The 2001 La Joie (71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc) remains a backward, youthful wine revealing an inky/purple color as well as notes of graphite, licorice, creme de cassis, truffles and new saddle leather. It has fabulous fruit on the attack and mid-palate, a massive, concentrated, tannic mouthfeel and a long finish. Even younger than La Muse, it needs another decade of cellaring and should age for 40ndash;50 years thereafter. Pierre Seillan told me that 44% of the grapes came from Alexander Valley, 35% from Knightrsquo;s Valley and the rest from Chalk Hill.

Rating for United States-California: 95 (slightly better than average year)<br/><br/>Drinkability: young, aging quickly, could be good now<br/>