WTN: 2001 Paul Autard Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Cote Ronde

We drank this with grilled ribeyes, which seems to be our go-to qick dinner these days. It was a very nice match.

• 2001 Domaine Paul Autard Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée La Cote Ronde - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape (7/29/2009)
  Dark red to rim. Forward nose of cherries giving way to ripe plums, pepper, garrigue, and just a tiny hint of vanilla-y oak. Medium to full bodied, ripe flavors follow from the nose with a mix of dark and bright fruits, nicely complex spices, good balance, nice finish with some mellow tannins still present, this is drinking very nicely now and should continue to drink well for the next 5-10 years. Might develop additional complexity. Outstanding.

[David M. Bueker]

2001 is shaping up to be my favorite of the great group of 4 vintages ('98-'01). I think the overall balance is the best of the group, and the consistency seems to be the highest as well. There might be some higher highs in 1998, but there are some real pruney messes here and there as well. I don't find that in 2001.

2001 is shaping up to be my favorite of the great group of 4 vintages ('98-'01). I think the overall balance is the best of the group, and the consistency seems to be the highest as well. There might be some higher highs in 1998, but there are some real pruney messes here and there as well. I don't find that in 2001.

I agree, David. Having tasted through all 4 years at their times of release, I found '01 more structured than the hot years of '00 and '98 with greater depth than '99 (which is a fine, classic year). That's why I recently traded 2 bottles of '00 Pegau Reservee straight up for 2 '01 Pegau Reservee (I'm in it for the long haul).

Mark Lipton

[David M. Bueker]

I need the 2000 Pegau in order to have something to drink while I wait for the 2001 to come around.

I need the 2000 Pegau in order to have something to drink while I wait for the 2001 to come around.

Understood. That's what I've got my remaining '90, '94 and '95s for (though the latter may outlast some of my '98s).

Mark Lipton