Gained some weight (the wine, not I) since I last tasted this last summer. The nose is more expressive and there is more complexity, with a bright lingering finish. This may still be getting better. Bumping up my score and lengthening my drinking window, if I can find more.
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This bottle was a bit flat and flaccid and missing the rhone herb and spice tones usually encountered. This is unusual for an Unti wine. I have one more bottle from the vintage so will see.
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Plummy hue, saturated to the edges. Muted but pleasant aroma of garrigue and berries. Medium concentration but a persistent finish of cranberry and pie crust. Very well balanced and drinking optimally now.
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Picked this one up at K&L and enjoyed it with homemade pizza. Popped and poured, super approachable GSM blend in the spirit of a fruit forward Côte du Rhône, that paired wonderfully with the tomato and mozzarella surfing a thin crust.
Another ideal mid-week sipper that is right at home paired with a wide array of dishes. Wouldn't hurt to let this one breath for a couple of hours prior to consuming, but not absolutely necessary. This particular bottling features Grenache as the primary varietal, and it shows, with a nice dollop of plum and currant. Definitely recommended!
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(13.9%) 67% Grenache, 26% Mourvedre, and 7% Syrah – Frere means “little brother” and this is meant to be a sibling offering to Unti’s Grenache blend. Cloudy in the glass, would guess unfiltered but no sediment at the end of the bottle, with a lifted red berry fruit (currant) on the nose. The palate is soft and approachable with lush fruit. Rich through the mid-palate you find some light tannins and just a touch of spice on the finish. If I were to be picky I’d ask for more acidity would dial up the spice. I find myself wanting to like this one more than I do. That said it does nothing to change my mind that Unti is one of the best wineries and best values going in California. Still a fair value at ~$19.
Wine Geek Notes: 470 cases produced, aged 13 months in neutral French oak
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Open this and pour some into a decanter so it can get some air in the bottle, too, then wait an hour. The grenache blooms and comes to the fore. Before that, it's just a little generic. Not a wine that will show well in a tasting if you pop and pour, but as it breathes, that meaty, funky, strawberry combo that good CdR has really shines.
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Clear, medium purple intensity, with thick legs. Clean, with a medium intensity. This wine is currently developing. Raspberries, red plums, red cherry, sweet baking spices, vanilla, and sweet tobacco. Dry, with med + acid and low tannins, medium + body and high alcohol. The flavor intensity is a medium +. The varietals are integrated extremely well. Raspberries, plum, red currants, toast and sweet cedar on the finish. Med- finish. Great wine. Drink now and has potential for aging.
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2/7/2014 - tenor12bucks Likes this wine: 92 Points
Gained some weight (the wine, not I) since I last tasted this last summer. The nose is more expressive and there is more complexity, with a bright lingering finish. This may still be getting better. Bumping up my score and lengthening my drinking window, if I can find more.
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1/19/2014 - gingerbreadman Likes this wine: 86 Points
86 is about right. '09 was not a great year for this wine. Pleasant enough but lacking real structure and depth.
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12/22/2013 - gingerbreadman wrote: 86 Points
This bottle was a bit flat and flaccid and missing the rhone herb and spice tones usually encountered. This is unusual for an Unti wine. I have one more bottle from the vintage so will see.
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7/2/2013 - tenor12bucks Likes this wine: 90 Points
Plummy hue, saturated to the edges. Muted but pleasant aroma of garrigue and berries. Medium concentration but a persistent finish of cranberry and pie crust. Very well balanced and drinking optimally now.
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3/7/2013 - chanote44 Likes this wine: 90 Points
This needs to decant 1/2 hour and then , Enjoy!
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12/11/2012 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
Way corked.
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6/28/2012 - smokeshowing Likes this wine: 88 Points
Picked this one up at K&L and enjoyed it with homemade pizza. Popped and poured, super approachable GSM blend in the spirit of a fruit forward Côte du Rhône, that paired wonderfully with the tomato and mozzarella surfing a thin crust.
Another ideal mid-week sipper that is right at home paired with a wide array of dishes. Wouldn't hurt to let this one breath for a couple of hours prior to consuming, but not absolutely necessary. This particular bottling features Grenache as the primary varietal, and it shows, with a nice dollop of plum and currant. Definitely recommended!
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1/22/2012 - daniel.jay wrote: 90 Points
Value winner in Rhone Blend blind tasting
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1/2/2012 - Jason Rzutkiewicz wrote: 88 Points
(13.9%) 67% Grenache, 26% Mourvedre, and 7% Syrah – Frere means “little brother” and this is meant to be a sibling offering to Unti’s Grenache blend. Cloudy in the glass, would guess unfiltered but no sediment at the end of the bottle, with a lifted red berry fruit (currant) on the nose. The palate is soft and approachable with lush fruit. Rich through the mid-palate you find some light tannins and just a touch of spice on the finish. If I were to be picky I’d ask for more acidity would dial up the spice. I find myself wanting to like this one more than I do. That said it does nothing to change my mind that Unti is one of the best wineries and best values going in California. Still a fair value at ~$19.
Wine Geek Notes: 470 cases produced, aged 13 months in neutral French oak
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11/25/2011 - Not647f wrote: 89 Points
Open this and pour some into a decanter so it can get some air in the bottle, too, then wait an hour. The grenache blooms and comes to the fore. Before that, it's just a little generic. Not a wine that will show well in a tasting if you pop and pour, but as it breathes, that meaty, funky, strawberry combo that good CdR has really shines.
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11/16/2011 - Morg wrote: 91 Points
Clear, medium purple intensity, with thick legs. Clean, with a medium intensity. This wine is currently developing. Raspberries, red plums, red cherry, sweet baking spices, vanilla, and sweet tobacco. Dry, with med + acid and low tannins, medium + body and high alcohol. The flavor intensity is a medium +. The varietals are integrated extremely well. Raspberries, plum, red currants, toast and sweet cedar on the finish. Med- finish. Great wine. Drink now and has potential for aging.
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