A Winebid.com purchase. Really an experiment because of the screw cap. This wine is proof that corks are gross and designed to fail. The screw cap kept this wine fresh and vibrant.
Color. Dark red.
Nose. A etch nose of delineation. Cabernet like fruits of cassis and cherry. Raise your nose a bit and the Sarah fruit shows up. Blackberries and a little spice. Raise your nose a little further and you smell the merlot fruit. Rich smoky cherries and raspberry. There is a lot going on in this wine.
Palate. Smoky rich fruits. Blackberries and cherries and burnt bbq meats. This finish is balanced with nice tannins and acidity. The finish is not treble terribly long, but that is okay.
Overall I love this wine. So much yumminess.
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The wine is at its peak. Drank a bottle several years ago and would have rated it lower but has since improved. Full-bodied, rich black cherry and blackberry notes. Well balanced with decent lingering acidity. A few years back it was a bit too acidic with a sour finish for my taste. It's in a good position right now. Not complex but substantive. For this wine, lots of patience paid off, especially at the price point.
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Wine has been stored in a temperature controlled cellar for approximately 5 years.
This is an easy drinking wine, but it does not offer the complexity or range that I seek in a Super Tuscan. Similar to a bottle consumed approximately 10 months ago, the wine is not vibrant, and I won't wait to finish my remaining two bottles as I don't see this gaining.
This also has plenty of sediment, so use an aerating screen when you pour. I would discourage decanting to trap sediment as the wine isn't holding up too well.
My advice is drink up.
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At cellar temperature it started out a bit rough and disjointed with grainy tannins. After warming up to room temperature and breathing for an hour it was like a different wine. The tannins became soft and smooth, the fruit came forward and the mouthfeel rounded out. Nose of pomegranates, soil, and a hint of raisins. Flavors of blueberries, black tea leaves, and cassis, with a touch of tobacco. The finish is astringent but balanced, with the fruit holding on through the acidic backbone while the chewy tannins cling along for the ride. Paired nicely with a gourmet pizza topped with baby spinach, feta, and portabella mushrooms.
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This bottle was not as vibrant as a bottle consumed in the last four months. Enjoyable but fairly straightforward with not a lot of complexity or finish length.
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First bottle of a half case. I tried this wine at the winery in Tuscany and the time has been favorable for development. On the nose I get incense, black fruits, vanilla, and dried herbs. On the palate the tannins and acidity are in great balance. The tannins are not drying like Tuscans can be. On the palate this has black fruits, cassis, clove, dark plum, and smoke. This finishes with a roasted espresso. This is a very round and generous wine. While not exceptionally complex, at the $14 price tag this is a nice wine that is ready to be enjoyed.
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Unremarkable and uninteresting. Breakfast tea, pepper, tart with earthy and leather notes. Some black fruit in the back palate if you stretch your senses. Doesn't change much with added air.
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Poured from bottle. Tannins are pretty harsh on opening but mellow out with air. Aroma - red berries, slightly herbal, somewhat stony/salty, sort of like a rocky tide pool . Taste - finish is stony, chalk-like tannins, light green pepper, old leather - not a lot of fruit notes. This is good with food, but not that good solo.
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PnVnD then poured the first glass through the Vinturri. Dark saturated purple with violet rim. Smoky graphite black cherry plum and cherry on the nose. Medium weight with pleasantly burred tannins. Earthy smoky plum cassis blackberry Bing cherry and espresso on the palate. Lingering dry minerally finish. Should ahve bought more. Looking forward to finishing that last 1/3 of the bottle tomorrow.
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The syrah and the sangiovese are, for me, the key cépages in this wine, creating perfect acidiy, fruit and freshness. The cabernet and the merlot mellow this wine and fill in the midtaste. A succes in this vintage.
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Absolutely the best bottle of the serie. The cepages are fully integrated, combining to a perfect acidity, nearly creamy, still robust and with a perfect balance. The bouquet? Red, dark fruit, cream, a combination of hints of bitterness, idem coffee, idem ripe tannins (you can also smell them). Due to the sangiovese an Italian wine (but with international influences). Cannot become better!
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Drinking well and not sure I'd hold more than a couple more years. Dark berry with toasted notes. Integrated tannins. Nothing exceptional but a nice wine to sip or pair with food.
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Until the finish 91 points; lovely syrah/sangiovese bouquet and fresh power in the midtaste, all in balance, but at the end some alcohol is noticable (serve at 16° C.!). Still lovely and a perfect P/Q.
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Tasting note from day 2. On the nose, This has a touch too much oak and cedar notes that are mingling with tar and mineral notes. Lacking fruit on the nose, but improves on the palate with smoky dark red and blue fruits and some acidity that rescues it and keeps it kind of fresh. Medium bodied. Not enchanted by this, a bit too rustic. Woody nose and fruity palate. Wish there was some better integration. Not sure this will come together. Not a sipper, have with food.
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Pleasant, relatively simple, ripe dark fruits, some minerality, fuller bodied. Might just be the power of suggestion, but it nicely matched a Tuscan-based meal.
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First bottle in almost 9 months. Consistent with my prior notes. Full-bodied, rich and very polished. Has a plush, mouth-coating texture. Loaded with juicy plum, blackberry and dark currant fruit. The Syrah really shines on the long, velvety finish. Absolutely delicious. 50+5+12+16+8=91
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Popped (or rather unscrewed) and poured. Color is a dark, rich red that is clean and uniform throughout. There is some minor sediment in the first few glasses, and materially more sediment in the last glass. On the nose, there is red fruit with a cherry emphasis, some wood, mint, and a minor whiff of something a bit like tomato. On the mouth, the wine is slightly astringent, but becomes smoother and rounder with time. Overall, this is a pleasant, enjoyable red, albeit one that seems somewhat generic. Likely to be good with meals. 89 points.
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Consistent with my previous notes. A pretty floral nose with nice spice notes. Full-bodied, very fruity and rich. Bursting with plum and dark berry flavor. There's a nice chalky minerality to the long, fruity finish along with a peppery note. As others have pointed out, this is very Rhone-like, but with just enough Tuscan character to give it a sense of place. Absolutely delicious and a tremendous value at under $17. 50+5+12+16+8=91
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Garnet with ruby hues and med-lite viscosity in the glass. Funky brett, red and dark fruit, herbs, currant and burnt toast on the nose. Medium body with predominate toasted oak, reductive strawberry & raspberry, currant, herbs, tobacco and pepper. Mildly complex. Still on the tight side. Medium finish. Exactly what expected along with a few surprising corners.
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A little green still, but enjoyable. Deep ruby color, classic Sangiovese nose, touch of oak, with a blast of dark berries on the palate. Ends with a slight bite, thus the "green" designation. Lovely on it's own or with meat or cheese.
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Well structured, complex, with a little spice in the finish. As someone else wrote, like a Rhone. Stood up well in a comparison with a classy chianti, super Tuscan, and elegant Brunello. Did not seem to need extended aeration.
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Great blend. Not really a sangiovese lover, but this blend with the bordeaux varieties really adds another level of complexity. Good on the first night, even better on day 2.
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When popped this is a bit oaky on the nose and the syrah is predominant giving it a rhone like identity. Give it an hour or so and this looks shiny ruby red and clear, oak remains on the nose but more toned down, thyme and italian herbs, currants. Same notes on the palate with the cabernet taking over and providing this with muscle (tannins) that suggest this will be much better in a few years. Would be 90 pts if it wasn't for the slightly predominant oak.
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A good wine, although not deserving of the price point. Surprising that it's 40% cab, because the merlot dominates the palate, with a back-up by the sangiovese.
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Carafé pendant 3 heures et les tannins commencaient tranquillement à s'épanouir...je dirais Chocolat noir et prûnes comme gout...Un bon vin mais pas extraordinaire.Bû avec des pâtes au canard confit et sauce tomaté au vin rouge et fond de canard.
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Flot vin med rigtig gode professionelle ratings (91 pts). Dybrød farve, og en dejlig omend lidt svovlet næse af kirsebær og vanille. Rigtig god smag af kirsebær, brombær og vanilie samt et ordentlig skud peber i afslutningen. God lang eftersmag med nogen tanniner. Vil formentlig vinde lidt ved lagring.
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Rich cherry and blackberry fruit with a new world / fruit forward style (i.e. very accessible) but real earthiness and moderate acid reminds you of the unmistakable Italian heitage. Medium long finish. Great QPR. 14.5% abv.
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Consistent with my previous note from seven months ago, but now noticeably more complex as the secondary characteristics are starting to emerge. Rich - with a great mouthfeel, lots of ripe, dark fruit and a long satisfying finish that now shows the spiciness of the Syrah. Has fine balance too. Should continue to slowly improve over the next few years, but is very enjoyable right now. At around just $16 a bottle, why wait? 50+5+12+16+8=91
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Aromatic, currant, smoke, leather and mineral nose. Full-bodied with smoky, grainy tannins; good flavours and warmth with a charred currant finish. 4/5
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Sorry (see my previous note) nr. 46! Same impression, very nice wine. For me it is the sangiovese grape (with its marked acidity) that makes the difference with all other grape combinations I have tasted before.
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Popped and poured. Dark red fruit, with hints of pepper on the nose. Good structure, with medium tannins and spicy finish. Tasty sipping wine for a relaxing evening next to the pool side. A good QPR!
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GEMon nailed the description. I completely agree with the note below. Good showing by this wine. Second tasting. Consistent notes. Glad I've got more. Enjoy with food or on it's own.
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Scents of currants, cedar, and white pepper. Tastes of currants, a bolognese sauce, and hints of fennel. A little spice on the finish. Very nice wine for under $20. We'd get this again.
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Unscrewed, sniffed, tasted and then followed for about 24 hours. Color is a very dark maroon, about 80% opaque. Quick and clear legs. The nose was opulent with nice red and blue berries, carnations, and a dash of funky garrigue, but it really faded after about 2 hours and almost vanished entirely. Never experienced such a drastic fall-off before in a wine. Despite that, the palate was very enjoyable and interesting. Body is light-medium in weight, tannins started firm but also really softened up leaving a very smooth texture behind. Actually, quite delicious for a $15 IGT, but not going to change my preference for $30+ DOC's any time soon, either. Just so mysterious about the bouquet loss, maybe it comes back with some cellar age. Also, do yourself a huge favor and open this a day early for air - it makes a world of difference. 5+7+17+8 = 87
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Blind tasted by a panel of eight: Slightly cloudy. Blackberry, earth, and dust on both the nose and palate. Rough and ragged; both overly acidic and highly tannic. Least favorite of the evening.
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Decanted for an hour. Crimson red and a little garnet in the core. There’s Blueberry, passion fruit, leather, sun-drenched pottery, blackberry, cherry and scorched earth. You notice plush tannins; with her evoking a medium-long finish that shows the black and red fruit in a succulent fashion. Bright in a resonating vesper sort of way, exhibiting the right amount of balance and a crispness as well - there's no reason to wait. Drink now - 2017.
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Pleasantly surprised; nice depth of colour, body, in the glass and on the nose where the syrah and cs dominate with an interesting effect on the palate from the sangiovese. Merlot suppleness is understated but noticeable.
Drunk without decanting; maay have additional comments on second day.
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Drank a glass of it the night before. Wonderful nose, ripe black berries, currant with a hint of chocolate and well balanced tennis. Drank the the rest after it decanted over night and it got even better. Nice, full, velvety mouth feel with a decent finish. Should go wonderfully with roasted dark meet foul (duck, quail), or even some pork chops.
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Light spicy sweetness on nose. Beautiful garnet color. Well balanced acidity, tannin, dark berry fruit. Very enjoyable. Should improve, but may not last as long as some estimates.
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Tasted it last night; seemed to be a decent wine. I did not get anything extra out of it (perhaps a bit too young) Don't quite understand what all the "hoopla" is all about
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This is really nice for the $15 or so I paid. Nose is really open and has strong hint of smoke and cigar. Palate has tobacco/coffee thing on the finish with good dark fruit. Bit of a decant might even open this a bit more.
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Didn't live up to the high ratings. A good Super Tuscan, but not better than the average $20 Super Tuscan. Medium bodied, with a mixture of red and black fruit.
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(from memory) Dark ruby, big nose of smokey oak, cassis, plum and mocha with hints of graphite and floral notes, velvety smooth with dark berry and mocha dominating the palate at this point but stuffing for a promising future, finish is a touch hot and loses complexity
90+ to be more accurate
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Lots of berries, improved with time, but still not the sort of complexity I was looking for. Decent bottle of wine for the price, but probably wouldn't get again.
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No. 42 in the Wine Spectator top 100 and 92 points! At this moment I give the wine 90 points, because some components are not completely integrated. A deep colour and a bouquet with a recognizable syrah impression. When I decanted the wine the syrah freshness disappeared; back in the bottle the syrah recovered! The taste is very special: on a base of CS en merlot, the sangiovese makes a bridge between the CS/merlot and the syrah by filling in his own and specific acidity. It is an intriguing wine, but at the end the alcohol (14,5°) isn't completely covered. I like to follow my dozen in future.
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Deep purple in color with a slightly closed nose of dark fruit, spices and vanilla. This has a very plush mouthfeel and is bursting with plum and blackberry flavors. Almost jammy. The finish is long and will have you licking your lips. Right now this young Tuscan blend is basically a "fruit bomb", but should gain in complexity with some bottle age. A complete departure in style from the very well-regarded 2007 which was definitely a "finesse" wine with an eccentric finish. If you are a fan of Tuscan wines (like me) then this is well worth the $16 price. 50+5+12+15+8=90
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1/22/2022 - RichardsEric1 Likes this wine: 93 Points
A Winebid.com purchase. Really an experiment because of the screw cap. This wine is proof that corks are gross and designed to fail. The screw cap kept this wine fresh and vibrant.
Color. Dark red.
Nose. A etch nose of delineation. Cabernet like fruits of cassis and cherry. Raise your nose a bit and the Sarah fruit shows up. Blackberries and a little spice. Raise your nose a little further and you smell the merlot fruit. Rich smoky cherries and raspberry. There is a lot going on in this wine.
Palate. Smoky rich fruits. Blackberries and cherries and burnt bbq meats. This finish is balanced with nice tannins and acidity. The finish is not treble terribly long, but that is okay.
Overall I love this wine. So much yumminess.
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4/10/2021 - Kentw wrote: 89 Points
Not quite as good as last bottle but similar notes.
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4/24/2020 - Kentw Likes this wine: 90 Points
The wine is at its peak. Drank a bottle several years ago and would have rated it lower but has since improved. Full-bodied, rich black cherry and blackberry notes. Well balanced with decent lingering acidity. A few years back it was a bit too acidic with a sour finish for my taste. It's in a good position right now. Not complex but substantive. For this wine, lots of patience paid off, especially at the price point.
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6/1/2017 - COWineLover wrote: 87 Points
Similar TN to February 2017.
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2/26/2017 - COWineLover wrote: 86 Points
Wine has been stored in a temperature controlled cellar for approximately 5 years.
This is an easy drinking wine, but it does not offer the complexity or range that I seek in a Super Tuscan. Similar to a bottle consumed approximately 10 months ago, the wine is not vibrant, and I won't wait to finish my remaining two bottles as I don't see this gaining.
This also has plenty of sediment, so use an aerating screen when you pour. I would discourage decanting to trap sediment as the wine isn't holding up too well.
My advice is drink up.
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2/10/2017 - Finger Lakes Wine Dude Likes this wine: 91 Points
At cellar temperature it started out a bit rough and disjointed with grainy tannins. After warming up to room temperature and breathing for an hour it was like a different wine. The tannins became soft and smooth, the fruit came forward and the mouthfeel rounded out. Nose of pomegranates, soil, and a hint of raisins. Flavors of blueberries, black tea leaves, and cassis, with a touch of tobacco. The finish is astringent but balanced, with the fruit holding on through the acidic backbone while the chewy tannins cling along for the ride. Paired nicely with a gourmet pizza topped with baby spinach, feta, and portabella mushrooms.
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2/1/2017 - joet626 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Took a while to open but turned out smooth and fruity. Dark berries on this. Very good.
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4/2/2016 - COWineLover wrote: 87 Points
This bottle was not as vibrant as a bottle consumed in the last four months. Enjoyable but fairly straightforward with not a lot of complexity or finish length.
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3/12/2016 - Sniffy-Sniff Likes this wine: 91 Points
PnP. Very solid super Tuscan. Sangiovese really shined. Lush cherry fruit, tobacco, spice, and chewy tannins. Fantastic food wine.
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1/7/2016 - BklynNeophyte wrote: 87 Points
Agree with unremarkable assessment, although it held up nicely over several nights. Comparable: Stephen Drew when not injured.
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12/7/2015 - COWineLover wrote: 90 Points
First bottle of a half case. I tried this wine at the winery in Tuscany and the time has been favorable for development. On the nose I get incense, black fruits, vanilla, and dried herbs. On the palate the tannins and acidity are in great balance. The tannins are not drying like Tuscans can be. On the palate this has black fruits, cassis, clove, dark plum, and smoke. This finishes with a roasted espresso. This is a very round and generous wine. While not exceptionally complex, at the $14 price tag this is a nice wine that is ready to be enjoyed.
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12/6/2015 - lagavulin wrote: 86 Points
Unremarkable and uninteresting. Breakfast tea, pepper, tart with earthy and leather notes. Some black fruit in the back palate if you stretch your senses. Doesn't change much with added air.
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5/10/2015 - Brett and Megan Likes this wine: 88 Points
Poured from bottle. Tannins are pretty harsh on opening but mellow out with air. Aroma - red berries, slightly herbal, somewhat stony/salty, sort of like a rocky tide pool . Taste - finish is stony, chalk-like tannins, light green pepper, old leather - not a lot of fruit notes. This is good with food, but not that good solo.
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1/14/2015 - df1962 Likes this wine: 92 Points
PnVnD then poured the first glass through the Vinturri. Dark saturated purple with violet rim. Smoky graphite black cherry plum and cherry on the nose. Medium weight with pleasantly burred tannins. Earthy smoky plum cassis blackberry Bing cherry and espresso on the palate. Lingering dry minerally finish. Should ahve bought more. Looking forward to finishing that last 1/3 of the bottle tomorrow.
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1/11/2015 - FransS wrote: 92 Points
The syrah and the sangiovese are, for me, the key cépages in this wine, creating perfect acidiy, fruit and freshness. The cabernet and the merlot mellow this wine and fill in the midtaste. A succes in this vintage.
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10/24/2014 - FransS wrote: 91 Points
Absolutely the best bottle of the serie. The cepages are fully integrated, combining to a perfect acidity, nearly creamy, still robust and with a perfect balance. The bouquet? Red, dark fruit, cream, a combination of hints of bitterness, idem coffee, idem ripe tannins (you can also smell them). Due to the sangiovese an Italian wine (but with international influences). Cannot become better!
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10/19/2014 - Aparritz Likes this wine: 90 Points
Classic Tuscan with a lot of complexity and not a lot of price. Safe bet while being interesting at the same time.
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9/5/2014 - aaronwine Likes this wine: 90 Points
Drinking well and not sure I'd hold more than a couple more years. Dark berry with toasted notes. Integrated tannins. Nothing exceptional but a nice wine to sip or pair with food.
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8/28/2014 - FransS wrote: 90 Points
Until the finish 91 points; lovely syrah/sangiovese bouquet and fresh power in the midtaste, all in balance, but at the end some alcohol is noticable (serve at 16° C.!). Still lovely and a perfect P/Q.
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3/15/2014 - Pfleonard Likes this wine: 89 Points
Good but not great. It was on Wine Spectator's Top 100 of 2011?
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3/7/2014 - Kriz wrote: 88 Points
Cherries! (Like the ones from Cherry Coke) on nose and palate. They disappear on day two. Good, easy drinking wine with body and good tannins.
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1/11/2014 - kickstwo wrote:
Good match/pairing with italian sausage
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12/1/2013 - urban_dk wrote: 88 Points
Big plum and cherry flavors, hint of smoke. Noteworthy acidity. Needs more time.
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11/30/2013 - Merengue wrote: 88 Points
Tasting note from day 2. On the nose, This has a touch too much oak and cedar notes that are mingling with tar and mineral notes. Lacking fruit on the nose, but improves on the palate with smoky dark red and blue fruits and some acidity that rescues it and keeps it kind of fresh. Medium bodied. Not enchanted by this, a bit too rustic. Woody nose and fruity palate. Wish there was some better integration. Not sure this will come together. Not a sipper, have with food.
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11/18/2013 - Cote d'Or wrote:
Pleasant, relatively simple, ripe dark fruits, some minerality, fuller bodied. Might just be the power of suggestion, but it nicely matched a Tuscan-based meal.
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11/6/2013 - Bam_Man Likes this wine: 91 Points
First bottle in almost 9 months. Consistent with my prior notes. Full-bodied, rich and very polished. Has a plush, mouth-coating texture. Loaded with juicy plum, blackberry and dark currant fruit. The Syrah really shines on the long, velvety finish. Absolutely delicious.
50+5+12+16+8=91
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6/24/2013 - Kriz wrote: 89 Points
Yeah, value for money! Attractive nose and palate. Ripe berries (cherry) everywhere. Even better on day two (no fridge).
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4/14/2013 - aligaray wrote: 89 Points
Very earthy the first day, almost un-approachable, softened the second day and better the third.
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4/10/2013 - Sporothrix wrote: 90 Points
Excellent value.
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4/6/2013 - revanness wrote: 89 Points
Needs 2 years
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4/2/2013 - lwolffl Likes this wine:
Powerfull - drink with food. Good with lamb.
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2/18/2013 - bbcc66 Likes this wine: 88 Points
Drank over 2 days. Still good on day 2. Nice vivid dark berry tastes.
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2/10/2013 - whitmanlholt wrote: 89 Points
Popped (or rather unscrewed) and poured. Color is a dark, rich red that is clean and uniform throughout. There is some minor sediment in the first few glasses, and materially more sediment in the last glass. On the nose, there is red fruit with a cherry emphasis, some wood, mint, and a minor whiff of something a bit like tomato. On the mouth, the wine is slightly astringent, but becomes smoother and rounder with time. Overall, this is a pleasant, enjoyable red, albeit one that seems somewhat generic. Likely to be good with meals. 89 points.
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2/8/2013 - FransS Likes this wine: 91 Points
And again (see my previous notes) a lovely wine
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2/5/2013 - Bam_Man Likes this wine: 91 Points
Consistent with my previous notes. A pretty floral nose with nice spice notes. Full-bodied, very fruity and rich. Bursting with plum and dark berry flavor. There's a nice chalky minerality to the long, fruity finish along with a peppery note. As others have pointed out, this is very Rhone-like, but with just enough Tuscan character to give it a sense of place. Absolutely delicious and a tremendous value at under $17.
50+5+12+16+8=91
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1/11/2013 - christophee Likes this wine: 88 Points
Garnet with ruby hues and med-lite viscosity in the glass. Funky brett, red and dark fruit, herbs, currant and burnt toast on the nose. Medium body with predominate toasted oak, reductive strawberry & raspberry, currant, herbs, tobacco and pepper. Mildly complex. Still on the tight side. Medium finish. Exactly what expected along with a few surprising corners.
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12/22/2012 - wehouck Likes this wine: 89 Points
A little green still, but enjoyable. Deep ruby color, classic Sangiovese nose, touch of oak, with a blast of dark berries on the palate. Ends with a slight bite, thus the "green" designation. Lovely on it's own or with meat or cheese.
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12/7/2012 - RobertVitello wrote: 90 Points
Well structured, complex, with a little spice in the finish. As someone else wrote, like a Rhone. Stood up well in a comparison with a classy chianti, super Tuscan, and elegant Brunello. Did not seem to need extended aeration.
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10/29/2012 - mhenry wrote: 89 Points
Gave an extra point today because it was my last bottle and because it was such a breat bargain.
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10/27/2012 - hende14 wrote: 90 Points
Great blend. Not really a sangiovese lover, but this blend with the bordeaux varieties really adds another level of complexity. Good on the first night, even better on day 2.
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10/14/2012 - Merengue wrote: 88 Points
When popped this is a bit oaky on the nose and the syrah is predominant giving it a rhone like identity. Give it an hour or so and this looks shiny ruby red and clear, oak remains on the nose but more toned down, thyme and italian herbs, currants. Same notes on the palate with the cabernet taking over and providing this with muscle (tannins) that suggest this will be much better in a few years. Would be 90 pts if it wasn't for the slightly predominant oak.
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10/12/2012 - FransS wrote: 91 Points
Again lovely, again the perfect mix of grape varieties and again a very good balance.
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10/3/2012 - cwiebe wrote: 87 Points
A good wine, although not deserving of the price point. Surprising that it's 40% cab, because the merlot dominates the palate, with a back-up by the sangiovese.
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9/21/2012 - signotim wrote: 90 Points
Much better on days 2 and 3
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8/24/2012 - phil the agony wrote: 87 Points
Carafé pendant 3 heures et les tannins commencaient tranquillement à s'épanouir...je dirais Chocolat noir et prûnes comme gout...Un bon vin mais pas extraordinaire.Bû avec des pâtes au canard confit et sauce tomaté au vin rouge et fond de canard.
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8/14/2012 - Dinamarca wrote: 89 Points
Flot vin med rigtig gode professionelle ratings (91 pts). Dybrød farve, og en dejlig omend lidt svovlet næse af kirsebær og vanille. Rigtig god smag af kirsebær, brombær og vanilie samt et ordentlig skud peber i afslutningen. God lang eftersmag med nogen tanniner. Vil formentlig vinde lidt ved lagring.
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8/4/2012 - Ederickson wrote: 90 Points
Jammy fruit nose. Nice acid, well balanced, jammy fruit, and vanilla.
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7/18/2012 - mattyboy_ wrote: 88 Points
Argiano Tasting: An evening with Hans Vinding-Diers (Esquin Wine, Seattle): 40% cab, 20% Sangiovese, 20% merlot, 20% Syrah
Cool black fruits - more tannic and structured than 2010. Tight midpalate. Tobacco, caçao, dark chocolate. Slightly hot on the tail end.
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7/10/2012 - mhenry wrote: 85 Points
Not sure if it was the wine or the food ory the pairing. This usual go-to wine was only OK tonight.
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7/3/2012 - StainedGlass wrote: 89 Points
Rich cherry and blackberry fruit with a new world / fruit forward style (i.e. very accessible) but real earthiness and moderate acid reminds you of the unmistakable Italian heitage. Medium long finish. Great QPR. 14.5% abv.
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6/16/2012 - mh1969 wrote:
very nice finish
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6/14/2012 - 907grapenut wrote: 88 Points
Big, modern. Good QPR, though, for sure. Not necessarily my style.
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6/14/2012 - Bam_Man wrote: 91 Points
Consistent with my previous note from seven months ago, but now noticeably more complex as the secondary characteristics are starting to emerge. Rich - with a great mouthfeel, lots of ripe, dark fruit and a long satisfying finish that now shows the spiciness of the Syrah. Has fine balance too. Should continue to slowly improve over the next few years, but is very enjoyable right now. At around just $16 a bottle, why wait?
50+5+12+16+8=91
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6/12/2012 - Double-A Likes this wine: 90 Points
Aromatic, currant, smoke, leather and mineral nose. Full-bodied with smoky, grainy tannins; good flavours and warmth with a charred currant finish.
4/5
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6/8/2012 - lewisrise wrote: 92 Points
Nose of violets and wet cedar. Raspberry, blackberry, and a hint of blueberry. Great QPR for an Italian Red
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6/4/2012 - FransS wrote: 90 Points
Sorry (see my previous note) nr. 46! Same impression, very nice wine. For me it is the sangiovese
grape (with its marked acidity) that makes the difference with all other grape combinations I have tasted before.
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5/19/2012 - Pontycellar wrote:
Fruit forward black cherry with little tannin.
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5/12/2012 - folsomarndt wrote: 89 Points
Popped and poured. Dark red fruit, with hints of pepper on the nose. Good structure, with medium tannins and spicy finish. Tasty sipping wine for a relaxing evening next to the pool side. A good QPR!
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5/12/2012 - swade wrote: 88 Points
GEMon nailed the description. I completely agree with the note below. Good showing by this wine. Second tasting. Consistent notes. Glad I've got more. Enjoy with food or on it's own.
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4/28/2012 - folsomarndt wrote:
Wife drank this with a couple of lady friends in the afternoon, and they all commented that they enjoy this wine.
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4/28/2012 - GEMon wrote: 90 Points
Scents of currants, cedar, and white pepper. Tastes of currants, a bolognese sauce, and hints of fennel. A little spice on the finish. Very nice wine for under $20. We'd get this again.
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4/25/2012 - Richard123 wrote: 89 Points
Great sipping wine (unusual for Super Tuscan style) and excellent QPR. Will likely get more.
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4/15/2012 - jsherdc wrote: 89 Points
Very dark. Spicy brambly fruit. Some acidity. Great value. A big boy. 89/90.
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3/14/2012 - fingers wrote: 87 Points
Unscrewed, sniffed, tasted and then followed for about 24 hours. Color is a very dark maroon, about 80% opaque. Quick and clear legs. The nose was opulent with nice red and blue berries, carnations, and a dash of funky garrigue, but it really faded after about 2 hours and almost vanished entirely. Never experienced such a drastic fall-off before in a wine. Despite that, the palate was very enjoyable and interesting. Body is light-medium in weight, tannins started firm but also really softened up leaving a very smooth texture behind. Actually, quite delicious for a $15 IGT, but not going to change my preference for $30+ DOC's any time soon, either. Just so mysterious about the bouquet loss, maybe it comes back with some cellar age. Also, do yourself a huge favor and open this a day early for air - it makes a world of difference. 5+7+17+8 = 87
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3/10/2012 - The13thGryphon Does not like this wine: 78 Points
Blind tasted by a panel of eight: Slightly cloudy. Blackberry, earth, and dust on both the nose and palate. Rough and ragged; both overly acidic and highly tannic. Least favorite of the evening.
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3/7/2012 - oenophilemoose wrote: 87 Points
Good QPR but just not my style and doesn't rank in MY top 100.
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3/3/2012 - Matt Scott wrote: 92 Points
Decanted for an hour. Crimson red and a little garnet in the core. There’s Blueberry, passion fruit, leather, sun-drenched pottery, blackberry, cherry and scorched earth. You notice plush tannins; with her evoking a medium-long finish that shows the black and red fruit in a succulent fashion. Bright in a resonating vesper sort of way, exhibiting the right amount of balance and a crispness as well - there's no reason to wait. Drink now - 2017.
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3/2/2012 - Kriz wrote: 87 Points
Full bodied. But annoying alcohol.
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2/24/2012 - jmcmchi wrote: 89 Points
Pleasantly surprised; nice depth of colour, body, in the glass and on the nose where the syrah and cs dominate with an interesting effect on the palate from the sangiovese. Merlot suppleness is understated but noticeable.
Drunk without decanting; maay have additional comments on second day.
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2/20/2012 - mhenry wrote: 87 Points
Good everyday table wine. Good QPR.
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2/20/2012 - goaljnky wrote: 90 Points
Drank a glass of it the night before. Wonderful nose, ripe black berries, currant with a hint of chocolate and well balanced tennis. Drank the the rest after it decanted over night and it got even better. Nice, full, velvety mouth feel with a decent finish. Should go wonderfully with roasted dark meet foul (duck, quail), or even some pork chops.
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2/16/2012 - Doblk wrote: 90 Points
Light spicy sweetness on nose. Beautiful garnet color. Well balanced acidity, tannin, dark berry fruit. Very enjoyable. Should improve, but may not last as long as some estimates.
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2/12/2012 - Bandreas wrote: 88 Points
Tasted it last night; seemed to be a decent wine. I did not get anything extra out of it (perhaps a bit too young)
Don't quite understand what all the "hoopla" is all about
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1/22/2012 - revanness wrote: 90 Points
Let's hope some time will improve this.
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1/16/2012 - yeti575rider wrote: 90 Points
This is really nice for the $15 or so I paid. Nose is really open and has strong hint of smoke and cigar. Palate has tobacco/coffee thing on the finish with good dark fruit. Bit of a decant might even open this a bit more.
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12/27/2011 - Hamilton1 wrote: 88 Points
Didn't live up to the high ratings. A good Super Tuscan, but not better than the average $20 Super Tuscan. Medium bodied, with a mixture of red and black fruit.
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12/22/2011 - holly.m.house wrote:
Nice wine, would benefit with some age. Big plum and dark fruit notes with a bright tannin.
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12/20/2011 - duchamp wrote: 90 Points
(from memory) Dark ruby, big nose of smokey oak, cassis, plum and mocha with hints of graphite and floral notes, velvety smooth with dark berry and mocha dominating the palate at this point but stuffing for a promising future, finish is a touch hot and loses complexity
90+ to be more accurate
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12/20/2011 - tabrand wrote: 85 Points
Lots of berries, improved with time, but still not the sort of complexity I was looking for. Decent bottle of wine for the price, but probably wouldn't get again.
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12/12/2011 - FransS wrote: 90 Points
No. 42 in the Wine Spectator top 100 and 92 points! At this moment I give the wine 90 points, because some
components are not completely integrated. A deep colour and a bouquet with a recognizable syrah impression.
When I decanted the wine the syrah freshness disappeared; back in the bottle the syrah recovered!
The taste is very special: on a base of CS en merlot, the sangiovese makes a bridge between the CS/merlot
and the syrah by filling in his own and specific acidity. It is an intriguing wine, but at the end the alcohol (14,5°) isn't
completely covered. I like to follow my dozen in future.
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11/5/2011 - Bam_Man wrote: 90 Points
Deep purple in color with a slightly closed nose of dark fruit, spices and vanilla. This has a very plush mouthfeel and is bursting with plum and blackberry flavors. Almost jammy. The finish is long and will have you licking your lips. Right now this young Tuscan blend is basically a "fruit bomb", but should gain in complexity with some bottle age. A complete departure in style from the very well-regarded 2007 which was definitely a "finesse" wine with an eccentric finish. If you are a fan of Tuscan wines (like me) then this is well worth the $16 price.
50+5+12+15+8=90
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