Both the Clos de L’Echo and the Clos de L’Olive continue to surpass expectations with the 2001s, while the Crescendo is better than either.
The Clos de L’Olive has a very attractive, almost floral bouquet, with strong notes of dark cherry. The attack is rich and beguiling, with dark cherry again, before a blackberry middle section which rises majestically and a long, persistent finish. Not as powerful as the 89, this is a marvellous rather than an outstanding wine, but at 12 euros, incredible value.
When I bought these wines as library releases, I feared the worst, since I didn’t think that 2001 was especially known for its quality, but I have been proved wrong over and over again. Any Loire lover should grab any Coulys and run for the hills fast!