Cellar kept. Aerated and drank. Tannins have receded leave savory and sanguine notes. Little bit earthy. A little more time brings out more dark fruit notes. Satisfying
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Better than expected. PnP’d. Dark cherry color with a very muted nose. Wine has excellent texture but lacks flavor and depth. Might be in a weird state right now or just lacks fruit. For $20 it was reasonable.
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Just not clicking on all cylinders for me. Aromas of dark berry fruits and cedar. Some spices. Decent complexity with a touch of richness. Medium body with some chew to it. Dusting of tannins. But dark cherries, baking spice, decent acidity. A touch of fruit "sweetness" on the end (dry wine) that starts to border on jammy. A bitterness on the finish pulls it back.
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This has developed further. It is really doing well over time. A bit more complex and rich than the last bottle. Nose of cedar and dark fruit. Palate is chewy, dark cherries, some spice, robust, with still some tannins at the end that add more liveliness to it.
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love this wine -- soft and smooth now, plenty of complexity on the nose and palate and good bracing acidity, which is somewhat surprising. really lots of energy and freshness. and tons of fruit.
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this wine is really getting going! it is both soft and fruity and energetic and vibrant. it features cassis and plums with hints of graphite and subtle oakiness that is almost imperceptible and does not detract. it adds just enough seasoning, like a subtle spice in a stew. it is silky and smooth as a baby's bottom with good structure, balance and enough complexity to keep it interesting through the whole bottle, which went down effortlessly it was so inviting!
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A little more developed than last bottle. Nose of cedar and deep dark fruit. Palate is chewy, spicey, robust, a bit of oak, quite a bit of tannic bite that suggests it still has some time to develop.
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Nose is in and out, sometimes tight, sometimes notes of cedar and deep dark fruit. Palate is chewy, robust, blueberry, tobacco, a bit of spice, a bit of oak, quite a bit of tannic bite that suggests its too young at this point.
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Fruit was short and finish was dominated by more salty, savory flavors, which I was not that fond of on day 1. Was also a bit tannic on day 1, which mellowed out. Overall, a very well balanced wine that held up well for 3 days. Good, just not my type.
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Eye: Deep purple, purple to pinkish rim Nose: dark red fruit, blackberry, hints of floral, toast and spice. Palate: black cherry, blackberry, pepper, soft tannins with a smooth medium to long finish.
Decanted for 35-45 mins. This wine is drinking very well right now, very delish super Tuscan and great value.
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Blackfruit and earth on the nose. A bit over medium bodied and very dense at first showcasing all blackfruit; black berry and black cherry with moderate spice on the back. Agree with the review below that stated it was hard to peg this as Tuscany. After about an hour, it changed dramatically as the sangiovese-based red cherry shines through brightly. Has good length overall and showed more complexity than I originally thought. Certainly very drinkable now, but should improve a bit more.
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Purple and full bodied with a transparent edge. Nose of blackberry, cherries and tobacco. Modest acidity and soft tannins with a mild finish. Nice table wine and reasonable value. 5+12+16+8=91
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Dark color medium extraction; nose is spicy with white and black pepper, some tar, and dark fruit; palate is very spicy with a tangy, spritzy mouthfeel, hard to place this in Tuscany with the fresh fruit and pepper, almost showed some garrigue, so I went to Languedoc, terroir should be more apparent with 1-2 years of bottle age.
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Well, I like it more now than the last time ... maybe a few months have made a difference. it has become more complex, chewy and rich. Pretty darn good bottle of wine for the money.
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Bouquet of red fruit. Taste differs immediately from smell as the fruit is much more muted and mature on the palate. Instead, a strong presence of silky tannins exists from beginning to finish. The tannins also lend to the wine's dryness and an almost imperceptible bitterness. Overall a full bodied wine that begs to be paired with similarly bold cuisine.
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No detailed notes. Simple blue and black fruited affair. Nice tannins. I do not know what their wine making practices are, but it comes across like a New world Italian wine. Pleasant and entirely respectable value.
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We really enjoyed this wine, decanted for 2 hours and I felt it just got better and better. Very soft flavors but a strong spicy like finish. I would buy again.
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Very nice drink that bats well above its $18 price. Works well with both pasta and pizza, has some depth and dark fruit from the non-sangiovese grapes in the blend. Very well balanced, good acidity, should last a few years but drinks very nicely right now. Probably will improve with time. Excellent.
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There's so much tar, graphite and smoke initially, then leading to reticent red fruit that has amber. Roasted game and rosemary as well. Angular, then soft tannins, with an underlying acidity. Pizza inclined, pasta as well. Succulent. There seems to be Cabernet Franc and Merlot. An hour decant would not hurt. Drink 2013 - 2019.
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Dark, neon purple. Smells Rhoney and hybridy (like ripe Foch or Marquette), must be the Marselan ;) . Lots of plum, lavender and asphalt with a little oak on the nose. Palate is medium-bodied and quite approachable. Nice tannic grip. Good stuff, but prior vintages have shown better. This may need another year or two to settle down.
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Couple days open. Nose of cinnamon raisin bread and stewed fruits. The palate remains more fresh with dsty red and black berry fruit. Some lavender, spice and a nice cinnamon tone.
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1/14/2023 - Mnawacki wrote: 90 Points
Dark fruit core, quite concentrated and almost syrupy. Licorice notes, tannins soft at this point.
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10/24/2022 - Samiot Likes this wine: 91 Points
Cellar kept. Aerated and drank. Tannins have receded leave savory and sanguine notes. Little bit earthy. A little more time brings out more dark fruit notes. Satisfying
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11/7/2020 - Mnawacki Likes this wine: 90 Points
Succulent, juicy strawberry and cherry fruit, soft and round, well integrated and drinking beautifully. Medium finish. Really enjoyable.
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10/31/2020 - JWG wrote: 90 Points
Similar to the 2016 bottle we opened. See notes
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11/8/2019 - PMJak11 wrote: 88 Points
Better than expected. PnP’d. Dark cherry color with a very muted nose. Wine has excellent texture but lacks flavor and depth. Might be in a weird state right now or just lacks fruit. For $20 it was reasonable.
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3/26/2019 - OttawaB Likes this wine: 88 Points
Just not clicking on all cylinders for me. Aromas of dark berry fruits and cedar. Some spices.
Decent complexity with a touch of richness. Medium body with some chew to it. Dusting of tannins. But dark cherries, baking spice, decent acidity. A touch of fruit "sweetness" on the end (dry wine) that starts to border on jammy. A bitterness on the finish pulls it back.
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1/7/2018 - JWG wrote: 91 Points
This has developed further. It is really doing well over time. A bit more complex and rich than the last bottle. Nose of cedar and dark fruit. Palate is chewy, dark cherries, some spice, robust, with still some tannins at the end that add more liveliness to it.
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8/20/2017 - Ridgerunner Likes this wine: 90 Points
Terrific italian table wine
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4/25/2017 - thwacker Likes this wine: 92 Points
love this wine -- soft and smooth now, plenty of complexity on the nose and palate and good bracing acidity, which is somewhat surprising. really lots of energy and freshness. and tons of fruit.
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3/16/2017 - thwacker Likes this wine: 92 Points
this wine is really getting going! it is both soft and fruity and energetic and vibrant. it features cassis and plums with hints of graphite and subtle oakiness that is almost imperceptible and does not detract. it adds just enough seasoning, like a subtle spice in a stew. it is silky and smooth as a baby's bottom with good structure, balance and enough complexity to keep it interesting through the whole bottle, which went down effortlessly it was so inviting!
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9/1/2016 - JWG wrote: 90 Points
A little more developed than last bottle. Nose of cedar and deep dark fruit. Palate is chewy, spicey, robust, a bit of oak, quite a bit of tannic bite that suggests it still has some time to develop.
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3/5/2016 - Ridgerunner Likes this wine: 90 Points
Really only just reaching its potential
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1/26/2016 - Ridgerunner Likes this wine: 91 Points
terrific Italian table wine
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12/14/2015 - Colanero wrote: 91 Points
Nice, easy. Short decant (20 minutes).
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12/9/2015 - Ridgerunner Likes this wine: 91 Points
Decent table wine
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11/8/2015 - Ridgerunner Likes this wine: 91 Points
Terrific Italian Table wine
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8/19/2015 - JWG wrote: 89 Points
Nose is in and out, sometimes tight, sometimes notes of cedar and deep dark fruit. Palate is chewy, robust, blueberry, tobacco, a bit of spice, a bit of oak, quite a bit of tannic bite that suggests its too young at this point.
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1/25/2015 - Dar3 wrote: 88 Points
Fruit was short and finish was dominated by more salty, savory flavors, which I was not that fond of on day 1. Was also a bit tannic on day 1, which mellowed out.
Overall, a very well balanced wine that held up well for 3 days.
Good, just not my type.
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1/7/2015 - Altonplace Likes this wine: 88 Points
Pleasant, blackberry. Mild nose. Opened well over an hour. Other options better in the $20+ range.
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3/28/2014 - Rgentile Likes this wine: 90 Points
Eye: Deep purple, purple to pinkish rim
Nose: dark red fruit, blackberry, hints of floral, toast and spice.
Palate: black cherry, blackberry, pepper, soft tannins with a smooth medium to long finish.
Decanted for 35-45 mins. This wine is drinking very well right now, very delish super Tuscan and great value.
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3/8/2014 - RGCM Gananda wrote: 90 Points
Blackfruit and earth on the nose. A bit over medium bodied and very dense at first showcasing all blackfruit; black berry and black cherry with moderate spice on the back. Agree with the review below that stated it was hard to peg this as Tuscany. After about an hour, it changed dramatically as the sangiovese-based red cherry shines through brightly. Has good length overall and showed more complexity than I originally thought. Certainly very drinkable now, but should improve a bit more.
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11/22/2013 - rjweitzman wrote: 89 Points
Good wine. A little on the lighter side but very enjoyable.
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8/11/2013 - Delli Likes this wine: 91 Points
Purple and full bodied with a transparent edge. Nose of blackberry, cherries and tobacco. Modest acidity and soft tannins with a mild finish. Nice table wine and reasonable value. 5+12+16+8=91
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7/27/2013 - Rezy13 wrote: 89 Points
Dark color medium extraction; nose is spicy with white and black pepper, some tar, and dark fruit; palate is very spicy with a tangy, spritzy mouthfeel, hard to place this in Tuscany with the fresh fruit and pepper, almost showed some garrigue, so I went to Languedoc, terroir should be more apparent with 1-2 years of bottle age.
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7/8/2013 - navybrat Likes this wine: 90 Points
Well, I like it more now than the last time ... maybe a few months have made a difference. it has become more complex, chewy and rich. Pretty darn good bottle of wine for the money.
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6/29/2013 - jslee21 wrote: 89 Points
Bouquet of red fruit. Taste differs immediately from smell as the fruit is much more muted and mature on the palate. Instead, a strong presence of silky tannins exists from beginning to finish. The tannins also lend to the wine's dryness and an almost imperceptible bitterness. Overall a full bodied wine that begs to be paired with similarly bold cuisine.
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5/24/2013 - burgbob wrote: 88 Points
Fairly plump internationally styled wine that lacks the typicity of many good Tuscan reds. Still, a decent drink at the price.
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3/21/2013 - KristinJones Likes this wine: 92 Points
delicious
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2/18/2013 - PDX-S wrote:
No detailed notes. Simple blue and black fruited affair. Nice tannins. I do not know what their wine making practices are, but it comes across like a New world Italian wine. Pleasant and entirely respectable value.
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1/10/2013 - WestonGRfx wrote: 90 Points
Nose of Caramel corn. Opened up into a treat as we drank it over a few hours. Can't believe this wine was $18. Things that make you go hmmmmm
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12/29/2012 - jctra wrote: 89 Points
Easy drinking, great terrior wine for the price.
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12/9/2012 - ejca wrote:
We really enjoyed this wine, decanted for 2 hours and I felt it just got better and better. Very soft flavors but a strong spicy like finish. I would buy again.
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11/28/2012 - Jpittard260 wrote: 90 Points
Vibrant wine.
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11/25/2012 - navybrat wrote: 89 Points
Still not overly impressed, though a decent wine for the price.
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11/14/2012 - Jpittard260 wrote: 93 Points
Vibrant fruity notes. Great wine, great finish.
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9/2/2012 - Rechrom wrote: 90 Points
Very nice drink that bats well above its $18 price. Works well with both pasta and pizza, has some depth and dark fruit from the non-sangiovese grapes in the blend. Very well balanced, good acidity, should last a few years but drinks very nicely right now. Probably will improve with time. Excellent.
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7/28/2012 - Matt Scott wrote: 91 Points
There's so much tar, graphite and smoke initially, then leading to reticent red fruit that has amber. Roasted game and rosemary as well. Angular, then soft tannins, with an underlying acidity. Pizza inclined, pasta as well. Succulent. There seems to be Cabernet Franc and Merlot. An hour decant would not hurt. Drink 2013 - 2019.
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6/6/2012 - shaftlet wrote: 88 Points
Dark, neon purple. Smells Rhoney and hybridy (like ripe Foch or Marquette), must be the Marselan ;) . Lots of plum, lavender and asphalt with a little oak on the nose. Palate is medium-bodied and quite approachable. Nice tannic grip. Good stuff, but prior vintages have shown better. This may need another year or two to settle down.
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3/10/2012 - vegasoenophile wrote: 89 Points
Couple days open. Nose of cinnamon raisin bread and stewed fruits. The palate remains more fresh with dsty red and black berry fruit. Some lavender, spice and a nice cinnamon tone.
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12/5/2011 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
Spice and backbone. Lots of structure. Piercingly tangy on the back end. Ok at $21 if a bit hard to decipher.
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