Took about 20 minutes to open up, before revealing bright red and black berries in a well-balanced wine. The M5 is always a pleaser, and the '04 vintage is no exception (although perhaps not quite as amazing as the '03).
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14.5%. Murky red. Smells of christmas spices, nutmeg, cloves, white pepper. Initially chunky tannins but smooths out with air. Juicy tartness balanced with intense fruit. Excellent wine. Must buy more.
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Smooth and rich. 14.5% but no heat evident. Very fragrant, with an intriguing cinnamon note. Thought this might need more cellar time but tannins seem quite resolved already (had this with roast duck and confit byaldi, so that might have had something to do with it). Very good.
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This has a tremendous amount of character, especially considering the price. Deep ruby in color, it has dried cherry, smoke, and leather aromas. Medium body. Full of herb and red and black fruit flavors, I would have guessed this was a basic level CDP from a good producer. Very impressive.
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Opened and poured. Improved over the course of 1 hour. Dark red, very inviting aromas of red fruit, berries, flowers. Smooth, fully resolved tannins. Dense red fruit flavors. Nice acidity. Balanced wine with a great medium length finish.
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Popped this last night and don't know what to make of it. Last night it was very grapey, like grape fruit punch with a little hit of pepper on the finish. Just had a couple of ounces, and more of the same today. Really sweet grape flavors upfront with some blueberry and peppery notes on the finish. This is obviously young, but it also seems a bit out of sorts right now. It's drinkable, but it's in a rather strange place for my palate. YMMV. I'll leave my other bottles for a while.
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Not as thick and heavy as you would expect from something that is predominately Syrah, but delightfully so. This is definately a well-rounded beauty. During the first 30 minutes I was slightly disappointed and felt something was missing from the mid-palate, but after it opened up it was in full force. When I have this again, I will make sure to open an hour before drinking. Better the first day than the second, a great quality.
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Drank after Fireside pies. Good try to emulate CdP, but without smoky nose. More sweet. Big wild monet painting-type wine. Like the QPR with big food flavors...
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($25) Alluring aromas of tangy red fruit tinged with lime and some kind of herb. Touch metallic. Medium-full bodied. Reminds me of a freaky Northern Rhone-Chateauneuf du Pape blend. Tangy, peppery finish. A blend of 5 grape varieties from 8 vineyards. Good complexity.
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This wine seemed linear. It was smooth, but not the ripe fruit and alcohol I expect from Santa Ynez. I like the 2003 much better at this stage. I am excited to see it later because I think it has a few years ahead of it and will turn out great.
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Took this to dinner and paired with lamb. Very well balanced with smooth mouthfeel. Black cherries and hints of spice. 14.5% alcohol content meshed well with the rich sauces. Excellent experience.
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9/20/2009 - Baylorwine wrote: 91 Points
This wine has definitely balanced out and added levels of complexity.
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5/1/2009 - B&T wrote: 88 Points
Took about 20 minutes to open up, before revealing bright red and black berries in a well-balanced wine. The M5 is always a pleaser, and the '04 vintage is no exception (although perhaps not quite as amazing as the '03).
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4/20/2009 - wendyinwlv wrote: 89 Points
Consistantly good!!
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10/9/2008 - Nico P. wrote: 89 Points
14.5%. Murky red. Smells of christmas spices, nutmeg, cloves, white pepper. Initially chunky tannins but smooths out with air. Juicy tartness balanced with intense fruit. Excellent wine. Must buy more.
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7/23/2008 - Baylorwine wrote: 88 Points
Drank at Ravinia. Nice smooth fruit, but no outstanding attributes.
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12/29/2007 - Nico P. wrote:
Smooth and rich. 14.5% but no heat evident. Very fragrant, with an intriguing cinnamon note. Thought this might need more cellar time but tannins seem quite resolved already (had this with roast duck and confit byaldi, so that might have had something to do with it). Very good.
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10/18/2007 - MJHDC wrote:
This has a tremendous amount of character, especially considering the price. Deep ruby in color, it has dried cherry, smoke, and leather aromas. Medium body. Full of herb and red and black fruit flavors, I would have guessed this was a basic level CDP from a good producer. Very impressive.
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10/6/2007 - incident wrote: 91 Points
Opened and poured. Improved over the course of 1 hour. Dark red, very inviting aromas of red fruit, berries, flowers. Smooth, fully resolved tannins. Dense red fruit flavors. Nice acidity. Balanced wine with a great medium length finish.
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11/4/2006 - decaturwinedude wrote: 86 Points
Popped this last night and don't know what to make of it. Last night it was very grapey, like grape fruit punch with a little hit of pepper on the finish. Just had a couple of ounces, and more of the same today. Really sweet grape flavors upfront with some blueberry and peppery notes on the finish. This is obviously young, but it also seems a bit out of sorts right now. It's drinkable, but it's in a rather strange place for my palate. YMMV. I'll leave my other bottles for a while.
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10/27/2006 - East Dallas Wino wrote: 89 Points
drank at dad's 60th birthday
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10/10/2006 - 47chinon wrote: 91 Points
Better than it was in March.
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9/19/2006 - ND1995 wrote: 91 Points
Good complexity, better than expected.
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8/18/2006 - 3ryon wrote: 88 Points
My wife gave this an 89, I voted 86. We compromised. I found it paletable but uninteresting.
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7/26/2006 - vy#10 wrote:
Very good Rhone-based wine. Less smoke and pepper than you might want, but very strong QPR
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7/26/2006 - East Dallas Wino wrote: 90 Points
Not as thick and heavy as you would expect from something that is predominately Syrah, but delightfully so. This is definately a well-rounded beauty. During the first 30 minutes I was slightly disappointed and felt something was missing from the mid-palate, but after it opened up it was in full force. When I have this again, I will make sure to open an hour before drinking. Better the first day than the second, a great quality.
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5/13/2006 - vy#10 wrote:
Drank after Fireside pies. Good try to emulate CdP, but without smoky nose. More sweet. Big wild monet painting-type wine. Like the QPR with big food flavors...
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5/8/2006 - OneLastSyrah wrote:
($25) Alluring aromas of tangy red fruit tinged with lime and some kind of herb. Touch metallic. Medium-full bodied. Reminds me of a freaky Northern Rhone-Chateauneuf du Pape blend. Tangy, peppery finish. A blend of 5 grape varieties from 8 vineyards. Good complexity.
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3/12/2006 - 47chinon wrote: 90 Points
Still a good wine. Needed opening up. May be on a down cycle at the moment.
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2/28/2006 - Baylorwine wrote: 88 Points
This wine seemed linear. It was smooth, but not the ripe fruit and alcohol I expect from Santa Ynez. I like the 2003 much better at this stage. I am excited to see it later because I think it has a few years ahead of it and will turn out great.
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1/27/2006 - 47chinon wrote: 94 Points
Great Wine
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1/25/2006 - annsalisbury wrote: 92 Points
Took this to dinner and paired with lamb. Very well balanced with smooth mouthfeel. Black cherries and hints of spice. 14.5% alcohol content meshed well with the rich sauces. Excellent experience.
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12/23/2005 - amoses wrote: 91 Points
Brief note: a balanced blend with lots of flavor; neither extracted nor tannic; definitely get another for a more detailed consideration.
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11/3/2005 - ruddy wrote: 91 Points
Terrific GSM-type blend. Great balance, totally drinkable right out of the bottle. Did not improve much the second day.
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