Quite a bit riper than any wine to this point with jammy, roasted, perfumed, slightly floral aromas and explosive ripe, very primary, rather robust flavors that just ooze pinot extract. Very thick, very dense and extremely concentrated with rounded, buried tannins and a potent, rather pungent finish. This cannot match the above grands crus in sheer complexity but there is plenty of beguiling personality here and terrific potential.

(94+ points) Red-ruby. Forceful aromas of briary dark berries, plum, smoke, coffee and earth, with the subtle vegetal/herbal complexity that is the essence of this grand cru. Tight and bright, but a wine of great intensity and richness, with compelling chewy depths. Less tasteable today than the Combottes but this has more dimension and class. Finishes extremely subtle and long. This will require patience. -- Stephen Tanzer

As is often the case, Leroy’s Clos de la Roche was a standout in the 2001 vintage. Its beguiling aromatics burst forth, displaying spicy, jammy cherries and raspberries. Deep plummy red fruits, black raspberries, juniper berries, cinnamon, and a myriad of other spices can be discerned in its gorgeously deep, muscular personality. Lush, expansive, and concentrated, it is a medium-bodied wine with a long, tannin-filled finish. Projected maturity: 2006-2013.- PR