Big powerful wine. Nose was pure blackberry, palate was unctuous/mouth coating with some heat, but lots of dark fruit and fragrant cedar/cigar. Excellent bottle.
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Showing its age, this wine with huge amounts of sediment has a very spirity nose and its 15.5% ABV is very obvious. Not my bag and I think on the downslope.
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This has definitely entered a new phase, with oak/vanilla coming through. The rim is distinctly tawny... Night 2: this is now very full on bluckcurrant, but very long and smooth, and very moorish and delicious. 90 moves to 92 on night 2.
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From a magnum. Decanted for two hours and then back in bottle. Drank over four hours. Quite extracted, blueberry and dark chocolate hit your palate with precision. Still showing heat on the long finish. Nothing subtle about this wine. Not really one for standing around and sipping at a party. Needs meat to accompany it! From a magnum, this has a decade or more ahead of it. If this style is in your wheelhouse, the score could be 95+.
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Still incredibly heavy weight. Tasted over 4 nights, with the peak on night 3 as far as balance and accessibility for me (that's the score basis). Heavy dark fruit, only to be drunk with food, especially on night one!
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Similar to the much slated Emigre, but a bit more sophisticated. (only a bit). Still almost port, and for me fantastic, very lingering, big fruit, delicious, needs to decant and food
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Shocked to find a dusty 375 mL bottle in an obscure liquor store for $20, so checked it out. It's the real deal, very deep purple, complex, brooding. Lots of current and raspberry, with licorice, maybe some mint and some forest notes. It might be a little too much for some, but it was not out of balance, hot, or over the top.
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11/6/2022 - MonkeyBiz101 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Big powerful wine. Nose was pure blackberry, palate was unctuous/mouth coating with some heat, but lots of dark fruit and fragrant cedar/cigar. Excellent bottle.
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4/7/2021 - Vinumming & Ahhing Does not like this wine: 85 Points
Showing its age, this wine with huge amounts of sediment has a very spirity nose and its 15.5% ABV is very obvious. Not my bag and I think on the downslope.
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12/5/2020 - MonkeyBiz101 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Still absolutely full on. The nose fills the room with powerful, rich fruit. The palate is unctuous and velvety. Did fade through the bottle.
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11/13/2015 - MonkeyBiz101 Likes this wine: 92 Points
This has definitely entered a new phase, with oak/vanilla coming through. The rim is distinctly tawny... Night 2: this is now very full on bluckcurrant, but very long and smooth, and very moorish and delicious. 90 moves to 92 on night 2.
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3/23/2015 - MonkeyBiz101 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Still heavy as you like. Some liquorice, dark chocolate, some blueberry. Better on the second night.
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12/27/2014 - JimN wrote: 92 Points
From a magnum. Decanted for two hours and then back in bottle. Drank over four hours. Quite extracted, blueberry and dark chocolate hit your palate with precision. Still showing heat on the long finish. Nothing subtle about this wine. Not really one for standing around and sipping at a party. Needs meat to accompany it! From a magnum, this has a decade or more ahead of it. If this style is in your wheelhouse, the score could be 95+.
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4/4/2014 - sharonandroland Likes this wine: 90 Points
Super concentrated and bold. Way over the top.
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11/29/2013 - MonkeyBiz101 wrote: 91 Points
Still incredibly heavy weight. Tasted over 4 nights, with the peak on night 3 as far as balance and accessibility for me (that's the score basis). Heavy dark fruit, only to be drunk with food, especially on night one!
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12/14/2010 - MonkeyBiz101 wrote: 92 Points
Has softened up a little since the last bottle (18 months ago) but still v heavy port-like shiraz.
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7/30/2009 - smithsi wrote: 95 Points
Big nasty, porty and lovely
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7/5/2009 - smithsi wrote: 95 Points
Similar to the much slated Emigre, but a bit more sophisticated. (only a bit). Still almost port, and for me fantastic, very lingering, big fruit, delicious, needs to decant and food
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7/3/2009 - MonkeyBiz101 wrote: 95 Points
Gorgeous dark purple colour. Huge, but well balanced, with a great mouthfeel. Loads of blackcurrant, some liquorice. Stunner.
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8/1/2008 - koflaher wrote: 94 Points
Shocked to find a dusty 375 mL bottle in an obscure liquor store for $20, so checked it out. It's the real deal, very deep purple, complex, brooding. Lots of current and raspberry, with licorice, maybe some mint and some forest notes. It might be a little too much for some, but it was not out of balance, hot, or over the top.
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