2001 Vitae Sangiovese, Puglia, IGT
Delicate, flowery nose of cherry blossom and raspberry. Soft and mellow in the mouth, where the cherry fruit comes forward. Nicely balanced, clean and tasty. A winner, at a great pricepoint.
Price: $9.99
Rating: 89 points

2001 Marquis-Philips S2 Cabernet Sauvignon, McLaren Vale
Wow! First, notice the deep, dark, opaque color. Then, take in the huge, dense nose, filled with layers of cinnamon, sandalwood, spiced plums, concentrated black fruits, mocha, and licorice stick. We’re not in Bordeaux or Napa Valley, Toto – this is straight-on Aussie red, all fat and sweet, with very little tannic bite. Pure hedonism in a bottle.
Price: $20.99
Rating: 93 points

2001 Henry’s Drive Shiraz, Padthaway
Another dark, opaque purple monster. The flavor profile includes bacon fat, extracted blackberry, smoked game meats, licorice, vanilla, tobacco leaf, and baker’s chocolate. It expands in the mouth, turning smooth and creamy. Winemaker Sparky Marquis can seemingly do no wrong.
Price: $28.99
Rating: 93 points

1999 Stag’s Leap Cabernet Sauvignon, Fay Vineyard
Beautiful, varietal nose of cassis, coffee, cedar, minerals, candied black cherry, tobacco, and chocolate at the finish. The furry tannins are not a big distraction for near-term drinking, but this wine should continue to improve and take on greater complexity over the next 5 to 10 years. A great sense of balance and elegance for such a young Napa Cab.
Price: $69.99
Rating: 94 points

2000 Ch. Ferrand Lartigue, Grand Cru, St. Emilion
We all know that Robert Parker and others have declared the 2000 Bordeaux vintage the best since 1982, but think 1945, or ever! Here is a great example. Black, opaque color. The nose is laced with spicy new French oak, which blankets the rich black currant fruit, roast coffee, and minerals. The tannins are fine-grained, making this accessible now, although it will surely improve for 5 more years and drink well through 2015. Parker gave it 90-92 points.
Price: $39.99
Rating: 93 points

highdesertwine

Also, you lucky bugger to see (and taste) the 2001 Henry's Drive Shiraz - as of yet unsighted in Massachusetts - sounds like another killer - I'm still sitting on a case or 2 of the 2000 that totally rocks, and fearing the price hike with the acclaimed 2001 and 2002 Aussie vintages - hearing ugly rumours about the importer!

Nonetheless can't wait for some 2001 Henry Juice! If you have had the 2000 which do you rate better?

"Abandon all hope ye who enter here."