Black raspberries and dark cherries are found in the aromatics of the ruby-colored 2001 Beaune Vignes Franches. Medium-bodied, it explodes on the palate to reveal layers of black cherries, cassis, and spices. This intensely flavored, concentrated, enormously fruity wine displays loads of ripe tannin in its well-structured finish. Projected maturity: 2004-2010. Louis-Fabrice Latour, not one to mince words, really disliked the 2000 vintage for reds. “It exemplified what I do not care for in red Burgundies, so I opted to produce no grand crus in 2000,” which is no mean feat when one realizes that Latour owns close to 19 hectares (47 acres) of Pinot Noir in grand cru vineyards. “However, as much as I did not like the 2000 reds, I love the 2001s. They have both firmness and fruit, it is an original.” Jean-Pierre Jobard, this firm’s winemaker, chimed in to add that “we’ve rarely seen a vintage as firm as 2001 in Burgundy.” It is that firmness that prevented more of Latour’s 2001 reds from being recommended, as they were found to be hard and astringent. Maison Louis Latour has a different importer in each state.

Black raspberries and dark cherries are found in the aromatics of the ruby-colored 2001 Beaune Vignes Franches. Medium-bodied, it explodes on the palate to reveal layers of black cherries, cassis, and spices. This intensely flavored, concentrated, enormously fruity wine displays loads of ripe tannin in its well-structured finish. Projected maturity: 2004-2010. Louis-Fabrice Latour, not one to mince words, really disliked the 2000 vintage for reds. “It exemplified what I do not care for in red Burgundies, so I opted to produce no grand crus in 2000,” which is no mean feat when one realizes that Latour owns close to 19 hectares (47 acres) of Pinot Noir in grand cru vineyards. “However, as much as I did not like the 2000 reds, I love the 2001s. They have both firmness and fruit, it is an original.” Jean-Pierre Jobard, this firm’s winemaker, chimed in to add that “we’ve rarely seen a vintage as firm as 2001 in Burgundy.” It is that firmness that prevented more of Latour’s 2001 reds from being recommended, as they were found to be hard and astringent.Maison Louis Latour has a different importer in each state.