Chateau Pas De l'Ane Saint Emilion 2001

Chateau Pas De l'Ane Saint Emilion 2001 is a Saint-Emilion Grand Cru red Bordeaux in a standard 750ml bottle, blending 50% Merlot and 50% Cabernet Franc. Recognized in the 2005 edition of the Guide Hachette des Vins and scoring 87/100 on Wine-Searcher's aggregate, this 2001 vintage represents a mature Right Bank Bordeaux defined by concentration, tannic structure, and a full year of new oak barrel aging.

Quick Facts: ABV: Approximately 13%  |  Origin: Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux, France  |  Vintage: 2001  |  Producer: Chateau Pas de l'Ane

Production & Heritage

Chateau Pas de l'Ane sits within the Saint-Emilion Grand Cru appellation on Bordeaux's celebrated Right Bank, where limestone and clay soils favor Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The 2001 vintage was aged exclusively in new oak barrels for a full year — a bold winemaking decision that imparted pronounced wood and spice character requiring extended bottle age to fully integrate. The equal 50/50 split between Merlot and Cabernet Franc is notable; most Saint-Emilion estates lean more heavily on Merlot, making this cuvée structurally distinct within its appellation, with Cabernet Franc contributing additional aromatic lift and tannic backbone.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe red and black fruit — cassis, dark cherry, and plum — layered with spicy, woody notes from the new oak aging. With time in the glass, secondary aromas of tobacco leaf and earthy minerality emerge.

Taste: The entry is full and concentrated, with dark fruit flavors wrapped in firm, structured tannins. At mid-palate, baking spice and vanilla from the oak become prominent, while the Cabernet Franc component introduces a leafy, herbal complexity. Now well past two decades of age, the wine has had time to soften and develop tertiary characteristics, though its tannic architecture remains evident.

Finish: Long and aromatic, with lingering notes of spice, dark fruit, and subtle woodsmoke. The tannins carry through to the close, giving the finish a dry, gripping texture that rewards patience.

How to Drink Pas de l'Ane 2001

Decant for at least 45 minutes to an hour before serving at 16–18°C (60–65°F); the extended air contact will help open the mature fruit and temper any remaining tannic grip. This is a wine built for the table — serve it alongside rich, savory dishes rather than treating it as a casual sipper. Roasted lamb with herbes de Provence highlights the wine's spice and structure. A classic Bordelaise steak preparation mirrors its tannic weight. Aged hard cheeses like Comté or Ossau-Iraty provide a complementary richness without overwhelming the fruit.

Best For

• Bordeaux collectors seeking mature Right Bank vintages with over two decades of bottle age
• Hosting a formal dinner centered on French cuisine and classic red Bordeaux
• Gifting a wine enthusiast who appreciates aged Saint-Emilion Grand Cru
• Exploring the 2001 Bordeaux vintage, a year often overshadowed by 2000 but with its own distinct character

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Pas de l'Ane 2001 taste like? This is a concentrated, tannic Saint-Emilion Grand Cru with red and black fruit flavors, baking spice, and woody notes from a full year in new oak barrels. With over twenty years of age, the tannins have softened and tertiary notes of tobacco and earth have developed.

How does Pas de l'Ane compare to other Saint-Emilion Grand Cru wines? Its 50/50 Merlot–Cabernet Franc blend is atypical for Saint-Emilion, where most estates favor a Merlot-dominant cuvée; the higher Cabernet Franc proportion gives this wine more structural tannin and herbal complexity than many peers. The exclusive use of new oak in the 2001 vintage also places it on the more extracted, modern end of the appellation's stylistic spectrum.

Is Pas de l'Ane 2001 good for drinking now? At over two decades old, the 2001 vintage has entered a mature drinking window where primary fruit has evolved into more complex secondary and tertiary flavors. Decanting before service is recommended to let the wine fully express itself.

Where is Pas de l'Ane made? Chateau Pas de l'Ane is located in the Saint-Emilion Grand Cru appellation on the Right Bank of Bordeaux, France. The region's limestone-rich terroir is particularly suited to the Merlot and Cabernet Franc grapes that compose this wine.

What foods pair well with Pas de l'Ane 2001? Roasted rack of lamb complements its spice and tannic grip. Braised short ribs or duck confit echo its richness and dark fruit. Aged Comté or Gruyère match its depth without overpowering the palate. Mushroom-based dishes — such as a wild mushroom risotto — connect with the earthy, tertiary notes of this mature vintage.

What sizes does Pas de l'Ane 2001 come in? The standard format is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available size for this wine.

Is Pas de l'Ane 2001 worth the price? Pas de l'Ane positions as an accessible entry into the Saint-Emilion Grand Cru category, offering genuine appellation character, a mature vintage, and new oak aging at a more approachable tier than the classified growths of the region.

Why Pas de l'Ane 2001?

What sets this wine apart is the combination of its unconventional 50/50 Merlot–Cabernet Franc blend and its full year of new oak aging — two choices that give the 2001 a structural intensity uncommon at this price tier in Saint-Emilion. With over two decades in bottle, the once-prominent wood influence noted by early reviewers has had ample time to integrate, revealing a more harmonious and complex wine. Its citation in the Guide Hachette des Vins and an 87-point aggregate score confirm it as a credible, well-made Grand Cru. For drinkers seeking mature Bordeaux with real appellation pedigree, this is a seriously undervalued bottle.