October 10, 2019 - Nose: B Palate: B (slightly corked)
My #9, Group's #10 (120 pts). Tastes blind.
July 12, 2014 - Dark color to the edge, significant sediment, decanted 1 hour, berry fruit in nose and taste, appealing medium-length finish.
February 10, 2013 - 2004 Chateauneufs du Pape (Rich and Peggy's House): Meaty nose with some hints of sweetness. Tasty palate.
My #3, Group's #5 (67 pts). Tasted blind
May 13, 2011 - Seemless. Well made.
August 2, 2009 - As before: a remarkable wine for under $30!
May 21, 2009 - Just an outstanding pop and pour! Lighter red than I was expecting. Pleasant berry/spice nose. Incredible palat with layer upon layer of cherry and raspberry. Medium full on the palate with a nice mouthfeel. An oustanding QPR for $30.
March 8, 2007 - This bottle was unremarkable compared with my recollections of it from when it first arrived. The fruit is short, single-dimensional, clipped. Alcohol dominates. It has crisp acidity, though. All this makes me think this wine may just be fighting acne right now, but it strikes me as only a modest value at the moment. All that being said, I very much like this estate and its winemakers, so perhaps I should come back in a year or two to see what this wine is doing.
February 24, 2007 - Very well balanced, amazing old world style. Let breathe - it opened beautifully. Very complex - earthy, dark spicy fruits, hints of chocolate and oak.
January 13, 2007 - Bistro Elan PA--Disappointing. Tight and earthy (in a not so good way) on the nose, drying and acidic on the palate. Some silkiness and fruit there, yes... but overall leaning toward vegetal/drying...
October 5, 2006 - Third time I've had the '04 (see previous TNs). $30 retail, before discount. Once again, this shows an oxidative element and lacks freshness. In-line with previous TNs.