Day two- second half of the bottle after decanting and covering overnight. Zalto Burgundy glass.
Still composed with good tannic structure and decent acid. The 15% abv is well harnessed and non obtrusive. Smells of hedges and wild blackberries on a hot and dusty day. The juice is angular and edgy, with black and red fruits intermingling with dusty herbal notes and sharp cedar and spice. This is much more fun than I recall from years ago. As opposed to this wine being past its prime, it seems rather like it is still within an initial settling of primary notes. Not long in the tooth at all. For a wine that was presumptively built in for near term drinking in a new world fashion, it is better now than before. Drink now with aggressive decanting or hold for years yet.
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Like many Priorats, a seemingly crazy blend, here 30% Grenache, 25% Carignon, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Syrah, and 10% Merlot, that would be akin to pulling off your arms and legs in conflicting directions. Pitch black color. Intensely fruity, including raspberry, black cherry, blackberry, black currants, and even blueberry. At 11 years old, the acid and tannin have impressively rounded and integrated into a velvet glove. The 15% alcohol is untastable, with no fumes, burn, or blow torch heat. The finish is near endless. What a magnificent value at $20.
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This wine has productively spent its 10 years since being made by getting even better. Opaque colored, smoothly textured, well integrated fruit, acid, and tannin. Tasty popped and poured, stable for 5 days after being opened, enjoyable from first sniff to final swallow, and good by itself and with food.
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Decanted for one hour. Wine is not so concentrated as the 2007. Blueberries, Llicorella. Some burning hints at the end. Not the best vintage for this wine.
Update: after a decent decant the Priorat flavours became more pronounced. 90 pts
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As per other notes, lots of tar and black currants, big wine, stewed fruits and a bit pruney and hot streak on the finish. Nothing subtle but frankly for $18 that I paid I can't complain.
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Deep purple color. Beautiful nose of red and black fruits, minerality and hints of smoke, bacon and oak. Powerful tanins and acidity, lots of fruit (cherries, rum pot), slate. Medium+ finish. Still very young, has lots of years ahead.
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Nose of dense vanilla with plum, dark cherry, and hint of raisins. Palate similar with a dense layer of vanilla oak blanketing fairly ripe, dark fruit notes. Slightly soft on the acidity respective to the oak and fruit with barely perceptible tannins at this point.
In comparing to the 2011, this one felt much more oaked w/ heavy vanilla and less of the brighter fruit from the 2011. That said, this was riper and more concentrated, and probably more of a crowd-pleaser. The fruit did seem fatigued under the oak, so perhaps this was more in balance closer to release. This wine will probably burn out into pure secondary notes (tar, liquorice, etc) in a couple years.
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An exceptional bargain. The were loads of aromas and flavors; dark fruit, blueberry, tar, black pepper, plum. This also had prominent and beneficial acidity. A taste the following day after being stored under vacuum showed a loss in vibrancy.
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Bright purple in color, this wine, a blend of 30% garnacha, 25% carinyena, 20% cabernet sauvignon, 15% syrah and 10% merlot showed blue fruits of black raspberry, blueberry as well as tar and currant. The mouth feel was rich with firm tannins, dried flowers, tobacco, white pepper and espresso. The finish was firm and longer in length with added elements of baking chocolate.
Purchased for $12.50US, this wine was an outstanding qpr. Clearly made in the New World Style with bold flavors and heavy oak influence. PnP, it was at its best the first hour it was open, as the fruit faded quickly and secondary tar and mineral elements came to the forefront, taking away from the sexy elements of the initial aromas.
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Began on decant pour with a bouquet filled with mineral/rock odor followed by currant and cassis, very enticing. Tannic on first taste with a ton of structure and lot of bang on the very back of my palate, will add a note after a decent decant time has passed, is going to be interesting! After two hour decant the fruit aspect became very muted and was replaced by a tannic bite that was mentholated and leathery with a very muted hint of what it began with. My first experience with a straight up Priorat, not my cup of wine if this is what they lean towards in general. Could be possible this was compromised somehow........
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Huge aging potential. Very structured, big fruit, mineral and tannins. Balanced acid with great length. Oldschool farmer wine. I think this will drink well through 2035. Talk about a cheap cellar addition.
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Melted fruit and stone crushed wild flowers. Stone crushed fruit. Big tannins! Long slatey, graphite finish. Smouldering fruit, smoke, touch of tar. Its magma!.. Showing more and more fruit as it opens up. Melted fruit and graphite. Under $30!
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Well made wine, quite ripe dark red fruit which is very much upfront alongside tar and rubber notes finishing with some tannic grip. This improved with air with sweet ripe fruit notes taking center stage and some integrated oak replacing the tar notes. Tannins smoothed out. This is a huge wine, modern styled and i am hoping age gives this a bit more elegance. It is just full throttle. I am finding i like this style less and less. Will please many though.
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This has really a great qpr. It exhibits much more priorat smell and taste rather than grenache, with caramel, herbs, coke and some really nice dips blue and blackberries. Of course it lacks a bit the depth of the older vines siblings but is nevertheless very pleasant!
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Ripe, concentrated, red and blue fruits with a raisiny component. Vanilla and sweet mocha. Nice acidity considering the style, but overall lacking in structure. Drink up.
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A wonderful nose with beautiful fruit flavors. It is nicely balanced, good body, and a nice aftertaste. Definite BUY for me.
Tasted three wines together - repeated over three days, and the Embruix was the clear favorite. 2009 Creta Roble - Ribera del Duero http://www.cellartracker.com/new/wine.asp?iWine=1151888 2009 Bodega Renacer Enamore (Argentina) http://www.cellartracker.com/new/wine.asp?iWine=1177307
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Deep crimson in color that is translucent, with medium viscosity and day bright reflections. On the nose dark cherry, cassis, wild raspberry, mountain berries, plum, violets and vanilla bean aromas are framed by strong wood overtones and soft spice undertones. On the palate jammy with currant, brambly raspberry and blackberry, vanilla and muscular oak flavors that also show spices and sage nuances. Not as dense, complex or dark as the '07. Muscular drying tannins and medium acidity. The finish is long with plenty of wood flavors.
Make no mistake this wine is full bodied all the way!
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Deep ruby and translucent. Medium nose of cherries and vanilla. Very small green veggie element. Same flavors linger in sweet palate. Nice balance with tannins a bit strong. Medium to short finish. Could be very nice in a couple of years. No complexity/layers at the moment.
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I was extremely disappointed in this vintage -- I had ordered the 2006 Vall Llach Priorat Embruix from an online store, but the company I purchased from substituted the 2008 because the 2006 was out of stock.
I had had the 2006 vintage before in a restaurant and it was very good -- soft mouth feel with nice oak. Unfortunately, the 2008 I had was nothing like the 2006. In comparison, it tasted almost raw -- like it hadn't aged enough in the bottle. Another user's review of the 2008 had specifically mentioned its oakiness, which is the only reason I didn't send the 2008 back -- overt oak is specifically what I look for in the red wines that I drink. The 2008 softened marginally about 15 minutes after first pouring, but did not have any oak.
The 2008 was very subpar -- I will not be buying this vintage of Vall Llach Priorat Embruix again. The wine looks Crimson colored. The body is Medium.
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Nose: Heavy Oak, Plum, sweet red fruits but getting a lot of Oak. Young and lush, good mouthfeel still a lot of oak and sweet fruit, not a lot of tannins. No Heat medium finish. Nice bottle
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Beautiful, rather opaque cherry red color with youthful blue highlights in the rim. Almost massive nose with blackberries, earthiness, integrated oak aromatics and some toasty smoke. Very soft, smooth and complex on the palate with a lot of figs and ripe dark forest berries without any overt, overripe jamminess. Oak is very evident, yet it does not dominate, but brings more complex aromas of chocolate, smoke and vanilla to the mix. Mouthfeel is very full and tannins are abundant; however, the wine lacks a bit in the acid department. Juicy prunes, complex oak aromatics and astringent tannin bitterness in the finish, that appears slightly short and weak compared to the powerful midpalate.
Youthful, complex and robust modern Spanish powerhouse. I can imagine it can develop further during the next 5 years or so, but the wine is very enjoyable already now. Paired excellently with easter lamb meal. Good QPR at 28,80€.
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Game dinner with a very large group (@ TM): Enormously youthful and lush. Ripe black fruits, soft and creamy tannin and a lot of sweetness. Will improve and probably show more complexity with a few more years of ageing. Next try 2014.
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Bought a few bottles because the wine is nice and you can drink it over the next 5+ years or so. But the wine is so nice in fact, that all bottles are already empty. Have to buy again. The TN was the same as the first one. Beside the tempting fruit juice, there is some good complexity as well.
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Full bodied and young and primary, but so accessible. Ripe black forest fruits, some spices and silky soft tannin. Even though there is 15% alcohol, the bottle is empty before you know.
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4/8/2023 - Winedad53 wrote: 90 Points
Still inky black at 15 years, brimming with blackberry jam, licorice, smoke and chewy tannins. A monster that needs food alongside.
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2/20/2022 - PDX-S wrote:
Day two- second half of the bottle after decanting and covering overnight. Zalto Burgundy glass.
Still composed with good tannic structure and decent acid. The 15% abv is well harnessed and non obtrusive.
Smells of hedges and wild blackberries on a hot and dusty day.
The juice is angular and edgy, with black and red fruits intermingling with dusty herbal notes and sharp cedar and spice.
This is much more fun than I recall from years ago. As opposed to this wine being past its prime, it seems rather like it is still within an initial settling of primary notes. Not long in the tooth at all. For a wine that was presumptively built in for near term drinking in a new world fashion, it is better now than before.
Drink now with aggressive decanting or hold for years yet.
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12/22/2021 - markcic Likes this wine: 89 Points
We pnp'd at lunch. The nose was red fruit. The palate is dark cherry, red plums and a hint of raspberry leading to a finish of moderate length.
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5/7/2019 - Mossrose wrote: 94 Points
Like many Priorats, a seemingly crazy blend, here 30% Grenache, 25% Carignon, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Syrah, and 10% Merlot, that would be akin to pulling off your arms and legs in conflicting directions. Pitch black color. Intensely fruity, including raspberry, black cherry, blackberry, black currants, and even blueberry. At 11 years old, the acid and tannin have impressively rounded and integrated into a velvet glove. The 15% alcohol is untastable, with no fumes, burn, or blow torch heat. The finish is near endless. What a magnificent value at $20.
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12/22/2018 - NoTrollingerPlease wrote: 88 Points
X-Mas dinner (@Friends home): Solid Priorat at its peak. Though no hurry needed, has at least 5+ years ahead.
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12/9/2018 - Mossrose wrote: 92 Points
This wine has productively spent its 10 years since being made by getting even better. Opaque colored, smoothly textured, well integrated fruit, acid, and tannin. Tasty popped and poured, stable for 5 days after being opened, enjoyable from first sniff to final swallow, and good by itself and with food.
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12/23/2017 - NoTrollingerPlease wrote: 86 Points
Good, easy drinking Priorat at its peak. Nothing special though.
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6/5/2017 - WilD wrote: 90 Points
Drank out of the decanter. Blue/blackberries, Llicorella, secundair aromas. Still drinking well...
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11/2/2016 - WilD wrote: 89 Points
Decanted for one hour. Wine is not so concentrated as the 2007. Blueberries, Llicorella. Some burning hints at the end. Not the best vintage for this wine.
Update: after a decent decant the Priorat flavours became more pronounced. 90 pts
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5/9/2016 - Merengue wrote: 88 Points
As per other notes, lots of tar and black currants, big wine, stewed fruits and a bit pruney and hot streak on the finish. Nothing subtle but frankly for $18 that I paid I can't complain.
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12/12/2014 - NoTrollingerPlease Likes this wine: 91 Points
Deep purple red color, beautiful nose of dark cherries, slate, smoke and licorice. Powerful taste, dark fruits, minerality, long finish.
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11/6/2014 - NoTrollingerPlease Likes this wine: 89 Points
Deep purple color. Beautiful nose of red and black fruits, minerality and hints of smoke, bacon and oak.
Powerful tanins and acidity, lots of fruit (cherries, rum pot), slate. Medium+ finish.
Still very young, has lots of years ahead.
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11/3/2014 - budosyu wrote: 88 Points
Nose of dense vanilla with plum, dark cherry, and hint of raisins. Palate similar with a dense layer of vanilla oak blanketing fairly ripe, dark fruit notes. Slightly soft on the acidity respective to the oak and fruit with barely perceptible tannins at this point.
In comparing to the 2011, this one felt much more oaked w/ heavy vanilla and less of the brighter fruit from the 2011. That said, this was riper and more concentrated, and probably more of a crowd-pleaser. The fruit did seem fatigued under the oak, so perhaps this was more in balance closer to release. This wine will probably burn out into pure secondary notes (tar, liquorice, etc) in a couple years.
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6/13/2014 - Racer117 Likes this wine: 91 Points
An exceptional bargain. The were loads of aromas and flavors; dark fruit, blueberry, tar, black pepper, plum. This also had prominent and beneficial acidity. A taste the following day after being stored under vacuum showed a loss in vibrancy.
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4/2/2014 - cuffthis Likes this wine: 90 Points
Bright purple in color, this wine, a blend of 30% garnacha, 25% carinyena, 20% cabernet sauvignon, 15% syrah and 10% merlot showed blue fruits of black raspberry, blueberry as well as tar and currant. The mouth feel was rich with firm tannins, dried flowers, tobacco, white pepper and espresso. The finish was firm and longer in length with added elements of baking chocolate.
Purchased for $12.50US, this wine was an outstanding qpr. Clearly made in the New World Style with bold flavors and heavy oak influence. PnP, it was at its best the first hour it was open, as the fruit faded quickly and secondary tar and mineral elements came to the forefront, taking away from the sexy elements of the initial aromas.
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3/21/2014 - quaffnov Does not like this wine: 84 Points
Began on decant pour with a bouquet filled with mineral/rock odor followed by currant and cassis, very enticing. Tannic on first taste with a ton of structure and lot of bang on the very back of my palate, will add a note after a decent decant time has passed, is going to be interesting! After two hour decant the fruit aspect became very muted and was replaced by a tannic bite that was mentholated and leathery with a very muted hint of what it began with. My first experience with a straight up Priorat, not my cup of wine if this is what they lean towards in general. Could be possible this was compromised somehow........
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11/25/2013 - fdusonchet wrote: 96 Points
Velour tendre et profond joli fruit sur le cerise et épice race et gourmand
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11/11/2013 - Jedi Wine Likes this wine: 94 Points
Huge aging potential. Very structured, big fruit, mineral and tannins. Balanced acid with great length. Oldschool farmer wine. I think this will drink well through 2035. Talk about a cheap cellar addition.
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11/11/2013 - Jedi Wine Likes this wine: 92 Points
Melted fruit and stone crushed wild flowers. Stone crushed fruit. Big tannins! Long slatey, graphite finish. Smouldering fruit, smoke, touch of tar. Its magma!.. Showing more and more fruit as it opens up. Melted fruit and graphite. Under $30!
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10/26/2013 - Merengue wrote: 88 Points
Well made wine, quite ripe dark red fruit which is very much upfront alongside tar and rubber notes finishing with some tannic grip. This improved with air with sweet ripe fruit notes taking center stage and some integrated oak replacing the tar notes. Tannins smoothed out. This is a huge wine, modern styled and i am hoping age gives this a bit more elegance. It is just full throttle. I am finding i like this style less and less. Will please many though.
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4/8/2013 - yofog wrote: 87 Points
Porty but clean nose, high octane but appealing, very brash and fruit forward, but in the brawny sense more than the fruit-bomb sense.
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2/16/2013 - G_H Likes this wine: 88 Points
This has really a great qpr. It exhibits much more priorat smell and taste rather than grenache, with caramel, herbs, coke and some really nice dips blue and blackberries. Of course it lacks a bit the depth of the older vines siblings but is nevertheless very pleasant!
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12/1/2012 - cartime wrote: 89 Points
Ripe, concentrated, red and blue fruits with a raisiny component. Vanilla and sweet mocha. Nice acidity considering the style, but overall lacking in structure. Drink up.
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11/28/2012 - Chiantihound Likes this wine: 90 Points
As before but no green notes, Spice and Cherry. Good wine.
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10/25/2012 - rgrosz6 Likes this wine: 91 Points
A wonderful nose with beautiful fruit flavors. It is nicely balanced, good body, and a nice aftertaste. Definite BUY for me.
Tasted three wines together - repeated over three days, and the Embruix was the clear favorite.
2009 Creta Roble - Ribera del Duero
http://www.cellartracker.com/new/wine.asp?iWine=1151888
2009 Bodega Renacer Enamore (Argentina)
http://www.cellartracker.com/new/wine.asp?iWine=1177307
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9/23/2012 - bjamesclark wrote: 89 Points
Deep crimson in color that is translucent, with medium viscosity and day bright reflections.
On the nose dark cherry, cassis, wild raspberry, mountain berries, plum, violets and vanilla bean aromas are framed by strong wood overtones and soft spice undertones.
On the palate jammy with currant, brambly raspberry and blackberry, vanilla and muscular oak flavors that also show spices and sage nuances. Not as dense, complex or dark as the '07. Muscular drying tannins and medium acidity. The finish is long with plenty of wood flavors.
Make no mistake this wine is full bodied all the way!
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8/22/2012 - bubbachumps wrote: 90 Points
Nose of rich cherry/raspberry. Nice backbone of acidity. Put together very nicely.
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8/14/2012 - Chiantihound wrote: 89 Points
Deep ruby and translucent. Medium nose of cherries and vanilla. Very small green veggie element. Same flavors linger in sweet palate. Nice balance with tannins a bit strong. Medium to short finish. Could be very nice in a couple of years. No complexity/layers at the moment.
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7/5/2012 - ABWP Does not like this wine: 60 Points
I was extremely disappointed in this vintage -- I had ordered the 2006 Vall Llach Priorat Embruix from an online store, but the company I purchased from substituted the 2008 because the 2006 was out of stock.
I had had the 2006 vintage before in a restaurant and it was very good -- soft mouth feel with nice oak. Unfortunately, the 2008 I had was nothing like the 2006. In comparison, it tasted almost raw -- like it hadn't aged enough in the bottle. Another user's review of the 2008 had specifically mentioned its oakiness, which is the only reason I didn't send the 2008 back -- overt oak is specifically what I look for in the red wines that I drink. The 2008 softened marginally about 15 minutes after first pouring, but did not have any oak.
The 2008 was very subpar -- I will not be buying this vintage of Vall Llach Priorat Embruix again.
The wine looks Crimson colored. The body is Medium.
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5/17/2012 - Clrterhune wrote: 87 Points
Nose: Heavy Oak, Plum, sweet red fruits but getting a lot of Oak. Young and lush, good mouthfeel still a lot of oak and sweet fruit, not a lot of tannins. No Heat medium finish. Nice bottle
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4/13/2012 - forceberry wrote: 92 Points
Beautiful, rather opaque cherry red color with youthful blue highlights in the rim. Almost massive nose with blackberries, earthiness, integrated oak aromatics and some toasty smoke. Very soft, smooth and complex on the palate with a lot of figs and ripe dark forest berries without any overt, overripe jamminess. Oak is very evident, yet it does not dominate, but brings more complex aromas of chocolate, smoke and vanilla to the mix. Mouthfeel is very full and tannins are abundant; however, the wine lacks a bit in the acid department. Juicy prunes, complex oak aromatics and astringent tannin bitterness in the finish, that appears slightly short and weak compared to the powerful midpalate.
Youthful, complex and robust modern Spanish powerhouse. I can imagine it can develop further during the next 5 years or so, but the wine is very enjoyable already now. Paired excellently with easter lamb meal. Good QPR at 28,80€.
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4/3/2012 - Sirmika wrote: 88 Points
Wine followed after a Rioja and brunello.
In this row the wine was much to young. Tasted very Sweet, like Marmelade.
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11/25/2011 - Zweder wrote: 90 Points
Game dinner with a very large group (@ TM): Enormously youthful and lush. Ripe black fruits, soft and creamy tannin and a lot of sweetness. Will improve and probably show more complexity with a few more years of ageing. Next try 2014.
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8/26/2011 - Zweder wrote: 90 Points
Bought a few bottles because the wine is nice and you can drink it over the next 5+ years or so. But the wine is so nice in fact, that all bottles are already empty. Have to buy again. The TN was the same as the first one. Beside the tempting fruit juice, there is some good complexity as well.
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6/21/2011 - Zweder wrote: flawed
Weekly tasting group #000 Startup meeting; A mixed set of red wines. (By me @ IL): Extremely corked
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6/3/2011 - Zweder Likes this wine: 89 Points
Full bodied and young and primary, but so accessible. Ripe black forest fruits, some spices and silky soft tannin. Even though there is 15% alcohol, the bottle is empty before you know.
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