Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Tipping the scales at 14.5-15% alcohol, the old vine, full-bodied 2001 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvée Prestige is a wine of impressive intensity and thickness. Aromas reminiscent of liqueur of roasted herbs intermixed with meaty, game-like smells, black cherries, ground pepper, beef blood, and garrigue are followed by a wine of noteworthy stature, complexity, and mouthfilling generosity. Serious tannin is largely obscured by the wealth of fruit and extract. Give it 2-3 years of cellaring, and drink it over the following 12-15 years. (RP)

(02/2004)

Wine Spectator

Mature spice, black tea and sandalwood notes lead the way, but this has deceptive richness despite its softening feel, with layered flavors of roasted fig, plum confiture and cherry compote gliding along. The structure has melded into the core and the finish is supple. At its peak now.—2001 Châteauneuf-du-Pape non-blind retrospective (November 2011). (JM, Web Only-2012)

Jeb Dunnuck

Impressive, the 2001 Roger Sabon Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Prestige is drinking beautifully, if not on the young side, showing rich cassis and plum fruit with complementing notes of smoked garrigue, saddle leather, licorice, and pot roast aromas on the nose. This leads to a medium to full bodied wine that has a full, rich texture, superb balance, good mid-palate depth, and a long, classic finish that has a chocolaty edge. Just textbook Châteauneuf that is just now coming into maturity, this should continue to impress for another decade easily. Very well done and a great showing.

(03/2011)