Wow - what an excellent bottle of wine. We did not try it in its youth, but this was still vibrant and very full. Not over the hill, but finish might be slightly thinner than it would have been. Still a great blend of fruit with tertiary flavors. Great with a grilled fillet and mushrooms - really helped express the deeper flavors.
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Not as concentrated or powerful as the last bottle, but still interesting. Dark fruits with spice and pepper medium body. On this bottle, have to disagree with RP
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Still a fantastic wine. Dark fruit up front and maddive sage and cedar on the back. Finishes for minutes. Went perfectly with a thick mediumrare porterhouse steak
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Luis goes to Cahill Bistro: BELLISSIMO's bottle, and I agree with him that I didn't know or notice the 16% alcohol. To me a WA100 score is the kiss of death, but this bottle was pretty stellar. Maybe if'd KNOWN it was WA100 I'd feel differently? :) This was savory and earthy, with so much complexity. It had a Spanish profile, a bit big and rugged, even though the fruit was polished.
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Another Great Luis Tasting! (Cahill Bistro): Very nice wine. Opened at table, and received about 60 minutes of Slo-O. Wine showed flavors of red and dark cherries, prunes and some Kirsch, along with some earth, some leather and some tar and anise, with hints of orange peel, vanilla and baking spice. Very nice Grenache...I will need to look for some recent releases of this....seems very reasonably priced on release. Not the 100 Parker gave it, but still a very nice wine in a good place with fruit and tertiary flavors fairly balanced 93 to 93+ for me.
Notes sound like it is better young.....I will seek one out to taste young, but I like it the way it is now, so I should look to get a few bottles and experiment!
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Brought to a dinner. Opened at table, got around to this after sitting open for 60 minutes or so. Note from memory.
Nice and rich mouthfeel. Blackberry, kirsch, sage, anise, pepper--yup there is a lot going on. Good acids up front; full long concentrated (but not extracted) presence throughout; medium weight integrated tannins bring up the rear. No sense of the potent alcohol percentage.
I hate points but was glad to share this fine bottle with friends and enjoyed this much more than an '07 Beaucastel served along side it.
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I have been lucky to drink this wine since 2011. In 2015 to 2017 I rated this wine 99. It was nearly flawless. It is nearly flawless now, but older and past its prime. What's that mean when you start near perfect? It means the tahitian vanilla creme brulee stuffed with ripe fruits has evolved into a structured red with a fabulous port nose and dried fruit of prunes, black figs, amarena cherries, apricots, with hints of menthol or eucalyptus. Did I like it better when sipping alone in its youth? Yup. Do I really enjoy it now with food? Yup!! Fatty meats set it perfectly. But it went nicely with ratatouille as well
Hadn’t had one of these in more than 8 years, and time was very kind to this bottle. Plenty of structure & balance for what was a burly monster in its youth. Some recent TN’s complained there were minimal tannins, but we didn’t have that problem. They’re nicely polished now, but definitely present. Really great secondary notes of old leather & charred earth are becoming primary, then on the finish there is a great pop of dark cherries. We are fans of complexity and this has plenty right now.
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Initially a mess - jammy/alcohol. First time trying this wine. Wasn’t sure flawed so Corvin-ed a 2010. Similar flavors in the 10but better integrated. Kind of forgot about th 09 and left open on the counter for 24 hours. Usually I’m not a fan of that much air. But turned this wine into a far more enjoyable experience.
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Very much in a perfect place to drink. Aromas of red pepper, sage and crushed leaves emerge from the glass. Smooth on the palate with delicate core of soft tannins. Delicious.
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Incredibly rich and spiced. The age on this has fully integrated the oak and ripe fruits to the point of total balance. Finish is long and lush with warm red and black berries.
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Opened and aired for 2 hours, nice nose and deep purple color. Integrated but wine continued to develop in the glass over the two more hours we consumed. Earthy with deep fruit gave way to spice and berries that were like a Zin without the bramble. Very interesting , outstanding to drink. A wine to drink or hold
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I would put this right up there with SQN, Booker, Saxum and Torrin for its purity of expression of Grenache. It is aging extraordinarily well. Overwhelmingly silky on the palate. Only the slightest hint of black pepper. Tannins all integrated. Brilliant.
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Previously Coravined long ago so that may have affected this bottle but it was a hot mess. Glad I sold my last bottle. Fig and stewed fruit. Alcoholic mess.
(Tasted blind) Garnet, more youthful, red fruit, fresh and modern. Med body and acid, med high alcohol, med tannin, fleshy fruit and good length. Moderate/warm climate? Some bottle age. Suspected Spanish as well.
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Dark dense purple. Big nose of spice, black fruit, coffee, and vanilla nose. Big, lush, rich, oaky, blueberry, blackberries and moderate tannins. Huge! Monster. Finishes with vanilla and cream soda.
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Drank over several days. Decanted through an Ullo filter. Rinsed bottle of sediment with distilled water and returned wine to bottle. 2 glasses on first night. Rich purple color. Nose of black pepper, stone, licorice and mint. Excellent and consistent flavor of cherry licorice, soil and minerals on palate with 30 second finish. Vacu sealed in fridge and drank over 10 days. Each taste was complex and delicious.
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Une petite merveille ! Quelle joie d'avoir eu la patience de l'attendre. Plus besoin de carafer, bien qu'il paraisse encore meilleur le lendemain. Main de fer dans un gant de velours. Que dire de plus? Du bonheur en bouteille.
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Appearance: Bright and clear, the wine is of deep ruby colour, with fading rims and legs. Nose: Clean, with pronounced intensity aromas of black fruit of cassis, bilberry and blackberry, dried fruit of prune, kernel notes of milk chocolate, pungent spice of black pepper, oak notes of vanilla, maturity notes of savory. The wine is developing. Palate: Dry with medium acidity, the wine has medium tannin of ripe and velvety texture, high alcohol though not having any warming sensation, full body and pronounced intensity flavors of black fruit of cassis and blackberry, dried fruit of prune, oak notes of vanilla, maturity notes of savory. The wine has a medium (+) finish. Conclusion: Very good quality Garnacha with highly intense nose showing great complexity, the wine is well-balanced, with high alcohol but not feeling any bit of warming on the palate due to the concentrated ripe fruit characters, with robust structure and good concentration in flavors, it has a fairly long finish. Ready to drink now though and can maintain for another 5-7 years.
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This is the wine that started it all for me, the wine that drove me to become an aficionado. I had a bottle in Chandler AZ while at a Nike golf camp with my daugheter. This wine is always wonderful. It's my go to Spanish wine whenever I prepare a Spanish dish at home. I buy it if I see it on the wine list of a restaurant, and I try to buy out the store each year the shipment arrives.
Very modern, stylish wine. Deep and dark color. Modern parfum, a mixture of wood and dark, ripe fruits. Soft and polished tannin, the high alcohol is well integrated. Full bodied, with elegant fruit and many different aromas from the wood, milk chocolate, fruits of the forest, a little bit of vanilla. Overall very drinkable, deep, complex and with a nice soft touch and a superb balance for such a rich wine.
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Day 1: Popped and poured two glasses. It is deep, deep purple in color all the way to the edge with no diminishing of the inkiness at all. Nose of liquer, stone, cassis and fine soft leather. Huge mouthful of cassis, black pepper and turned earth. As good if not better than the other bottles I have had. Fruit is still up front; this has years of drinking left.
Day 3: Vacuum sealed and put back into the wine room and reopened for a small glass this afternoon with some chorizo and cheese. It mellowed a great deal and the pepper flavor gave way to vanilla, maple and caramel on the palate and a richer more succulent taste. Had to exercise restraint; want to drink it all now! Upping score to 95. If you decant through an aerator and let it sit an hour you will be richly rewarded!
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Spice and red fruit aromas. Raspberry and chocolate-covered cherry notes. Good fruit, medium tannins. Red berry and chocolate flavors. Long finish. Cab-like in many ways, but definitely not a Cab...no guess.
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Pretty good. Pretty large and rich, though still somewhat light on its feet. My main issue with it is it is pretty monolithic, at least in terms of nose and palate. Not sure if it is just a phase, but pretty much just big blue/black fruit and vanilla oak. Enjoyable to drink, just not deeply contemplative.
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drank over a day. It was very powerful at first then balanced out. Eventually faded. I liked it best early. I think it could improve. Good but not great at the moment.
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Has mellowed significantly since a previous bottle a year ago. Still very rich. Now that the tannins have subsided, however, the alcohol is much more noticeable, bordering on obtrusive. Nevertheless, it's still enjoyable, and it's still an attention-grabber.
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I really wanted to love this - and I do like it - but at the end it is simply too alcoholic and too extracted to be enjoyable with food or in any substantial amounts. Decanted - as it had a fair amount of sediment. Deep ruby, with just a hint of garnet. Glass-staining extraction and very thick legs. The nose is clean, pronounced, with waves of ripe to overripe sweet red fruit, vanilla and sweet baking spices. The nose is still quite primary. The palate appears to have a touch of sugar and is all jammy cherry cobbler, with medium to medium (-) acidity, medium to medium (+) tannins and high alcohol. This is a full-bodied, intensely-flavored wine with a long finish. Having been carefully stored in a temperature controlled cellar at all times, it is still quite youthful and has many years of development left.
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Nose still wonderful and vibrant. While technically not old, right now the fruit was taking a backseat to the other components of the wine. A more mellower feel. I still have some so I will update my notes after tasting again this evening.
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On Pegasus - Fruity and floral on the nose with a rich purple color, it coats the glass with glycerin. This was not as much a shot to the head as earlier bottles and there was little backdrop of tackiness. It is smooth and beguiling and charming.
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Opulent and purple with a flowery & fruity nose. Very fruit forward. No sense of tackiness or backwardness. An easy slurper without being juicy. Not as overpowering as past bottle, but still very good. 92 - 93
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Opulent, dark, rich, smooth and wonderful. Decanted for 1 hour and had at La Vara restaurant in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn. Beautifully crafted 100% grenache, immediately impressive and improved in the glass. While certainly a big, Parker-style wine, it went very well with the food, and took center stage and was luxuriously uplifting.
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Bob Parker was right on this one, amazing wine that has everything!! Concentration, balance, an amazing lenght, and still a very attractive flavour of mokka at the entry. I just love it!!
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Incredible nose here. I swear this is strawberry shortcake in a glass. Beautiful soft oak and vanilla just jumping out of the glass. Altogether it makes shortcake...amazing. Nice silky mouth feel due to refined tannins, with toasted almonds, strawberries, and stewed pomegranate if that's even possible. Several of us have said it really starts to shine after an hour...can't imagine it getting better but I will see. Love this stuff.
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Served pnp and re-tasted over 2 days. This is the last of the 7 bottles I bought in 2013 after RP gave it a 100 in a vertical of these wines.
Dark purple in color, this 100% garnacha wine revealed red currant, blackberry, raspberry and vanilla on the nose, followed by more dark fruits and minerality and meatiness in the mouth feel. Despite the 16% alcohol, it did not come across as hot and the tannins were well integrated. The finish was long and complex.
At $41US/btl, this was an outstanding bottle of wine with awesome QPR. Each pour got better and more complex. Cudos to Chris Ringland. This is a home run.
A Jorge Ordonez Selection. Imported by The Country Vintner, Ashland, VA.
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Monumental and in line with SQN grenache. It fills the mouth and loosens the tongue. Crazy bargain and each bottle I have had was better than the last. Lots of fruit and spice and a heady aroma of freshly mowed fields. Love it. THREE DAYS LATER: I am raising this score to 96. I cannot believe how much better it is a couple of days later. It is rich and deep and complex. It feels like it seeps into the body like a magical elixir. If I close my eyes I would think it was an SQN Grenache.
Never disappoints. Dark, rich, extracted. Medium to full body, with a terrific finish. Still plenty of tannins - it's only gonna improve with more time in the bottle. Not for the faint of heart.
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This was crazy good, much better than the last time. It explodes out of the glass with loads of pepper, dry soil, tarragon and desert air. The palate is big, broad and deep with lots of cassis and berry. It is a mouthful. I am liking this more and more.
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Dense deep purple, full body, fruit filled aroma with some nail polish remover. Full on palate with extracted black cherry and raspberry, cedar, and that nail polish remover faintly in the background. Med-full tannins, good acidity and a full, long finish. This is a teeth stainer. Very new world.
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Deep purple. Wonderful nose that kept evolving... cherry, vanilla, a bit herbal. There was so much fruit to balance the 16% abv. Full bodied and spicy not hot in the mouth. Nice peppery(again spicy not alcohol heat) on the long finish. Can't wait to see how this will keep developing. DELISH!
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Bu en même temps que le 2010 (plus bonbon et guidoune que celui-ci) et le Veraton. Bouche hyper dense et gros fruit noir concentré, un peu de sucre et de chauffe mais tout de même bien fait dans le style, un verre suffit. Pour presque la moitié du prix, j'aime autant le Veraton. Ce genre de vin, quoique le premier verre est charmeur, est lassant à la longue.
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purple, full body, medium aromas of sweet black cherry, flavors of same with a little oak and earth, modest finish, 2-3 hour decant... second day... more open 94
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2009 Beringer Private Reserve Chardonnay – 92 2001 Chateau St. Jean Cinq Cepages – 94 2007 Ramey Cabernet Larkmead Vineyard – 93 2009 Alto Moncayo Garnacha – 94 - 95 2006 Produttori del Barbaresco, Lot 10.155 – 91
We drank these wines with friends over a simple dinner of smoked salmon and crackers followed by grilled burgers, tuna steaks, roasted potatoes and steamed kale. All were popped and poured. Most of us drank at least a little of each.
The 2009 Alto Moncayo was my favorite. With this, my third bottle of the stuff, I am beginning to see where Parker gave it a 100. I think he was looking to the future. I am raising my score to 94/95 as it has a wonderful core of vanilla, butter, and hints of oak wrapped with the delicate Grenache flavors of spice, black pepper and thyme. It flows over the tongue and opens up over 45 seconds or so. Everyone that tasted it had to stop for a minute and say “Oh!” It was easily the most discussed wine of the night, though the Cabernets won the hearts of most people.
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Second bottle - I liked it even more this time. Opened and let breathe for about 30 minutes without a decant. There is a lot of dark cherry and vanilla and it is a great cool/cold weather wine. The finish is quite long and there is a real hint of the underlying vine. Lots of earth without funk. I really like this second bottle very much.
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A Labor of Love (and wine and beer) (Our home): This is the one that got 100 points from Parker. I have liked this wine for a long time, but I never got that close. The nose has sweet cherry fruit. On the palate, there is a nice cherry jam quality. There is a lot of oak here and I find it distracting. There is a ton of fruit, so perhaps it integrates at some point. Heat on the finish. While perhaps not a 100 pointer for me, it still is an excellent wine and quite enjoyable.
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Robe pourpre d une bonne intensité. Nez séduisant de fruits des champs, compote et chêne doux. Le tout continue en bouche sur une matière profonde. Long en bouche.
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Waited two years to open this, because as my previous note found this to be a hot mess. This wine has matured into a gorgeous full bodied beauty. Perfectly integrated. Enormous bouquet. Long finish. Well done.
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This was drank at a local restaurant after decanting for 45 minutes. The wine was clear and a deep purple in colour. Lots of candied cherries on the nose. In the glass was a wine that wasn't quite "there" yet. Lots of cherries mixed with some honey flavours. The acidity level was nice but the tannins appeared to be quite overly strong and couple that with a noticeable alcohol aftertaste made for a wine that wasn't great tonight. Perhaps it had some bottle shock or needed more decanting time. Only the next bottle may tell but either way I was disappointed and expected more from a wine that Robert Parker rated 100.
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This is my first bottle ever from this producer. We drank over 4 days. At first, very disappointed given RP's 100pt review. I did not rank it higher than a much less expensive Pesquie or anything near the ethereal Grenache of SQN or Booker. In any event, it has all the Grenache markers of dusted chocolate, herbs des provence and a nose of the the desert with hints of dark dried cherries and raisins.
By the fourth day, though, "Holy heck!" This was good. I am not sensing a 100pt. wine here, but this is amazing. Better than some of the best Grenache I have ever had, though not SQN level. It is probably better than Booker and goes great with grilled steaks, lamb, etc. Highly recommended.
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Decanted 5+ hours as recommended by Mr. Ringland and enjoyed over the following 2 hours. A fabulous nose of strawberry, raspberry, Dulce de leche and licorice which followed through on the full-bodied palate. A fun wine to drink as we enjoyed it with BBQ’d burgers.
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Had a bottle this week and was rather disappointed; decent nose, but not nearly as good as the previous bottle. And it came across as high alcohol and dry medicinal on the pallet (it actually is very high in alcohol, but didn't come across that way before.) Even got some kerosene! Still not a bad friday night quiff with Pizza, but not nearly as good as I remembered from a year ago. Hopefully it was just this bottle, or this occasion.
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a surprisingly well-integrated wine that "snuck up" on me, evolving over three hours from an 88 to a 96 as the rubber wore off its tires and a balanced complexity with a lingering finish took over its tread life. Could evolve into a steady 95 or 96 on my taste bud scale.
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Vin gorgé de fruit, joufflu et fort gouteu...pointe d'alcool en finale! BEau nez sur la confiture de bleuet et les herbes. En bouche, acidité assez basses, bleuets et cassis avec un peu de poivre et d'herbes. Tannins soyeux et assez long.
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Funny how "100" points makes everyone so chipper in their reviews! And so amazingly descriptive. 100 points it's not, excellent it is. But not anymore as prices have been jacked up access the street. I was a fortunate soul to find it at $35. Yes it required a nice long decant, yes it evolves but unless you have truly tasted a 100 point wine, this one it is not.
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A pretty strange decision for Robert Parker to rate this 100 points. Always a go to mid $30 range Grenache for me. The 2009 packs a scorching 16% alcohol and a concentrated body of dried cherry, black licorice, chocolate covered berries, vanilla, and tobacco. Big flavors typical of a Chris Ringland wine but far to bitter sweet and alcoholic to be a perfect.
http://maxsatisfactionwine.com/post/71792223837
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Darker ruby color. Amazing nose of red cherries, dark berries, vanilla, coconut, tobacco and some mineral notes. On the palate there are notes of mainly red fruit again, but also some blackberries, vanilla, some smoke, cigar tobacco and some almost sweet notes of fruit compote but without any heat. With some air, some menthol and licorice notes emerge too. Full-bodied and very dense without being heavy, with medium-high tannin (perfectly ripe) and medium acidity. Very long and silky finish. Super expressive and ripe wine but with incredible balance and freshness despite the very high alcohol. RP rates it 100, which is a little bit of a stretch in my honest opinion. But it is a breath-taking wine and an excellent value. 95+
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Popped and poured. This was bottle #4 of 7 I purchased.
Dark purple in color, this 100% garnacha wine revealed red currant, blackberry, raspberry and vanilla on the nose, followed by more dark fruits and minerality and meatiness in the mouth feel. Despite the 16% alcohol, it did not come across as hot and the tannins were well integrated. The finish was long and complex.
At $41US/btl, this was an outstanding bottle of wine with awesome QPR. Each pour got better and more complex. Cudos to Chris Ringland. This is a home run.
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Would not guess this is 100% grenache. Dark, brooding version of the grape. A silky beast, however it's surprisingly not an elephant in a china shop. A lot of the wines from Aragon are overdone for me, but this is outstanding. 16% ABV
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Decanted at noon for my GF and my Christmas dinner at 5pm.
When I first opened the wine at noon, I gave it a quick taste to make sure all was ok. It reminded me of the two other bottles I've had over the last several months after RP's 100 point rating came out. I assumed all was well and my GF and I would have a special treat for our Christmas dinner.
After the 5 hour decant, we poured the wine, enjoyed our meal, company and conversation. Over the course of the hour the wine was open and we were enjoying our meal, each additional pour of the wine brought each of us wondering what was going on. By (small) pour 3, each of us realized the wine was slightly corked. Subtle at first, it became more and more pronounced as we worked our way through the bottle. We ended up dumping the last glass and a half of the bottle.
Thankfully, I sill have 4 more bottles of this excellent offering to enjoy on future days.
Merveilleux, aneth ou estragon??? Complexe, la barrique oui, mais concentré et équilibré. La fraise, la crème... un des vins les plus impressionnants pour le prix!
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Opened for approx. an hour before first pour and taste; dark purple color, opaque; very aromatic nose upon the initial pour; deep, spice, dark cherry, smoke, cocoa, even with a high ABV, no alcohol on the nose; palate was incredibly smooth given the age and high ABV, rich, dark red fruit, toasted oak, spice, rich and yet, so easy to drink; balanced tannins and acids. Day 2 was similar, but slightly mellowed and even a smoother drinker.
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Popped and poured. This bottle was different from the one I drank on 11/14/13 after a 7 hour double decant.
Dark purple in color, this 100% garnacha wine revealed blackberry, iron and smoke on the nose, followed by more dark fruits and bacon fat, iron and meatiness in the mouth feel. The 16% alcohol was prevalent and it came across as hot and the tannins were tough and astringent. The finish was medium. The last glass, 45 minutes from when the bottle was opened, was the most expressive and enjoyable.
My recommendation is to decant this wine for 5+ hours before drinking. The reward is well worth the wait.
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Purchased at 12 noon, in the decanter at 1pm, drank at 8pm after a 7 hour double decant.
Dark purple in color, this 100% garnacha wine revealed red currant, blackberry, raspberry and vanilla on the nose, followed by more dark fruits and minerality and meatiness in the mouth feel. Despite the 16% alcohol, it did not come across as hot and the tannins were well integrated. The finish was long and complex. At $41US/btl, this was an outstanding bottle of wine with awesome QPR.
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At 16% alcohol I was afraid the flavors were going to be raisiny or pruney. But they weren't. In fact, the aromas and flavors were rather high toned. Taut like a drum, dancing above what I sense they'll become with some air or some time. So intense, so compelling. Baked cranberries. Hints of bright fruit, followed up immediately by deep dark rich fruit. Distant fireplace on a cool autumn evening - smoke. Really unique and compelling. I'll follow up with more impressions tomorrow. This feels young.
On the second night (amazingly there *was* some left in the bottle - gotta be careful with these high octane wines) the wine is much more subdued and smooth. This makes me think letting this wine breathe is a good call. And worthy of laying some down a couple years if you can resist cracking them open. Good luck with that! Read more...
Very good from the pour but it evolves nicely in the decanter. One of the best wines that I have found to pair with dark chocolate. velvety tannins, sweet nose in a relatively dry red. My type of wine.
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A delicious concentrated fruit forward wine with nice structure to match. Drinks great now, but should continue to improve. The fruit is really tasty without being cloying.
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Somehow this Spanish offering (100% grenache with 16% alcohol) is able to pull a Houdini act, leaving the taster scratching his or her head in amazement. Specifically, this opaque crimson wine is able to strut beautiful bramble fruit, mineral, licorice, and dried cranberry aromas, without even the slightest whiff of alcoholic heat. This is also true for the round and ripe flavors, which are framed with generous sweet tannins. The middle palate is solid and the supple finish is lengthy. Extremely balanced (despite the high alcohol), this is a wine which should continue to provide enjoyment over the next 5-7 years. Drink now-2020.
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It starts off strong with a full even palate and nice nose and then wanders into a great micro sipper. Nice coating palate effect with a complex nose that will eventually evolve into some wintergreen notes if you have patience. This wine will get even better in the cellar. Add another point after a few hours in a decanter.
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Had half a glass and found it almost undrinkable. Put the cork back in and waited until the next day. Heavy nose of cassis and spice. Licorice and tar are added upon tasting. A decent amount of acidity keeps this from being glop, but this still a very rich wine, not for everyone.
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Thanks to all who recommended decanting and time to breath. I gave this 6 hours after aeration & decant. Really nice wine. Reminds me of new world Syrah but clearly granacha. A bit too much oak for my taste. Dark fruit flavors and smooth tannins. Despite being a "big" wine there is balance here. The QPR stumps me a bit...at $35 I'm not sure I'm ready to buy more. If this was under $20, I would buy a lot more.
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The notes about decanting are spot on. This got better and better with more time out. I sampled right after popping and up to about three hours later along. More will be enjoyed on the 2nd night. But, its already clear that this benefited from the decanting time. I would place it at a 91 without decanting and a 93 (as scored) with decanting.
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Much better than 18 months ago. Has more going on - a deeper palete than the big fruit bomb it was. Still modern in style (truth in labeling I guess) it develops more than before, with a longer profile. Looking forward to seeing how it combines.
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Consumed at The Wine Barn in Orlando. Purchased as it was International Grenache Day. Big and bold on a PNP, nose of ripe fruit and chocolate. Blackberries, cherries, cocoa, herbs and oak on the palate. Great potential, especially at $40. If scoring 92-94.
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Hot nose,even after four hour decant. Red fruit. Cherry, Pom, black raspberry. Structurally, this is messy. The fruit, heat, acid are all over the place. The fruit is candy like. The finish is very dry and hot. Underperforming for the price.
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Big nose here, crushed ripe berries, milk chocolate, damp earth and leather. Great nose. Ripe palate, delicious fruit, cocoa, loads of herbs, rosemary, basil reside in the finish. A lot of alcohol rising through the finish, it does hollow out a bit but the finish persists with the herbs and chocolate. Long finish. Quite enjoyable, and this is opening up as I am drinking more of it. Maybe my palate is just getting adjusted to the drank, who knows. This stuff is some serious PURPLE DRANK.
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Warning, this is not a pop and pour wine. If you do not have plenty of time…hours, 4-6 or more, wait until you do. Seems to be the case with most Spanish wines.
On opening this wine is harsh, tannic, oaky and a harsh bite on the finish. The next morning after pumping and re-closing, we tried it again. Still not even close to ready when comparing it to some of the soft, supple Paso Robles grenaches I have been enjoying recently.
OK 3 hours later I can start to tell it is a grenache, though still not inviting to the palate. The finish is still rough, too young and too tannic. There is dark cherry, dark raspberry and plenty of minerality. To its credit the high alcohol does not intrude. Overall a decent wine for money, not a great one.
Promise of better things to come with years not months of bottle aging. Bought 8, have 7 more to watch. Worth a try if you like big dark grenache.
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excellent right out of the bottle, but did take about 2-3 hours to fully open up. big roasted coffee notes, along with gooey black cherry and blackberry, toasty oak, and hot stone. tight and minerally in the mouth, but still very flavorful. a long, unfolding finish that tells me this still needs time in the bottle, but will be very special in 2-3 years. if scoring where it is now, 90-92. but it will probably improve a few more points as the years progress.
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Damn - this is beautiful wine. Everything I love about Spanish wine and Garnacha in particular. A full mouthful of spicy fruit flavor with an incredible finish. This is my first bottle of the Moncayo. I also bought two of the Aquilon which I am saving. Definitely buying more of the Moncayo. Yum!
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Wow, this is bombastic and possibly the best Alto Moncayo I have had to date. Bringing complex layers of densely packed blackberry, blueberry, toasted coconut, milk chocolate, spices and lavender. This is so mouth-watering and plush with round polished tannins. A pleasure to drink and just so delicious from start to finish. Year to year this is a highlight in Spain for me. Fantastic!
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Decanted for two hours, twice. Almost black in colour with a maroon rim. Blackberry, black pepper, vanilla bean, violets and reticent red fruit. Tons of licorice on the back palate; a lot of polished tannins, with a round palate on the front. Layered - and in a way that whispers. The nose is hard rock and the palate is jazz. Never a bad vintage and honestly, more enticing than what Ringland does in Australia. This is the best since '04, (which is drinking rather well). Drink 2013 - 2022
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as expected, opaque purplish black in the glass. classic moncayo aromas of coconut, hot stones, ripe cherries, and some alcohol. but in the mouth and the finish this really showed its youth. it is all over the place, with alcohol galore, brutish tannins and flabby fruit. these had better get better with another 6 mos to a year or i'll kick myself for buying so many. if scoring, 84-86.
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More of everything that the Veraton has. Most of all, it's better integrated. Blueberry cobbler, coconut and bittersweet chocolate, but the acid level prevents everything from becoming jammy. 92-93
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Day 1: Beautiful nose of blueberry, vanilla, and sweet cheese. Best nose on a wine in some time. Nose carries over into the wine flavor, although not as intense, initially. After two hours in the glass this wine has really opened open, and the rich opulent fruit is showing better. At first, this wine was very interesting in that it was both sweet and savory. It had a slight green/veggie hint, but not in a bad way, which was surprising, given the vitals on this wine (Garnacha, 16% alc, reputation). Then, over a few hours that dissolved and made way for very rich fruit. The nose is wonderful, the mid-palate is smooth and slightly tannic, but the finish is where this wine shines, with undulating layers of sweet fruit and finesse, that coats your mouth and rings for 30 seconds +.
Day 2: More of the same, just a little more smooth. This is a big wine, but there is a level of finesse, which I would expect for a wine at this price point. Worth the money, but not more. K loved this wine, especially the second day.
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Ce vin est de nouveau hors normes dans ce millésime. Une puissance rarement égalée, beaucoup de bois à digérer encore, le vin est très costaud et astringent, mais d'une texture crémeuse qui me rend fou, beaucoup de fruits noirs, notes vanillées également et finale correcte. Plus puissant que les derniers millésimes à mon avis. J'adore la Grenache! 92-93.
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A MUST decant wine that also gets much better the next day (at this stage). J'ai apporté cette bouteille à un souper de Noël. Je l'ai ouvert un jour avant pour la carafer. À l'ouverture, c'était très fermé, peu expressif. Même après 1 heure en carafe, ça ne s'ouvrait pas tellement. Je l'ai remis en bouteille, et le lendemain (24 heures plus tard) c'était devenu une vraie bombe!! Quand même très boisé, beaucoup de fruits et de beaux tannins, mais quel vin. Seul petit bémol, le vin tire 16% d'alcool et ça ne passe pas inaperçu. Peut-être que ça va devenir moins présent avec les années.
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2/2/2024 - azwino Likes this wine:
Wow - what an excellent bottle of wine. We did not try it in its youth, but this was still vibrant and very full. Not over the hill, but finish might be slightly thinner than it would have been. Still a great blend of fruit with tertiary flavors. Great with a grilled fillet and mushrooms - really helped express the deeper flavors.
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8/17/2023 - jfkwines wrote: 90 Points
Very tasty, nothing that outrageous and the previous bottle was better. I can only recommend to drink and not hold.
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8/12/2023 - RAB007 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Not as concentrated or powerful as the last bottle, but still interesting. Dark fruits with spice and pepper medium body. On this bottle, have to disagree with RP
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6/3/2023 - MarkRichards Likes this wine: 94 Points
Still a fantastic wine.
Dark fruit up front and maddive sage and cedar on the back. Finishes for minutes. Went perfectly with a thick mediumrare porterhouse steak
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5/6/2023 - galewskj wrote: 93 Points
Luis goes to Cahill Bistro: BELLISSIMO's bottle, and I agree with him that I didn't know or notice the 16% alcohol. To me a WA100 score is the kiss of death, but this bottle was pretty stellar. Maybe if'd KNOWN it was WA100 I'd feel differently? :) This was savory and earthy, with so much complexity. It had a Spanish profile, a bit big and rugged, even though the fruit was polished.
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5/4/2023 - I'd Rather Be Drinking Wine Likes this wine: 93 Points
Another Great Luis Tasting! (Cahill Bistro): Very nice wine. Opened at table, and received about 60 minutes of Slo-O. Wine showed flavors of red and dark cherries, prunes and some Kirsch, along with some earth, some leather and some tar and anise, with hints of orange peel, vanilla and baking spice. Very nice Grenache...I will need to look for some recent releases of this....seems very reasonably priced on release. Not the 100 Parker gave it, but still a very nice wine in a good place with fruit and tertiary flavors fairly balanced 93 to 93+ for me.
Notes sound like it is better young.....I will seek one out to taste young, but I like it the way it is now, so I should look to get a few bottles and experiment!
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5/4/2023 - Bellissimo wrote:
Brought to a dinner. Opened at table, got around to this after sitting open for 60 minutes or so. Note from memory.
Nice and rich mouthfeel. Blackberry, kirsch, sage, anise, pepper--yup there is a lot going on. Good acids up front; full long concentrated (but not extracted) presence throughout; medium weight integrated tannins bring up the rear. No sense of the potent alcohol percentage.
I hate points but was glad to share this fine bottle with friends and enjoyed this much more than an '07 Beaucastel served along side it.
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3/24/2023 - MMiazga Likes this wine: 97 Points
Properly cellared. Perfection,at peak. Enjoy.
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1/27/2023 - MarkRichards Likes this wine: 94 Points
I have been lucky to drink this wine since 2011. In 2015 to 2017 I rated this wine 99. It was nearly flawless. It is nearly flawless now, but older and past its prime. What's that mean when you start near perfect? It means the tahitian vanilla creme brulee stuffed with ripe fruits has evolved into a structured red with a fabulous port nose and dried fruit of prunes, black figs, amarena cherries, apricots, with hints of menthol or eucalyptus. Did I like it better when sipping alone in its youth? Yup. Do I really enjoy it now with food? Yup!!
Fatty meats set it perfectly. But it went nicely with ratatouille as well
The last 6 bottles will be drunk soon...
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6/21/2022 - millerarner wrote: 95 Points
Hadn’t had one of these in more than 8 years, and time was very kind to this bottle. Plenty of structure & balance for what was a burly monster in its youth. Some recent TN’s complained there were minimal tannins, but we didn’t have that problem. They’re nicely polished now, but definitely present. Really great secondary notes of old leather & charred earth are becoming primary, then on the finish there is a great pop of dark cherries. We are fans of complexity and this has plenty right now.
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10/7/2021 - EdKz@comcast.net Likes this wine: 93 Points
See prior notes; has aged well; opened up over 2 hours; low acid and tannins; drink sooner rather than later
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6/13/2021 - Sookin1 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Excellent with Indian lamb curry. Powerful and full of red fruits flavours
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5/24/2021 - Brian Love wrote:
Initially a mess - jammy/alcohol. First time trying this wine. Wasn’t sure flawed so Corvin-ed a 2010. Similar flavors in the 10but better integrated. Kind of forgot about th 09 and left open on the counter for 24 hours. Usually I’m not a fan of that much air. But turned this wine into a far more enjoyable experience.
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12/4/2020 - SMagowan Likes this wine: 95 Points
Very much in a perfect place to drink. Aromas of red pepper, sage and crushed leaves emerge from the glass. Smooth on the palate with delicate core of soft tannins. Delicious.
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8/16/2020 - markd.shipley Likes this wine: 95 Points
Incredibly rich and spiced. The age on this has fully integrated the oak and ripe fruits to the point of total balance. Finish is long and lush with warm red and black berries.
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6/21/2020 - maderay Likes this wine: 90 Points
Chocolate, think
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6/8/2020 - jfkwines wrote: 93 Points
Opened and aired for 2 hours, nice nose and deep purple color. Integrated but wine continued to develop in the glass over the two more hours we consumed. Earthy with deep fruit gave way to spice and berries that were like a Zin without the bramble. Very interesting , outstanding to drink. A wine to drink or hold
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3/13/2020 - SMagowan Likes this wine: 95 Points
I would put this right up there with SQN, Booker, Saxum and Torrin for its purity of expression of Grenache. It is aging extraordinarily well. Overwhelmingly silky on the palate. Only the slightest hint of black pepper. Tannins all integrated. Brilliant.
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2/23/2020 - BerkeleyBoy Likes this wine: 91 Points
Better on the second day. Jammy on the first.
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2/6/2020 - andrewdodd86 wrote:
Previously Coravined long ago so that may have affected this bottle but it was a hot mess. Glad I sold my last bottle. Fig and stewed fruit. Alcoholic mess.
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12/15/2019 - sethboy23 wrote: 95 Points
Wowzers. Amazing how Parker can nail it this far out. 10 years and its pumpin. I think this has 10 years easy. Said with confidence
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8/30/2019 - pvmaanen Likes this wine:
This wine after 1/2 hour of air becomes exquisite. Still have more years to hold. Excellent
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8/18/2019 - Burgundy Al wrote: 90 Points
Some Wine Tasted Watching the Chicago Air & Water Show (Chicago, IL): Small glass, brief note. Ultra modern to an extreme degree, but there is very good weight and length, plus enough balanced structure to easily keep this bright enough.
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8/8/2019 - andrewdodd86 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Coravin #2 - Potentially slightly oxidized? Still heavy handed and prune/figgy. Parker 100 points? You’d have to be high IMHO.
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7/22/2019 - andrewdodd86 Likes this wine: 94 Points
(Tasted blind) Garnet, more youthful, red fruit, fresh and modern. Med body and acid, med high alcohol, med tannin, fleshy fruit and good length. Moderate/warm climate? Some bottle age. Suspected Spanish as well.
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7/19/2019 - rustyRudy Likes this wine: 96 Points
Dark dense purple. Big nose of spice, black fruit, coffee, and vanilla nose. Big, lush, rich, oaky, blueberry, blackberries and moderate tannins. Huge! Monster. Finishes with vanilla and cream soda.
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4/9/2019 - SMagowan Likes this wine: 94 Points
Drank over several days. Decanted through an Ullo filter. Rinsed bottle of sediment with distilled water and returned wine to bottle. 2 glasses on first night. Rich purple color. Nose of black pepper, stone, licorice and mint. Excellent and consistent flavor of cherry licorice, soil and minerals on palate with 30 second finish. Vacu sealed in fridge and drank over 10 days. Each taste was complex and delicious.
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1/14/2019 - martcouz wrote: 98 Points
Une petite merveille ! Quelle joie d'avoir eu la patience de l'attendre. Plus besoin de carafer, bien qu'il paraisse encore meilleur le lendemain. Main de fer dans un gant de velours. Que dire de plus? Du bonheur en bouteille.
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11/12/2018 - Valbonne Likes this wine: 99 Points
Still needs a long decant - second day was amazing.
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9/18/2018 - peterchoy wrote: 94 Points
Appearance: Bright and clear, the wine is of deep ruby colour, with fading rims and legs.
Nose: Clean, with pronounced intensity aromas of black fruit of cassis, bilberry and blackberry, dried fruit of prune, kernel notes of milk chocolate, pungent spice of black pepper, oak notes of vanilla, maturity notes of savory. The wine is developing.
Palate: Dry with medium acidity, the wine has medium tannin of ripe and velvety texture, high alcohol though not having any warming sensation, full body and pronounced intensity flavors of black fruit of cassis and blackberry, dried fruit of prune, oak notes of vanilla, maturity notes of savory. The wine has a medium (+) finish.
Conclusion: Very good quality Garnacha with highly intense nose showing great complexity, the wine is well-balanced, with high alcohol but not feeling any bit of warming on the palate due to the concentrated ripe fruit characters, with robust structure and good concentration in flavors, it has a fairly long finish. Ready to drink now though and can maintain for another 5-7 years.
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1/9/2018 - Isalasdad Likes this wine: 93 Points
This is the wine that started it all for me, the wine that drove me to become an aficionado. I had a bottle in Chandler AZ while at a Nike golf camp with my daugheter. This wine is always wonderful. It's my go to Spanish wine whenever I prepare a Spanish dish at home. I buy it if I see it on the wine list of a restaurant, and I try to buy out the store each year the shipment arrives.
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1/5/2017 - MQuentel@web.de Likes this wine: 95 Points
Very modern, stylish wine. Deep and dark color. Modern parfum, a mixture of wood and dark, ripe fruits. Soft and polished tannin, the high alcohol is well integrated. Full bodied, with elegant fruit and many different aromas from the wood, milk chocolate, fruits of the forest, a little bit of vanilla. Overall very drinkable, deep, complex and with a nice soft touch and a superb balance for such a rich wine.
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12/8/2016 - SMagowan Likes this wine: 95 Points
Day 1: Popped and poured two glasses. It is deep, deep purple in color all the way to the edge with no diminishing of the inkiness at all. Nose of liquer, stone, cassis and fine soft leather. Huge mouthful of cassis, black pepper and turned earth. As good if not better than the other bottles I have had. Fruit is still up front; this has years of drinking left.
Day 3: Vacuum sealed and put back into the wine room and reopened for a small glass this afternoon with some chorizo and cheese. It mellowed a great deal and the pepper flavor gave way to vanilla, maple and caramel on the palate and a richer more succulent taste. Had to exercise restraint; want to drink it all now! Upping score to 95. If you decant through an aerator and let it sit an hour you will be richly rewarded!
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11/26/2016 - AllRed wrote:
Spice and red fruit aromas. Raspberry and chocolate-covered cherry notes. Good fruit, medium tannins. Red berry and chocolate flavors. Long finish. Cab-like in many ways, but definitely not a Cab...no guess.
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11/16/2016 - cadamson Likes this wine: 90 Points
Pretty good. Pretty large and rich, though still somewhat light on its feet. My main issue with it is it is pretty monolithic, at least in terms of nose and palate. Not sure if it is just a phase, but pretty much just big blue/black fruit and vanilla oak. Enjoyable to drink, just not deeply contemplative.
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11/6/2016 - gjv115 Likes this wine: 93 Points
drank over a day. It was very powerful at first then balanced out. Eventually faded. I liked it best early. I think it could improve. Good but not great at the moment.
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10/1/2016 - Night Train Likes this wine: 90 Points
Has mellowed significantly since a previous bottle a year ago. Still very rich. Now that the tannins have subsided, however, the alcohol is much more noticeable, bordering on obtrusive. Nevertheless, it's still enjoyable, and it's still an attention-grabber.
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9/12/2016 - mhewitt wrote: 85 Points
Overripe, overoaked. Otherwise, perfect...
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9/4/2016 - TannicBeast Likes this wine: 91 Points
I really wanted to love this - and I do like it - but at the end it is simply too alcoholic and too extracted to be enjoyable with food or in any substantial amounts. Decanted - as it had a fair amount of sediment. Deep ruby, with just a hint of garnet. Glass-staining extraction and very thick legs. The nose is clean, pronounced, with waves of ripe to overripe sweet red fruit, vanilla and sweet baking spices. The nose is still quite primary. The palate appears to have a touch of sugar and is all jammy cherry cobbler, with medium to medium (-) acidity, medium to medium (+) tannins and high alcohol. This is a full-bodied, intensely-flavored wine with a long finish. Having been carefully stored in a temperature controlled cellar at all times, it is still quite youthful and has many years of development left.
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7/25/2016 - Hi.its.Don.4.Wine wrote: 92 Points
Nose still wonderful and vibrant. While technically not old, right now the fruit was taking a backseat to the other components of the wine. A more mellower feel. I still have some so I will update my notes after tasting again this evening.
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6/28/2016 - cubswinws Does not like this wine:
Not a pleasant wine. Nose of oak and taste of formadehyde. Very similar to prior bottle.
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6/25/2016 - SMagowan Likes this wine: 93 Points
On Pegasus - Fruity and floral on the nose with a rich purple color, it coats the glass with glycerin. This was not as much a shot to the head as earlier bottles and there was little backdrop of tackiness. It is smooth and beguiling and charming.
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6/24/2016 - SMagowan Likes this wine: 92 Points
Opulent and purple with a flowery & fruity nose. Very fruit forward. No sense of tackiness or backwardness. An easy slurper without being juicy. Not as overpowering as past bottle, but still very good. 92 - 93
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6/5/2016 - R Z Likes this wine: 96 Points
Opulent, dark, rich, smooth and wonderful. Decanted for 1 hour and had at La Vara restaurant in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn. Beautifully crafted 100% grenache, immediately impressive and improved in the glass. While certainly a big, Parker-style wine, it went very well with the food, and took center stage and was luxuriously uplifting.
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5/29/2016 - Philippe_C wrote: 99 Points
Bob Parker was right on this one, amazing wine that has everything!! Concentration, balance, an amazing lenght, and still a very attractive flavour of mokka at the entry. I just love it!!
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5/27/2016 - Tannic Monster Likes this wine: 93 Points
Incredible nose here. I swear this is strawberry shortcake in a glass. Beautiful soft oak and vanilla just jumping out of the glass. Altogether it makes shortcake...amazing. Nice silky mouth feel due to refined tannins, with toasted almonds, strawberries, and stewed pomegranate if that's even possible. Several of us have said it really starts to shine after an hour...can't imagine it getting better but I will see. Love this stuff.
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4/10/2016 - pvmaanen Likes this wine:
Love this wine. It opens so much after an hour.
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3/15/2016 - cuffthis Likes this wine: 94 Points
Served pnp and re-tasted over 2 days. This is the last of the 7 bottles I bought in 2013 after RP gave it a 100 in a vertical of these wines.
Dark purple in color, this 100% garnacha wine revealed red currant, blackberry, raspberry and vanilla on the nose, followed by more dark fruits and minerality and meatiness in the mouth feel. Despite the 16% alcohol, it did not come across as hot and the tannins were well integrated. The finish was long and complex.
At $41US/btl, this was an outstanding bottle of wine with awesome QPR. Each pour got better and more complex. Cudos to Chris Ringland. This is a home run.
A Jorge Ordonez Selection. Imported by The Country Vintner, Ashland, VA.
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12/24/2015 - dwine60 wrote: 93 Points
Decanted for an hour. Simply Terrific. Wish we had a another bottle.
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12/20/2015 - cmueller Likes this wine: 92 Points
Slightly better than the last bottle. Double decanted and let sit for 4 hours. Will try another bottle in a year.
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10/25/2015 - brianngibson wrote: 95 Points
Delicioso
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10/23/2015 - SMagowan Likes this wine: 96 Points
Monumental and in line with SQN grenache. It fills the mouth and loosens the tongue. Crazy bargain and each bottle I have had was better than the last. Lots of fruit and spice and a heady aroma of freshly mowed fields. Love it. THREE DAYS LATER: I am raising this score to 96. I cannot believe how much better it is a couple of days later. It is rich and deep and complex. It feels like it seeps into the body like a magical elixir. If I close my eyes I would think it was an SQN Grenache.
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10/12/2015 - Night Train Likes this wine: 92 Points
Never disappoints. Dark, rich, extracted. Medium to full body, with a terrific finish. Still plenty of tannins - it's only gonna improve with more time in the bottle. Not for the faint of heart.
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8/30/2015 - martcouz wrote: 92 Points
Délicieux. Préférable de carafer.
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8/23/2015 - worldtraveler1987 wrote:
Outstanding, consumed at work with colleagues
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8/7/2015 - pkatz Likes this wine: 92 Points
Big delicious fruit, but not at its peak.
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8/2/2015 - RussK wrote: 91 Points
Russk. Wiz Spanish tasting at Adena at Gulfstream. Beat by others. This one seemed a bit to hot. 91 -
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7/13/2015 - SMagowan Likes this wine: 95 Points
This was crazy good, much better than the last time. It explodes out of the glass with loads of pepper, dry soil, tarragon and desert air. The palate is big, broad and deep with lots of cassis and berry. It is a mouthful. I am liking this more and more.
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7/4/2015 - kcsteve wrote: 91 Points
Dense deep purple, full body, fruit filled aroma with some nail polish remover. Full on palate with extracted black cherry and raspberry, cedar, and that nail polish remover faintly in the background. Med-full tannins, good acidity and a full, long finish. This is a teeth stainer. Very new world.
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6/3/2015 - NuTricks wrote: 98 Points
Deep purple. Wonderful nose that kept evolving... cherry, vanilla, a bit herbal. There was so much fruit to balance the 16% abv. Full bodied and spicy not hot in the mouth. Nice peppery(again spicy not alcohol heat) on the long finish. Can't wait to see how this will keep developing. DELISH!
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4/26/2015 - JumpAroundOnGrapes Likes this wine: 93 Points
Very good. Darker than I expected (purple). Alc 16% but so balanced it went unnoticed.
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2/13/2015 - maxima wrote: 89 Points
Bu en même temps que le 2010 (plus bonbon et guidoune que celui-ci) et le Veraton.
Bouche hyper dense et gros fruit noir concentré, un peu de sucre et de chauffe mais tout de même bien fait dans le style, un verre suffit.
Pour presque la moitié du prix, j'aime autant le Veraton. Ce genre de vin, quoique le premier verre est charmeur, est lassant à la longue.
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1/1/2015 - EdKz@comcast.net Likes this wine: 93 Points
purple, full body, medium aromas of sweet black cherry, flavors of same with a little oak and earth, modest finish, 2-3 hour decant... second day... more open 94
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12/29/2014 - SMagowan Likes this wine: 94 Points
Drank as part of this group:
2009 Beringer Private Reserve Chardonnay – 92
2001 Chateau St. Jean Cinq Cepages – 94
2007 Ramey Cabernet Larkmead Vineyard – 93
2009 Alto Moncayo Garnacha – 94 - 95
2006 Produttori del Barbaresco, Lot 10.155 – 91
We drank these wines with friends over a simple dinner of smoked salmon and crackers followed by grilled burgers, tuna steaks, roasted potatoes and steamed kale. All were popped and poured. Most of us drank at least a little of each.
The 2009 Alto Moncayo was my favorite. With this, my third bottle of the stuff, I am beginning to see where Parker gave it a 100. I think he was looking to the future. I am raising my score to 94/95 as it has a wonderful core of vanilla, butter, and hints of oak wrapped with the delicate Grenache flavors of spice, black pepper and thyme. It flows over the tongue and opens up over 45 seconds or so. Everyone that tasted it had to stop for a minute and say “Oh!” It was easily the most discussed wine of the night, though the Cabernets won the hearts of most people.
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12/21/2014 - wineretriever wrote: 90 Points
Great after an hour; popped at the end of the evening and was closed at first. This is a wine that must be decanted for at least 30 minutes.
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12/9/2014 - wineretriever wrote: 91 Points
Great as always but could have used a 30-45 minute decant.
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10/11/2014 - SMagowan Likes this wine: 94 Points
Second bottle - I liked it even more this time. Opened and let breathe for about 30 minutes without a decant. There is a lot of dark cherry and vanilla and it is a great cool/cold weather wine. The finish is quite long and there is a real hint of the underlying vine. Lots of earth without funk. I really like this second bottle very much.
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9/1/2014 - Loren Sonkin wrote: 91 Points
A Labor of Love (and wine and beer) (Our home): This is the one that got 100 points from Parker. I have liked this wine for a long time, but I never got that close. The nose has sweet cherry fruit. On the palate, there is a nice cherry jam quality. There is a lot of oak here and I find it distracting. There is a ton of fruit, so perhaps it integrates at some point. Heat on the finish. While perhaps not a 100 pointer for me, it still is an excellent wine and quite enjoyable.
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7/29/2014 - FMRsommelier wrote: 94 Points
Robe pourpre d une bonne intensité. Nez séduisant de fruits des champs, compote et chêne doux. Le tout continue en bouche sur une matière profonde. Long en bouche.
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7/12/2014 - Sauvyfan wrote: 93 Points
Waited two years to open this, because as my previous note found this to be a hot mess. This wine has matured into a gorgeous full bodied beauty. Perfectly integrated. Enormous bouquet. Long finish. Well done.
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6/27/2014 - Rosengoo wrote: 89 Points
This was drank at a local restaurant after decanting for 45 minutes. The wine was clear and a deep purple in colour. Lots of candied cherries on the nose. In the glass was a wine that wasn't quite "there" yet. Lots of cherries mixed with some honey flavours. The acidity level was nice but the tannins appeared to be quite overly strong and couple that with a noticeable alcohol aftertaste made for a wine that wasn't great tonight. Perhaps it had some bottle shock or needed more decanting time. Only the next bottle may tell but either way I was disappointed and expected more from a wine that Robert Parker rated 100.
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6/7/2014 - dr_burry wrote: 99 Points
Dark, almost opaque. Hint of vanilla shrouded in dark berries. A pure pleasure.
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6/2/2014 - pipegarcia Likes this wine: 90 Points
Probably is just to young wine to be drank now.
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5/25/2014 - pvmaanen Likes this wine:
Always excellent. One of my favorite wines.
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5/25/2014 - SMagowan Likes this wine: 94 Points
This is my first bottle ever from this producer. We drank over 4 days. At first, very disappointed given RP's 100pt review. I did not rank it higher than a much less expensive Pesquie or anything near the ethereal Grenache of SQN or Booker. In any event, it has all the Grenache markers of dusted chocolate, herbs des provence and a nose of the the desert with hints of dark dried cherries and raisins.
By the fourth day, though, "Holy heck!" This was good. I am not sensing a 100pt. wine here, but this is amazing. Better than some of the best Grenache I have ever had, though not SQN level. It is probably better than Booker and goes great with grilled steaks, lamb, etc. Highly recommended.
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5/24/2014 - GTFreek wrote:
Just had a taste, but wow impressive stuff. Power, depth, playful fruit notes. It had been open for several hours.
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5/4/2014 - Janstan Likes this wine: 92 Points
Consistent with last bottle
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4/7/2014 - CRAUBER4242 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Decanted 5+ hours as recommended by Mr. Ringland and enjoyed over the following 2 hours. A fabulous nose of strawberry, raspberry, Dulce de leche and licorice which followed through on the full-bodied palate. A fun wine to drink as we enjoyed it with BBQ’d burgers.
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2/20/2014 - Hermosabritdad wrote: 86 Points
Had a bottle this week and was rather disappointed; decent nose, but not nearly as good as the previous bottle. And it came across as high alcohol and dry medicinal on the pallet (it actually is very high in alcohol, but didn't come across that way before.) Even got some kerosene! Still not a bad friday night quiff with Pizza, but not nearly as good as I remembered from a year ago. Hopefully it was just this bottle, or this occasion.
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2/20/2014 - EdKz@comcast.net Likes this wine: 94 Points
a surprisingly well-integrated wine that "snuck up" on me, evolving over three hours from an 88 to a 96 as the rubber wore off its tires and a balanced complexity with a lingering finish took over its tread life. Could evolve into a steady 95 or 96 on my taste bud scale.
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1/13/2014 - cmueller Likes this wine: 93 Points
Very good after a 6 hour decant
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1/10/2014 - maxima wrote: 89 Points
Vin gorgé de fruit, joufflu et fort gouteu...pointe d'alcool en finale!
BEau nez sur la confiture de bleuet et les herbes.
En bouche, acidité assez basses, bleuets et cassis avec un peu de poivre et d'herbes.
Tannins soyeux et assez long.
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1/4/2014 - gullsnest wrote: 93 Points
Funny how "100" points makes everyone so chipper in their reviews! And so amazingly descriptive. 100 points it's not, excellent it is. But not anymore as prices have been jacked up access the street. I was a fortunate soul to find it at $35. Yes it required a nice long decant, yes it evolves but unless you have truly tasted a 100 point wine, this one it is not.
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12/31/2013 - MAXIMUM SATISFACTION wrote: 93 Points
A pretty strange decision for Robert Parker to rate this 100 points. Always a go to mid $30 range Grenache for me. The 2009 packs a scorching 16% alcohol and a concentrated body of dried cherry, black licorice, chocolate covered berries, vanilla, and tobacco. Big flavors typical of a Chris Ringland wine but far to bitter sweet and alcoholic to be a perfect.
http://maxsatisfactionwine.com/post/71792223837
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12/30/2013 - NostraBacchus Likes this wine: 95 Points
Darker ruby color. Amazing nose of red cherries, dark berries, vanilla, coconut, tobacco and some mineral notes. On the palate there are notes of mainly red fruit again, but also some blackberries, vanilla, some smoke, cigar tobacco and some almost sweet notes of fruit compote but without any heat. With some air, some menthol and licorice notes emerge too. Full-bodied and very dense without being heavy, with medium-high tannin (perfectly ripe) and medium acidity. Very long and silky finish. Super expressive and ripe wine but with incredible balance and freshness despite the very high alcohol. RP rates it 100, which is a little bit of a stretch in my honest opinion. But it is a breath-taking wine and an excellent value. 95+
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12/29/2013 - cuffthis Likes this wine: 94 Points
Popped and poured. This was bottle #4 of 7 I purchased.
Dark purple in color, this 100% garnacha wine revealed red currant, blackberry, raspberry and vanilla on the nose, followed by more dark fruits and minerality and meatiness in the mouth feel. Despite the 16% alcohol, it did not come across as hot and the tannins were well integrated. The finish was long and complex.
At $41US/btl, this was an outstanding bottle of wine with awesome QPR. Each pour got better and more complex. Cudos to Chris Ringland. This is a home run.
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12/28/2013 - jtinto Likes this wine: 92 Points
Would not guess this is 100% grenache. Dark, brooding version of the grape. A silky beast, however it's surprisingly not an elephant in a china shop. A lot of the wines from Aragon are overdone for me, but this is outstanding. 16% ABV
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12/25/2013 - cuffthis wrote: flawed
Decanted at noon for my GF and my Christmas dinner at 5pm.
When I first opened the wine at noon, I gave it a quick taste to make sure all was ok. It reminded me of the two other bottles I've had over the last several months after RP's 100 point rating came out. I assumed all was well and my GF and I would have a special treat for our Christmas dinner.
After the 5 hour decant, we poured the wine, enjoyed our meal, company and conversation. Over the course of the hour the wine was open and we were enjoying our meal, each additional pour of the wine brought each of us wondering what was going on. By (small) pour 3, each of us realized the wine was slightly corked. Subtle at first, it became more and more pronounced as we worked our way through the bottle. We ended up dumping the last glass and a half of the bottle.
Thankfully, I sill have 4 more bottles of this excellent offering to enjoy on future days.
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12/20/2013 - Fantasio wrote: 93 Points
Merveilleux, aneth ou estragon??? Complexe, la barrique oui, mais concentré et équilibré. La fraise, la crème... un des vins les plus impressionnants pour le prix!
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12/8/2013 - rsed Likes this wine: 92 Points
full,fruity, powerful, very good ,exceptional, a symphony in my mouth, not too dry but more fruity but not sweet wow
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12/8/2013 - Gbeechum wrote: 88 Points
Red fruit, light tannins, medium body
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11/28/2013 - tcufletch wrote: 93 Points
Opened for approx. an hour before first pour and taste; dark purple color, opaque; very aromatic nose upon the initial pour; deep, spice, dark cherry, smoke, cocoa, even with a high ABV, no alcohol on the nose; palate was incredibly smooth given the age and high ABV, rich, dark red fruit, toasted oak, spice, rich and yet, so easy to drink; balanced tannins and acids. Day 2 was similar, but slightly mellowed and even a smoother drinker.
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11/25/2013 - cuffthis Likes this wine: 90 Points
Popped and poured. This bottle was different from the one I drank on 11/14/13 after a 7 hour double decant.
Dark purple in color, this 100% garnacha wine revealed blackberry, iron and smoke on the nose, followed by more dark fruits and bacon fat, iron and meatiness in the mouth feel. The 16% alcohol was prevalent and it came across as hot and the tannins were tough and astringent. The finish was medium. The last glass, 45 minutes from when the bottle was opened, was the most expressive and enjoyable.
My recommendation is to decant this wine for 5+ hours before drinking. The reward is well worth the wait.
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11/14/2013 - cuffthis Likes this wine: 94 Points
Purchased at 12 noon, in the decanter at 1pm, drank at 8pm after a 7 hour double decant.
Dark purple in color, this 100% garnacha wine revealed red currant, blackberry, raspberry and vanilla on the nose, followed by more dark fruits and minerality and meatiness in the mouth feel. Despite the 16% alcohol, it did not come across as hot and the tannins were well integrated. The finish was long and complex. At $41US/btl, this was an outstanding bottle of wine with awesome QPR.
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11/10/2013 - millerarner Likes this wine:
Each new bottle keeps getting better. Very expressive nose.
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10/21/2013 - pkatz Likes this wine: 90 Points
This bottle showed much more tannic than previous bottles. Good underlying fruit, but either have this with steak or plan to lay down a few years.
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10/14/2013 - RobertDwyer Likes this wine: 93 Points
At 16% alcohol I was afraid the flavors were going to be raisiny or pruney. But they weren't. In fact, the aromas and flavors were rather high toned. Taut like a drum, dancing above what I sense they'll become with some air or some time. So intense, so compelling. Baked cranberries. Hints of bright fruit, followed up immediately by deep dark rich fruit. Distant fireplace on a cool autumn evening - smoke. Really unique and compelling. I'll follow up with more impressions tomorrow. This feels young.
On the second night (amazingly there *was* some left in the bottle - gotta be careful with these high octane wines) the wine is much more subdued and smooth. This makes me think letting this wine breathe is a good call. And worthy of laying some down a couple years if you can resist cracking them open. Good luck with that! Read more...
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10/13/2013 - Janstan Likes this wine: 91 Points
Had with Asian marinated brisquet and potato salad with dill. Black raspberry, baking spice.
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10/4/2013 - ksde wrote: 93 Points
Very good from the pour but it evolves nicely in the decanter. One of the best wines that I have found to pair with dark chocolate. velvety tannins, sweet nose in a relatively dry red. My type of wine.
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8/17/2013 - Fantasio wrote: 94 Points
WoW!!! Épicé, structuré, long, concentré. En un mot, délicieux.
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8/5/2013 - pkatz Likes this wine: 94 Points
A delicious concentrated fruit forward wine with nice structure to match. Drinks great now, but should continue to improve. The fruit is really tasty without being cloying.
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7/27/2013 - La Cave d'Argent Likes this wine: 92 Points
Somehow this Spanish offering (100% grenache with 16% alcohol) is able to pull a Houdini act, leaving the taster scratching his or her head in amazement. Specifically, this opaque crimson wine is able to strut beautiful bramble fruit, mineral, licorice, and dried cranberry aromas, without even the slightest whiff of alcoholic heat. This is also true for the round and ripe flavors, which are framed with generous sweet tannins. The middle palate is solid and the supple finish is lengthy. Extremely balanced (despite the high alcohol), this is a wine which should continue to provide enjoyment over the next 5-7 years. Drink now-2020.
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7/24/2013 - ksde wrote: 93 Points
It starts off strong with a full even palate and nice nose and then wanders into a great micro sipper. Nice coating palate effect with a complex nose that will eventually evolve into some wintergreen notes if you have patience. This wine will get even better in the cellar. Add another point after a few hours in a decanter.
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6/28/2013 - danielbleier Likes this wine: 92 Points
Had half a glass and found it almost undrinkable. Put the cork back in and waited until the next day. Heavy nose of cassis and spice. Licorice and tar are added upon tasting. A decent amount of acidity keeps this from being glop, but this still a very rich wine, not for everyone.
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6/14/2013 - rhpolk Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drinks well above it's price point.
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4/28/2013 - andrewdodd86 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Pretty good, would buy again. Fruit tastic. Parker 100 pointer? Never in a million years IMO.
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4/28/2013 - rhpolk Likes this wine: 93 Points
This wine is still drinking the same as it was in January. No change. Nice smooth tannins with mocha flavors. My favorite non-Napa wine.
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4/27/2013 - RobbieC wrote: 91 Points
Thanks to all who recommended decanting and time to breath. I gave this 6 hours after aeration & decant. Really nice wine. Reminds me of new world Syrah but clearly granacha. A bit too much oak for my taste. Dark fruit flavors and smooth tannins. Despite being a "big" wine there is balance here. The QPR stumps me a bit...at $35 I'm not sure I'm ready to buy more. If this was under $20, I would buy a lot more.
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4/16/2013 - BSchrag wrote: 90 Points
Exceptional bottle, fun variety of tastes. Well worth the price tag and extremely fun to drink
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3/2/2013 - tb_baltimore Likes this wine: 93 Points
The notes about decanting are spot on. This got better and better with more time out. I sampled right after popping and up to about three hours later along. More will be enjoyed on the 2nd night. But, its already clear that this benefited from the decanting time. I would place it at a 91 without decanting and a 93 (as scored) with decanting.
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2/14/2013 - jmetvoice wrote:
Decanted for 6 hours. Supple and smooth, with a nice smoky streak throughout.
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2/9/2013 - Hermosabritdad Likes this wine: 90 Points
Much better than 18 months ago. Has more going on - a deeper palete than the big fruit bomb it was. Still modern in style (truth in labeling I guess) it develops more than before, with a longer profile. Looking forward to seeing how it combines.
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1/23/2013 - rhpolk Likes this wine: 93 Points
pretty killer for a garnacha. smooth tannins and mocha/chocolate flavors
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12/24/2012 - Opusone99 wrote: 92 Points
Sans prise de notes. Toujours aussi bon!
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12/22/2012 - Sevencircles Likes this wine: 91 Points
Nose: a bit of fruit and oak. a new world nose.
Attack: lemon and some fruit
Midpalete: A lot of medicine flavors but lemon and tannic salmiac as well. Pretty fullbodied.
Finish: sweet mint. Not that long.
Very good wine but I don´t think it will be improve much. Drink now after 6 hours of decanting. It will never be an amazing wine. 90-91 right now.
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12/2/2012 - millerarner Likes this wine: 92 Points
David - 91, Michael - 91, Laura - 93, Susan - 92.
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10/11/2012 - millerarner wrote: 91 Points
Great stuff. Ditto all those who said to give it a LONG time to open. Once the bite on the finish wore off, I really enjoyed this.
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10/6/2012 - wmccone54 wrote: 92 Points
Big, smoky with a new world flair. Great grenache.
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9/26/2012 - liondream wrote: 90 Points
Nice, and require 3-4 hours time of breathing.
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9/22/2012 - dontime wrote:
Consumed at The Wine Barn in Orlando. Purchased as it was International Grenache Day. Big and bold on a PNP, nose of ripe fruit and chocolate. Blackberries, cherries, cocoa, herbs and oak on the palate. Great potential, especially at $40. If scoring 92-94.
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9/7/2012 - ksteiner wrote: 93 Points
Good wine with lots of flavor. If you want big and bold this is it. Let it open a bit then it is good to go.
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8/13/2012 - Janstan wrote: 90 Points
I thought a little hot but nom other compaints
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8/11/2012 - Sauvyfan Likes this wine: 89 Points
Hot nose,even after four hour decant. Red fruit. Cherry, Pom, black raspberry. Structurally, this is messy. The fruit, heat, acid are all over the place. The fruit is candy like. The finish is very dry and hot. Underperforming for the price.
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7/11/2012 - gripNsip wrote: 90 Points
Big nose here, crushed ripe berries, milk chocolate, damp earth and leather. Great nose. Ripe palate, delicious fruit, cocoa, loads of herbs, rosemary, basil reside in the finish. A lot of alcohol rising through the finish, it does hollow out a bit but the finish persists with the herbs and chocolate. Long finish. Quite enjoyable, and this is opening up as I am drinking more of it. Maybe my palate is just getting adjusted to the drank, who knows. This stuff is some serious PURPLE DRANK.
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7/1/2012 - afu wrote: 89 Points
Warning, this is not a pop and pour wine. If you do not have plenty of time…hours, 4-6 or more, wait until you do. Seems to be the case with most Spanish wines.
On opening this wine is harsh, tannic, oaky and a harsh bite on the finish. The next morning after pumping and re-closing, we tried it again. Still not even close to ready when comparing it to some of the soft, supple Paso Robles grenaches I have been enjoying recently.
OK 3 hours later I can start to tell it is a grenache, though still not inviting to the palate. The finish is still rough, too young and too tannic. There is dark cherry, dark raspberry and plenty of minerality. To its credit the high alcohol does not intrude. Overall a decent wine for money, not a great one.
Promise of better things to come with years not months of bottle aging. Bought 8, have 7 more to watch. Worth a try if you like big dark grenache.
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6/13/2012 - dianelee wrote: 94 Points
Smoky and nutty. Great wine!
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5/27/2012 - Intense1974 wrote: 90 Points
Good shit. Loved it. Reminded me of a couple dinners in Barcelona.
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5/16/2012 - caeleric Likes this wine:
pop and pour, consumed over 2 days.
excellent right out of the bottle, but did take about 2-3 hours to fully open up. big roasted coffee notes, along with gooey black cherry and blackberry, toasty oak, and hot stone. tight and minerally in the mouth, but still very flavorful. a long, unfolding finish that tells me this still needs time in the bottle, but will be very special in 2-3 years. if scoring where it is now, 90-92. but it will probably improve a few more points as the years progress.
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5/3/2012 - creighc wrote: 94 Points
Damn - this is beautiful wine. Everything I love about Spanish wine and Garnacha in particular. A full mouthful of spicy fruit flavor with an incredible finish. This is my first bottle of the Moncayo. I also bought two of the Aquilon which I am saving. Definitely buying more of the Moncayo. Yum!
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4/20/2012 - InternationalWineReport wrote: 94 Points
Wow, this is bombastic and possibly the best Alto Moncayo I have had to date. Bringing complex layers of densely packed blackberry, blueberry, toasted coconut, milk chocolate, spices and lavender. This is so mouth-watering and plush with round polished tannins. A pleasure to drink and just so delicious from start to finish. Year to year this is a highlight in Spain for me. Fantastic!
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3/16/2012 - Matt Scott wrote: 94 Points
Decanted for two hours, twice. Almost black in colour with a maroon rim. Blackberry, black pepper, vanilla bean, violets and reticent red fruit. Tons of licorice on the back palate; a lot of polished tannins, with a round palate on the front. Layered - and in a way that whispers. The nose is hard rock and the palate is jazz. Never a bad vintage and honestly, more enticing than what Ringland does in Australia. This is the best since '04, (which is drinking rather well). Drink 2013 - 2022
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3/11/2012 - neurovino wrote: 94 Points
This came together beautifully with 4 hour decant. The best of the lot so far. Definitely decant the rest for a long time.
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2/25/2012 - caeleric Likes this wine:
decanted 4 hours and consumed over 2 hours.
as expected, opaque purplish black in the glass. classic moncayo aromas of coconut, hot stones, ripe cherries, and some alcohol. but in the mouth and the finish this really showed its youth. it is all over the place, with alcohol galore, brutish tannins and flabby fruit. these had better get better with another 6 mos to a year or i'll kick myself for buying so many. if scoring, 84-86.
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2/14/2012 - shaftlet wrote: 92 Points
More of everything that the Veraton has. Most of all, it's better integrated. Blueberry cobbler, coconut and bittersweet chocolate, but the acid level prevents everything from becoming jammy. 92-93
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1/9/2012 - KeithSurg wrote: 90 Points
Decanted through vinturi. Dark color, closed nose of blackberry jam. Dark fruit and oak on the palate with a medium, dry finish.
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1/8/2012 - neurovino wrote: 92 Points
Day 1: Beautiful nose of blueberry, vanilla, and sweet cheese. Best nose on a wine in some time. Nose carries over into the wine flavor, although not as intense, initially. After two hours in the glass this wine has really opened open, and the rich opulent fruit is showing better. At first, this wine was very interesting in that it was both sweet and savory. It had a slight green/veggie hint, but not in a bad way, which was surprising, given the vitals on this wine (Garnacha, 16% alc, reputation). Then, over a few hours that dissolved and made way for very rich fruit. The nose is wonderful, the mid-palate is smooth and slightly tannic, but the finish is where this wine shines, with undulating layers of sweet fruit and finesse, that coats your mouth and rings for 30 seconds +.
Day 2: More of the same, just a little more smooth. This is a big wine, but there is a level of finesse, which I would expect for a wine at this price point. Worth the money, but not more. K loved this wine, especially the second day.
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12/23/2011 - Opusone99 wrote: 92 Points
Deuxième bouteille aussi bonne que la première. Coulait mieux que la première fois. J'adore ce vin! 92-93.
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12/19/2011 - Opusone99 wrote: 92 Points
Ce vin est de nouveau hors normes dans ce millésime. Une puissance rarement égalée, beaucoup de bois à digérer encore, le vin est très costaud et astringent, mais d'une texture crémeuse qui me rend fou, beaucoup de fruits noirs, notes vanillées également et finale correcte. Plus puissant que les derniers millésimes à mon avis. J'adore la Grenache! 92-93.
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12/15/2011 - martcouz wrote: 92 Points
A MUST decant wine that also gets much better the next day (at this stage). J'ai apporté cette bouteille à un souper de Noël. Je l'ai ouvert un jour avant pour la carafer. À l'ouverture, c'était très fermé, peu expressif. Même après 1 heure en carafe, ça ne s'ouvrait pas tellement. Je l'ai remis en bouteille, et le lendemain (24 heures plus tard) c'était devenu une vraie bombe!! Quand même très boisé, beaucoup de fruits et de beaux tannins, mais quel vin. Seul petit bémol, le vin tire 16% d'alcool et ça ne passe pas inaperçu. Peut-être que ça va devenir moins présent avec les années.
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11/25/2011 - alr6767 wrote: 91 Points
Notes consistent with the 2008, though just a touch more fruity and less complex.
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