Both excellent vintages. Very different in character. Lots of disputes over the years as to which is better.
Lately, I have the sense that the 2002s are pushing ahead. For a couple of recent data points - 2002 Truchot Clos de la Roche, which I liked better side by side with the 2001; 2002 Bachelet Corbeaux, which I liked better side by side than the 2001.
My guess is that this is going to be a wine by wine determination and will change by year, but my sense right now is that the 2001s are showing more structure than a couple of years back and the 2002s are really opening up and tasting wonderful.
Any thoughts?
I think it’s still too early. We did this as a tasting a year or two ago and it was a coin flip. I think 2001 has gone in and out of showing well, and 2002 has a showy wide that fools one a bit. I want to give 2001 a little longer to quit fading in and out, and 2002 a little longer to develop some age related complexity.
I have no doubt that 2002 is superior over 2001 - eventually (we´re talking about reds - right?)
2002 has the better ripeness, the better balance, is usually more intense and will still gain complexity and depth. The better wines are still (too) young, even sometimes primary.
On the other hand many 2001s are already nicely accessable, show a lively acidity and good persitance. Most seem open. However - few wines are really exceptional, even relatively to their class (but yes, there ARE great wines).
The problem is: the vintages are hard to taste side by side - due to the different stage of evolution.
01 I compare to 08. Great wines at the top but not very good at the lower end. The 02s are much more homogenous.