2001 Bellevue (Saint Emilion)

Still quite dark crimson. Bright colour. Curious, slightly cheesy nose. Very full initial spread over the front palate. Then quite vicious tannins still. Still a baby this wine, though perhaps it’s especially ambitious? At the moment the flavours seem curiously evolved for the tannic charge. (JR)

Deep crimson. Attractive, fresh aroma. Good balance. Lively flavours. Good acidity, yet ripe in the middle. Not gigantic. (JR)

This fabulously situated, south-facing vineyard counts as its neighbors Beau-Sejour-Becot, Beausejour-Duffau, and Angelus. While the 2001 is well-below the quality of the brilliant 2000, it exhibits a deep ruby/purple color in addition to an elegant nose of crushed rocks, black cherries, herbs, and earth. There is plenty of finesse and elegance, but it is short on texture, length, and overall concentration. It is a very good effort, although more restrained and elegant than the blockbuster 2000. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2014. Jun 2004, www.robertparker.com