Very well made, fuller bodied wine that seemed Merlot dominated by its fruit profile. A bit too much new oak gave it a new world feel that left me respecting the quality but not loving the wine. That said, your mileage may vary: my cousin (who adores Insignia by Phelps) thought it checked all his boxes for a great price.
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Excellent value for money. Everything is perfect. A touch of subtle acidity to support the long finish. After an hour's opening...a 2nd wine that has nothing to envy of the first...except that it's already perfect to drink today unlike the 1st, which can still wait!
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Piss poor. The wine was over extracted and showed a portiness which I found very off-putting. I drank a bottle in 2011 and though the wine was quite good but this bottle showed very poorly. Maybe this was a bad bottle. Not sure.
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After a two hour decant, this medium bodied Bordeaux opens up to blackberry fruit and notes of cedar, earth and chocolate. Easy drinking and very good for the money.
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A little lean and thin... Almost diluted. However, there is still a core of tannic black fruit and cassis that suggests this might have potential with a bit more age. One dimensional right now and a bit over extracted. Good, not great.
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Ripe fruit and minty nose. Mid to full bodied, ripe fruit and chocolate palate, good concentration with high acidity and coarse, but ripe, tannins. Medium finish. The wine grows more austere on the second day. The wine is very young and will take several years to unravel, but this wine can rival some of the classed growths.
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Was smooth and easy to drink, but aroma and fruit profile kind of light. Day 2 showed a little more substance. Day 3 seemed to have put on more weight and fruit more pronounced. Was actually pretty good then. Maybe it just needed time. Upped rating by a point. Not sure I would buy again though, would rather try something else.
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4/5/2024 - Thad Likes this wine:
Great wine for what i paid and ready to drink nnow
It is not mind-blowing but enjoyable
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10/21/2023 - Michael T. Zoppo Likes this wine:
Very well made, fuller bodied wine that seemed Merlot dominated by its fruit profile. A bit too much new oak gave it a new world feel that left me respecting the quality but not loving the wine. That said, your mileage may vary: my cousin (who adores Insignia by Phelps) thought it checked all his boxes for a great price.
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6/1/2023 - francovanne Likes this wine: 95 Points
Excellent value for money. Everything is perfect. A touch of subtle acidity to support the long finish. After an hour's opening...a 2nd wine that has nothing to envy of the first...except that it's already perfect to drink today unlike the 1st, which can still wait!
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11/30/2021 - Bowmanifesto wrote: 90 Points
Fantastic Value for the price. Full St. E aromas and flavors at an everyday drinking price. Drink up. It's in the zone.
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4/27/2020 - Abelofskydc802 Likes this wine: 97 Points
Black berries, currants, tar, high tannins
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5/26/2019 - Quarked wrote: 90 Points
Contrary to others, I found myself wondering why American merlots couldn't be more like this, deep and flavorful without being overtly fruity.
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1/1/2017 - markricardo Does not like this wine: 82 Points
Piss poor. The wine was over extracted and showed a portiness which I found very off-putting. I drank a bottle in 2011 and though the wine was quite good but this bottle showed very poorly. Maybe this was a bad bottle. Not sure.
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2/7/2016 - Schiffy Likes this wine: 90 Points
After a two hour decant, this medium bodied Bordeaux opens up to blackberry fruit and notes of cedar, earth and chocolate. Easy drinking and very good for the money.
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1/31/2016 - Francophile1 Likes this wine: 86 Points
A little lean and thin... Almost diluted. However, there is still a core of tannic black fruit and cassis that suggests this might have potential with a bit more age. One dimensional right now and a bit over extracted. Good, not great.
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1/20/2014 - maxima wrote: 88 Points
Très beau Bordeaux, assez gouteux et fruité.
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10/28/2013 - ScubaSommelier wrote: 86 Points
Decanted 2.5hrs as I was expecting this to be a bit early on this wine. A little vegetal, bit overall good. Mint and cinnamon notes.
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7/13/2013 - j30 wrote: 88 Points
Ripe fruit and minty nose. Mid to full bodied, ripe fruit and chocolate palate, good concentration with high acidity and coarse, but ripe, tannins. Medium finish. The wine grows more austere on the second day. The wine is very young and will take several years to unravel, but this wine can rival some of the classed growths.
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12/22/2012 - Plus Ultra wrote: 88 Points
Was smooth and easy to drink, but aroma and fruit profile kind of light. Day 2 showed a little more substance. Day 3 seemed to have put on more weight and fruit more pronounced. Was actually pretty good then. Maybe it just needed time. Upped rating by a point. Not sure I would buy again though, would rather try something else.
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