Vinous - Neal Martin (91)

The 2001 Beauséjour Duffau-Lagarrosse is a little cleaner and more defined on the nose compared to the 2000, offering brambly red fruit, ferrous notes and hints of wild mushroom, quite perfumed though not complex. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly more density and grip compared to the 2000. Soothing and earthy toward the finish, which tapers a little.

Wine Advocate (94)

From six-year old vines cropped at a mere 2.3 tons of fruit per acre, the brilliant 2001 Shiraz is a candidate for the finest wine ever made on Kangaroo Island. It boasts an opaque purple color in addition to a complex perfume of blackberry liqueur intermixed with licorice, smoke, charcoal, and a hint of wood. Full-bodied as well as remarkably measured, elegant, and restrained for its power and mass, this brilliant achievement somehow walks the tightrope between excessive power and overly processed politeness. It combines intense flavor with tremendous finesse – an extremely difficult accomplishment. The good news continues as there are 2,500 cases of this brilliant Shiraz. It should drink well young yet evolve for 15+ years.

Wine Advocate (91)

Displaying a similar color as well as personality and depth, the 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Ashmead exhibits a more scorched/roasted character to its nose, sweeter, more pliable and open-knit flavors, and nearly as much aging potential as the cooler vintage conditions produced in 2002. A beautiful, full-throttle, gutsy Cabernet Sauvignon, it can be drunk now and over the next 10-12 years.

Wine Advocate (100)

I have been terribly excited about this wine since I first learned that (part of) it was still in cement waiting to be bottled in September 2013. I consider the rare white Castillo Ygay one of the greatest white wines ever produced in Spain, and the 1986 Castillo Ygay Blanco Gran Reserva Especial is a great addition to the portfolio of the winery--an historic wine that is coming back to life. I did a vertical tasting of many of the old, historic vintages of this wine, and they are included in a separate article in this very same issue. This 1986 had seen the light as a limited early release bottled in 1992 and sold around 1995, and some bottles might still be found in the market. But most of it remained unbottled and was kept at the winery, where it stayed in oak for 21 years, followed by some six years in cement vats until it was bottled. It has 13.5% alcohol, an extremely low pH of 2.98 and 6.75 grams of acidity (tartaric). It has a very subtle nose and it's a bit shy, a little closed at first. It was only bottled one and a half years ago, and it's not crazy to say that the wine is showing extremely young. The wine shows more open the day after, when it has developed some nuances of mushrooms and verbena tea. This is mostly Viura with perhaps a pinch of Malvasía Riojana (aka Alarije). The palate is both powerful and elegant, with superb acidity and great length, with volume and sharpness, with a mineral, umami-driven finish. It fills your mouth, tickles your taste buds and makes you salivate. There is nothing negative about the wine; there is no excess oak, nothing blurry, nothing to improve... perhaps the bottle used! I think this is a perfect wine. It seems to be getting younger and younger with time in the glass; it seems to be getting more focused and sharper, and I have no doubt the wine will evolve and last for a very, very, very long time in bottle. I kept the opened bottle for almost one week and the wine didn't move one inch--no oxidation or any signs of fatigue. Having tasted many other vintages, including the also perfect 1919 (which is still going strong at age 97), I have no doubt we're talking about a white for the next 50 years. Looking at the older vintages, I might even be underestimating its life span. The potential next release could be the 1998 in no less than ten years' time.

Wine Spectator (98)

Gorgeous aromas of honey, passion fruit, mango and candied lemon rind. Full-bodied and ultraconcentrated, yet balanced and refined. It lasts for minutes on the palate. This has just about everything in the right place. Stunning. Best after 2009. 6,665 cases made. -JS

Jeb Dunnuck (96)

Blended in 2010 and bottle in 2019, aged in barrels always submerged in wine, the 2001 Châteauneuf Du Pape Ange sports a still youthful ruby color as well as a beautiful bouquet of cured meats, ground pepper, tobacco, white truffle, and spice. Rich, medium to full-bodied, and beautifully textured, it's multi-dimensional, layered, and elegant, with a Bonneau-like complexity and style. This is a thrilling wine.