This Week's Must-Try Wines from Vinous
Lail Vineyards
J. Daniel Cuvée Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
The 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon J. Daniel Cuvée is a big, potent wine that shows the ultra-rich, concentrated style that was in vogue at the time. There is plenty of dark fruit, chocolate and torrefaction character, but less in the way of finesse in the aromas, flavors or tannic structure. Sadly, the 2001 is past peak; any remaining bottles need to be finished. Vineyard sources were Vine Hill Ranch and Mole Hill. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, April 2023) — 2 years ago
Corison
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
Cathy Corison's 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) is a very pretty wine to drink now and over the next handful of years. Sweet dried cherry, mint, licorice, spice, tobacco and dried herbs are all signatures of a wine that has reached its plateau of maturity. There is more than enough freshness to ensure at least another handful of years of fine drinking, but I would not push my luck on aging. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, April 2023) — 2 years ago
Sloan
Asterisk Rutherford Red Bordeaux Blend 2001
The 2001 Sloan is a brooding powerhouse. Dark, inky and super-concentrated, the 2001 possesses tremendous textural richness from start to finish. Blackberry jam, licorice, cloves, new leather, mocha and French oak all build in the glass. The 2001 is still quite fresh and deep, but it is also heading into its plateau of maturity. All that said, the 2001 has aged well, although it is very much a wine of its era, with huge fruit and equally heavy torrefaction flavors from the oak. Beyond that, there isn't much else to say except that the 2001 is in a great spot for drinking right now. It is very clearly one of the wines of the vintage. This was Martha McClellan's first vintage at Sloan. Mark Aubert made the 2000 and then departed in July of the following year. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, April 2023) — 2 years ago
Grace Family Vineyards
Blank Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
The 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon is incredibly elegant and refined. Just starting to enter its plateau of maturity, the 2001 is distinctly medium in body - especially within the context of the year - with captivating aromatic presence and superb balance. What a gorgeous wine it is. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, April 2023) — 2 years ago
Philip Togni Vineyard
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
Togni's 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon is monumental, and very clearly also one of the wines of the vintage. Dark, layered and deep, the 2001 captures all the best qualities of 2001 and then blows them through the roof. Several recent bottles have all shown tremendous fruit density, captivating aromatics and breathtaking balance. My only regret is not owning more than a bottle or two. Magnificent. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, April 2023)
— 2 years ago
Mayacamas Vineyards
Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
The 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon is a dark, brooding wine. Black cherry, mocha, leather, licorice, spice, earthiness and tobacco build in a somber mountain Cabernet endowed with tons of energy and virile intensity. I suspect the tannins will always be a bit burly, but readers can look forward to another decade of rewarding drinking. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, April 2023) — 2 years ago
Dominus Estate
Dominus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2001
The 2001 Dominus is one of the most backward wines of the vintage. Readers who own it will have to be patient, as the 2001 needs a few years to still be at its best! Time in the glass brings out huge dark fruit along with hints of iron, gravel, spice and leather that add to its brooding, imposing personality. The 2001 is approachable with a few hours of air, but is very much a powerhouse. Boris Champy was the winemaker, while Jean-Claude Berrouet was the consulting winemaker. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, April 2023) — 2 years ago
Delectable Wine
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The 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate, 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, is very clearly the product of the era in which it was made. Inky and deeply extracted, the 2001 saturates the palate with copious blackberry jam, chocolate, spice and sweet oak from the 100% new barrels used at the time. The 2001 is not an especially elegant or nuanced wine, but it has aged well and has another decade of life ahead of it, maybe more. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, April 2023) — 2 years ago