Double decanted off quite a lot of sediment a couple of hours before consumption with a lamb and aubergine stew. Fully mature, gently spiced, red fruited and well balanced. Penultimate bottle, in a good place not sure it will go places so will probably drink up in the next few years.
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Une autre bouteille en pleine forme lors de cette magnifique dégustation. Le nez, la bouche est riche, beaucoup de cerise rouge bien mure sans tomber dans le confit, un boisé présent mais élégant, légère touche fumée, acidité moyenne et tannins a point, une chaleur/rondeur typique des Chateauneuf sans aucune perception d'alcool. Tout est bien intégré et équilibré, un grand Chateauneuf dans son sweet spot en ce moment. Délicieux !
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From magnum courtesy of Gigabit. One of the top wines in the lineup that night. Garnet color. The tannins were holding up very well and there was no sign of decline in this wine. Round texture with notes of garrigue, twizzlers, smoke and raw meat. This was up there among the best La Crau's that I have had which includes the 1985, 1995, 2000, 2001 and 2006. 94 points.
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From magnum courtesy of gigabit. Opens with a nice Rhone funk followed by an abundance of red berry fruit. Softened tannins and acidity. Red fruit and garrigue elements with a lingering finish. Developed a terrific meaty quality with air. Drinking well with plenty of life in this format. 93+ pts.
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Tasted vis-a-vis the 2000, this is superior - a real VT. Quite full bodied, accents on the minerals, stone and blood here (almost a touch of Cornas), this is singing tonight. Glad to have more, but I think it is drinking a point with plenty of fruit left. #NewYearsEve
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PnP. Riedel Syrah. Yum. This does seem to be at peak. Still some fine tannins in my, this last, bottle, so maybe can go a few more years. But how delicious it is now. Strong earthy nose with notes of roasted meat, white pepper, and dark tart fruits. Very smooth on the palate. Stronger notes of pepper, leather, dark cherry, earth and other nice savory flavors. A big hit with lamb chops.
Addition. Wow. The nose on this has gone full blown wet pine forest. Really intriguing. I just want to sit and sniff it all night. The palate, by contrast, has a stronger tar with sweet and bitter notes.
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Vibrant red with some fading at the edges. Cherry nose with some anise aromas. Precise, well delineated fruit, black cherry, licorice. There is a bit of heat here, but nothing bothersome. Fine tannins, acidity a bit sharp. Fine balance. Finishes long with dark fruits. Quite nice, but may be a bit past prime. It softens and becomes brighter with some air. I'd drink these in the short term.
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A nice dark garnet coloring with no bricking on the rim when poured. A lot of cherry, some white pepper and a "briery" note. Some secondary flavors included leather and chocolate. Tannins have completely faded. Was a bit light on the finish or I would have scored higher. "Ready to drink"!
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From Benchmark. Bottle/capsule in good shape. Medium ruby color, not a lot of fading. A little high toned at first and showing some acid structure underneath the fruit, but leg of lamb tames this nicely, showing menthol and brown spices on top of red cherry fruit. This is resolved and ready to go. Drink up.
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Very elegant and feminine wine, not what I expected at all. Still with big tannin. Nose was shy, as was palate. In a way I wonder if it was past its peak... But in a very graceful way. Respect for this vineyard and cuvee.
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Pure red, lighter rim but no tawny. Dark brambly fruits, iron filings, licorice, tar, crushed herbs, black pepper. Gorgeous sweet berry fruits, some damson, cassis and blueberry, ripe and pure. Powerful tannins well knitted and lingering. Nicely balanced acidity and long fruit and spice finish. Dark and delicious. Has aged perfectly, many years ahead.
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Beautiful mature Chateauneuf. Mid weight, velvety finish, with a red cherry, plummy fruit, savoury notes of blood, iron and autumn walks, light note of spice. Plush finish.
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Impeccably balanced and smooth. Nuances of blood, beef, and bacon in the mid palate, with the fruit somewhat faded and appearing only in the lengthy finish. Very good wine just past its prime but still delicious.
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Oh, wow. Everything is in perfect balance. Grilled meats, smoke, loam, cherry liqueur on the nose. Could use more time opening up than I gave it, just a guess. Then an absolutely silky mouthfeel, so pure. Both lively and viscous at once — how can that be? Red and black cherries, leather, white pepper, some pretty floral notes. But the finish is the best part: long, deep, hits the spot. This is not a young wine. (The color is garnet, edges orange.) Thank god. Justifies every minute, every penny I spent waiting and nurturing this wine to maturity.
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Bought and stored perfectly since release, this bottle was singing. Classic savory herbs, old leather, and earthy loam. Very old world and traditional in style. While the fruit is faded somewhat the secondary spices are a treat with the brawny roasted meaty flavors work exceptionally well. Rich and generous with nice balance. A real treat. The reason for cellaring wines.
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Finally here we are. My erratic walk among Rhône wines follows with this twenty years old ChdP. First of all this is younger no more: colour (crimson with a watery hue), bouquet (meaty, earthy, flowery, red liquorice and graphite) and taste (intense in the beginning and short yet balanced when finish). IMHO this bottle has passed its teen period, like a human being. By the way so-so quality cork and tons of sediments. Of course liked it and compared with its peers this is king but once again couldn't find the promise land. Sorry. Next big stop 2001 Beaucastel ChdP. Recently I have been tasting this bottle younger even with a completely different result.
Finalmente aquí estamos. Mi errática caminata entre los vinos del Ródano sigue con este ChdP de veinte años. En primer lugar, esto ya nunca más será joven: color (carmesí con un tono acuoso), bouquet (carnoso, terroso, florido, con regaliz rojo y grafito) y sabor (intenso al principio y corto pero equilibrado al final). En mi humilde opinión, esta botella ha pasado su período de adolescencia, como un ser humano. Por cierto, corcho de calidad regular y toneladas de sedimentos. Por supuesto que me gustó y en comparación con sus compañeros, este vino es el rey, pero una vez más no pude encontrar la tierra prometida. Lo siento. Próxima gran parada el 2001 Beaucastel ChdP. Recientemente he estado probando esta botella más joven con un resultado completamente diferente.
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Still a fait bit of structure. Lots of primary fruit and tertiary notes are starting to develop nicely. Could develop further over the next 5 years but delicious now.
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Tasted vis-avis the Reine des Bois and this was the superior wine - and totaly different style. Airy, elegant, cool, precise, mineral with a clear cut fruit and a great structure - it has local feel, but this remains a thinking man's neuf, very cool, calm and collected ... drinking a point #PB#BoysNight
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The 1998 definitely trumps the the 1999 but not by that much. The 1999 was lovely with the lamb but the flavors trend towards leather and complex fruit/stewy notes. The body and balance is lovely. I easily slipped into over half the bottle by myself, but in going back to the 1998 it is just more vital. Time was up for this wine, but that why I am opening it now.
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Light red in color. Almost translucent. 14% ABV. Textbook nose of dried red fruits, leather, road tar and anise. Medium body with ample acidity. Elegant and rustic with a certain old school charm. Cherries, kirsch, plums, tobacco and herbs on the palate. Exceptional length on the finish. For me this falls into the drink them if you have them category. While other vintages like the '98 and '01 may have a longer life ahead of them this wine will be best over the next year or so.
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Rhone, lots of it (Chicago, IL): From magnum. Splendid showing for this wine. I think VT really does hit it out of the ballpark frequently -- have had old bottles from random vintages that have been stellar, but these young ones are no joke either. Only slightly funky (see: 1999 Pegau) with tons of ripe black fruit. There's this silky richness here that is really delicious too. The tannins are resolving, and there's a velvet texture on the finish here.
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No formal note. Cork broke. Deep and still very alive. The grenache nose just jumped out of the glass, and that quickly toned down after about 30 minutes to morph into a very burgundian nose. Palate still displayed the grenache depth. Quite long finish, very satisfying.
Drink up.
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At its peak. Clear favourite of the red wines drunk today. Well settled sediment, dark centre brick edges. Lovely tobacco nose lingering farmyard flavours. Layer on layer. Delicious.
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From a magnum. Mellowed but still has some oomph. Raspberries, tabaco, leather, herbs and vanilla. Probably in the late stages of its prime drinking window.
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{cork, 14%} Good cork, reassuring ullage. Brick red; looks its age. Nose was initially quite forward and intense, became less so in the glass. Old earth/leather/spice aromas. Gentle leathery flavours too; the tannins are only the faintest dusty memory, medium acidity remains. Does rally a bit for a while, with a dusty, smokey, pungently earthy quality. Actual fruit is rather reticent though. I get why the northerners - Bdx, burg - might have looked down on this region as rube/bogan country wine as opposed to their aristocratic offerings. Medium weight, but with an alarmingly short finish, which makes me question maybe provenance more than the inherent wine itself; I bought this at auction back in 06, so maybe its early life compromised its condition given other tasting notes here. Not that it showed overt signs of poor storage. On this tasting overall, I'd say drink up now. Odds of a great wine experience must be shrinking to one in a case...
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Had wine with ribs and was stunned from the first whiff. The bouquet is extraordinary with mixed spices berries and cassis. The color is so deep - blood red and the wine was earthy fruitful and complex from beginning to end. Should still be good for another 5 to 10 but reall beautiful right now
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Doing very well, a local purchase, after Lynch quit shipping after 9 years and many cases, ask the wife, still vibrant, recommended. Broiled salmon over lentils. Agree with King-Bing!
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Wow, what a difference from my last bottle 2 years ago. This bottle was fully open and mature, tannins fully resolved. Ready to go, and rockin’. I have 7 more to drink over the next few years.
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This is ok but not quite the normal quality expected from this estate; the nose is pretty nice with dark fruit, saddle leather, earth, hints of spice and garrigue and some kirsch liqueur; the palate is a little out of balance and seems a touch hot. The finish seems to cut off quickly. Will hold this a night and see if it develops
Night 2 was not much different; just felt out of balance with a bit too much alcohol; felt much higher than the listed 14% and seemed to blow through the fruit and other flavors. One of the few disappointments I've had from VT
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Brooding dense dark fruit. Big mouthfeel, still some dusty tannins, cedar, leather, tar and very long finish. Amazing really, considering its 19 years old.
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Tasted over two days, better on day 2. Cool, cool stuff, very vertical, notes of English licorice, black fruit, minerals, medicine cabinet. Great wine, although not quite up there with the '98 - VT being one of the domaines who made almost perfect 1998. #LittleSteven
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Lassalle and Vieux Telegraphe (San Francisco Wine Trading Company): Decanted from double magnum. Medium ruby with age appropriate bricking; highly aromatic nose, gamey, red fruit; palate is very balanced between fruit and medium tannin, just a tad bit of bitterness but it may be the slight sediment; medium finish. Ages very well, but certainly ready to drink. 90-91
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Dark, matt red, brick coloured rim. Lovely plum nose, warm spicey mouthful with plum and leather emerging for a long finish. Very mellow and well balanced. Hint of dryness emerging at the end, but lasting impression is spiced baked plums, tobacco leaf and leather. Delicious.
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Didn't start out too good, seemed over the hill, cloying, and simply not charming. Now: ruby/brick. Decent legs. Red berries have come on stronger to complement what originally was overwhelming garrigue. Actually very pretty cherry and strawberry. Very sleek on the palate, a tad austere but still vibrant and in its drinking window. Gentle finish with a touch of bitterness. Drink up-but give it a good decant first to show its best. 4-13-15-8: 90/100.
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Drank 1994, 1996 and 1999 Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe with filet de chevreuil aux mûres during Christmas dinner. All three wines were still very good. The 1994 was most impressive, certainly in the first hour after opening the bottles. Also colourise, it seemed younger than the 1996. The 1999 and to a lesser extent the 1996 needed time to open up. All three still powerful aromas and medium to full bodied.
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A nice example of an older CNdP, with some plummy character alongside a mineral streak. Nicely balanced with good acidity, albeit in a somewhat lighter body (for this region).
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Popped, poured, consumed over next 60 minutes. Drank this right after finishing a bottle of the '98. These two share a lot of similar family characteristics, but the '99, to my palate, is a little brighter, a little more lifted and a bit more tannic. Very similar quality, in my opinion. I have quite liked the '99 CdP I've sampled. Very underrated vintage
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Nice nose, and on the first glass, a fair amount of fruit remains. As I drank the 2nd glass, the tannins and overall acidity started to stick out. Not fully ready yet, but my concern is that the fruit may not outlast the tannins.
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Cork perfect. Four hour ox, then 1/2 hour decant. Clear garnet. Almost no bricking. Very fresh nose of sour cherry and tobacco. Excellent acidity, tannic frame, fruit toward the back. A bit stern at first, then fuller and more giving after an hour. No (or very little) brett.
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Still dark red in color. Cherry, flowers and earth on a nice nose. I thought the fruit was mostly missing. Soft palate of some sour cherry, earth, charcoal and pepper. Dry, but not tannic. An ok wine that my drinking partner liked a lot better than me.
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I quite like this wine, although one would have to not be bothered by Brett. To me, it is not overbearing and adds complexity. Dark fruited, rich structure with lots of fruit remaining. Long on the palate with some dusty tannins remaining.
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First bottle of six; a bit petillant at first, dry, elegant, fruit vibrating underneath, restrained, not you in your face neuf but rather en aristocratic wine with puissance in the core. With air, the fruit comes out to play, lots of it, playful and fresh. Long life ahead still. (Christmas Eve)
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Stored perfectly since release. Chalky fruit still there. Dry as dirt. Needed a sip of water to wash down every sip of wine. Way past its prime drinking window. Drinkable but disappointed.
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Popped & poured tonite. Garnet color, not showing much age in the glass. Generous aromas of cherries with perhaps some tobacco & leather. Medium bodied, loads of sweet, ripe red fruit (cherries), kirsch, tannins mostly resolved. Some tertiary notes of leather, white pepper, & perhaps tar, but still quite fruity, with excellent depth and length. This wine's in a great place right now and was quite delicious. Note that I had this wine a few years ago & my notes are entirely consistent
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A nice garnet coloring when poured without any hints of bricking around the rim. A soft nose with lots of cherry aroma. Flavors included the cherry, white pepper, a hint of leather and some chocolate. The tannins have faded considerably but the wine has plenty of backbone but very smooth across the tongue. Close to being fully mature but there is no need to drink up right away.
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Decanted from a magnum for two hours. Wine was brick red, very soft and silky. Although past its peak, it wasn't tired or too old, just not as exuberent as a few years ago. A wonderful wine, but definitely time to drink up.
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Food: Chinese Northern Duration: 3 hours Condition: Perfect Aroma: white pepper, menthol, slights hints of red fruit, bubble gum Notes: tasted horizontally with Henri Bonneau cuvee Marie Beurrier, I liked this better. The palate is smooth and aftertaste is pretty long. after 2 hours in the bottle the fruits are released despite tannins still present. I think this wine has just started to apprach it's drinking window so I would say drink 2015-2022.
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Nose: you definitely feel the age and the complexity through a mix of liquorich cherries, prunes and some Cuban cigar. Taste: very nice length still french. The tanins mixvlovely with a valanced acidity to finish into some sicy and the (probably after 15 sec) more woody tones. An amazing teenager to enjoy before he becomes a difficult case
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D20min. Garnet red, yellow rim, 5. Perfectly mature complex ripe bouquet, intense red berries, garrigue, farmyard.... Harmonious intense palate, fully resolved tannins, tobacco in the finish. Drink now onwards. What a surprise, this outshone the 2001 on the day!
Last bottle....decanted and then shared at TPGC this one is more leather and earth and not overly sweet with fruit.....solid old school but not a lot of thrills
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CDP and Spain, Plus Whites (Rincon 38, Mpls, MN): Dark red color. PNP, drank 1 glass over an hour. Red fruit, cherry, a bit lean, minerals, oak, spices. The palate is lean as well, cherry, kirsch, alcohol, spice, oak, medium body. This was disjointed initially, but after about 30 minutes it really settled down and integrated pretty well.
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Dark fruit and earthy tannins on the mouth with a pleasant long finish. Took about 30 minutes for the wine to pen and develop in the glass. Bricky when just poured out of the bottle.
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Needs several hours to open up, but then the patience is rewarded by a rich dark fruit core, with notes of strawberries, raspberries, earth, and spice. There are solids in the bottle so decant carefully. The cork broke in the neck of the bottle, but was easy to remove the remnant.
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Light red in color and throwing a touch of sediment. 14% ABV. Red fruits, kirsch and anise on the nose. Light body and medium acidity. Old school Chateauneuf flavors of iron, iodine, plums, garrigue and herbes de Provence. Lots of grip on a medium length finish. Drink over the next year or two. Super showing for VT from an average vintage in CdP.
Tasted blind. Quite a bit of sediment in my sample. Brandy-like nose, oaky dried fruit. Rioja? Settled palate, dried fruit. This feels over oaked and too mature. When the bottle was revealed I became convinced that this has been stored too warm. It should be a lot fresher at this stage. Pity
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Definitely less impressive than the 98 drunk a couple of days earlier. This is good, but not outstanding, lacks precision and length or certainly this bottle does.
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Magnum and decanted 8 hours prior to consumption. Needed every minute to open and express itself. Consumed during the second half of the Super Bowl. It was vastly more interesting than the game at that point and all in the room were thankful it was a magnum as sorrows needed drowning. Classic CdP. Enjoy!
OMG! What a beautiful wine. Drank without decanting. This wine just gets better and better in the glass. Evolved into sweet cherry after being open for 30 minutes. Fantastic!
Amazing depth, fruit, and complexity. Garrigue, smoke, bacon, and black fruits on the nose, plus mouth-coating viscosity and delicious black currant, blackberry, plum flavors. Very decent finish. Loads of secondary peppery and earthy notes on the edges.
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Really nice wine, kind of in an adolescent phase. Aromas of fruit, licorice, a little spice. Good grip and lift. I think the mouvedre takes over with air, grippy and animal. No problem to taste now, but this may get more development with further age.
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Still somewhat tight and restrained with a palate of brown fruit, underbrush and garrigue. Well structured with nothing sticking out and all components being well proportioned. Old school Chateauneuf for sure and with more to come. Leave for another 3 years.
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Popped and poured. Lovely clear garnet-ruby color. Very forward on the nose with loads of cherry liqueur, cassis, and other bright fruit aromas rather than the typical leather and garrique. Quite spicy on the nose as well. Complete and balanced, if a bit light, on the palate, with no hard edges and a very suave mouth feel. The finish must last at least 1 minute. All in all this is a lovely, mature wine in a rather Burgundian style.
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Bottle's in excellent condition. Upon opening there's a reticent but unmistakeable note of star lily in the aromatics. That sticks around, but there's not much else going on. The palate is pleasant, certainly, but I wouldn't throw any superlatives at it. I'd call the tannins 95% resolved. A rather delicate wine, unmarred by brett as were prior bottles, with waning fruit, and in my view not likely to have any further upside, though it sure isn't showing signs of falling apart. Underwhelming, no doubt, when compared to what I was probably looking forward to at the time of purchase.
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Decanted for 1 hour. Ruby core with bricking at the edges. Very typical CdP. Garrigue with red and black berry compote. Earth with roasted charcoal meat juices. Mid palate slightly lacking, but there is a lovely length where kirsch shines through. Perhaps a touch hot, but it's an honest wine. Fruit is holding strong despite being 14 years old and from a mediocre vintage. This will keep for years to come.
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Amazing color with no hint of age, nose somewhat subdued which surprised, great balance in the mouth with a long, supple, texture and finish. Soft tannins, elegant and concentrated with more minerality and less fruit; simply wonderful.
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great balance right now. medium-bodied with a nice lingering finish. the grenache shows through. fruit and acidity in perfect balance right now. good from nose to finish.
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Three years have passed since the light of the cellar ceiling fell on this bottle. But with a little offline with the Pat and Charlie Chadwick lined up at a local restaurant, it was time to consider this as a possibility. A blend of Grenache Noir (65%), Mourvèdre (15%), Syrah (15%) and with touches of Cinsault, Clairette and sundry others (5%) filling out the wine. Early on iodine dominates the nose, but eventually blackberry and the classic cigar ash nose from the Grenache are teased out. The earthy smokiness with smoked meats kick in with more air time. The rim color shows brick while the core shades to cordovan. Fine grains of sediment in the final 6th of the bottle. 14% alc. With hanger steak (me) pork shank (Charlie). this shows well, but slips just a tad short, scoring only “ Recommended.”
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Decanted. Lots of sediment. Wide open. Broad midpalate with lots of chocolate. Not as structured as I would have thought. Acid definitely in the background if not missing altogether. Definitely not as tight as an 04 we had a couple of months ago. I like my Cdps a little fresher and structure, but tasty and well made within its style.
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Opened with the Kindlers at Provencal. Dark ruby color, showing a bit of age on the edges, but otherwise lovely dark color. Medium-strength nose shows some earthiness, minerality and maybe some fruitiness. Wine shows great balance right now: lovely, but retrained amounts of dark fruits, with nice level of acidity, minerality and very soft tannins. Beautifully elegant and restrained wine. In a great spot right now. I wish I had some more!
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Decanted for about an hour before serving. This beauty evolved in the glass after the first pour. Oh my, this is great wine! Flowers, red fruit, some earthy elements on the nose and the tounge. I still taste this in my mouth after fifteen minutes.
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I really need to check CT before I pull a bottle from my cellar. Had I done that in this case, I would have seen that it had only been eight months since my last bottle of '99 Vieux Telegraphe, and given my diminishing supply and that this wine is quite good, I should have spaced out further openings.
The nose shows some complexities like underbrush and soy, which follow to the palate and are joined by black raspberry fruit, nori and garrigue. There is a trace of iodine and this is very in-line with Vieux Telegraphe's unique signature. The palate is clearly past the bulk of youth and is now condensed and streamlined, with good clarity and precision.
This is really a good point in its evolution, but I think another couple of years would further soften and relax the palate, which would give a better texture. Right now, the mouthfeel is silky, but I think it could be softer and warmer.
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P&P. Initially reticent nose unfolds to reveal clean, earthy, gamey, warm red fruits. The attack on the palate is also subdued, but begins to zing a refreshing cool vintage smorgasboard of dry, Provencal herb laden red and purple fruits in a precise, elegant package. This is right at its peak for my palate, and will remain for a decade, give or take.
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Lovely brick red transparent and bright color.With a brown - amber core. Delightful complex nose.Iodine,green wallnuts,eucalyptus,animal,sweaty,undergrowth,forest floor,mud,blackcurrant,leather,chocolate,pepper,spicy. On the palate - elegant,balanced structure,finesse. Still drying tannins,but harmonious,mineralic. Clean,fresh and persistant finish.Still youthful,generous. Wet wood,spicy,cocoa,moca,dry coffee beans,chocolate. Great quality and aging potential.
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Explosive nose of thyme, rosemary, black pepper and kirsch. Surprisingly assertive tannins given the age. Balanced, classic vintage of Vieux. A long life ahead of it yet.
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Drinking wonderfully after decanting for at least an hour. The fruit and earthiness are working very well together. Not powerful like a young Chateauneuf, but gentle and elegant. There's a lot to like in this wine.
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Still very young, this took several hours to fully open up to traditional Chateauneuf flavors of Provençal spices, leather, tobacco, olives and refined, red fruit. I like the restraint of this wine, it's very precise and linear on the palate, nothing sticks out. I think this will be more generous with additional time in the cellar. With grilled veal chops, oven roasted beets with pine nuts and oven roasted potatoes with garlic. Dinner at home with Grant.
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This btl seemed to be on the downhill. Pummy and somewhat tired on the palate. Color & cork looked good. Stored in my cabinet almost since release so, don't think it was cooked. Not what I hoped for. The nose on the otherhand while not awesome was fresher and clean.
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Dark Fig coloured with strong viscocity - clear sedimentation and fairly heavy flaking. Smell is strong of dark forest berries combined with tones of leather. Taste continues on with depth and 30-second palate with few significant intrusive tannins and well-balanced aroma. Probably at its peak although the varietal allows for longer keeping - Up to 2016
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Two Burgundy lovers and their weekend in Napa Valley (SF/NAPA): Nice pepper and cherry red fruit on the palate with a touch of barnyard running in the back. The finish leaves a bit of meaty stewed fruit. Decent drink but nothing impressive. Out of 9L
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Good showing, very youthful still. Dark color, assertive palate that is very typical VT - focused raspberry fruit, with heady spice and pepper and traces of the nori/iodine/Lagavulin quality of VT. There is still some tannin left and the wine shows good structure for an alleged "weaker" year, but after about three hours of air, the tannin feels like it's softened quite a bit. Overall, just a great bottle of VT that still shows young and fit.
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Still almost black, red rim, sediment not crusted, slightly hazy. Hot, sweet fruit nose. Long legs on the glass. Very smooth and full in the mouth, but still tannin to last. Vanilla, leather and spice. Aftertaste glows, showing alcohol, but fruit dominates. Chewy. Delicious.
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Cassoulet and Vieux Telegrape 98-01 (Reno, NV): Similar to previous bottles… this was the most bretty of the 4 bottles… my TN was largely the same as before though empasized the roundness and sweetness on the palate and that the complexity of this wine has a lot to do with brett… the horsey (4-EC) and smoky (4-EG) kind... Drink up!
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Quick Tn. Popped and poured. Light red, almost looking like a pinot. No barnyard/brett. Right out the gate this was open and drinking well. Bing cherries and cranberry. Tannins give a little bit of structure but are barely noticeable. Nice pairing with roasted leg of lamb.
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Not terribly impressive at first. A bit washed out in color. Nose unmistakably CdP but on the weak side at first. Took time to come around. When it did, nice piquant cherry fruit but it didn't sing like other VTs. Good, but a letdown given my high expectations for VT. 4-12-15-7: 88/100.
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Color: brick, opaque. Nose: barnyard, cedar, underlying dark fruit. Smells old, but good. Powerful nose. Taste: Comes on strong, tart, barnyard, but moves to the dark syrah type on the finish. Still tannic and potent after being opened then recorked for a week. I feel the fruit is aging but the tannins are still overpowering.
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Ruby color with brown rim. Polynesian vanilla, black berries, liquorice and horse stables... Decanted 1 hour and it only slowly opened. Long aftertaste. Just starting to open.
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no notes - with dinner and without time to breath. Was very nice, older on the nose than palate, still fairly tannic, a little rustic almost for at vt. Need to drink the next under better conditions
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Similar to previous note with just a bit more tightness on the palate, a pinch less of a song aromatically, slightly less evolved... still is what it is, a very impressive, not overdone, elegant chateauneuf that is a joy to drink right now but has room to improve and evolve... lovely.
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Dark garnet core with slightly matte/rusty rim. At first very warm soil and meat driven aromatics with a somewhat lithe/closed palate. With air. Big warmed raspberry fruit that leaned toward baked but never became cooked in character. Herbs, sweet game and meat, more fresh soil and potpouri. Fantastic aromatics, not a hint of booze either (14.5%). Palate repeated nose with sweet fruit that never became stewy but pranced on the precipicee of profuse all night. Comfortably oppulent. Huge, mouthfilling, yet perfectly balanced with medium acidity and fine, well integrated tannins. Long. Outstanding. Had next to 2000 Bologna Ai Suma Barbera which seemed a tad try hard. Lamb Shanks were at home here. Really enjoyable wine. Lots of life ahead of it.
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Saturday Tasting Group (Knightsbridge Wine Shop (Northbrook, IL)): Drinking very well now. A contemplative wine. Medium light bricking. Browning at the rim. Some aged ripe raspberry, spice, cinnamon. There's a nice dryness with minty, leather, cigar on thenose. Tannins are still present sporting some grip. Lots of life. Great. A nice wine. Drink up.
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This is very VT - nori and iodine notes, surrounding a raspberry core, but is not very '99 CdP at all, in that it is still young, firm and relatively unevolved; surprising. Not nearly ready yet, although on track.
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Way too young, tart, and tight... not expressing much at this time with just a pop and pour. Sour cherry and a bit of charred wood are peeking out now but my guess is this wine will improve dramatically with a few years and/or hours of air. Unfortunately, circumstances didn't allow a decant.
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Excellent; nose of garrigue, licorice, quite dark fruits; herbiness on the palate, enough acidity to be fresh, but very full bodied and quite forceful - this still seemed quite young, seems to have a way to go yet; very good length. The final glass, a day later, was at least as good as those the previous day - minerality more noticeable, otherwise similar.
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We bought a case having not seen what were very disappointing scores (I think WS). The first 6 at least were major disappointments and I felt snookered. However, the last several have been better, and this was wonderful. The nose was very pleasant, rich, sweet, no barnyard. In the mouth, the tannins had softened, the wine was very smooth, great balance, complex and still surprisingly vibrant with sweet fruit, leather, tobacco. As noted elsewhere, we had just opened a 98 Vieux Donjon, a major disappointment. We expected no better from this, and it was great. Down to our last two.
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Decanted 2 hours (opened some as a result). Moved to pull one after markjanes' note below and my last notes from '05 and '06. Light orange/brown-tinged garnet. Gorgeous lightly funky, spicy, red fruited nose with a streak of mineral (okay, mark says its iodine). Have to agree that the complexity, finesse and integration that this wine displays is really inspiring. Everything in harmony, including bringing out the best in grilled duck breast and potato gratin (both a la Suzanne Goin). Great length with complexity. Not a bruiser by any means. Do not plan to wait 4 years until the next, this is ready.
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Served a little cold, directly from my cellar. This is a classic, fine Chateauneuf. Excellently drinking now, but no hurry. When properly stored, this will hold for at least 5 to 10 years. Good spicyness.
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Med wt, deep ruby. Gorgeous deep plum & red fruits, Earthy/tar spice, roast herbs, lovely inky and violet fragrance. Med wt, licorice/tar/herb spice, plum and blackcurrant, hint of raspberry, fleshy, zippy/crisp finish. Spicy & lovely fruit, very youthfull.
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Light depth of color, rim red with hints of brick showing low extraction. On the nose this wine is just singing right now... really lovely balance of red fruits, showing no pruning or sour qualitites, dried spices, and funk (just a whiff of iodine)... minimal noticeable new barrique notes... On the palate the wine has firm acidity, a slightly tight midpalate, a very nice transition into a low tannic finish of medium ripeness and nearly complete integration, moderate ETOH. Superb balance, very good length, great intensity, excellent complexity. Wine has great finesse for place of origin, a slightly firmish texture, fantastic expression of place. For me this wine is doing everything it can possibly do and is certainly a superb example of a finesse driven Chateauneuf... this will not impress those who like bigger (fruit, new oak, or structure wise) Chateauneufs but for its style and for my personal preference from this region (irrelevant in the grand scheme of things)... wow! Drink now and over the next couple years.
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The dominant flavors of the Grenache Noir reflect its composition of 65% of this blend, with Mourvèdre (15%), Syrah (15%); Cinsault, Clairette and sundry others (5%) filling out the wine. According to the website the vines average 60 years of age. But when it comes right down to it, I love VT for its classic cigar ash nose from the Grenache. The Mouvedre and Syrah contribute blackberry undertones with smoked meats, but the earthiness of the Grenache is always there, from attack to finish. More the color of brick than anything else, it still displays a small core or plum. Lighter than the Tensley Purisima served the same night, it’s deft on the palate and ebbs away like dew on a rose petal leaving a distinct dusty rose quality. A goodly amount of sediment has developed. 14% alc. With grilled pork chops stuffed with gorgonzola and blackberry butter and topped with more of the same while enjoying the company of Bonnie Neilsen and Sue Appleby. Highly Recommended.
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Enjoyed over two nights, without much change. This drank more like a Vieux Donjon than a Vieux Telegraphe, in the sense that it showed more of a brown palate and animal fur, with some raspberry fruit at its core, yet the fruit was not at the fore. It did not show much VT attributes of iodine, peat or seaweed. Very enjoyable wine, resolved and smooth. This is good for people who liked mature CdP, not those looking for "gobs" of fruit or an extracted wine.
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Chateauneuf de Pape Tasting (Urbana, Washington, DC): Very spicy nose with plenty of olive tapanade and beef jerky. Secondary flavors of white/black pepper. This was a medium bodied wine that was quite young on the palate. Could see this maturing around 2018.
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This wine aged beautifully in a magnum. Although it was fresh enough that it could have held a few more years, I thought it was at peak. A couple other guests thought it would have benefited from a bit more cellar time. Glycerin Grenache, spice and smoke. There have been better Telegraphe vintages but this one (at least in a magnum) was very enjoyable.
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Pitt Group-Rhone (Bigelow Grille-Pittsburgh): Tasted blind. Fruit seemed a little overripe, low tannins and acidity, soft mouthfeel. Was very surprised when unveiled. Maybe provenance but this bottle didn't show very well.
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a beautifully balanced wine with classic CDP flavours underpinned and given grip by lovely sweet tannins. tasted several times over the last few years and now clearly plateaued. should last many more years
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13th Annual Lyon 10 year Retrospective (Eugene, Oregon): Brick on the rim, it has an earth and underbrush hit to the black fruit. Seaweed/iodine, and a little meat on the palate with the olive tinged berry flavors. Still pretty tannic, has 3-5 years.
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This bottle was marred by excessive brettiness (a taste reminiscent of Band-aids). After determining that this wasn't something that would dissipate with air and time, the remains of the bottle were poured out.
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I served this wine to Bruce and Brooklynguy, who was convinced that it was Burgundy and for ten minutes debated where in Burgundy, eventually concluding Pommard because of its masculine profile. I thought the wine was much too dark to be Burgundy, quite dark in color and palate profile (and not only in comparison to the 2003 Rayas also on the table; a dark wine generally). Palate shows a bit of sweet funk, and Brooklynguy points out wet soil, in addition to the olives, black fruit, nori/seaweed, beef blood and pine/evergreen/forrest scents. The tannin is soft, suggesting that this wine is getting close to its apogee. More seaweed this time than the Lagavulin/peat/iodine notes as I usually get in this wine. Delicious and drinking well.
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Susanne loves this wine. A Vieux Telegraphe on the move. It's shedding its young fruit and moving into middle age. Still showing some dark fruit, but marked by lavender, tobacco, licorice, black olives, game and minth. It's a fairly restrained wine which leads me to believe it will be more expressive in a few years, but it is drinking nicely now. The minth became more obvious over the evening. Excellent showing.
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The South of France in Colorado: 1999 Chateauneuf Horizontal: Classic VT in my experience, this bouquet yells grenache again after that Barbe Rac Burgundian-detour. Rubbery, cranberry smells, with huge, chewy, kinky, spicy fruit that's long and satisfying. Still young.
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Huge improvement over the odd '99 Beaucastel from the night before. Shows the trademark iodine/peat notes, along with black fruit, animal fur, black olive, truffle and woodsy underbrush notes. The tannin is dry, the acidity is juicy, and I suspect that this wine is near peak, but I see it holding for a long while. Gets deeper and juicier over the course of the night. Really an excellent wine at a great place today. 4.5 Wonka bars out of 5.
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Great bottle of wine, decanted and drank with friends over 90 minutes and was really just starting to open up and show more complexity and fruit, ideally would have been able to decant longer.
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Fairly deeply colored. Notes of lavender, herbs and dark fruit. Flavors of dark fruit, spice and garrigue, with a subtle soy quality underneath. Long finish.
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Still quite closed, but a delicious VT... opens up nicely after 3 hour in decanter, tanic, but vey perfumed and spicy. Will be really good in a couple of years
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(2+) Maybe drank too young? Classic CdP - a lot of barnyard at first that blew off but was always present. Very rustic - leathery and earthy. Really enjoyed but not the best CdP I’ve had.
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A Couple of Vieux Telegraphs: Deep red with a watery edge. Initial nose of iodine and hung game, then sweet dark fruits pepper and spice and licorice. Very smooth entry some initial sweetness then a full mid palate with earthy minerals and complex fruit. Good refreshing acidity and a long finish. Really drinking well now and should last for many years yet
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Burgundy & other stuff from the cellar (The house): Very big earthy nose, with minerals and blood. Very big, dirty, earthy fruit, with very good depth and complexity. Medium long finish with more terrior and dirt. Good acid and tannins. Still young but showing good promise. Great with the lamb.
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Already quite mature. Soft spiciness. Very nice now. I don't have any bottles, but if I had I would drink them within the next year. Some might want to wait a little longer.
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Deep ruby no aging at all. A 'savage' nose of barnyard, cherry fruit and earth really expressive and 'wild'. Sweet attack and good fruit and tannin. Some complexity showing and very enjoyable
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Very tight. Some barnyard but not as much as in previous bottles. Did not open much throughout the evening. On day two, the barnyard was more prevalent and showing dark fruits with good length.
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Musty on the nose which tended to dominate the palate. Cherry sweetness generaly shone through, but a bit of a struggle and I did not focus that much given homework and all the other usual stuff. I will decant the remainder this evening and hope it blows off.
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Deep ruby red with signs of color degradation. Good medium weight with a lot of glycerin. Barnyard, cherry, spice, and herbs on the nose. Initial taste of sweet cherry on a watery entry. The mid-palate builds up showing notes of plum and spice that flows into a surprisingly long and satisfying finish. Soft and smooth with well integrated tannins. Very pleasing but not sure this gets much better from here.
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This seems to be ready to go: stong flavors of iron, iodine and beef and a steady amount of fruit. It was quite mature in my opinion--perhaps it had been warmed at some point (this was a gift back at our engagement). I also noted some bricking around the edge of the glass, however it is still a nice wine to enjoy for the next 12-18 months.
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Bright chery red. Modern nose of sweet vanilla. After 15 mins, opens out to a nicely bretty nose. Far more like the 1990 after 20 mins or so. Good attack, eerything there. Ady noted white pepper though i can't get this past my bunged-up nose. Stylstically very much a youner version of the 90 and certainly the best wine of the night. ***1/2
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Nez suave de garrigue avec du cuir. En bouche je retrouve un très beau Châteauneuf au style traditionnel, d’une belle puissance tranquille. Un classique Vieux Télégraphe avec de la confiture de fraise, du poivre et de la garrigue. Il a cette concentration typique, le style un peu rustique, cette finale longue et savoureuse. Un bel exemple du millésime 1999 avec de la fraicheur et de la matière. Il commence à peine son plateau de maturité et s’y maintiendra plusieurs années.
J’aime beaucoup ce domaine qui sans esbroufe propose dans chaque millésime un CNP classique, savoureux et d’une belle profondeur. Une valeur sûre.
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Dark red colour. The nose has a very dusty, earthy character with aromas of red and dark fruits and herbs over strong earthy notes. More dark fruits, sour cherries and earthy minerals follow on the palate which is fleshy and full bodied with low acidity and firm, chewy tannins.
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I think better than some other reviewers. Really reminded me of a more traditional ChdP, before the higher alcohol, extractions of recent years. A bit of barnyard in the nose, with the traditional herbal tones. It is definitely ready to drink, the tannins are smooth, and the fruit as forward as it will be. Not a big wine, but well-balanced and again, to me a very traditional ChdP with the balance of acid, mineral, garrigue, but decent fruit.
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Notes of iodine, rust and earth mingled with some barnyard--my mother in law didn't like it at all, but Karen and I were both quite satified. A wine that seems to be in optimal drinking range as it lacks the robustness of the 98. Drink thru 2010.
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1999 is one of my favorite years in Chateauneuf (it escapes the usual excesses) but this is not one of the best wines of the vintage. Try Les Cailloux in contrast (for what is usually 2/3 of the price). Nevertheless, this is, contrary to some of the notes here, not the brettiest CDP I've had. It actually is relatively (emphasis on relatively) clean. That being said, the nose gives a little funk followed by quite monolithic black fruit and smoky leather. Palate is sadly on dimensional: broad dark fruit jammy attack followed by thick brambly mid-palate finishing with liquorice, broad rich tannins and some alcohol. All in all, a fairly standard old style CDP but not a wine of any real distinction. Sorry, this style no longer does anything for me even though I'll always keep some bottles on hand for its mass appeal.
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The cork was in good condition. Opened and bottle decanted for about half an hour and then drank over next 90 minutes. Color was solid garnet. Nose was a little musty, with vanilla and cherries. Good, creamy mouthfeel. But the taste was not very pleasant, to me or dinner mates. What came to mind at first was cherry cough syrup, then very raisiny and green. Tannic and a little bitter on the finish. This never really opened or softened over time. Not what I was expecting; makes me wonder if bottle suffered heat damage at some point in the past.
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This wine surprised me. Elegant structured, as expected. But the grenache was quite forward, thought did not hit you over the head. Niceley framed in the mourvedre and other grapes. Fruit kept showing. Good tannic grip. Very nice showing
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Brick to orange/pink. Seem a bit older than the others. Stems and cherry fruit on the nose seeming mature at this stage in the game. Soft, not a ton of oomph, but very pleasant. When revealed, I was surprised that this seemed so mature. Still a good drink, but I am going to open one from my stash to see if this was just the bottle or the wine in general. (90)
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I love this wine. And I like the funk (probably is bret). So earthy, complex. The tannins have mellowed but there is still structure. Ready now, to my taste, but this should be good for many years.
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By far the best of my bottles, there was barnyard initially but it blew off pretty quickly allowing the fruit to actually show. The nose, even after two hours, remains bretty/barnyardy with some briefcase leather and some dust. Flavors of cola, dried cherry and just a bit of tannin. Maybe some coffee and a little barnyard note. Not a great wine but much better than prior bottles. Throwing a pretty good sediment, I would decant if I had more bottles.
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More acidic than I remember. Funked up earthy truffle plum/cherry, leather, black pepper, tobacco. Some might taste bret....I think it's funky, but clean. Intense "Rhone-ness"....has sharp citrus acidity, which I don't remember the last time. Shows some "heat" alc. as well? The flavors are wonderful...but the "feeling" is a little disjointed. Maybe it needs a few more years to mellow? I'd say hold for another 5+. Has great flavors though.
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Popped and poured and open for business. This wine just smells incredible. Earth, truffle, dark/black fruit profile with the typical Chateauneuf-funk. Has silky texture, with sweet fruit, but good dry extract at the same time. Tannins are pretty soft, but this is in no danger of decline in my opinion. Perfectly drinkable right now, but should hold for years. Can't go wrong with this one.
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This wine needed a full 24 hours to reach drinkability. Night one, stinky with Bret. God how I hate vintners in southern France. Bret is acceptable, yuk.
By night two the bret was much less objectionable plus I drank it just slightly chilled, about 60 degrees. Nose of baked red fruit and molasses. Still ample tannins and the wine was cloudy, probably from the bret. Dried cherry, kirsch and almost an oak tone to the wine (although I doubt it saw any oak per tradition in CDP). Acceptable and I bought it for $21 so I should not complain but how I hate the bret.
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Starts w/some barnyard, blows off & really comes together w/air, lots of red fruit, mineral, earth, herbs, still firm but w/plenty of stuffing, give last 2 antoher few years!
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The first of 5 bottles I found in the cellar two weeks ago. CdP always seems to be a great "go to" wine for us---Karen just loved this bottle! Rich, with fine grainy tannins; I would say the wine is still youthful and has years to go. Great earthiness and minerality, just the spot on wine for a Tuesday evening of pasta with chicken, bell pepper and artichoke hearts.
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Stored in my passive cellar since purchase on release, this wine seems to be approaching peak of maturity. Slight bricking at rim, beautiful mid-palate and length and nice nose. Does not have the depth and panache of the 98, but very good for drinking now, while the 98 rests.
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Initially, on the nose, loads of barnyard which blew off after 20 minutes to reveal some floral notes. On the palate the wine was juicy, ripe dark fruit with some earth. Surprisingly balanced. Drinking very well but not in decline yet as others have noted. Paired nicely with pork tenderloin with dijon sauce.
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Yes, showing it´s age - much too young. Very tight and closed, tannins on the palate. Smokey and herbal undertones, no fruit, but promising. Should develop nicely, I would give it at least 3-4 more years.
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Chateauneuf du Pape at Daniele: Chalk earth. Balsa wood. Sappy, high toned red cherry and berry fruit. Pretty good. Seemed to gain weight with a little time, but started lighter bodied.
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Light ruby color with very little rim gradation. Balanced red fruit on the nose with a slight strawberry dominance and well-integrated vanilla notes. Velvety tannins and an overall pleasant, full-bodied mouthfeel. Lingering finish with hints of black cherry at the final moment.
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What fun! A big burly CdP on the palate that's still tight/closed on the nose suggesting an evolution in progress and I'm waiting a few years for the next one.
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Southern Rhône Offline (Establishment Restaurant, Manchester): A very even ruby. No similarity on the nose to the 2001 whatsoever. The '99 is much more floral with talc notes, though there's also some sweet black fruit behind with hints of crème de mûre. For me, the 1999 has much more balance, and is much more together; and generally much finer with a much better character. Nicely approachable, but with plenty of development ahead of it. Very Good Indeed +
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This one had a little herd of horsies running around on the nose to start but it blew off to reveal an expressive CDP. The garrigue element is something that is interesting and hard for the same varietal mix in other regions to duplicate. Mr. Winetex thought at one point it smelled like rosemary and horses. Now THAT's a nose. [~$30 on release; Ready-to-drink but could hold indefinitely depending on your tastes; Decanted 30 minutes and needed it]
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Very similar to last note. This wine is classical CnP, with loads of well intergrated elements. Not quite as expressive as in May 2005, but may be a result the fact that I decanted (lots of sediment)only upon serving this time.
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Pretty classicaly-styled CdP. Kirsch and plums on nose. Nice, peppery and tasty. Probably will improve for a couple of years, but pretty ready to go right now.
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Nice clear purple color. Interesting nose with blackberry, creme brulee, some earth and funk. Dark cherry on the palate. For first 30 min a bit angular, but then begins to resolve. Med length finish. A bit medicinal on the finish. Dusty tannin is not big, but is present.
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Solid core of dark fruit with some thinning at the rim. Nose is almost wildly expressive with distinct notes of blackberry, cedar and licorice with background of earth, asian spices and some distant 'funk'. Definitely something to go back to time and time again. This changed very little on day two (corked in refrig) -- very strong and persistant wine. Great full mouth feel with no 'thinness' that has put me off some other Vieux T's. Finish has ample acid and tannin, but in balance and pleasant (my wife thought it rough, but we've been on a diet of Cali Pinot). Saw a note somewhere to pull out the '99 CNPs and this is really good advice. This wine is just singing right now.
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i've had this wine several times. and despite my perpetual enthusiasm, every time i pull the cork, i've always been disappointed. sadly, tonight is no exception. the wine is too bright and tart. the acidity is over balanced. it doesn't possess any structure with it's fruit. thin. not undrinkable, just so bland and tiresome that i can't recommend it.
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Imported by Kermit Lynch; alcohol 14% by volume, not decanted.
Upon opening a color of deep plum in the glass with a thin, clear, rim. Offers a nose of earth and dark fruit; a bit sharp, or angular, on the palate with moderate tannin present. With 30 minutes of air in the glass the nose remained unchanged. The palate had shed the sharp features and smoothed out showing sweet red fruit and earth as the predominant features. After 2 hours the nose had not moved an inch, and the fruit was again being hidden by the tannins. This bottle seems to be more masculine in nature than previous ones.
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11/03: Was disappointed earlier, but, opened another bottle. Nice Rhone nose, peppery, earthy, good fruit. Somewhat classical ChdP, if not as rich as many 1998's and 1999's. Not a blockbuster, but rich with black fruit. Not feeling so bad, after seeing some reviews.
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1/20/2024 - Vinumming & Ahhing Likes this wine: 90 Points
Double decanted off quite a lot of sediment a couple of hours before consumption with a lamb and aubergine stew. Fully mature, gently spiced, red fruited and well balanced. Penultimate bottle, in a good place not sure it will go places so will probably drink up in the next few years.
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12/4/2023 - Chris Davies Likes this wine: 89 Points
tertiary, savoury, complex and the fruit just about departed. Enjoyable but I think I would have liked it more 5 years ago
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11/28/2022 - Goodwine4ever wrote: 94 Points
Une autre bouteille en pleine forme lors de cette magnifique dégustation. Le nez, la bouche est riche, beaucoup de cerise rouge bien mure sans tomber dans le confit, un boisé présent mais élégant, légère touche fumée, acidité moyenne et tannins a point, une chaleur/rondeur typique des Chateauneuf sans aucune perception d'alcool. Tout est bien intégré et équilibré, un grand Chateauneuf dans son sweet spot en ce moment. Délicieux !
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11/16/2022 - Vino Me wrote: 94 Points
From magnum courtesy of Gigabit. One of the top wines in the lineup that night. Garnet color. The tannins were holding up very well and there was no sign of decline in this wine. Round texture with notes of garrigue, twizzlers, smoke and raw meat. This was up there among the best La Crau's that I have had which includes the 1985, 1995, 2000, 2001 and 2006. 94 points.
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11/11/2022 - AllRed wrote: 93 Points
From magnum courtesy of gigabit. Opens with a nice Rhone funk followed by an abundance of red berry fruit. Softened tannins and acidity. Red fruit and garrigue elements with a lingering finish. Developed a terrific meaty quality with air. Drinking well with plenty of life in this format. 93+ pts.
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12/31/2021 - beatles wrote: 95 Points
Tasted vis-a-vis the 2000, this is superior - a real VT. Quite full bodied, accents on the minerals, stone and blood here (almost a touch of Cornas), this is singing tonight. Glad to have more, but I think it is drinking a point with plenty of fruit left.
#NewYearsEve
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12/6/2021 - bcolbath Likes this wine: 93 Points
Very delicious. Drank this over two days and it lost nothing. Probably at its peak, but don't be in a rush to drink up.
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10/27/2021 - Ron Slye wrote: 92 Points
PnP. Riedel Syrah. Yum. This does seem to be at peak. Still some fine tannins in my, this last, bottle, so maybe can go a few more years. But how delicious it is now. Strong earthy nose with notes of roasted meat, white pepper, and dark tart fruits. Very smooth on the palate. Stronger notes of pepper, leather, dark cherry, earth and other nice savory flavors. A big hit with lamb chops.
Addition. Wow. The nose on this has gone full blown wet pine forest. Really intriguing. I just want to sit and sniff it all night. The palate, by contrast, has a stronger tar with sweet and bitter notes.
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10/20/2021 - Charlie C Likes this wine: 89 Points
Vibrant red with some fading at the edges. Cherry nose with some anise aromas. Precise, well delineated fruit, black cherry, licorice. There is a bit of heat here, but nothing bothersome. Fine tannins, acidity a bit sharp. Fine balance. Finishes long with dark fruits. Quite nice, but may be a bit past prime. It softens and becomes brighter with some air. I'd drink these in the short term.
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10/10/2021 - Chuck Miller wrote:
Drinking at peak, fully resolved tannins, smooth.
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10/9/2021 - vinolovers wrote: 92 Points
A nice dark garnet coloring with no bricking on the rim when poured. A lot of cherry, some white pepper and a "briery" note. Some secondary flavors included leather and chocolate. Tannins have completely faded. Was a bit light on the finish or I would have scored higher. "Ready to drink"!
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4/4/2021 - zpearson Likes this wine: 90 Points
From Benchmark. Bottle/capsule in good shape. Medium ruby color, not a lot of fading. A little high toned at first and showing some acid structure underneath the fruit, but leg of lamb tames this nicely, showing menthol and brown spices on top of red cherry fruit. This is resolved and ready to go. Drink up.
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2/16/2021 - Madera16 Likes this wine:
Very elegant and feminine wine, not what I expected at all. Still with big tannin. Nose was shy, as was palate. In a way I wonder if it was past its peak... But in a very graceful way. Respect for this vineyard and cuvee.
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1/17/2021 - Vini Ciclismo Likes this wine: 93 Points
Pure red, lighter rim but no tawny.
Dark brambly fruits, iron filings, licorice, tar, crushed herbs, black pepper. Gorgeous sweet berry fruits, some damson, cassis and blueberry, ripe and pure. Powerful tannins well knitted and lingering. Nicely balanced acidity and long fruit and spice finish. Dark and delicious. Has aged perfectly, many years ahead.
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11/26/2020 - Sennma wrote:
honestly a bit disappointed with this bottle...decanted for 2 hours but never really showed much.
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9/27/2020 - moany rhoney wrote: 92 Points
Beautiful mature Chateauneuf. Mid weight, velvety finish, with a red cherry, plummy fruit, savoury notes of blood, iron and autumn walks, light note of spice. Plush finish.
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9/12/2020 - jhw425 wrote: 92 Points
Loved this. Drinking really well
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8/27/2020 - Brain Capers Likes this wine:
Drinking very well, ‘classic’ VT flavors, or just the way Kermit described them 30 years ago. Yum. With a lamb tangine.
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8/8/2020 - Magnolian Likes this wine: 92 Points
Impeccably balanced and smooth. Nuances of blood, beef, and bacon in the mid palate, with the fruit somewhat faded and appearing only in the lengthy finish. Very good wine just past its prime but still delicious.
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6/11/2020 - hfindlay Likes this wine:
Oh, wow. Everything is in perfect balance. Grilled meats, smoke, loam, cherry liqueur on the nose. Could use more time opening up than I gave it, just a guess. Then an absolutely silky mouthfeel, so pure. Both lively and viscous at once — how can that be? Red and black cherries, leather, white pepper, some pretty floral notes. But the finish is the best part: long, deep, hits the spot. This is not a young wine. (The color is garnet, edges orange.) Thank god. Justifies every minute, every penny I spent waiting and nurturing this wine to maturity.
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4/17/2020 - KenK Likes this wine: 94 Points
Bought and stored perfectly since release, this bottle was singing. Classic savory herbs, old leather, and earthy loam. Very old world and traditional in style. While the fruit is faded somewhat the secondary spices are a treat with the brawny roasted meaty flavors work exceptionally well. Rich and generous with nice balance. A real treat. The reason for cellaring wines.
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2/18/2020 - pren wrote: 88 Points
第一天,第一口,好冲的酒味。有点funky,厚,热的酒。
第二天,气味完全没有了,口感类似。
没觉得这个酒过气了,可能就这样。
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12/2/2019 - Harley1199 Likes this wine:
Finally here we are. My erratic walk among Rhône wines follows with this twenty years old ChdP. First of all this is younger no more: colour (crimson with a watery hue), bouquet (meaty, earthy, flowery, red liquorice and graphite) and taste (intense in the beginning and short yet balanced when finish). IMHO this bottle has passed its teen period, like a human being. By the way so-so quality cork and tons of sediments.
Of course liked it and compared with its peers this is king but once again couldn't find the promise land. Sorry.
Next big stop 2001 Beaucastel ChdP.
Recently I have been tasting this bottle younger even with a completely different result.
Finalmente aquí estamos. Mi errática caminata entre los vinos del Ródano sigue con este ChdP de veinte años. En primer lugar, esto ya nunca más será joven: color (carmesí con un tono acuoso), bouquet (carnoso, terroso, florido, con regaliz rojo y grafito) y sabor (intenso al principio y corto pero equilibrado al final). En mi humilde opinión, esta botella ha pasado su período de adolescencia, como un ser humano. Por cierto, corcho de calidad regular y toneladas de sedimentos.
Por supuesto que me gustó y en comparación con sus compañeros, este vino es el rey, pero una vez más no pude encontrar la tierra prometida. Lo siento.
Próxima gran parada el 2001 Beaucastel ChdP.
Recientemente he estado probando esta botella más joven con un resultado completamente diferente.
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11/19/2019 - cliffkol wrote: 96 Points
Bon 98. exquisite
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11/9/2019 - Yassine23 Likes this wine:
Still a fait bit of structure. Lots of primary fruit and tertiary notes are starting to develop nicely. Could develop further over the next 5 years but delicious now.
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11/1/2019 - kstoddard wrote: flawed
Sadly corked
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9/20/2019 - finewinebuff57 wrote: 88 Points
From a half, sweet, gentle, in this format just past its best.
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9/17/2019 - beatles wrote: 95 Points
Tasted vis-avis the Reine des Bois and this was the superior wine - and totaly different style. Airy, elegant, cool, precise, mineral with a clear cut fruit and a great structure - it has local feel, but this remains a thinking man's neuf, very cool, calm and collected ... drinking a point
#PB#BoysNight
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8/15/2019 - europat55 wrote: 91 Points
Classic La Crau... this bottle was outstanding!
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8/5/2019 - Woodbridge Brad Likes this wine: 91 Points
The 1998 definitely trumps the the 1999 but not by that much. The 1999 was lovely with the lamb but the flavors trend towards leather and complex fruit/stewy notes. The body and balance is lovely. I easily slipped into over half the bottle by myself, but in going back to the 1998 it is just more vital. Time was up for this wine, but that why I am opening it now.
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6/17/2019 - Mrbuzz Likes this wine: 93 Points
Still pretty acidic...needs a good decant...shows very nice red Grenache fruits,black pepper, leather...solid showing.
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6/8/2019 - Chateaunewf wrote: flawed
The cork was pristine but the wine was vinegar. Not corked but possibly cooked. Disappointing.
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3/17/2019 - tomlee wrote: 92 Points
Light red in color. Almost translucent. 14% ABV. Textbook nose of dried red fruits, leather, road tar and anise. Medium body with ample acidity. Elegant and rustic with a certain old school charm. Cherries, kirsch, plums, tobacco and herbs on the palate. Exceptional length on the finish. For me this falls into the drink them if you have them category. While other vintages like the '98 and '01 may have a longer life ahead of them this wine will be best over the next year or so.
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3/10/2019 - acyso wrote: 93 Points
Rhone, lots of it (Chicago, IL): From magnum. Splendid showing for this wine. I think VT really does hit it out of the ballpark frequently -- have had old bottles from random vintages that have been stellar, but these young ones are no joke either. Only slightly funky (see: 1999 Pegau) with tons of ripe black fruit. There's this silky richness here that is really delicious too. The tannins are resolving, and there's a velvet texture on the finish here.
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2/4/2019 - Tony Molester Likes this wine:
No formal note.
Cork broke.
Deep and still very alive. The grenache nose just jumped out of the glass, and that quickly toned down after about 30 minutes to morph into a very burgundian nose. Palate still displayed the grenache depth. Quite long finish, very satisfying.
Drink up.
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12/25/2018 - rupertg Likes this wine: 93 Points
At its peak. Clear favourite of the red wines drunk today. Well settled sediment, dark centre brick edges. Lovely tobacco nose lingering farmyard flavours. Layer on layer. Delicious.
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12/24/2018 - J. Vino Likes this wine: 93 Points
From a magnum. Mellowed but still has some oomph. Raspberries, tabaco, leather, herbs and vanilla. Probably in the late stages of its prime drinking window.
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12/22/2018 - graemeg wrote:
{cork, 14%} Good cork, reassuring ullage. Brick red; looks its age. Nose was initially quite forward and intense, became less so in the glass. Old earth/leather/spice aromas. Gentle leathery flavours too; the tannins are only the faintest dusty memory, medium acidity remains. Does rally a bit for a while, with a dusty, smokey, pungently earthy quality. Actual fruit is rather reticent though. I get why the northerners - Bdx, burg - might have looked down on this region as rube/bogan country wine as opposed to their aristocratic offerings. Medium weight, but with an alarmingly short finish, which makes me question maybe provenance more than the inherent wine itself; I bought this at auction back in 06, so maybe its early life compromised its condition given other tasting notes here. Not that it showed overt signs of poor storage. On this tasting overall, I'd say drink up now. Odds of a great wine experience must be shrinking to one in a case...
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11/25/2018 - Easter Everywhere Likes this wine:
In a good spot now. No rush
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11/4/2018 - bottlewasher Likes this wine: 95 Points
Had wine with ribs and was stunned from the first whiff. The bouquet is extraordinary with mixed spices berries and cassis. The color is so deep - blood red and the wine was earthy fruitful and complex from beginning to end. Should still be good for another 5 to 10 but reall beautiful right now
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10/20/2018 - callmeacab22 Likes this wine: 90 Points
A nice well-aged mellowed wine; possibly bit over the edge with some brownish tint. Well-integrated flavors that improved a bit on Day 2.
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10/13/2018 - kstoddard Likes this wine: 94 Points
From magnum
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10/10/2018 - Brain Capers Likes this wine:
Doing very well, a local purchase, after Lynch quit shipping after 9 years and many cases, ask the wife, still vibrant, recommended. Broiled salmon over lentils. Agree with King-Bing!
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7/30/2018 - king-bing wrote:
In a lovely spot now. Warm but lighter. Very classic notes of earth and black olive and garrigue. Fabulous.
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4/22/2018 - pwillen1 wrote:
This was in a perfect spot. Good fruit but lots of soil too. Great nose.
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3/20/2018 - wjadada wrote:
Final bottle of twelve. Way past its best. Stored properly etc but faintly bordering on vinegar. Poured it out
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3/13/2018 - Chuck Miller wrote:
Wow, what a difference from my last bottle 2 years ago. This bottle was fully open and mature, tannins fully resolved. Ready to go, and rockin’. I have 7 more to drink over the next few years.
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1/21/2018 - jnewman77 wrote:
This is ok but not quite the normal quality expected from this estate; the nose is pretty nice with dark fruit, saddle leather, earth, hints of spice and garrigue and some kirsch liqueur; the palate is a little out of balance and seems a touch hot. The finish seems to cut off quickly. Will hold this a night and see if it develops
Night 2 was not much different; just felt out of balance with a bit too much alcohol; felt much higher than the listed 14% and seemed to blow through the fruit and other flavors. One of the few disappointments I've had from VT
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1/13/2018 - peter.mancell@mfg.com.au Likes this wine: 93 Points
Brooding dense dark fruit. Big mouthfeel, still some dusty tannins, cedar, leather, tar and very long finish. Amazing really, considering its 19 years old.
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11/23/2017 - beatles wrote: 93 Points
Tasted over two days, better on day 2. Cool, cool stuff, very vertical, notes of English licorice, black fruit, minerals, medicine cabinet. Great wine, although not quite up there with the '98 - VT being one of the domaines who made almost perfect 1998.
#LittleSteven
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6/3/2017 - rnellans wrote: 94 Points
Dark...lush. Not as much brett as last bottle. Great fruit and balance...I'll keep my last bottle for several years..
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4/20/2017 - aagrawal wrote: 91 Points
Lassalle and Vieux Telegraphe (San Francisco Wine Trading Company): Decanted from double magnum. Medium ruby with age appropriate bricking; highly aromatic nose, gamey, red fruit; palate is very balanced between fruit and medium tannin, just a tad bit of bitterness but it may be the slight sediment; medium finish. Ages very well, but certainly ready to drink. 90-91
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2/5/2017 - rupertg Likes this wine: 93 Points
Dark, matt red, brick coloured rim. Lovely plum nose, warm spicey mouthful with plum and leather emerging for a long finish. Very mellow and well balanced. Hint of dryness emerging at the end, but lasting impression is spiced baked plums, tobacco leaf and leather. Delicious.
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1/8/2017 - colin107 wrote: 90 Points
Requires a decant of an hour or so as the flavours develope gradually and there's sediment. Nice bouquet. Better to drink on its own than with food.
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12/30/2016 - MicklethePickle Likes this wine: 90 Points
Didn't start out too good, seemed over the hill, cloying, and simply not charming. Now: ruby/brick. Decent legs. Red berries have come on stronger to complement what originally was overwhelming garrigue. Actually very pretty cherry and strawberry. Very sleek on the palate, a tad austere but still vibrant and in its drinking window. Gentle finish with a touch of bitterness. Drink up-but give it a good decant first to show its best. 4-13-15-8: 90/100.
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12/25/2016 - Kopstal Likes this wine: 90 Points
Drank 1994, 1996 and 1999 Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe with filet de chevreuil aux mûres during Christmas dinner.
All three wines were still very good. The 1994 was most impressive, certainly in the first hour after opening the bottles. Also colourise, it seemed younger than the 1996. The 1999 and to a lesser extent the 1996 needed time to open up. All three still powerful aromas and medium to full bodied.
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10/15/2016 - rm97 wrote: 92 Points
Still has some years left
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9/18/2016 - MLipton wrote:
A nice example of an older CNdP, with some plummy character alongside a mineral streak. Nicely balanced with good acidity, albeit in a somewhat lighter body (for this region).
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6/4/2016 - rsbeck wrote: 94 Points
Popped, poured, consumed over next 60 minutes. Drank this right after finishing a bottle of the '98. These two share a lot of similar family characteristics, but the '99, to my palate, is a little brighter, a little more lifted and a bit more tannic. Very similar quality, in my opinion. I have quite liked the '99 CdP I've sampled. Very underrated vintage
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6/2/2016 - beatles wrote: flawed
Corked (from PB)
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4/2/2016 - Chuck Miller wrote:
Nice nose, and on the first glass, a fair amount of fruit remains. As I drank the 2nd glass, the tannins and overall acidity started to stick out. Not fully ready yet, but my concern is that the fruit may not outlast the tannins.
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3/14/2016 - kiichli wrote:
Cork perfect. Four hour ox, then 1/2 hour decant. Clear garnet. Almost no bricking. Very fresh nose of sour cherry and tobacco. Excellent acidity, tannic frame, fruit toward the back. A bit stern at first, then fuller and more giving after an hour. No (or very little) brett.
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3/10/2016 - brihprivat wrote: 91 Points
VT - Vertical 1983-2012
No formal notes. tasted alongside the 1998. Almost as good, this one was slightly "cooler"
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2/4/2016 - cos82 wrote: 88 Points
Still dark red in color. Cherry, flowers and earth on a nice nose. I thought the fruit was mostly missing. Soft palate of some sour cherry, earth, charcoal and pepper. Dry, but not tannic. An ok wine that my drinking partner liked a lot better than me.
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2/1/2016 - rnellans wrote: 94 Points
I quite like this wine, although one would have to not be bothered by Brett. To me, it is not overbearing and adds complexity. Dark fruited, rich structure with lots of fruit remaining. Long on the palate with some dusty tannins remaining.
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1/2/2016 - peter.mancell@mfg.com.au Likes this wine: 91 Points
Rather one dimensional.
Plenty of dark fruit, tar, clove and leather.
Still quite smooth but little acidity. 14.5% alcohol still in evidence.
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12/25/2015 - Viking 61 Likes this wine: 91 Points
In a good place. Mature and plenty of fruit.
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12/24/2015 - beatles wrote: 92 Points
First bottle of six; a bit petillant at first, dry, elegant, fruit vibrating underneath, restrained, not you in your face neuf but rather en aristocratic wine with puissance in the core. With air, the fruit comes out to play, lots of it, playful and fresh. Long life ahead still. (Christmas Eve)
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12/10/2015 - asgerG wrote: 93 Points
Vinklubben 1983's yearly X-mas dinner (Hos Britt): DnP. Garnet red, yellow rim, 5. Opulent spicy bouquet, loads of ripe red fruits. Mature mellow harmonious palate, long finish. Drink now-onwards. Super C9P at its peak. Britt
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12/6/2015 - Birorganic Likes this wine: 88 Points
Stored perfectly since release. Chalky fruit still there. Dry as dirt. Needed a sip of water to wash down every sip of wine. Way past its prime drinking window. Drinkable but disappointed.
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11/27/2015 - cephomer Likes this wine: 94 Points
Popped & poured tonite. Garnet color, not showing much age in the glass. Generous aromas of cherries with perhaps some tobacco & leather. Medium bodied, loads of sweet, ripe red fruit (cherries), kirsch, tannins mostly resolved. Some tertiary notes of leather, white pepper, & perhaps tar, but still quite fruity, with excellent depth and length. This wine's in a great place right now and was quite delicious. Note that I had this wine a few years ago & my notes are entirely consistent
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11/23/2015 - Rico100 wrote: 95 Points
Superb. Excellent balance, sublime integration. My kind of wine!
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11/8/2015 - Cmainardi wrote:
Still good. With Beef burgundy at Postero in Hendersonville, NC
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9/24/2015 - mchrist Likes this wine:
In great spot
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8/23/2015 - Crispin Likes this wine: 92 Points
Could age more and still be young!
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8/16/2015 - vinolovers wrote: 93 Points
A nice garnet coloring when poured without any hints of bricking around the rim. A soft nose with lots of cherry aroma. Flavors included the cherry, white pepper, a hint of leather and some chocolate. The tannins have faded considerably but the wine has plenty of backbone but very smooth across the tongue. Close to being fully mature but there is no need to drink up right away.
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5/16/2015 - GGinSF wrote: 90 Points
Decanted from a magnum for two hours. Wine was brick red, very soft and silky. Although past its peak, it wasn't tired or too old, just not as exuberent as a few years ago. A wonderful wine, but definitely time to drink up.
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3/29/2015 - TWSA wrote: 93 Points
Food: Chinese Northern
Duration: 3 hours
Condition: Perfect
Aroma: white pepper, menthol, slights hints of red fruit, bubble gum
Notes: tasted horizontally with Henri Bonneau cuvee Marie Beurrier, I liked this better. The palate is smooth and aftertaste is pretty long. after 2 hours in the bottle the fruits are released despite tannins still present. I think this wine has just started to apprach it's drinking window so I would say drink 2015-2022.
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2/8/2015 - bluefrog wrote: 93 Points
Nose: you definitely feel the age and the complexity through a mix of liquorich cherries, prunes and some Cuban cigar.
Taste: very nice length still french. The tanins mixvlovely with a valanced acidity to finish into some sicy and the (probably after 15 sec) more woody tones.
An amazing teenager to enjoy before he becomes a difficult case
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1/26/2015 - moany rhoney Likes this wine: 92 Points
Similar tasting note
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1/13/2015 - asgerG wrote: 94 Points
D20min. Garnet red, yellow rim, 5. Perfectly mature complex ripe bouquet, intense red berries, garrigue, farmyard....
Harmonious intense palate, fully resolved tannins, tobacco in the finish. Drink now onwards. What a surprise, this outshone the 2001 on the day!
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1/10/2015 - henrygjeffreys Likes this wine:
brown rim, dark core
plummy nose, dark, leather
still lots of freshness, clean, lacking intensity
some length
leather and some tannin
very long
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1/9/2015 - Mr T wrote:
Last bottle....decanted and then shared at TPGC
this one is more leather and earth and not overly sweet with fruit.....solid old school but not a lot of thrills
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11/7/2014 - rocknroller wrote: 90 Points
CDP and Spain, Plus Whites (Rincon 38, Mpls, MN): Dark red color. PNP, drank 1 glass over an hour. Red fruit, cherry, a bit lean, minerals, oak, spices. The palate is lean as well, cherry, kirsch, alcohol, spice, oak, medium body. This was disjointed initially, but after about 30 minutes it really settled down and integrated pretty well.
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8/10/2014 - lebo9968@gmail.com wrote: 89 Points
Drinking like a classic, nicely aged old world wine. Nothing particularly special, but solid. Meets expectations, but nothing more.
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8/9/2014 - rwerner Likes this wine: 92 Points
Dark fruit and earthy tannins on the mouth with a pleasant long finish. Took about 30 minutes for the wine to pen and develop in the glass. Bricky when just poured out of the bottle.
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7/6/2014 - lvjohn wrote: 93 Points
Needs several hours to open up, but then the patience is rewarded by a rich dark fruit core, with notes of strawberries, raspberries, earth, and spice. There are solids in the bottle so decant carefully. The cork broke in the neck of the bottle, but was easy to remove the remnant.
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6/19/2014 - tomlee wrote: 92 Points
Light red in color and throwing a touch of sediment. 14% ABV. Red fruits, kirsch and anise on the nose. Light body and medium acidity. Old school Chateauneuf flavors of iron, iodine, plums, garrigue and herbes de Provence. Lots of grip on a medium length finish. Drink over the next year or two. Super showing for VT from an average vintage in CdP.
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5/18/2014 - Timbalimba wrote: 88 Points
Tasted blind. Quite a bit of sediment in my sample. Brandy-like nose, oaky dried fruit. Rioja? Settled palate, dried fruit. This feels over oaked and too mature. When the bottle was revealed I became convinced that this has been stored too warm. It should be a lot fresher at this stage. Pity
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5/12/2014 - moany rhoney wrote: 92 Points
beautifully savory. cherry and current notes, lots of yin and yan.
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4/26/2014 - finewinebuff57 wrote: 89 Points
Definitely less impressive than the 98 drunk a couple of days earlier. This is good, but not outstanding, lacks precision and length or certainly this bottle does.
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4/12/2014 - larseman Likes this wine: 89 Points
Vinbanken med Elke Ljung och Anders Röttorp (Magnusson Fine Wines): Från Röttorps egen källare.
Rödbrun med vissa drag av sherry, så även i doften. Torkad frukt och multna löv.
I munnen mjukt, stramt och syrligt. Gott men inte lika spänstigt som 2011:an.
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2/5/2014 - cseanb1 wrote: 91 Points
Magnum and decanted 8 hours prior to consumption. Needed every minute to open and express itself. Consumed during the second half of the Super Bowl. It was vastly more interesting than the game at that point and all in the room were thankful it was a magnum as sorrows needed drowning. Classic CdP. Enjoy!
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1/24/2014 - lvjohn Likes this wine: 95 Points
OMG! What a beautiful wine. Drank without decanting. This wine just gets better and better in the glass. Evolved into sweet cherry after being open for 30 minutes. Fantastic!
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12/30/2013 - hfindlay Likes this wine:
Amazing depth, fruit, and complexity. Garrigue, smoke, bacon, and black fruits on the nose, plus mouth-coating viscosity and delicious black currant, blackberry, plum flavors. Very decent finish. Loads of secondary peppery and earthy notes on the edges.
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12/25/2013 - marc d Likes this wine:
Really nice wine, kind of in an adolescent phase. Aromas of fruit, licorice, a little spice. Good grip and lift. I think the mouvedre takes over with air, grippy and animal. No problem to taste now, but this may get more development with further age.
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12/21/2013 - callmeacab22 Likes this wine: 91 Points
No tasting notes, but remember it was a fine bottle still in its prime - enjoyed.
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12/14/2013 - pbaek wrote:
Still somewhat tight and restrained with a palate of brown fruit, underbrush and garrigue. Well structured with nothing sticking out and all components being well proportioned. Old school Chateauneuf for sure and with more to come. Leave for another 3 years.
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12/13/2013 - tomandlu Likes this wine: 91 Points
Popped and poured. Lovely clear garnet-ruby color. Very forward on the nose with loads of cherry liqueur, cassis, and other bright fruit aromas rather than the typical leather and garrique. Quite spicy on the nose as well. Complete and balanced, if a bit light, on the palate, with no hard edges and a very suave mouth feel. The finish must last at least 1 minute. All in all this is a lovely, mature wine in a rather Burgundian style.
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12/8/2013 - slanum wrote:
Bottle's in excellent condition. Upon opening there's a reticent but unmistakeable note of star lily in the aromatics. That sticks around, but there's not much else going on. The palate is pleasant, certainly, but I wouldn't throw any superlatives at it. I'd call the tannins 95% resolved. A rather delicate wine, unmarred by brett as were prior bottles, with waning fruit, and in my view not likely to have any further upside, though it sure isn't showing signs of falling apart. Underwhelming, no doubt, when compared to what I was probably looking forward to at the time of purchase.
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12/5/2013 - asgerG wrote: 93 Points
PnD. Brick red, yellow rim, 5. Generous mature bouquet, sweet red fruits, garrigue, intense, complex. Harmonious balanced, intense palate, some tannin, long finish. Drink now or wait. Thanks Britt
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9/28/2013 - majamke Likes this wine: 92 Points
Decanted for 1 hour. Ruby core with bricking at the edges. Very typical CdP. Garrigue with red and black berry compote. Earth with roasted charcoal meat juices. Mid palate slightly lacking, but there is a lovely length where kirsch shines through. Perhaps a touch hot, but it's an honest wine. Fruit is holding strong despite being 14 years old and from a mediocre vintage. This will keep for years to come.
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9/17/2013 - que syrah syrah Likes this wine: 92 Points
Amazing color with no hint of age, nose somewhat subdued which surprised, great balance in the mouth with a long, supple, texture and finish. Soft tannins, elegant and concentrated with more minerality and less fruit; simply wonderful.
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8/1/2013 - mlinda wrote: 94 Points
Wonderful.
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7/28/2013 - raggedy1 Likes this wine: 92 Points
great balance right now. medium-bodied with a nice lingering finish. the grenache shows through. fruit and acidity in perfect balance right now. good from nose to finish.
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6/1/2013 - lebo9968@gmail.com wrote: 87 Points
Classic aged wine, but nothing special.
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4/27/2013 - timewithwine wrote:
Three years have passed since the light of the cellar ceiling fell on this bottle. But with a little offline with the Pat and Charlie Chadwick lined up at a local restaurant, it was time to consider this as a possibility. A blend of Grenache Noir (65%), Mourvèdre (15%), Syrah (15%) and with touches of Cinsault, Clairette and sundry others (5%) filling out the wine. Early on iodine dominates the nose, but eventually blackberry and the classic cigar ash nose from the Grenache are teased out. The earthy smokiness with smoked meats kick in with more air time. The rim color shows brick while the core shades to cordovan. Fine grains of sediment in the final 6th of the bottle. 14% alc. With hanger steak (me) pork shank (Charlie). this shows well, but slips just a tad short, scoring only “ Recommended.”
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4/9/2013 - derek.hara@sbcglobal.net Likes this wine: 89 Points
Decanted. Lots of sediment. Wide open. Broad midpalate with lots of chocolate. Not as structured as I would have thought. Acid definitely in the background if not missing altogether. Definitely not as tight as an 04 we had a couple of months ago. I like my Cdps a little fresher and structure, but tasty and well made within its style.
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3/9/2013 - cephomer wrote: 94 Points
Opened with the Kindlers at Provencal. Dark ruby color, showing a bit of age on the edges, but otherwise lovely dark color. Medium-strength nose shows some earthiness, minerality and maybe some fruitiness. Wine shows great balance right now: lovely, but retrained amounts of dark fruits, with nice level of acidity, minerality and very soft tannins. Beautifully elegant and restrained wine. In a great spot right now. I wish I had some more!
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3/3/2013 - Ary wrote: 88 Points
Chateauneuf-du-Pape semi-blind tasting by Vin Gilles (Restaurant Harkema Amsterdam): Orange on the brim. Red fruits and earth tones on the nose. Medicine box, earth and fruits on the palate. Shows a lot older than you would expect. Drying on the finish. Better finish soon.
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3/1/2013 - lvjohn Likes this wine: 94 Points
Decanted for about an hour before serving. This beauty evolved in the glass after the first pour. Oh my, this is great wine! Flowers, red fruit, some earthy elements on the nose and the tounge. I still taste this in my mouth after fifteen minutes.
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2/11/2013 - Pknut wrote:
I really need to check CT before I pull a bottle from my cellar. Had I done that in this case, I would have seen that it had only been eight months since my last bottle of '99 Vieux Telegraphe, and given my diminishing supply and that this wine is quite good, I should have spaced out further openings.
The nose shows some complexities like underbrush and soy, which follow to the palate and are joined by black raspberry fruit, nori and garrigue. There is a trace of iodine and this is very in-line with Vieux Telegraphe's unique signature. The palate is clearly past the bulk of youth and is now condensed and streamlined, with good clarity and precision.
This is really a good point in its evolution, but I think another couple of years would further soften and relax the palate, which would give a better texture. Right now, the mouthfeel is silky, but I think it could be softer and warmer.
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2/6/2013 - sawira wrote: 91 Points
P&P. Initially reticent nose unfolds to reveal clean, earthy, gamey, warm red fruits. The attack on the palate is also subdued, but begins to zing a refreshing cool vintage smorgasboard of dry, Provencal herb laden red and purple fruits in a precise, elegant package. This is right at its peak for my palate, and will remain for a decade, give or take.
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1/16/2013 - MilaBuchelska Likes this wine: 93 Points
Lovely brick red transparent and bright color.With a brown - amber core.
Delightful complex nose.Iodine,green wallnuts,eucalyptus,animal,sweaty,undergrowth,forest floor,mud,blackcurrant,leather,chocolate,pepper,spicy.
On the palate - elegant,balanced structure,finesse.
Still drying tannins,but harmonious,mineralic.
Clean,fresh and persistant finish.Still youthful,generous.
Wet wood,spicy,cocoa,moca,dry coffee beans,chocolate.
Great quality and aging potential.
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12/21/2012 - majamke Likes this wine: 92 Points
Explosive nose of thyme, rosemary, black pepper and kirsch. Surprisingly assertive tannins given the age. Balanced, classic vintage of Vieux. A long life ahead of it yet.
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12/17/2012 - peter.mancell@mfg.com.au wrote: 92 Points
Excellent Chateau Neuf. Lovey black fruit, mid but long spicy finish with a mouth coating glycerin character. Still has a few years yet.
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12/10/2012 - Julian Marshall Likes this wine:
Mature, elegant and civilized, with bright but elegant dark cherries and spices. Very enjoyable
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12/2/2012 - KeithAkers wrote: 90 Points
Second Annual Butcher&Larder dinner (Butcher&Larder, Chicago IL): nose: Nice balance to the nose with tones of creamed black fruits, red fruits, garrigue and red berry tones. Nice complexity, but lacking some depth.
taste: Medium bodied with nice supporting tannins. Balanced with tones of black fruits, red fruits, and garrigue tones.
overall: A nice and straightforward Telegraphe. Well balanced, it's just lacking some complexity and depth to make it really good.
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11/23/2012 - whitmanlholt wrote:
Drank on Thanksgiving. Nice, classic CdP nose of rocks, herbs, and spices. Went nicely with dinner. No score formulated.
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11/1/2012 - rcurlee wrote: 91 Points
Drinking wonderfully after decanting for at least an hour. The fruit and earthiness are working very well together. Not powerful like a young Chateauneuf, but gentle and elegant. There's a lot to like in this wine.
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10/27/2012 - pbaek wrote:
Still very young, this took several hours to fully open up to traditional Chateauneuf flavors of Provençal spices, leather, tobacco, olives and refined, red fruit. I like the restraint of this wine, it's very precise and linear on the palate, nothing sticks out. I think this will be more generous with additional time in the cellar. With grilled veal chops, oven roasted beets with pine nuts and oven roasted potatoes with garlic. Dinner at home with Grant.
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10/5/2012 - chablis28 wrote: 87 Points
This btl seemed to be on the downhill. Pummy and somewhat tired on the palate. Color & cork looked good. Stored in my cabinet almost since release so, don't think it was cooked. Not what I hoped for. The nose on the otherhand while not awesome was fresher and clean.
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9/23/2012 - carlkallen wrote: 89 Points
Dark Fig coloured with strong viscocity - clear sedimentation and fairly heavy flaking. Smell is strong of dark forest berries combined with tones of leather. Taste continues on with depth and 30-second palate with few significant intrusive tannins and well-balanced aroma. Probably at its peak although the varietal allows for longer keeping - Up to 2016
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8/28/2012 - cakebread88 wrote:
Tasted at MoCool. Still with a thick wad of tannins. Just a puppy. Try in 5 years but it will keep for 15.
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8/22/2012 - clayfu wrote:
Two Burgundy lovers and their weekend in Napa Valley (SF/NAPA): Nice pepper and cherry red fruit on the palate with a touch of barnyard running in the back. The finish leaves a bit of meaty stewed fruit. Decent drink but nothing impressive. Out of 9L
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6/14/2012 - Pknut wrote:
Good showing, very youthful still. Dark color, assertive palate that is very typical VT - focused raspberry fruit, with heady spice and pepper and traces of the nori/iodine/Lagavulin quality of VT. There is still some tannin left and the wine shows good structure for an alleged "weaker" year, but after about three hours of air, the tannin feels like it's softened quite a bit. Overall, just a great bottle of VT that still shows young and fit.
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5/18/2012 - rupertg wrote: 91 Points
Still almost black, red rim, sediment not crusted, slightly hazy. Hot, sweet fruit nose. Long legs on the glass. Very smooth and full in the mouth, but still tannin to last. Vanilla, leather and spice. Aftertaste glows, showing alcohol, but fruit dominates. Chewy. Delicious.
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5/2/2012 - markjanes wrote: 91 Points
Cassoulet and Vieux Telegrape 98-01 (Reno, NV): Similar to previous bottles… this was the most bretty of the 4 bottles… my TN was largely the same as before though empasized the roundness and sweetness on the palate and that the complexity of this wine has a lot to do with brett… the horsey (4-EC) and smoky (4-EG) kind... Drink up!
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4/1/2012 - JFish wrote:
Quick Tn. Popped and poured. Light red, almost looking like a pinot. No barnyard/brett. Right out the gate this was open and drinking well. Bing cherries and cranberry. Tannins give a little bit of structure but are barely noticeable. Nice pairing with roasted leg of lamb.
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3/21/2012 - MicklethePickle wrote: 88 Points
Not terribly impressive at first. A bit washed out in color. Nose unmistakably CdP but on the weak side at first. Took time to come around. When it did, nice piquant cherry fruit but it didn't sing like other VTs. Good, but a letdown given my high expectations for VT. 4-12-15-7: 88/100.
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3/20/2012 - rupertg wrote: 91 Points
Dull purple, orange rim. Heavy sediment, mellow and smooth in the mouth, tobacco leaf on the finish. Keep rest long enough to drink slowly.
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3/13/2012 - Robert_Lyle wrote: 90 Points
5 bottles for lunch with friends - all OK - all good but not outstanding
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12/3/2011 - daveTex wrote: 90 Points
Color: brick, opaque. Nose: barnyard, cedar, underlying dark fruit. Smells old, but good. Powerful nose. Taste: Comes on strong, tart, barnyard, but moves to the dark syrah type on the finish. Still tannic and potent after being opened then recorked for a week. I feel the fruit is aging but the tannins are still overpowering.
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10/5/2011 - Tartiflette wrote: 91 Points
Ruby color with brown rim. Polynesian vanilla, black berries, liquorice and horse stables... Decanted 1 hour and it only slowly opened. Long aftertaste. Just starting to open.
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9/2/2011 - Mrbuzz Likes this wine:
Still pretty acidic...but tasty.
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6/19/2011 - Weston3220 Likes this wine: 91 Points
med/+ int, developed
Earth/mushroom, dusty/dried red fruit/cherry/cranberry. Developed, Savoury Notes, touch mossy
T: High Acid, med Body, med+ int, med+finish
Dusty Fruit, sour cherries, earth delicious!
Conc: a excellent aged CdP a nice balance of weight to fruit very elegant
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6/13/2011 - zovizule wrote:
no notes - with dinner and without time to breath. Was very nice, older on the nose than palate, still fairly tannic, a little rustic almost for at vt. Need to drink the next under better conditions
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5/17/2011 - markjanes wrote: 90 Points
Similar to previous note with just a bit more tightness on the palate, a pinch less of a song aromatically, slightly less evolved... still is what it is, a very impressive, not overdone, elegant chateauneuf that is a joy to drink right now but has room to improve and evolve... lovely.
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3/14/2011 - MSherlock wrote:
Dark garnet core with slightly matte/rusty rim. At first very warm soil and meat driven aromatics with a somewhat lithe/closed palate. With air. Big warmed raspberry fruit that leaned toward baked but never became cooked in character. Herbs, sweet game and meat, more fresh soil and potpouri. Fantastic aromatics, not a hint of booze either (14.5%). Palate repeated nose with sweet fruit that never became stewy but pranced on the precipicee of profuse all night. Comfortably oppulent. Huge, mouthfilling, yet perfectly balanced with medium acidity and fine, well integrated tannins. Long. Outstanding. Had next to 2000 Bologna Ai Suma Barbera which seemed a tad try hard. Lamb Shanks were at home here. Really enjoyable wine. Lots of life ahead of it.
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3/12/2011 - beezer6 wrote: 93 Points
Saturday Tasting Group (Knightsbridge Wine Shop (Northbrook, IL)): Drinking very well now. A contemplative wine. Medium light bricking. Browning at the rim.
Some aged ripe raspberry, spice, cinnamon. There's a nice dryness with minty, leather, cigar on thenose.
Tannins are still present sporting some grip.
Lots of life. Great. A nice wine. Drink up.
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1/9/2011 - Pknut wrote:
This is very VT - nori and iodine notes, surrounding a raspberry core, but is not very '99 CdP at all, in that it is still young, firm and relatively unevolved; surprising. Not nearly ready yet, although on track.
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1/8/2011 - pinotyo wrote: 86 Points
Opened 1 1/2 hours prior. Strong leather/horsey/brett aroma, difficult to get past. But good VT flavor profile, texture, finish.
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1/7/2011 - babnik wrote: 88 Points
Way too young, tart, and tight... not expressing much at this time with just a pop and pour. Sour cherry and a bit of charred wood are peeking out now but my guess is this wine will improve dramatically with a few years and/or hours of air. Unfortunately, circumstances didn't allow a decant.
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12/19/2010 - ACS Driffield wrote:
Excellent; nose of garrigue, licorice, quite dark fruits; herbiness on the palate, enough acidity to be fresh, but very full bodied and quite forceful - this still seemed quite young, seems to have a way to go yet; very good length. The final glass, a day later, was at least as good as those the previous day - minerality more noticeable, otherwise similar.
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12/12/2010 - amred wrote: 92 Points
We bought a case having not seen what were very disappointing scores (I think WS). The first 6 at least were major disappointments and I felt snookered. However, the last several have been better, and this was wonderful.
The nose was very pleasant, rich, sweet, no barnyard. In the mouth, the tannins had softened, the wine was very smooth, great balance, complex and still surprisingly vibrant with sweet fruit, leather, tobacco. As noted elsewhere, we had just opened a 98 Vieux Donjon, a major disappointment. We expected no better from this, and it was great. Down to our last two.
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12/11/2010 - thomaskeil wrote: 93 Points
Decanted 2 hours (opened some as a result). Moved to pull one after markjanes' note below and my last notes from '05 and '06. Light orange/brown-tinged garnet. Gorgeous lightly funky, spicy, red fruited nose with a streak of mineral (okay, mark says its iodine). Have to agree that the complexity, finesse and integration that this wine displays is really inspiring. Everything in harmony, including bringing out the best in grilled duck breast and potato gratin (both a la Suzanne Goin). Great length with complexity. Not a bruiser by any means. Do not plan to wait 4 years until the next, this is ready.
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11/30/2010 - MauriceE wrote: 90 Points
Served a little cold, directly from my cellar. This is a classic, fine Chateauneuf. Excellently drinking now, but no hurry. When properly stored, this will hold for at least 5 to 10 years. Good spicyness.
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11/25/2010 - Benedikt wrote: 83 Points
Little old already, just about time now. Slightly woody...
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11/14/2010 - Vini Ciclismo Likes this wine: 94 Points
Med wt, deep ruby.
Gorgeous deep plum & red fruits, Earthy/tar spice, roast herbs, lovely inky and violet fragrance.
Med wt, licorice/tar/herb spice, plum and blackcurrant, hint of raspberry, fleshy, zippy/crisp finish. Spicy & lovely fruit, very youthfull.
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10/4/2010 - markjanes wrote: 94 Points
Light depth of color, rim red with hints of brick showing low extraction. On the nose this wine is just singing right now... really lovely balance of red fruits, showing no pruning or sour qualitites, dried spices, and funk (just a whiff of iodine)... minimal noticeable new barrique notes... On the palate the wine has firm acidity, a slightly tight midpalate, a very nice transition into a low tannic finish of medium ripeness and nearly complete integration, moderate ETOH. Superb balance, very good length, great intensity, excellent complexity. Wine has great finesse for place of origin, a slightly firmish texture, fantastic expression of place. For me this wine is doing everything it can possibly do and is certainly a superb example of a finesse driven Chateauneuf... this will not impress those who like bigger (fruit, new oak, or structure wise) Chateauneufs but for its style and for my personal preference from this region (irrelevant in the grand scheme of things)... wow! Drink now and over the next couple years.
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9/7/2010 - Wine Sparty wrote: 90 Points
Decanted for about 3 hours while drinking. Smell of toasted oak and leather. Some nice dark fruit taste, but not getting a ton of different flavors.
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9/4/2010 - timewithwine wrote:
The dominant flavors of the Grenache Noir reflect its composition of 65% of this blend, with Mourvèdre (15%), Syrah (15%); Cinsault, Clairette and sundry others (5%) filling out the wine. According to the website the vines average 60 years of age. But when it comes right down to it, I love VT for its classic cigar ash nose from the Grenache. The Mouvedre and Syrah contribute blackberry undertones with smoked meats, but the earthiness of the Grenache is always there, from attack to finish. More the color of brick than anything else, it still displays a small core or plum. Lighter than the Tensley Purisima served the same night, it’s deft on the palate and ebbs away like dew on a rose petal leaving a distinct dusty rose quality. A goodly amount of sediment has developed. 14% alc. With grilled pork chops stuffed with gorgonzola and blackberry butter and topped with more of the same while enjoying the company of Bonnie Neilsen and Sue Appleby. Highly Recommended.
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6/23/2010 - Pknut wrote:
Enjoyed over two nights, without much change. This drank more like a Vieux Donjon than a Vieux Telegraphe, in the sense that it showed more of a brown palate and animal fur, with some raspberry fruit at its core, yet the fruit was not at the fore. It did not show much VT attributes of iodine, peat or seaweed. Very enjoyable wine, resolved and smooth. This is good for people who liked mature CdP, not those looking for "gobs" of fruit or an extracted wine.
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4/19/2010 - tooch wrote: 91 Points
Chateauneuf de Pape Tasting (Urbana, Washington, DC): Very spicy nose with plenty of olive tapanade and beef jerky. Secondary flavors of white/black pepper. This was a medium bodied wine that was quite young on the palate. Could see this maturing around 2018.
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4/9/2010 - GGinSF wrote: 90 Points
This wine aged beautifully in a magnum. Although it was fresh enough that it could have held a few more years, I thought it was at peak. A couple other guests thought it would have benefited from a bit more cellar time. Glycerin Grenache, spice and smoke. There have been better Telegraphe vintages but this one (at least in a magnum) was very enjoyable.
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3/27/2010 - jonradus wrote: 88 Points
This bottle was drank in a blind tasting with more than a dozen other Rhone wines. It didn't really
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3/26/2010 - J2K wrote: 84 Points
Pitt Group-Rhone (Bigelow Grille-Pittsburgh): Tasted blind. Fruit seemed a little overripe, low tannins and acidity, soft mouthfeel. Was very surprised when unveiled. Maybe provenance but this bottle didn't show very well.
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3/10/2010 - Zweder wrote: 89 Points
Monthly Tasting Group HWS #045; C9duP 1997-2001 (By BS & JH): Spicy bouquet with also some fruit. In the mouth some glue just after opening. Spiciness, fruit juice and soft tannin and bitterness. Good juice. Ready now, but no hurry.
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2/18/2010 - jcoleman wrote: 94 Points
a beautifully balanced wine with classic CDP flavours underpinned and given grip by lovely sweet tannins. tasted several times over the last few years and now clearly plateaued. should last many more years
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11/1/2009 - Grinner wrote: 91 Points
13th Annual Lyon 10 year Retrospective (Eugene, Oregon): Brick on the rim, it has an earth and underbrush hit to the black fruit. Seaweed/iodine, and a little meat on the palate with the olive tinged berry flavors. Still pretty tannic, has 3-5 years.
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9/20/2009 - slanum wrote: flawed
This bottle was marred by excessive brettiness (a taste reminiscent of Band-aids). After determining that this wasn't something that would dissipate with air and time, the remains of the bottle were poured out.
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6/23/2009 - Pknut wrote:
I served this wine to Bruce and Brooklynguy, who was convinced that it was Burgundy and for ten minutes debated where in Burgundy, eventually concluding Pommard because of its masculine profile. I thought the wine was much too dark to be Burgundy, quite dark in color and palate profile (and not only in comparison to the 2003 Rayas also on the table; a dark wine generally). Palate shows a bit of sweet funk, and Brooklynguy points out wet soil, in addition to the olives, black fruit, nori/seaweed, beef blood and pine/evergreen/forrest scents. The tannin is soft, suggesting that this wine is getting close to its apogee. More seaweed this time than the Lagavulin/peat/iodine notes as I usually get in this wine. Delicious and drinking well.
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5/23/2009 - stephen locke wrote:
excellent - drinking well now
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5/23/2009 - Magnolian wrote: 92 Points
Meat, blood, a little smoke, and minerals wrapped in a buttery-smooth envelope. Classic cdp from a strong vintage. I think this peaking now.
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5/23/2009 - pbaek wrote:
Susanne loves this wine. A Vieux Telegraphe on the move. It's shedding its young fruit and moving into middle age. Still showing some dark fruit, but marked by lavender, tobacco, licorice, black olives, game and minth. It's a fairly restrained wine which leads me to believe it will be more expressive in a few years, but it is drinking nicely now. The minth became more obvious over the evening. Excellent showing.
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5/22/2009 - TannicBeast wrote: 94 Points
huge dark and brooding. keenan's birthday.
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5/9/2009 - lebo9968@gmail.com wrote: 88 Points
Not bad, but not great. I don't believe this will improve. Drink rest over next year or so.
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5/3/2009 - europat55 wrote: 88 Points
Very good to excellent, but not outstanding.
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4/20/2009 - blanquito wrote: 93 Points
The South of France in Colorado: 1999 Chateauneuf Horizontal: Classic VT in my experience, this bouquet yells grenache again after that Barbe Rac Burgundian-detour. Rubbery, cranberry smells, with huge, chewy, kinky, spicy fruit that's long and satisfying. Still young.
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4/18/2009 - Pknut wrote:
Huge improvement over the odd '99 Beaucastel from the night before. Shows the trademark iodine/peat notes, along with black fruit, animal fur, black olive, truffle and woodsy underbrush notes. The tannin is dry, the acidity is juicy, and I suspect that this wine is near peak, but I see it holding for a long while. Gets deeper and juicier over the course of the night. Really an excellent wine at a great place today. 4.5 Wonka bars out of 5.
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4/11/2009 - Winevestor wrote: 91 Points
Dark fruit and mineral aroma. Bright fruit, some meat and more iron on the palate. A good but not great CdP.
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3/7/2009 - PVJC wrote:
Great bottle of wine, decanted and drank with friends over 90 minutes and was really just starting to open up and show more complexity and fruit, ideally would have been able to decant longer.
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2/18/2009 - AllRed wrote: 92 Points
Fairly deeply colored. Notes of lavender, herbs and dark fruit. Flavors of dark fruit, spice and garrigue, with a subtle soy quality underneath. Long finish.
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2/10/2009 - olig wrote: 92 Points
Still quite closed, but a delicious VT... opens up nicely after 3 hour in decanter, tanic, but vey perfumed and spicy. Will be really good in a couple of years
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2/7/2009 - AZ Cat wrote:
(2+) Maybe drank too young? Classic CdP - a lot of barnyard at first that blew off but was always present. Very rustic - leathery and earthy. Really enjoyed but not the best CdP I’ve had.
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1/29/2009 - stephen locke wrote: 92 Points
A Couple of Vieux Telegraphs: Deep red with a watery edge. Initial nose of iodine and hung game, then sweet dark fruits pepper and spice and licorice. Very smooth entry some initial sweetness then a full mid palate with earthy minerals and complex fruit. Good refreshing acidity and a long finish. Really drinking well now and should last for many years yet
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12/27/2008 - Chidainey wrote: 92 Points
Burgundy & other stuff from the cellar (The house): Very big earthy nose, with minerals and blood. Very big, dirty, earthy fruit, with very good depth and complexity. Medium long finish with more terrior and dirt. Good acid and tannins. Still young but showing good promise. Great with the lamb.
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12/11/2008 - Zweder wrote: 89 Points
Already quite mature. Soft spiciness. Very nice now. I don't have any bottles, but if I had I would drink them within the next year. Some might want to wait a little longer.
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12/4/2008 - WetRock wrote:
Black Sheep Bistro (Black Sheep Bistro, Tustin, CA): Nose shows some pepper. Weighty but somewhat flat and sullen. We tried to coax this along through out the night but seems to be closed I suppose.(?)
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12/1/2008 - stephen locke wrote: 89 Points
Deep ruby no aging at all. A 'savage' nose of barnyard, cherry fruit and earth really expressive and 'wild'. Sweet attack and good fruit and tannin. Some complexity showing and very enjoyable
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11/21/2008 - JFish wrote:
Very tight. Some barnyard but not as much as in previous bottles. Did not open much throughout the evening. On day two, the barnyard was more prevalent and showing dark fruits with good length.
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9/24/2008 - Mr T wrote:
Musty on the nose which tended to dominate the palate. Cherry sweetness generaly shone through, but a bit of a struggle and I did not focus that much given homework and all the other usual stuff. I will decant the remainder this evening and hope it blows off.
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8/25/2008 - Kevin_C wrote: 92 Points
Deep ruby red with signs of color degradation. Good medium weight with a lot of glycerin. Barnyard, cherry, spice, and herbs on the nose. Initial taste of sweet cherry on a watery entry. The mid-palate builds up showing notes of plum and spice that flows into a surprisingly long and satisfying finish. Soft and smooth with well integrated tannins. Very pleasing but not sure this gets much better from here.
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7/7/2008 - graemeg wrote: flawed
NobleRottersSydney - Rhone Valley night (Alio's, Surry Hills): {cork, 14%} Corked. Hoped the mustiness would blow off, but no. Corked. No getting away from it. Bloody corked. Grrrrrr.
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7/6/2008 - BradA wrote: 91 Points
This seems to be ready to go: stong flavors of iron, iodine and beef and a steady amount of fruit. It was quite mature in my opinion--perhaps it had been warmed at some point (this was a gift back at our engagement). I also noted some bricking around the edge of the glass, however it is still a nice wine to enjoy for the next 12-18 months.
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6/6/2008 - SimonG wrote:
Bright chery red. Modern nose of sweet vanilla. After 15 mins, opens out to a nicely bretty nose. Far more like the 1990 after 20 mins or so. Good attack, eerything there. Ady noted white pepper though i can't get this past my bunged-up nose. Stylstically very much a youner version of the 90 and certainly the best wine of the night. ***1/2
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5/10/2008 - LoireFan wrote: 92 Points
A beauty, still in need of 10-20 or more years...not nearing its peak. Wish I stashed a few more in the Dordogne.
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3/29/2008 - d'Artagnan wrote: 91 Points
Nez suave de garrigue avec du cuir. En bouche je retrouve un très beau Châteauneuf au style traditionnel, d’une belle puissance tranquille. Un classique Vieux Télégraphe avec de la confiture de fraise, du poivre et de la garrigue. Il a cette concentration typique, le style un peu rustique, cette finale longue et savoureuse. Un bel exemple du millésime 1999 avec de la fraicheur et de la matière. Il commence à peine son plateau de maturité et s’y maintiendra plusieurs années.
J’aime beaucoup ce domaine qui sans esbroufe propose dans chaque millésime un CNP classique, savoureux et d’une belle profondeur. Une valeur sûre.
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3/28/2008 - salil wrote: 91 Points
Dark red colour. The nose has a very dusty, earthy character with aromas of red and dark fruits and herbs over strong earthy notes. More dark fruits, sour cherries and earthy minerals follow on the palate which is fleshy and full bodied with low acidity and firm, chewy tannins.
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2/3/2008 - amred wrote: 90 Points
I think better than some other reviewers. Really reminded me of a more traditional ChdP, before the higher alcohol, extractions of recent years. A bit of barnyard in the nose, with the traditional herbal tones. It is definitely ready to drink, the tannins are smooth, and the fruit as forward as it will be. Not a big wine, but well-balanced and again, to me a very traditional ChdP with the balance of acid, mineral, garrigue, but decent fruit.
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1/13/2008 - gdbarton1@gmail.com wrote:
Medium dark, ruby. Bretty nose. Full bodied, gritty tannin, red fruit long finish.
Not well balanced. Poor example of the wine.
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12/12/2007 - bwillia wrote: 88 Points
This has mellowed to the point where the spice is gone. It was still enjoyable just a bit simple for a CDP
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12/3/2007 - fgray wrote:
A really lovely bottle, balanced and aromatic. Drinkem if you got em, no rush though.
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11/28/2007 - BradA wrote: 88 Points
Notes of iodine, rust and earth mingled with some barnyard--my mother in law didn't like it at all, but Karen and I were both quite satified. A wine that seems to be in optimal drinking range as it lacks the robustness of the 98. Drink thru 2010.
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11/26/2007 - peebal wrote: 89 Points
1999 is one of my favorite years in Chateauneuf (it escapes the usual excesses) but this is not one of the best wines of the vintage. Try Les Cailloux in contrast (for what is usually 2/3 of the price). Nevertheless, this is, contrary to some of the notes here, not the brettiest CDP I've had. It actually is relatively (emphasis on relatively) clean. That being said, the nose gives a little funk followed by quite monolithic black fruit and smoky leather. Palate is sadly on dimensional: broad dark fruit jammy attack followed by thick brambly mid-palate finishing with liquorice, broad rich tannins and some alcohol. All in all, a fairly standard old style CDP but not a wine of any real distinction. Sorry, this style no longer does anything for me even though I'll always keep some bottles on hand for its mass appeal.
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10/8/2007 - JuniorSamples wrote: 79 Points
The cork was in good condition. Opened and bottle decanted for about half an hour and then drank over next 90 minutes. Color was solid garnet. Nose was a little musty, with vanilla and cherries. Good, creamy mouthfeel. But the taste was not very pleasant, to me or dinner mates. What came to mind at first was cherry cough syrup, then very raisiny and green. Tannic and a little bitter on the finish. This never really opened or softened over time. Not what I was expecting; makes me wonder if bottle suffered heat damage at some point in the past.
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8/17/2007 - baroloboy55 wrote: 91 Points
This wine surprised me. Elegant structured, as expected. But the grenache was quite forward, thought did not hit you over the head. Niceley framed in the mourvedre and other grapes. Fruit kept showing. Good tannic grip. Very nice showing
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8/13/2007 - dbkitc wrote: 90 Points
Brick to orange/pink. Seem a bit older than the others. Stems and cherry fruit on the nose seeming mature at this stage in the game. Soft, not a ton of oomph, but very pleasant. When revealed, I was surprised that this seemed so mature. Still a good drink, but I am going to open one from my stash to see if this was just the bottle or the wine in general. (90)
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7/24/2007 - mmdavis4 wrote: 92 Points
I love this wine. And I like the funk (probably is bret). So earthy, complex. The tannins have mellowed but there is still structure. Ready now, to my taste, but this should be good for many years.
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7/23/2007 - guitarguy wrote: 89 Points
By far the best of my bottles, there was barnyard initially but it blew off pretty quickly allowing the fruit to actually show. The nose, even after two hours, remains bretty/barnyardy with some briefcase leather and some dust. Flavors of cola, dried cherry and just a bit of tannin. Maybe some coffee and a little barnyard note. Not a great wine but much better than prior bottles. Throwing a pretty good sediment, I would decant if I had more bottles.
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7/17/2007 - Mrbuzz wrote: 91 Points
More acidic than I remember. Funked up earthy truffle plum/cherry, leather, black pepper, tobacco. Some might taste bret....I think it's funky, but clean. Intense "Rhone-ness"....has sharp citrus acidity, which I don't remember the last time. Shows some "heat" alc. as well? The flavors are wonderful...but the "feeling" is a little disjointed. Maybe it needs a few more years to mellow? I'd say hold for another 5+. Has great flavors though.
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7/8/2007 - steffenpelz wrote:
Popped and poured and open for business. This wine just smells incredible. Earth, truffle, dark/black fruit profile with the typical Chateauneuf-funk. Has silky texture, with sweet fruit, but good dry extract at the same time. Tannins are pretty soft, but this is in no danger of decline in my opinion. Perfectly drinkable right now, but should hold for years. Can't go wrong with this one.
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5/16/2007 - guitarguy wrote: 87 Points
This wine needed a full 24 hours to reach drinkability. Night one, stinky with Bret. God how I hate vintners in southern France. Bret is acceptable, yuk.
By night two the bret was much less objectionable plus I drank it just slightly chilled, about 60 degrees. Nose of baked red fruit and molasses. Still ample tannins and the wine was cloudy, probably from the bret. Dried cherry, kirsch and almost an oak tone to the wine (although I doubt it saw any oak per tradition in CDP). Acceptable and I bought it for $21 so I should not complain but how I hate the bret.
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5/1/2007 - Easter Everywhere wrote: 90 Points
Starts w/some barnyard, blows off & really comes together w/air, lots of red fruit, mineral, earth, herbs, still firm but w/plenty of stuffing, give last 2 antoher few years!
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4/17/2007 - BradA wrote: 91 Points
The first of 5 bottles I found in the cellar two weeks ago. CdP always seems to be a great "go to" wine for us---Karen just loved this bottle! Rich, with fine grainy tannins; I would say the wine is still youthful and has years to go. Great earthiness and minerality, just the spot on wine for a Tuesday evening of pasta with chicken, bell pepper and artichoke hearts.
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3/3/2007 - Rechrom wrote: 91 Points
Stored in my passive cellar since purchase on release, this wine seems to be approaching peak of maturity. Slight bricking at rim, beautiful mid-palate and length and nice nose. Does not have the depth and panache of the 98, but very good for drinking now, while the 98 rests.
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1/24/2007 - JFish wrote:
Initially, on the nose, loads of barnyard which blew off after 20 minutes to reveal some floral notes. On the palate the wine was juicy, ripe dark fruit with some earth. Surprisingly balanced. Drinking very well but not in decline yet as others have noted. Paired nicely with pork tenderloin with dijon sauce.
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12/30/2006 - cz wrote: 89 Points
Yes, showing it´s age - much too young. Very tight and closed, tannins on the palate. Smokey and herbal undertones, no fruit, but promising. Should develop nicely, I would give it at least 3-4 more years.
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12/2/2006 - pontac wrote: 80 Points
WWS - Welwyn Wine Society - Annual Wine Fair (Woolmer Green Village Hall): Showing its age, fruit almost gone leaving just vegetal flavours and alcohol
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11/22/2006 - bberg wrote: 91 Points
Beautiful color- a huge wine with lots of time to go. Very enjoyable.
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10/22/2006 - amex777n wrote: 91 Points
Had this with Edit and Stan and some fajitas. Mmmmm.
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7/12/2006 - kstoddard wrote: 93 Points
Vieux Telegraphe Dinner with Henri Brunier's daughter Catherine (Backstreet Wine Salon, Phoenix): Received a case of this from Henri Brunier as a wedding gift. Showing very well tonight. Nice fruit with an elegant finish. My WOTF.
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6/20/2006 - OneLastSyrah wrote:
Chateauneuf du Pape at Daniele: Chalk earth. Balsa wood. Sappy, high toned red cherry and berry fruit. Pretty good. Seemed to gain weight with a little time, but started lighter bodied.
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4/3/2006 - Chadwick wrote: 89 Points
Light ruby color with very little rim gradation. Balanced red fruit on the nose with a slight strawberry dominance and well-integrated vanilla notes. Velvety tannins and an overall pleasant, full-bodied mouthfeel. Lingering finish with hints of black cherry at the final moment.
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3/17/2006 - Grinner wrote: 92 Points
What fun! A big burly CdP on the palate that's still tight/closed on the nose suggesting an evolution in progress and I'm waiting a few years for the next one.
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2/5/2006 - Doug House wrote:
Shut down very, very, tight. Some hints of good stuff and better with lots of air, but this bottle didn't really show well.
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1/27/2006 - andrewstevenson.com wrote: 95 Points
Southern Rhône Offline (Establishment Restaurant, Manchester): A very even ruby. No similarity on the nose to the 2001 whatsoever. The '99 is much more floral with talc notes, though there's also some sweet black fruit behind with hints of crème de mûre. For me, the 1999 has much more balance, and is much more together; and generally much finer with a much better character. Nicely approachable, but with plenty of development ahead of it. Very Good Indeed +
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1/13/2006 - scoll wrote: 90 Points
Still too early for this one . . . it was still closed, but very good. Decant well in advance, as the wine opened up later in the evening.
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1/12/2006 - Winetex wrote: 92 Points
This one had a little herd of horsies running around on the nose to start but it blew off to reveal an expressive CDP. The garrigue element is something that is interesting and hard for the same varietal mix in other regions to duplicate. Mr. Winetex thought at one point it smelled like rosemary and horses. Now THAT's a nose. [~$30 on release; Ready-to-drink but could hold indefinitely depending on your tastes; Decanted 30 minutes and needed it]
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1/2/2006 - thomaskeil wrote: 91 Points
Very similar to last note. This wine is classical CnP, with loads of well intergrated elements. Not quite as expressive as in May 2005, but may be a result the fact that I decanted (lots of sediment)only upon serving this time.
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12/31/2005 - Not Levine wrote: 90 Points
Pretty classicaly-styled CdP. Kirsch and plums on nose. Nice, peppery and tasty. Probably will improve for a couple of years, but pretty ready to go right now.
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10/7/2005 - RJD wrote: 89 Points
Nice clear purple color. Interesting nose with blackberry, creme brulee, some earth and funk. Dark cherry on the palate. For first 30 min a bit angular, but then begins to resolve. Med length finish. A bit medicinal on the finish. Dusty tannin is not big, but is present.
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5/2/2005 - thomaskeil wrote: 92 Points
Solid core of dark fruit with some thinning at the rim. Nose is almost wildly expressive with distinct notes of blackberry, cedar and licorice with background of earth, asian spices and some distant 'funk'. Definitely something to go back to time and time again. This changed very little on day two (corked in refrig) -- very strong and persistant wine. Great full mouth feel with no 'thinness' that has put me off some other Vieux T's. Finish has ample acid and tannin, but in balance and pleasant (my wife thought it rough, but we've been on a diet of Cali Pinot). Saw a note somewhere to pull out the '99 CNPs and this is really good advice. This wine is just singing right now.
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11/30/2004 - jeff nowak wrote: 85 Points
14% alcohol. from 375 ml.
i've had this wine several times. and despite my perpetual enthusiasm, every time i pull the cork, i've always been disappointed. sadly, tonight is no exception. the wine is too bright and tart. the acidity is over balanced. it doesn't possess any structure with it's fruit. thin. not undrinkable, just so bland and tiresome that i can't recommend it.
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6/4/2004 - jeff nowak wrote: 80 Points
earlier this week i reported on 3 other examples from this vintage in the "what did you drink this weekend thread?"
chosen as a substitute after the 99 hansel family estate pinot was corked. :(
from 1/2 bottle. 14% alcohol.
very disappointing. thin, lifeless midpalate, uninteresting finish. the tannins are harsh and make me wince with every sip.
the color looks good. the bouquet is muted. what little fruit there is can't salvage this experience. ouch.
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3/18/2004 - tendring wrote:
Wine Education Service - Southern Rhône - Châteauneuf du Pape: A nose reminiscent of a warm stable but with freshness.
A well balanced wine, fruit acidity and tannins.
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3/10/2004 - JohnB wrote:
Imported by Kermit Lynch; alcohol 14% by volume, not decanted.
Upon opening a color of deep plum in the glass with a thin, clear, rim. Offers a nose of earth and dark fruit; a bit sharp, or angular, on the palate with moderate tannin present. With 30 minutes of air in the glass the nose remained unchanged. The palate had shed the sharp features and smoothed out showing sweet red fruit and earth as the predominant features. After 2 hours the nose had not moved an inch, and the fruit was again being hidden by the tannins. This bottle seems to be more masculine in nature than previous ones.
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10/11/2003 - amred wrote:
11/03: Was disappointed earlier, but, opened another bottle. Nice Rhone nose, peppery, earthy, good fruit. Somewhat classical ChdP, if not as rich as many 1998's and 1999's. Not a blockbuster, but rich with black fruit. Not feeling so bad, after seeing some reviews.
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7/11/2003 - futronic wrote: 89 Points
Medium ruby red. Slight barnyard on nose with pretty aromas of plum and blackberry. Needs a lot of time. Plenty of tannin and blackberry fruit.
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