise finish. Like the 2000 Chevalier, the more concentrated 2001 is in its plenitude of expression and makes for immensely pleasurable drinking, though readers with a lower tolerance for botrytis-derived exotica—something that, within limits, I tend to embrace as a facet of vintage expression—will like it less than I did. By the numbers, the 2001 boasts 13.66% alcohol and a pH of 3.40. - William Kelley

The 2001 Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru has a subdued nose at first, opening with aeration to reveal mature, honeyed fruit, touches of peach skin and lanolin, sporting a very clever reduction. The palate has good depth and seems a little honeyed in style with marmalade and quince. Maybe it just misses a bit of tension? It is quite a delicious wine, but it is not one I would be keen to cellar long-term. Tasted at Alino's dinner at La Trompette. -- Neal Martin