2001 Gigondas Cuvee Valbelle
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
Deep crimson. Some oak still evident on this wine. Then rich, round, relatively simple red fruits on the palate. Like all the Gigondas 2001s in this small selection, this wine has real life and lift. A hint of coffee beans as well as a distinctly animal character. A little aggressive and not worth the premium IMHO but there’s certainly nothing wrong with it. (JR)
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
The luxury offering, the 2001 Gigondas Valbelle (offered only in the best years), is a blend of 90% Grenache and 10% Syrah aged in equal parts new and 1-year old oak casks. This blockbuster boasts an inky/purple color along with a big, sweet nose of wood smoke, melted licorice, plums, kirsch liqueur, blackberries, and blueberries. The complex aromas are followed by a full-bodied, ripe, textured, impeccably pure, well-balanced wine with elevated tannin, suggesting 2-3 years of cellaring will be beneficial. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2016. Importer: a Patrick Lesec Selection, various American importers, including Stacole Fine Wines, Boca Raton, FL; tel. (561) 998-0039, Classic Wines, Boston, MA; tel. (617) 469-5799; Fine Vines LLC, Maywood, IL; tel. (708) 343-5901; Associated Wine Distributors, St. Helena, CA; tel. (707) 963-8048; and Vintage ’59 Imports, Washington, DC; tel. (202) 966-9218
Saturated red-ruby. Deep, burnished aromas of plum, strawberry, chocolate, woodsmoke and pepper. Superconcentrated and lush but bright, with juicy flavors of plum, raspberry, strawberry and pepper spreading out to coat the entire palate. Has a deeply smoky quality bordering on exotic and a very suave texture. Impressively layered, sweet and deep wine with a very long, vinous aftertaste. This was even more impressive with extended aeration.
The luxury offering, the 2001 Gigondas Valbelle (offered only in the best years), is a blend of 90% Grenache and 10% Syrah aged in equal parts new and 1-year old oak casks. This blockbuster boasts an inky/purple color along with a big, sweet nose of wood smoke, melted licorice, plums, kirsch liqueur, blackberries, and blueberries. The complex aromas are followed by a full-bodied, ripe, textured, impeccably pure, well-balanced wine with elevated tannin, suggesting 2-3 years of cellaring will be beneficial. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2016. Feb 2004, www.robertparker.com