Strikingly extravagant nose of rose petals oriental spices pungent tea and leather notes plus ultra elegant pinot fruit. The powerful chiseled pure flavors are remarkably detailed precise and fine with mind bending complexity yet for all the emotional drama of this wine it remains understated and almost aloof at the moment. The finish is dense structured and quite firm though there is nary a hard edge to be found and while this too cannot rival the other worldly 1999 2001 will one day be thought of as a genuinely excellent vintage for La Tâche. In short aristocratic in every sense.

Earth-laced blackberries can be discerned in the nose of the 2001 La Tache. Suave plush and regal it boasts loads of candied black fruits in its deep character. This supple wine reveals superb clarity of fruit and an impressively long fruit-filled finish. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2012.