The 2001 Eclipse (65% Grenache and 35% Shiraz from 56-65 year old vines) is still closed aromatically, but with coaxing reveals potentially fabulous quality. An opaque purple color is followed by aromas of charcoal, smoke, blackberries, and sweet cherries. This full-bodied, rich, beautifully delineated effort is extraordinarily pure as well as incredibly persistent on the palate (close to one minute). Aged in a combination of new and old large American oak hogsheads for 18 months and bottled unfiltered, it appears to have tremendous up-side potential, although I suspect many readers will not be able to defer their gratification ... and why should they? Drink it over the next decade.
Importer: Dan Philips, The Grateful Palate, Oxnard, CA; tel. (888) 472-5283