The Cornas cuvees are the most concentrated, interesting offerings I tasted from Michel Tardieu’s 2001 northern Rhone portfolio. The 2001 Cornas Vieilles Vignes is aged primarily in new oak. It has soaked up all the toasty vanillin characteristics, revealing just a hint of new wood along with a wealth of blackberry liqueur, cassis, mineral, licorice, and espresso notes. Full-bodied and opulently-textured, with high tannin as well as extract, this is a 2001 to forget for 4-5 years. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2018. While the gifted Michel Tardieu has fashioned dense, powerful, backward 2001s, the quality is well behind that of such recent years as 1999, 1998, and 1997. Nevertheless, there are some strong offerings, particularly the two Cornas cuvees. Importers: Martin Scott Wines, Little Neck, NY; tel. (516) 327-0808 and Stacole Fine Wines, Boca Raton, FL; tel. (561) 998-0039