The dense ruby/purple-colored 2001 Crozes-Hermitage Cuvee Coteaux reveals underlying composty/vegetal characteristics (that may not age out), black cherry and currant fruit, and a hint of green peppers. It should drink well for 7-8 years. 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

The 2000 Crozes-Hermitage Cuvee Coteaux reveals notes of tapenade, black cherries, and plums in its forward, low acid, spicy personality. This medium-bodied and soft wine will provide delicious drinking during its first 6-8 years of life. The gregarious, talented Michel Tardieu was exceptionally enthusiastic about his 2000 southern Rhones, but decidedly less impressed with those from the north. His criticism mirrored those of other serious producers, namely that there were too many grapes, and that the high yields made it nearly impossible to achieve great richness unless there was draconian crop thinning, something many producers were not prepared to do given the fact it was a millennium vintage. While the 2000 Tardieu-Laurent offerings are excellent for the vintage, they are significantly less concentrated and textured compared to the awesome 1999s.Importers: Martin Scott Wines, Little Neck, NY; tel. (516) 327-0808 and Stacole Fine Wines, Boca Raton, FL; tel. (561) 998-0029

While the 2000 Tardieu-Laurent offerings are excellent for the vintage, they are significantly less concentrated and textured compared to the awesome 1999s. The 1999s which were given fabulous ratings from barrel, were not tasted from bottle. However, given part experience with bottled Tardieu-Laurent wines, they are undoutedly as good as I predicted from cask. They are not racked until bottling, produced with minimal levels of SO2, and bottled with neither fining nor filtration.. Importers: Martin Scott Wines, Little Neck, NY; tel. (516) 327-0808 and Stacole Fine Wines, Boca Raton, FL; tel. (561) 998-0029