The March Installment of Pick My Next Bottle focuses on 2001 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. As I mentioned in the first installment, the purpose of this series is to provide insight into specific wines or producers you may currently have in your cellar. The winning bottle will be opened this Saturday and a Bottle Note will be published shortly thereafter.
2001 was simply a great vintage for Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. The Summer of 2001 was somewhat cool with temperatures rarely exceeding 85 degrees. This led to wines with somewhat higher acidity that have aged absolutely gloriously. The vintage has been compared to other Napa classics like 1974 and 1991.
I want to check in on some of the more age worthy wines of the vintage as it reaches 15 years of age.
The Contenders:
2001 Dunn Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon – Deep ruby-red. Vibrant aromas of cassis, black cherry, licorice and violet. Juicy, supple and sweet, with an intense cassis and tart red berry fruitiness complicated by cocoa powder, licorice, fresh herbs and tree bark. Bright acids give this highly concentrated, very pure cabernet a lovely light touch. Finishes with firm but suave tannins and excellent length. 93 points from Stephen Tanzer.
2001 Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon – Saturated, deep ruby-red. Quintessential cabernet aromas of blackcurrant, black cherry, dark chocolate, licorice, black olive, mint and earth, sweetened by some roasted oak tones. Dense, supple and seamless; much more concentrated than the basic Napa Valley bottling but also more pliant from the outset, even if it will need a good six to eight years of cellaring. Old-style, classic Napa cabernet with a powerful, building finish. 93 points from Stephen Tanzer.
2001 Araujo Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard – Ruby-red. Warm and inviting aromas of plum, mocha, tobacco, smoke and spices. Rich, silky and suave, with mellow, claret-like flavors of currant, plum, tobacco and mocha. Pure, layered and stylish wine, finishing with substantial but lush tannins and subtle persistence. One can see the hand of consulting enologist Michel Rolland in this wine. 94 points from Stephen Tanzer.
Which 2001 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Should I Open?
- 2001 Dunn Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (44%, 20 Votes)
- 2001 Araujo Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard (42%, 19 Votes)
- 2001 Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (13%, 6 Votes)
Total Voters: 45
Thanks for voting! I’d love to see a comment below on why you picked one bottle over another. Also, please do let me know if you have any suggestions for the April installment of Pick My Next Bottle.
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I chose the Araujo because it intrigues me & I bet it is drinking wonderful. Plus I think the Montelena & Dunn have years to go before mature.
My pick is the 2001 Araujo. Just curious how this one is doing after 15 years. Cheers!
Haven’t had a Dunn or Araujo. And of the two, I believe the latter is probably more so in its prime drinking window.
I picked the 2001 Araujo Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard. I’ve recently had the Dunn & Montelena. Looking forward to reading your notes.
Close vote but Dunn is the winner. Bottle Note soon.