2001 Vintage: General Appreciation
In fairness 2001 had a difficult growing season and right from the start the vintage was somewhat dismissed by most commentators. Flowering was late due to cold and wet conditions throughout most of Spring and as the weather warmed creating some humidity, both mildew and millerandage were widespread resulting in a small crop. At the beginning of August there was hail especially in Volnay, Monthelie, Auxey Durresses, Bouzeron and Rully along with parts of Pommard and Meursault. The harvest started on the 17th September in the Cote de Beaune and the 20th in the Cote de Nuits though some held-off until a little later and benefited. Ripeness was a problem and therefore considerable triage was required. As ever, the best and most dedicated growers have produced some very good wines that have turned out far above early expectations.
Red Wines
Perhaps in a similar fashion to the 2000’s, the reds lack sheer power and concentration but the best do make up for it with fresh red fruits, purity and balance. There are some highly attractive examples and given the acidity many have started to drink very well now.
White Wines
The conditions for the whites were far from perfect and in general they are a little lacklustre. The best of the whites do however have good acidity and those that managed to achieve a good level of ripeness have fashioned some good wines. Most were ideal for ealy drinking and as ever, careful selection is key here.

Best Red Wines of the Vintage

Red Wines of the Vintage

Gevrey Chambertin: Chambertin (Rousseau), Chambertin Clos de Bèze (Faiveley), Chambertin Clos de Bèze (Groffier), Chambertin Clos de Bèze (Rousseau), Gevrey Chambertin Clos Saint Jacques (Rousseau), Griotte Chambertin (Drouhin), Latricières Chambertin (Leroy), Ruchottes Chambertin (Christophe Roumier), Ruchottes Chambertin Clos des Ruchottes (Rousseau)

Morey Saint Denis: Clos de la Roche (Dujac), Clos Saint Denis (Dujac), Clos de la Roche (Rousseau), Clos de Tart (Mommessin)

Chambolle Musigny: Bonnes Mares (Roumier), Musigny (JF Mugnier), Musigny Vieilles Vignes (Vogüé)

Vougeot: Clos Vougeot (Engel), Clos Vougeot (Leroy), Clos Vougeot Le Grand Maupertui (Anne Gros)

Vosne Romanée: Échezeaux (Engel), Échezeaux (Grivot), Échezeaux (Georges Mugneret),Grands Échezeaux (Engel), Grands Échezeaux (DRC), La Grande Rue (Lamarche), Richebourg (Grivot), Richebourg (Meo-Camuzet), Richebourg (DRC), La Romanée (Bouchard), Romanée Saint Vivant (Domaine Leroy), Romanée Saint Vivant (DRC), Vosne Romanée Les Beaux Monts (Domaine Leroy), Vosne Rmanee Aux Brülées (Meo Camuzet),Vosne Romanée Aux Malconsorts (Sylvain Cathiard), Vosne Romanée Aux Reignots (Arnoux), Vosne Romanée Les Suchots (Arnoux), Vosne Romanée Les Suchots (Grivot)

Nuits Saint Georges: Nuits Saint Georges Les Boudots (Domaine Leroy), Nuits Saint Georges Les Saint Georges (Gouges), Nuits Saint Georges Vaucrains (Chevillon)

Aloxe Corton: Corton Clos Rognet (Meo Camuzet)

Pommard: Pommard Clos des Epeneaux (Comte Armand), Pommard Grands Clos des Epenots (de Courcel)

Volnay: Volnay Taillepieds (d’Angerville)

Best White Wines of the Vintage

White Wines of the Vintage
Pernand Vergelesses/Aloxe Corton: Corton Charlemagne (Bonneau du Martray), Corton Charlemagne (Jadot), Corton Charlemagne (Domaine Leroy)

Auxey Duresses: Auxey Duresses Les Boutonniers (d’Auvenay)

Meursault: Meursault Clos de la Barre (Lafon), Meursault Les Charmes (Comtes Lafon), Meursault Les Rougeots (Coche Dury)

Puligny Montrachet: Batard Montrachet (Henri Boillot), Batard Montrachet (Pernot), Bienvenues Batard Montrachet (Louis Carillon), Bienvenues Batard Montrachet (Domaine Leflaive), Bienvenues Batard Montrachet (Pernot), Bienvenues Batard Montrachet (Ramonet), Chevalier Montrachet (Domaine Leflaive), Chevalier Montrachet (Ramonet), Montrachet (Bouchard), Puligny Montrachet Les Clavoillon (Domaine Leflaive), Puligny Montrachet Les Pucelles (Domaine Leflaive), Puligny Montrachet Les Pucelles (Jean Boillot), Puligny Montrachet Les Pucelles (Domaine Leflaive)