M. Chapoutier : La Mordorée 2001

This still has a gutsy core of blackberry, anise and macerated currant fruit, with secondary notes of tobacco, sage, mulled spice and tar holding sway on the finish. Very solid, with plenty of concentration still, despite being well along on its evolution. -- Non-blind 2001 Côte-Rôtie retrospective (April 2011). 700 cases made.

Dark red. Very ripe but somewhat stunted aromas of blackcurrant, plum, nuts and woodsmoke. Concentrated, ripe and full; very rich but rather uncompromisingly dry. The slightly roasted red fruit and nut flavors show more breadth than personality now, but this young Cote-Rotie is unusually fat and persistent, finishing with dusty, ripe tannins.

The patina of this slightly grainy Syrah is charming, but more conventional. There is less of a terroir-driven expression. Drink in 2011, while its substance is still intact.(