Purple, dark red center with pink rim. This wine sported a highly expressive nose of boysenberry, blackberry, and dark cherry with occasional hints of roasted meat. The palate was big with ample black pepper, blackberry, dark cherry, roasted meat, and a touch of cocoa. Structurally, this is full-bodied, but not overblown, with good acidity and a long finish. Overall, I expected this to be all about big fruit and ripeness, but it showed some restraint and quite a bit of pepper throughout. It paired well with a multi-bean stew and cornbread, as the cornbread sweetness balanced the fruit and the pepper notes matched well with the beans.
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Popped and poured. This is a dark red wine with scents of sweet fruit pie, pepper, and fruit compote. The mouth is full and juicy, with deep and dark fruit showing throughout. The finish is long and plush. Overall, this is a nice red blend, one perfectly fit for a BBQ or summer party. This is a wine of raw pleasure, not one for deep study or contemplation. 90 points.
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A big and bold Paso GSM blend. 15.2% abv, with med acidity and a bit hot on the palate, the wine is deep and smoky, full of sugary extract and glycerin. Better have a big stew when opening this bad boy. Well made, but at $70, this would be a "never buy again" category for my current tastes. Drink now...
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Great and complex. It is hard for me to describe all the taste profiles that came through. There is peppercorn, wet leaves, tarragon and similar spices, some menthol and a little blackberry jam. Long finish that feels like a big mouthful of fireworks.
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Intense deep violet color. Beautiful but subtle nose of dark fruit, violets, a hint of leather. Tannins are totally integrated, body, structure, acid, fruit are gorgeously composed. A top notch wine, drinking in a great place now.
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Phenomenal. Drinking very well. Tannins are mellow so the wine really shines. Wish I had more. Drank a couple glasses then corked it. Still wonderful two days later.
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Brought to dinner for my wifes birthday. Really complimented the venison and buttermilk chicken entrees we shared. Hints of tobacco, licorice, leather with some of the dark fruits brooding in the forefront. Drinking nicely now.
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Finished previous bottle opened then with Coravin. Dark,brooding, intense, and concentrated. Went great with steak from Ruth's Chris. Tasting notes are consistent with recent note.
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Dark and brooding. Smokey meat, tobacco. and menthol. Black fruit is there, but takes time to push through the alcohol and firm tannins. An immense wine. Need a full plate of sloppy ribs to go up against this monster. Would wait several years to try another one. Drank over two days
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Dark red in color. Fragrant nose of Dr. Pepper, spice and grilled herbs. Started off with red fruit flavors but grew in intensity as it opened up. Great depth. Black raspberry, grilled rare beef, stony minerals and bits of cedar and oak. Young but drinking well now. Opened via Coravin and will come back to finish it soon.
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Ruby color, clear medium depth. Aromatic sweet currant, pipe tobacco, hint of raw meat, Hermitage-like. Medium sweet. Low to medium tannins, soft, supple. Flavors of mocha, mulberry, red raspberry compote on graham cracker crust. Hint of silky white chocolate on long finish. Perfectly layered, complex yet simple.
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As a common theme in my wine world..... wait first, then decant! Really should have had that approach here. A young wine, with nice structure. Kinda "stewy" but with depth. Meaty, red fruit driven wine. Smooth on the mid after a few hours (and it did need a few hours to find her legs). Think this has a 2-4 year sleep in her future. Bright and fresh
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Decanted an hour before tasting. Smooth, rich and delicious. Mineral, wood and spice in the nose. Dark cherry, anise, tea and a hint of brine on the palate with a tart finish. Second consecutive vintage of the Oublie for me and both have been excellent.
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Decanted 12 hours before consuming. Usually one of my favorites from this producer, I was displeased with the '09 release as being overwrought. This offering, however, is once again delicious. Dialed back, controlled in its power, very nicely structured.
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A very nice Rhone blend that needs a long decant to show its true colors as the initial heat took some time to evaporate. Once this had a chance to breathe for a good 90 minutes, the wine exhibited big flavors of cranberries, pomegranate and raisin, alongside pepper, smoke and herbs. Medium-bodied (though definitely on the big side for a Rhone) with firm tannins and a long finish. I can see my rating improving significantly on the next bottle as I will give it a long decant before trying.
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Wines at Chris and Renee's home. (Chris and Renee's): This is a big wine. delicious. A wall of flavor. Black raspberries and black pepper. Don't know what happens when it gets older but very delicious, if not complex, right now.
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Delightful Rhone blend: Syrah 43%, Mourvedre 26%, Counoise 16%, and Grenache 15%. Decanted in the glass for 20 minutes. Smooth, fruity, integrated with no one varietal dominating.
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Decanted for about two hrs then put back in the bottle and slow-ode for another hour and a half. Drank with dinner and everyone loved this wine! Mix of berry fruit, a little hot on the first sip and then went away pretty quick. Powerful wine, well integrated, tannins not overly noticeable. This will only get better over time.
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WOTN! Another great wine from Booker. Wonderful Rhone blend that is really singing. Oak burned off after about 30 minutes and drank really well. Saving my other bottle for next year.
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Very nice surprise. Smooth, even, velour-like mouth-coating juice with nice fruit on front and back end. Pop to pour. Certainly you can't go wrong with some air time - the more the better in this case. At hour two, found a good a gear and stretched it out. Lingering finish. Fresh fruit on the nose.
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Decanted and drank over the next 3+ hours. Aroma has oak and dark fruit. The oak goes well with the fruit in both aroma and taste. One of these days I'll get around to tasting an aged Booker, but they are so good young.
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Medium garnet, stingy nose of primary mixed berry fruit with undertones of nutmeg, big extracted fruit on the palate with layers of smokey cherry and black plum with with truffle, garrigue and floral notes, finish is over the top with loads of cherry, berry fruit and balancing acidity
Note: My score reflects the quality of this wine, not necessarily my taste
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Typical Booker wine, fabulous. Deep rich aromas of plum and dark candied berries, dark plum in color with incredible long legs. As great as the wine looks and smells it is in the mouth were this wine shines. Plum, blackberries, sweet cherries, graphite, licorice on the the palate smooth creaminess in the mouth with a extremely long finish with some well integrated tannins. Not a wine that should be drunk undecanted it is still young and will do nothing but improve with age.
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Good ripe dark fruits, and found the oak better integrated with some air. Medium acidity. Very pleasant finish that lingers a bit. Showed very well on the cooler side.
Better on the second night. With the oak even more integrated, the fruit really shines, even with a suggestion of mint freshness.
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I definitely recommend decanting. The more time exposed to air, the more the wine opened up. Lovely dark fruit and minerals on the nose, but not overwhelming. The finish came through....noticed some red fruit and a little chocolate. The alcohol was integrated nicely. Overall, we enjoyed!
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Tasted with the extended barrel age version. Both showed off an outstanding fragrant nose with fruit, herbs, oak. The extended age version offered more depth on the palate, but both improved after opening. Very approachable wine with a sneaky complexity if you look far enough.
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Decanted for 1 hour prior to tasting. Needed more time, and the best glass was the last glass, which was enjoyed after being in the decanter for roughly 2.5 hours. Great berry smell. The fruit is big in this one, and it comes through as very pure, for a lack of a better way to put it. The taste is different than the smell, adding some extra complexity. I wish I had at least one more bottle of this so i could try again in a couple of years and give it a couple more hours of time to open up.
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Decanted 30 minutes. Highly expressive. My first impression was of a really well made but as of yet young wine. Clean and pure wine with good concentration and an elegant mouthfeel. Refined. A bit one deminsional as it lacks complexity at this point but this is still good. Quite good.
Not as boisterous as the '09 version and if it develops complexity, the better for it.
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8/31/2023 - Eric4384 wrote:
excellent PNP vibrant and beautiful great acidity Had this with steak and was a fabulous choice, still great the next day but leveled off quite a bit
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9/23/2022 - danielbleier Likes this wine: 94 Points
consistent with notes of 10/13/2017 - drinking very well right now.
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11/4/2019 - Meerlust wrote: 90 Points
Purple, dark red center with pink rim. This wine sported a highly expressive nose of boysenberry, blackberry, and dark cherry with occasional hints of roasted meat. The palate was big with ample black pepper, blackberry, dark cherry, roasted meat, and a touch of cocoa. Structurally, this is full-bodied, but not overblown, with good acidity and a long finish. Overall, I expected this to be all about big fruit and ripeness, but it showed some restraint and quite a bit of pepper throughout. It paired well with a multi-bean stew and cornbread, as the cornbread sweetness balanced the fruit and the pepper notes matched well with the beans.
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7/31/2019 - mvande21 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Rich with blackberry, pepper and leather notes. Full body, smooth and balanced with long finish.
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2/17/2019 - artp Likes this wine: 92 Points
Rich, quality wine.
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10/13/2017 - danielbleier Likes this wine: 94 Points
Smooth and well integrated. Blackberry, leather, black olive and licorice come together in a full bodied, powerful wine
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8/6/2017 - whitmanlholt Likes this wine: 90 Points
Popped and poured. This is a dark red wine with scents of sweet fruit pie, pepper, and fruit compote. The mouth is full and juicy, with deep and dark fruit showing throughout. The finish is long and plush. Overall, this is a nice red blend, one perfectly fit for a BBQ or summer party. This is a wine of raw pleasure, not one for deep study or contemplation. 90 points.
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9/24/2016 - drrobvino wrote: 88 Points
A big and bold Paso GSM blend. 15.2% abv, with med acidity and a bit hot on the palate, the wine is deep and smoky, full of sugary extract and glycerin. Better have a big stew when opening this bad boy. Well made, but at $70, this would be a "never buy again" category for my current tastes. Drink now...
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7/10/2016 - SMagowan Likes this wine: 93 Points
Great and complex. It is hard for me to describe all the taste profiles that came through. There is peppercorn, wet leaves, tarragon and similar spices, some menthol and a little blackberry jam. Long finish that feels like a big mouthful of fireworks.
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5/25/2016 - Stufts wrote: 94 Points
Intense deep violet color. Beautiful but subtle nose of dark fruit, violets, a hint of leather. Tannins are totally integrated, body, structure, acid, fruit are gorgeously composed. A top notch wine, drinking in a great place now.
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5/10/2016 - PinotPaul Likes this wine: 93 Points
Phenomenal. Drinking very well. Tannins are mellow so the wine really shines. Wish I had more. Drank a couple glasses then corked it. Still wonderful two days later.
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4/26/2016 - JohnnyShiraz Likes this wine: 95 Points
43% Syrah, 26% Mourvedre, 16% Counoise and 15% Grenache
Drinking great right now, tannins are completely integrated. A great expression of a big Paso blend.
I poured it into a decanter just so that it completely opens up. Served at 68 degrees.
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1/11/2016 - UofM Likes this wine: 92 Points
Brought to dinner for my wifes birthday. Really complimented the venison and buttermilk chicken entrees we shared. Hints of tobacco, licorice, leather with some of the dark fruits brooding in the forefront. Drinking nicely now.
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11/16/2015 - smphelps wrote: 93 Points
A lot of finesse and good delineation. Mocha, tobacco, cherry cola. Seems to be in a fair spot but not really for holding.
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5/12/2015 - rustyRudy Likes this wine: 93 Points
Finished previous bottle opened then with Coravin. Dark,brooding, intense, and concentrated. Went great with steak from Ruth's Chris. Tasting notes are consistent with recent note.
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4/12/2015 - Castle Peak wrote: 91 Points
Dark and brooding. Smokey meat, tobacco. and menthol. Black fruit is there, but takes time to push through the alcohol and firm tannins. An immense wine. Need a full plate of sloppy ribs to go up against this monster. Would wait several years to try another one. Drank over two days
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4/5/2015 - rustyRudy Likes this wine: 94 Points
Dark red in color. Fragrant nose of Dr. Pepper, spice and grilled herbs. Started off with red fruit flavors but grew in intensity as it opened up. Great depth. Black raspberry, grilled rare beef, stony minerals and bits of cedar and oak. Young but drinking well now. Opened via Coravin and will come back to finish it soon.
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9/29/2014 - ELH wrote: 94 Points
Intriguing blend. Just when you think one varietal is dominant, it evolves.
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7/19/2014 - H Crenshaw wrote: 90 Points
Decanted for 1 hours. Stewy, meaty nose with a little heat on the palate. Started to blow off with more air. Should improve with age.
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5/18/2014 - alpha_ori Likes this wine: 92 Points
PnP. Smooth, well-balanced. Good length. Just a touch of hot-weather stewed fruit, but not enough to be troublesome.
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3/20/2014 - raydawgone Likes this wine: 95 Points
Ruby color, clear medium depth. Aromatic sweet currant, pipe tobacco, hint of raw meat, Hermitage-like. Medium sweet. Low to medium tannins, soft, supple. Flavors of mocha, mulberry, red raspberry compote on graham cracker crust. Hint of silky white chocolate on long finish. Perfectly layered, complex yet simple.
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2/26/2014 - sbfireman wrote: 93 Points
As a common theme in my wine world..... wait first, then decant! Really should have had that approach here. A young wine, with nice structure. Kinda "stewy" but with depth. Meaty, red fruit driven wine. Smooth on the mid after a few hours (and it did need a few hours to find her legs). Think this has a 2-4 year sleep in her future. Bright and fresh
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2/4/2014 - tantotinto wrote: 92 Points
Decanted an hour before tasting. Smooth, rich and delicious. Mineral, wood and spice in the nose. Dark cherry, anise, tea and a hint of brine on the palate with a tart finish. Second consecutive vintage of the Oublie for me and both have been excellent.
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1/7/2014 - jeagle wrote: 92 Points
Decanted 12 hours before consuming. Usually one of my favorites from this producer, I was displeased with the '09 release as being overwrought. This offering, however, is once again delicious. Dialed back, controlled in its power, very nicely structured.
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12/8/2013 - The Wine Write wrote: 91 Points
Popped and poured at restaurant. Opened up within a few minutes. Big flavor, creamy mouthfeel and smooth finish. Nice bottle.
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12/3/2013 - VintageSully wrote: 90 Points
A very nice Rhone blend that needs a long decant to show its true colors as the initial heat took some time to evaporate. Once this had a chance to breathe for a good 90 minutes, the wine exhibited big flavors of cranberries, pomegranate and raisin, alongside pepper, smoke and herbs. Medium-bodied (though definitely on the big side for a Rhone) with firm tannins and a long finish. I can see my rating improving significantly on the next bottle as I will give it a long decant before trying.
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11/1/2013 - gfm10 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Excellent Booker. Needed decant time. Very tannic at first taste with heat. After about 2 hours it opened up nicely. Really nice Rhone blend.
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10/27/2013 - Loren Sonkin wrote: 92 Points
Wines at Chris and Renee's home. (Chris and Renee's): This is a big wine. delicious. A wall of flavor. Black raspberries and black pepper. Don't know what happens when it gets older but very delicious, if not complex, right now.
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10/20/2013 - lou13 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Exceptional Rhone blend. Last evening we tried Rhones from several regions and this was certainly the best. Smooth and flavorful.
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8/3/2013 - ELH wrote: 94 Points
Delightful Rhone blend: Syrah 43%, Mourvedre 26%, Counoise 16%, and Grenache 15%. Decanted in the glass for 20 minutes. Smooth, fruity, integrated with no one varietal dominating.
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7/7/2013 - KCBrian Likes this wine: 93 Points
Decanted for about two hrs then put back in the bottle and slow-ode for another hour and a half. Drank with dinner and everyone loved this wine! Mix of berry fruit, a little hot on the first sip and then went away pretty quick. Powerful wine, well integrated, tannins not overly noticeable. This will only get better over time.
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7/4/2013 - ravbik wrote: 94 Points
Ripe red fruits, cherry, vanilla, cassis, depth really showed and integrated on second day. Well rounded tannins with clean finish.
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6/20/2013 - UofM wrote: 92 Points
WOTN! Another great wine from Booker. Wonderful Rhone blend that is really singing. Oak burned off after about 30 minutes and drank really well. Saving my other bottle for next year.
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6/14/2013 - sbfireman wrote: 93 Points
Very nice surprise. Smooth, even, velour-like mouth-coating juice with nice fruit on front and back end. Pop to pour. Certainly you can't go wrong with some air time - the more the better in this case. At hour two, found a good a gear and stretched it out. Lingering finish. Fresh fruit on the nose.
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5/19/2013 - Wine Sparty wrote: 93 Points
Decanted and drank over the next 3+ hours. Aroma has oak and dark fruit. The oak goes well with the fruit in both aroma and taste. One of these days I'll get around to tasting an aged Booker, but they are so good young.
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5/16/2013 - duchamp wrote: 93 Points
Medium garnet, stingy nose of primary mixed berry fruit with undertones of nutmeg, big extracted fruit on the palate with layers of smokey cherry and black plum with with truffle, garrigue and floral notes, finish is over the top with loads of cherry, berry fruit and balancing acidity
Note: My score reflects the quality of this wine, not necessarily my taste
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4/13/2013 - bzell Likes this wine: 94 Points
Typical Booker wine, fabulous. Deep rich aromas of plum and dark candied berries, dark plum in color with incredible long legs. As great as the wine looks and smells it is in the mouth were this wine shines. Plum, blackberries, sweet cherries, graphite, licorice on the the palate smooth creaminess in the mouth with a extremely long finish with some well integrated tannins. Not a wine that should be drunk undecanted it is still young and will do nothing but improve with age.
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4/5/2013 - Robert Pavlovich wrote:
Good ripe dark fruits, and found the oak better integrated with some air. Medium acidity. Very pleasant finish that lingers a bit. Showed very well on the cooler side.
Better on the second night. With the oak even more integrated, the fruit really shines, even with a suggestion of mint freshness.
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3/26/2013 - Mel-o-Vino Likes this wine: 92 Points
I definitely recommend decanting. The more time exposed to air, the more the wine opened up. Lovely dark fruit and minerals on the nose, but not overwhelming. The finish came through....noticed some red fruit and a little chocolate. The alcohol was integrated nicely. Overall, we enjoyed!
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12/30/2012 - J-Sho wrote: 94 Points
Dark, beautiful and complex. Lots of dark fruit here but with some mineral and dark chocolate. Nice Finish.
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12/18/2012 - ppierpont wrote: 90 Points
Tasted with the extended barrel age version. Both showed off an outstanding fragrant nose with fruit, herbs, oak. The extended age version offered more depth on the palate, but both improved after opening. Very approachable wine with a sneaky complexity if you look far enough.
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11/18/2012 - jlaws7lh wrote: 92 Points
Decanted for 1 hour prior to tasting. Needed more time, and the best glass was the last glass, which was enjoyed after being in the decanter for roughly 2.5 hours. Great berry smell. The fruit is big in this one, and it comes through as very pure, for a lack of a better way to put it. The taste is different than the smell, adding some extra complexity. I wish I had at least one more bottle of this so i could try again in a couple of years and give it a couple more hours of time to open up.
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9/3/2012 - bonedocnine wrote: 92 Points
Easy going and delicioius. Really a nice wine with clear evidence of thoughtful wine making. Enjoy for sure.
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9/1/2012 - Redguy wrote: 91 Points
Decanted 30 minutes. Highly expressive. My first impression was of a really well made but as of yet young wine. Clean and pure wine with good concentration and an elegant mouthfeel. Refined. A bit one deminsional as it lacks complexity at this point but this is still good. Quite good.
Not as boisterous as the '09 version and if it develops complexity, the better for it.
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5/31/2012 - Amerique wrote: 92 Points
Delicious, fresh, medium-bodied blackberry/strawberry with pencil lead flavors, little spiritsy, nice structure and finish
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5/13/2012 - pilot360 wrote:
While this is touted as the "Francophile" of the line up, I found it a bit thin, astringent, sweet, green, and a bit hot.
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