WTN: 2001 Cap de Faugeres (Cotes de Castillon)

[David M. Bueker]

The cool cellar does it again. There have been reports of this wine's demise. With 3 bottles left in the tank I was up for a science experiment.

Color is still good. No browning. There's still a lot of black cherry fruit and some rough stemminess (that was always there), and it's still got more than enough fruit for balance. It hasn't really developed any interesting secondaries, but I never really expected it would. All it has to do (and has) is hold its fruit and remain a very drinkable bargain Bordeaux. I would not hold bottles for a long time, but it's not cracking up.

[Jenise]

We're calibrated!!


WTN: 2001 Cap de Faugeres
by Jenise on Tue Jun 03, 2008 7:13 am

2001 Cap de Faugeres
Cotes du Castillon

Didn't expect such a dense, ripe, generously endowed wine after the lighter and disappointing 2000 we drank a few months ago. Popped and poured, shows well immediately with black fruit, licorice and a bit of earthiness that's not the funky variety. Except for what it might lend in softer edges, the merlot component is not evident at this point. Would call it at peak, though it has the tannins to hold here for awhile. An attractive wine that outperforms it's $15 price (well, that's what I paid). Would never be a favorite, but I can at least now understand why those who buy CdF regularly do so.

[David M. Bueker]

We're calibrated!!

Indeed!

I was intrigued by this thread. Usually, I find that my preferences are close to those of Jenise.
I bought 3 bottles on release and drank one about a year ago. In my cellar book I had marked down the other two to drink this year and next.So, in case I had misjudged the maturity, I pulled a bottle tonight.
Initially, on the nose, there was a little rubbery-vinyl component, but this soon disappeared. The nose was fairly subdued at first, but developed into showing nice ripe red fruit.
The mouth showed a nice smooth balance of fruit and acid with fully resolved tannins. Medium length finish.
After being open for an hour, the fruit was more prominent and the whole impression was richer.
Overall, this was exactly as I had hoped for, not really complex, but an excellent everyday Bordeaux.
The major problem is that in this government monopoly market the price was $35!

[David M. Bueker]

David,

Great note.

Horrible price.

I pulled one to check the condition of what I have left. Agree with your notes. I really opened up after 30 min in the glass. I need to try one of the '00s that I have. When we had it previously, I don't remember it being "light'

[Jenise]

I pulled one to check the condition of what I have left. Agree with your notes. I really opened up after 30 min in the glass. I need to try one of the '00s that I have. When we had it previously, I don't remember it being "light'

Dick, mine might have been an off bottle. It sure didn't have the weight you'd expect from the vintage, though--where the 01 did.

The '00s that I have now came from a different source than what I had previously. I'll try it this weekend.