Another great value from TJ's- with value/quality ratio they really hit it out of the park in the wine deparment. Pours a deep red, nice legs and has tons of dark fruit- blackberry- and spice on the nose and palate. Big mouthfeel- definitely better over the course of the evening as it sits in the glass for awhile- mellows considerably. Definitely a bigger wine than I would usually go for, but suprisingly drinkable. And somehow more interesting than your average-under-10-dollars-a-bottel-generic-california-cab-sauv. Nothing spectacular but at this price point I am happy just not to be disappointed.
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I have a feeling other reviewers didnt decant this wine because the qualities change with 2 hours decanting. Right out of the bottle there was a pickle juice character that mellowed with decanting. Dark violet red color. Nose of pickles and spices, kinda gamey. Red and black currants mixed with tomatoes and herbs like lavender. Mild tannins. Spicey finish. Some may not like this wine but definitely interesting palate. Kinda similar to a zinfindel or primativo but with some gaminess of its own.
Update: Like Oinos below, I tried to decant overnight and it made a huge difference. Now nose is more smoky with pickle juice gone. Palate has a nice smooth smokey caramel character similar to brie. Smooth finish. This wine is definitely a prime example of how decanting can totally change the wine. Ill make note of it for future carmeniere.
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After a bad experience of "nose of cat pee" with the Panilonco Malbec-Merlot, I decided to pop this one in my cellar too, just to see if it had the same problem. It did, though not to such a noxious extent, and without the comparison to the Malbec-Merlot to taint it, it MIGHT have been drinkable. But I was done with having the scent of cat pee in my wine glass, so this one is heading the way of its brother: down the sink, and onto my DO NOT BUY list.
[Update: OK, I corked it and let it sit for two days and gave it another chance. It was fine, funk was gone. Smoky caramel on palate was the prominent feature. I finished it and was happy.]
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3/5/2014 - catmccon Likes this wine: 86 Points
Another great value from TJ's- with value/quality ratio they really hit it out of the park in the wine deparment. Pours a deep red, nice legs and has tons of dark fruit- blackberry- and spice on the nose and palate. Big mouthfeel- definitely better over the course of the evening as it sits in the glass for awhile- mellows considerably. Definitely a bigger wine than I would usually go for, but suprisingly drinkable. And somehow more interesting than your average-under-10-dollars-a-bottel-generic-california-cab-sauv. Nothing spectacular but at this price point I am happy just not to be disappointed.
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8/2/2013 - Ericonline Likes this wine: 87 Points
very dry but full bodied. Lingers for long time.
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4/30/2013 - Dan & Krista Stockman Likes this wine: 89 Points
Very nice, especially for the price.
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3/18/2013 - edog77 Likes this wine: 86 Points
I have a feeling other reviewers didnt decant this wine because the qualities change with 2 hours decanting. Right out of the bottle there was a pickle juice character that mellowed with decanting. Dark violet red color. Nose of pickles and spices, kinda gamey. Red and black currants mixed with tomatoes and herbs like lavender. Mild tannins. Spicey finish. Some may not like this wine but definitely interesting palate. Kinda similar to a zinfindel or primativo but with some gaminess of its own.
Update: Like Oinos below, I tried to decant overnight and it made a huge difference. Now nose is more smoky with pickle juice gone. Palate has a nice smooth smokey caramel character similar to brie. Smooth finish. This wine is definitely a prime example of how decanting can totally change the wine. Ill make note of it for future carmeniere.
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1/24/2013 - dwaynelm wrote: 86 Points
Tart cherry, with spice and earthiness. Balanced acidity and tannin. Solid QPV for $4.
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10/29/2012 - cbdugas wrote: 86 Points
Scores high on QPR thanks to a low denominator. Graphite on the nose. Medium body light finish.
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8/17/2012 - foobarski wrote: 80 Points
Serviceable. Definitely not a first bottle.
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8/1/2012 - mkercheval wrote: 89 Points
Extraordinary value. A Trader Joes hit.
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5/12/2012 - oinos alopeke wrote: 80 Points
After a bad experience of "nose of cat pee" with the Panilonco Malbec-Merlot, I decided to pop this one in my cellar too, just to see if it had the same problem. It did, though not to such a noxious extent, and without the comparison to the Malbec-Merlot to taint it, it MIGHT have been drinkable. But I was done with having the scent of cat pee in my wine glass, so this one is heading the way of its brother: down the sink, and onto my DO NOT BUY list.
[Update: OK, I corked it and let it sit for two days and gave it another chance. It was fine, funk was gone. Smoky caramel on palate was the prominent feature. I finished it and was happy.]
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