Perrin / Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape Chateau de Beaucastel 2001

Lobenberg: Fast schwarz, undurchdringlich. Likör, schwarze Kirschen und schwarze Beeren im Aroma, Trüffel, Erde, geröstetes Fleisch. Extrem reichhaltig und konzentriert in Nase und Mund. Erstklassig strukturiert, sehr kraftvoll, extrem tanninreich, erdig und strotzend von schwarzen Früchten im Mund, etwas verschlossen, sehr lagerfähig, braucht Zeit. 95+/100

Robert Parker: Beaucastel has been on a terrific qualitative roll over the last four vintages, and the 2001 Chateauneuf du Pape (which Francois Perrin feels is similar to the 1990, although I don’t see that as of yet) is a 15,000-case blend of 30% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah, 10% Counoise, and the balance split among the other permitted varietals of the appellation. This inky/ruby/purple-colored cuvee offers a classic Beaucastel bouquet of new saddle leather, cigar smoke, roasted herbs, black truffles, underbrush, and blackberry as well as cherry fruit. It is a superb, earthy expression of this Mourvedre-dominated cuvee. 96/100

James Suckling: Earthy, subtly leathery, tobacco, mushroom and rosehip nuances with potpourri and violets, too. This moves more to the soil from the fruit. A pretty red and darker cherry core. Tannins echo late again. Brilliant. Drink now. 96/100

Jancis Robinson: Much more developed than the 2005. A lot more undergrowth and leather and tertiary characters. Very leathery on the palate but not at all lean. No primary fruit remaining but the fruit flesh is still there. And the tannins still surprisingly present. 17/20