The last of my Orin Swift fruit bomb wines. It was good with burgers, but just too big for sipping afterwards. Second day it was about the same. No nuance or character. Just big ripe fruit.
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Pnp. Fruit still notable on the nose and palate. Some mild secondaries. Soft tannins. Good length. Medium to full weight. Enjoyed with grilled tri-tip tonight. Winner!
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Decanted for an hour. Ahh, what a fantastic bouquet of mature cassis and leather. The palate also shows good mature dark fruits, with an elegance that has come with time. Definitely in a great spot now!
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Three hour decant. Drank over the following three hours.
My last bottle of this vintage; the last being consumed in 2013
Still big, bold, fun, and sexy. Deep ox-blood full bodied. Dark berries, vanilla, oak, allspice. Smooth, fruit is still strong, taste follows the nose with a medium finish. Was a great bottle accompanied with rack of lamb. Good value.
Smoked an Aladino
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Clear deep ruby. Clean nose of pronounced intensity with aromas of sweet spice, black cherry, figs, meat, earth, vanilla, Wine is fully developed. On the palate it is dry with medium acidity, medium pus tannins, high alcohol, full body and pronounced flavor intensity of cedar, cloves, leather, mushrooms, cooked cherry. Finish is medium. Good wine, drink now, or can be stored for a 3-4 more years.
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I liked this, but it may be ending its peak drinking window. Smooth and fresh fruit, tannins very mild/smooth unlike what others were saying a year or two ago. Less oak than typical cabs so a fresher, more fruit forward taste even in its maturity.
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Cali Bordeaux blend by Dave Phinney never disappoints. 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 2% Malbec, and 2% Petit Verdot. Ruby red/ violet in color. On the nose fragrant and floral with a hint of leather. On the palate plum and blackberry. It is truly full-bodied and intense, but not as complex as other years. The tannins are a bit harsh on the finish, and as they mellow it should tame the finish.
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We enjoyed this fabulous wine with great friends while dining on prime rib...We decanted it for 75 minutes prior to partaking of it. The '09 is good to drink now...It is nearing the end of the 5-year recommended window for drinking. This Orin Swift creation is mature in taste, leaving a smooth, full-bodied taste after each sip. We are thrilled that it was so good, after storing it for a number of years.
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I love this wine, and it is one of my go to bottles, for many occasions. Unfortunately, this time, the cork broke off and fell apart, requiring decanting and straining; but the wine still looked, smelled, and tasted beautiful. It had a dark violet to ruby red color and its nose was fragrant with violets, dark fruit, mocha, and menthol. This wine was very fruity and tasted of cassis, black cherries, blueberries, expresso, leather, and oak. It is big, bold, and complex, with a rich full bodied mouth feel. It's ending was lengthy and was punctuated with polished and well integrated tannins.
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Deep and dense; intense, rich and lush; really great balance though; better than any other Phinney project I've had, as many of the others seem "confused" as to what they are trying to be; maybe just too young; this is really nice right now
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Deep dark center, red/purple rim, no signs of age. Sweet, blackcurrants and black plums. Smooth, blueberries, expresso, cherry pie filling, alcohol isn't too intrusive (15.1%) some acidity and tannin still, good fruity length. A good year for Papillon, this is still a little young and will be better in a year. Still a bit overblown and too "Napa Cab".
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Given Orin Swift's reputation this wasn't as big as I thought it'd be. Offers plenty of cherry, blackberry, raspberry, hard candy, and cedar aromas. Sweet on entry, followed by generous fruit flavors, just enough backbone, and crushed rocks on the finish. Not bad if a bit overpriced.
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A few years ago I recall the Papillon having floral notes. This vintage I get big high alcohol and fruit. It reminds me of a restaurant that used to be good that nostalgia causes you to give it one too many chances. Too bad.
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Blackberries, raspberries, and shortbread cookies on the nose. Fresh berries up front, then spice shows up in a medium finish. Shortbread cookie oak flavors. Rushed feel to the palate and hollow structure. Terrible QPR but if no one knows the price this is a crowd pleaser.
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Admittedly not everyones cup of tea but the crowd and I liked it. Very fruity but has just enough structure and tannin to go with food. Some rated this best of the night.
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Meh. The nose is pleasant enough with some berries and coffee. The palate is thin to me, the fruit just doesn't go anywhere and it's unidimensional. Not bad, just didn't do anything for me.
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Decanted approx. 3 hours ... Wow. Incredibly disappointing for a wine at this price point. Half decent Cali Cab, but a little thin and very hot. Fruit shy and all-around just average for a $20 bottle, let alone a $50 effort. 88 if it cost >$25. Never again. Sorry I have four bottles left. ... Christmas Day 2013 (unfortunately)
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enjoyed at tasting event..compared to the 2010 that we had the night before. This is a very complex, deeply extracted brooding cinq cepage with mostly cab up front. Evolving, lots of fruit and big backbone, good for the long run, will enjoy seeing how this evolves. The 2010 has more merlot and is not as stern as the 2009
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Dark, inky, big and bold yet oh so smooth with just a small hint if tannins. This was a great wine with a steak and to continue to sip on afterward. Top notch.
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- Garnet color with fast forming legs and aromas of black currant, black pepper and tea. It's balanced and has flavours of black currant, black pepper and tea with a full body. Polished texture with a medium finish.
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Had after the 2007 CADE Howell mtn. Red fruit on the nose with raspberry & bing coming through early. Oak on the end of the nose as well. Not as complex or well rounded. Harsh around the edges & while the tannins were about the same & equally approachable the lack of complexity was striking. Now is this an 85-89 point wine? Absolutely. Is it 90+? No freaking way. This is tight & unbalanced. The finish was short & while this is a good wine, for the price there are so many other options that blow this away. I mean blow it out of the water.
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More of an old-world feeling, not fruit forward; good mineral and tannins, nice foundation of cherry and spice, with about the right amount of oak. Probably would improve with age. Nice Bordeaux blend, but not special for price.
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Popped and poured. Served with pumpkin sausage pasta. Intense and deeply flavored red with aromas of red berries, earth and wet stone, finishes with long tannic vibrancy. Although it has potential to age, it is drinking very well now.
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Nose of dark fruit with additional cherry, vanilla notes. The palate surpised me. With 15.1% and being so young, I was expecting a tannic monster, but was pleasantly surprised to enjoy a wine that was very approachable and drinkable. Wonderful fruit, with cassis, plum, cherry and vanilla layers. The 14% merlot helps create a soft well rounded palate. Medium finish that encourages an additional sip.
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Decanted 4 hours, 1/2 consumed on day one. Fresh red and black berry nose. Concentrated but polished on the palate with berry fruit, vanilla, hint of dark chocolate. Integrated, slightly acidic. Medium finish. Wanted to "check in" on this in it's youth and, while enjoyed, I strongly agree with those who recommend patience and believe even 1-2 years time will improve the balance and bring cohesiveness. Too young, no score.
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- Ruby color with medium forming legs and aromas of black currant and blackberry. It's in total harmony and has flavours of blackberry, raspberry and black pepper with a medium/full body. Polished texture with a long finish - Lovvvve!
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Lots of red fruit, with a well-balanced, medium finish. Very nice right when it was opened and it only got better over two hours. I wish I could get it for what everyone else is paying!
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dark red in color. nail polish, dried cherries on the nose. dark fruit, cocoa, cherry on the palate. high acid, followed by high tannins on the finish.
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Full bodied, fruit forward, nice layers of vanilla and dark chocolate notes in the midpalate, strong finish. Needs a few years to brighten the fruit flavors, good potential for upside. low 90s -S
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Very enjoyable. Popped and ran through the venturi. Fruit forward wine with more of a modern style. this is a big wine and a crowd pleaser. Finny give it the thumbs up! It's on the buy list!
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15.1% ABV. Translucent dark garnet in the glass. Dark currant fruit on the nose with a bit of wax and some polished oak. Medium bodied and a bit tannic, this improved a bit with air, but still fairly underwhelming. 90-91?
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A great deal at Kansas City's Michael Smith 50% off wine Wednesdays. I am reading a lot of notes about age worthiness, but to be honest this taste awesome right now. Will buy more!
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This is lovely wine from Orin Swift Cellars in Napa. It's a very dark opaque red wine with a nose of black fruit, esters, cherry and loam. The palate shows a huge fruit and full bodied red with black cherry, pepper and a lovely chewy tannin filled finish. This will age well into 2019
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Great bordeaux blend. Restaurant decanted the bottle 20 minutes before our meal. I had BBQ ribs, asparagus, and potato salad, my wife had gnocchi with meat sauce. This wine was perfect with both. Terrific balance of fruit and acidity. Not too much alcohol. This is one of the best food wines I've had. It would also be perfect as a stand alone wine. If you ever see this on a restaurant wine list, do yourself a favor and order a bottle.
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I first tried the 2006 vintage because I liked the label and I paid about $35 (30% off sale). I put it on the wine rack and decided to give it a shot a few weeks ago and Ooh Boy! Rich, hefty, well integrated, dark fruit, thick inky long legs on the side of the glass, very pleasing. As for the 2009 vintage, I detect the basic elements that were present in the 06 vintage that were wonderful, but it is too young in my opinion. This is a very good wine that is bound to be better with some time. I think that tucking a few cases away in a cool spot will be worth it. This wine is bound to be a solid winner. I score this one a very conservative 88 points for now.
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9/4/2023 - Mtpisgah wrote:
The last of my Orin Swift fruit bomb wines. It was good with burgers, but just too big for sipping afterwards. Second day it was about the same. No nuance or character. Just big ripe fruit.
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8/12/2023 - Whine-oh Likes this wine: 81 Points
Pnp. Fruit still notable on the nose and palate. Some mild secondaries. Soft tannins. Good length. Medium to full weight. Enjoyed with grilled tri-tip tonight. Winner!
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2/6/2023 - Lucabrasi92673 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Robust, about maximum age.
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2/12/2022 - jcstip wrote: 92 Points
Decanted 90 minutes. Still had legs. Opened nicely
Solid blackberry, plum with a nice pepper finish
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12/10/2021 - NiklasW Likes this wine: 92 Points
Decanted for an hour. Ahh, what a fantastic bouquet of mature cassis and leather. The palate also shows good mature dark fruits, with an elegance that has come with time. Definitely in a great spot now!
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3/31/2020 - klanham wrote: 92 Points
Still drinking well.
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3/17/2020 - jdelalamo Likes this wine: 93 Points
loved it
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5/18/2019 - Genghis88 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Three hour decant. Drank over the following three hours.
My last bottle of this vintage; the last being consumed in 2013
Still big, bold, fun, and sexy.
Deep ox-blood full bodied.
Dark berries, vanilla, oak, allspice.
Smooth, fruit is still strong, taste follows the nose with a medium finish.
Was a great bottle accompanied with rack of lamb. Good value.
Smoked an Aladino
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3/24/2019 - ebert wrote: 86 Points
The fruits taste more dried fruit flavors now. It is past it's prime.
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2/3/2019 - vpoms wrote: 91 Points
Clear deep ruby. Clean nose of pronounced intensity with aromas of sweet spice, black cherry, figs, meat, earth, vanilla, Wine is fully developed. On the palate it is dry with medium acidity, medium pus tannins, high alcohol, full body and pronounced flavor intensity of cedar, cloves, leather, mushrooms, cooked cherry. Finish is medium. Good wine, drink now, or can be stored for a 3-4 more years.
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11/15/2018 - 1997cobalt Likes this wine: 91 Points
Big and fruity, not over the top. Better on day 2 . Went well with lamb
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8/19/2018 - mcole23 wrote: 92 Points
Drank with Carolina and Brent
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2/12/2018 - ddingley Likes this wine: 91 Points
I liked this, but it may be ending its peak drinking window. Smooth and fresh fruit, tannins very mild/smooth unlike what others were saying a year or two ago. Less oak than typical cabs so a fresher, more fruit forward taste even in its maturity.
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10/29/2017 - WineCPA wrote: 92 Points
Very ripe. Tannins are resolved. Great nose. Finish is a bit short. Black and red fruit. Drink now.
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9/25/2017 - VAD wrote: 91 Points
Nice and jammy. Good balance and fruit.
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2/20/2017 - Dan & Patti wrote: 89 Points
Smooth, soft, short to medium finish
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2/1/2017 - oenophilemoose wrote: 89 Points
Decanted for two hours. Slightly cloying and the tannins were missing in action. This wine is certainly not worth the price of admission.
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1/10/2017 - ddingley Likes this wine: 92 Points
Agree with previous note--full bodied but smooth, sweet fruit, extremely well balanced
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12/19/2016 - VAD wrote: 92 Points
Beautiful wine. Heavy, but smooth and very nice sweet fruit.
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9/12/2016 - ebert Likes this wine: 89 Points
fruit tasted a bit over-ripe. Great complexity. Tannins still a bit harsh and astringent
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8/17/2016 - jeisterh wrote:
Let it Decsnt for at least 1-2 hours... Much better after opening up!
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3/20/2016 - fritza wrote: 90 Points
Cali Bordeaux blend by Dave Phinney never disappoints.
78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 2% Malbec, and 2% Petit Verdot.
Ruby red/ violet in color. On the nose fragrant and floral with a hint of leather. On the palate plum and blackberry. It is truly full-bodied and intense, but not as complex as other years. The tannins are a bit harsh on the finish, and as they mellow it should tame the finish.
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2/29/2016 - Winiac wrote: 89 Points
Sweet nice fruit but heavily oaked and almost bitter tones because of oak.
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1/9/2016 - Grape Enthusiast Likes this wine: 91 Points
We enjoyed this fabulous wine with great friends while dining on prime rib...We decanted it for 75 minutes prior to partaking of it. The '09 is good to drink now...It is nearing the end of the 5-year recommended window for drinking. This Orin Swift creation is mature in taste, leaving a smooth, full-bodied taste after each sip. We are thrilled that it was so good, after storing it for a number of years.
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1/6/2016 - Endodr Likes this wine: 93 Points
I love this wine, and it is one of my go to bottles, for many occasions. Unfortunately, this time, the cork broke off and fell apart, requiring decanting and straining; but the wine still looked, smelled, and tasted beautiful. It had a dark violet to ruby red color and its nose was fragrant with violets, dark fruit, mocha, and menthol. This wine was very fruity and tasted of cassis, black cherries, blueberries, expresso, leather, and oak. It is big, bold, and complex, with a rich full bodied mouth feel. It's ending was lengthy and was punctuated with polished and well integrated tannins.
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11/27/2015 - sfarwig wrote: 92 Points
Big, bold, and ready to drink now.
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10/24/2015 - tcufletch Likes this wine: 92 Points
Deep and dense; intense, rich and lush; really great balance though; better than any other Phinney project I've had, as many of the others seem "confused" as to what they are trying to be; maybe just too young; this is really nice right now
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10/22/2015 - AEROSS Likes this wine: 92 Points
Excellent, full, rich, dark fruits. Drinking very nicely now compared with a year or two ago.
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10/7/2015 - pdadams66 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Deep dark center, red/purple rim, no signs of age.
Sweet, blackcurrants and black plums.
Smooth, blueberries, expresso, cherry pie filling, alcohol isn't too intrusive (15.1%) some acidity and tannin still, good fruity length.
A good year for Papillon, this is still a little young and will be better in a year. Still a bit overblown and too "Napa Cab".
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5/12/2015 - The Wine Sherpa Likes this wine: 93 Points
I loved this wine. Drinking very well nw. Great fruit and nice finish. I would put this between 92 and 93 and I generously rounded up.
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1/31/2015 - Baron Slick wrote: 89 Points
Given Orin Swift's reputation this wasn't as big as I thought it'd be. Offers plenty of cherry, blackberry, raspberry, hard candy, and cedar aromas. Sweet on entry, followed by generous fruit flavors, just enough backbone, and crushed rocks on the finish. Not bad if a bit overpriced.
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1/4/2015 - nsmith75 wrote: 85 Points
A few years ago I recall the Papillon having floral notes. This vintage I get big high alcohol and fruit. It reminds me of a restaurant that used to be good that nostalgia causes you to give it one too many chances. Too bad.
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12/31/2014 - Doc90 wrote: 88 Points
Blackberries, raspberries, and shortbread cookies on the nose. Fresh berries up front, then spice shows up in a medium finish. Shortbread cookie oak flavors. Rushed feel to the palate and hollow structure. Terrible QPR but if no one knows the price this is a crowd pleaser.
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12/21/2014 - LCHammer Likes this wine: 93 Points
Admittedly not everyones cup of tea but the crowd and I liked it. Very fruity but has just enough structure and tannin to go with food. Some rated this best of the night.
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5/26/2014 - Monaco wrote: 88 Points
Overpriced version of the Prisoner. Not worth the price of admission IMHO.
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3/11/2014 - Trolson wrote: 93 Points
Phenomenal wine if you enjoy jammy nose and body.
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3/6/2014 - BobMilton Likes this wine: 93 Points
Rich and full bodied with very good fruit (mostly black fruits)
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3/4/2014 - Jwd12 wrote: 93 Points
My favorite will drink anytime anywhere. earthy with dried berry mouth filling with depth and richness
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12/25/2013 - Uglypinga wrote:
Meh. The nose is pleasant enough with some berries and coffee. The palate is thin to me, the fruit just doesn't go anywhere and it's unidimensional. Not bad, just didn't do anything for me.
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12/25/2013 - markandsusanw wrote: 87 Points
Decanted approx. 3 hours ... Wow. Incredibly disappointing for a wine at this price point. Half decent Cali Cab, but a little thin and very hot. Fruit shy and all-around just average for a $20 bottle, let alone a $50 effort. 88 if it cost >$25. Never again. Sorry I have four bottles left. ... Christmas Day 2013 (unfortunately)
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12/12/2013 - segurosusa Likes this wine: 91 Points
Strong and Nice aroma think it will be better in a couple of years to settle a Little bit. definetely could buy more.
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9/22/2013 - Deven Blackburn wrote: 85 Points
Highly overrated
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9/8/2013 - HokieFox wrote: 91 Points
- Brick color - President's meeting.
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8/28/2013 - Yack Man Likes this wine: 90 Points
Wow, this one is evolving nicely. One down and 8 more to go.... with a more time on the side. I like this red.
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8/12/2013 - 1800kidney wrote: 92 Points
78% Cabernet Sauvignon; 14% Merlot; 4% Cabernet Franc; 2% Malbec; 2% Petit Verdot
Aged 16 months in French oak; 15.1% Alc./Vol
enjoyed at tasting event..compared to the 2010 that we had the night before. This is a very complex, deeply extracted brooding cinq cepage with mostly cab up front. Evolving, lots of fruit and big backbone, good for the long run, will enjoy seeing how this evolves. The 2010 has more merlot and is not as stern as the 2009
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8/10/2013 - Trolson wrote: 92 Points
Addictive big yet nuanced fruit on the noise.
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7/14/2013 - vatausae wrote: 93 Points
Dark, inky, big and bold yet oh so smooth with just a small hint if tannins. This was a great wine with a steak and to continue to sip on afterward. Top notch.
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6/13/2013 - nick.dean wrote:
- Garnet color with fast forming legs and aromas of black currant, black pepper and tea. It's balanced and has flavours of black currant, black pepper and tea with a full body. Polished texture with a medium finish.
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5/25/2013 - 1H2oMan wrote: 92 Points
Great wine
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1/13/2013 - RLee1124 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Get's better every time!!
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1/10/2013 - Genghis88 Likes this wine: 90 Points
CC's Bday Homer St.
Second bottle this week. see previous tasting note
Q4 Centro takeout
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1/6/2013 - Genghis88 Likes this wine: 90 Points
HOMER STREET-Russian Christmas
Dark, almost black, ox-blood rim
Deep, dark fruit off the nose
Full bodied, jammy, juicy, dry with some tannins a long finish
New world style characteristics but very good
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1/1/2013 - 1H2oMan wrote: 91 Points
I haven't had this wine in a long time forgot what I was missing. This is a great wine.
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12/29/2012 - Kathleenmp wrote: 87 Points
Needs more time in the bottle
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12/28/2012 - JDV.DDSPHD wrote: 88 Points
Had after the 2007 CADE Howell mtn. Red fruit on the nose with raspberry & bing coming through early. Oak on the end of the nose as well. Not as complex or well rounded. Harsh around the edges & while the tannins were about the same & equally approachable the lack of complexity was striking. Now is this an 85-89 point wine? Absolutely. Is it 90+? No freaking way. This is tight & unbalanced. The finish was short & while this is a good wine, for the price there are so many other options that blow this away. I mean blow it out of the water.
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12/24/2012 - Richard123 Likes this wine: 90 Points
More of an old-world feeling, not fruit forward; good mineral and tannins, nice foundation of cherry and spice, with about the right amount of oak. Probably would improve with age. Nice Bordeaux blend, but not special for price.
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10/28/2012 - csillabu Likes this wine: 93 Points
Popped and poured. Served with pumpkin sausage pasta. Intense and deeply flavored red with aromas of red berries, earth and wet stone, finishes with long tannic vibrancy. Although it has potential to age, it is drinking very well now.
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10/13/2012 - DonWinspear wrote: 91 Points
Nose of dark fruit with additional cherry, vanilla notes. The palate surpised me. With 15.1% and being so young, I was expecting a tannic monster, but was pleasantly surprised to enjoy a wine that was very approachable and drinkable. Wonderful fruit, with cassis, plum, cherry and vanilla layers. The 14% merlot helps create a soft well rounded palate. Medium finish that encourages an additional sip.
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10/13/2012 - Empirate wrote:
Decanted 4 hours, 1/2 consumed on day one. Fresh red and black berry nose. Concentrated but polished on the palate with berry fruit, vanilla, hint of dark chocolate. Integrated, slightly acidic. Medium finish. Wanted to "check in" on this in it's youth and, while enjoyed, I strongly agree with those who recommend patience and believe even 1-2 years time will improve the balance and bring cohesiveness. Too young, no score.
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10/10/2012 - brianspross wrote: 80 Points
This bottle was too heavy for me. For the price I will not repurchase.
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10/6/2012 - Cmhaggar wrote: 92 Points
- Ruby color with medium forming legs and aromas of black currant and blackberry. It's in total harmony and has flavours of blackberry, raspberry and black pepper with a medium/full body. Polished texture with a long finish - Lovvvve!
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9/23/2012 - cestes wrote: 92 Points
Lots of red fruit, with a well-balanced, medium finish. Very nice right when it was opened and it only got better over two hours. I wish I could get it for what everyone else is paying!
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9/16/2012 - SMZ wrote: 90 Points
Drank this wine way too soon
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9/15/2012 - affordableCollector wrote: 85 Points
dark red in color. nail polish, dried cherries on the nose. dark fruit, cocoa, cherry on the palate. high acid, followed by high tannins on the finish.
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9/14/2012 - sasvino wrote: 92 Points
Full bodied, fruit forward, nice layers of vanilla and dark chocolate notes in the midpalate, strong finish. Needs a few years to brighten the fruit flavors, good potential for upside. low 90s -S
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8/3/2012 - jfurey21 wrote: 91 Points
Very enjoyable. Popped and ran through the venturi. Fruit forward wine with more of a modern style. this is a big wine and a crowd pleaser. Finny give it the thumbs up! It's on the buy list!
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7/24/2012 - alex.lewis Likes this wine: 94 Points
Outrageously good wine! It just screams hedonism and fun.
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5/27/2012 - OneLastSyrah wrote: 90 Points
15.1% ABV. Translucent dark garnet in the glass. Dark currant fruit on the nose with a bit of wax and some polished oak. Medium bodied and a bit tannic, this improved a bit with air, but still fairly underwhelming. 90-91?
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5/23/2012 - mmoss wrote: 93 Points
A great deal at Kansas City's Michael Smith 50% off wine Wednesdays. I am reading a lot of notes about age worthiness, but to be honest this taste awesome right now. Will buy more!
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5/23/2012 - OregonWineGeeks Likes this wine: 91 Points
This is lovely wine from Orin Swift Cellars in Napa. It's a very dark opaque red wine with a nose of black fruit, esters, cherry and loam. The palate shows a huge fruit and full bodied red with black cherry, pepper and a lovely chewy tannin filled finish. This will age well into 2019
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5/19/2012 - jfaulk Likes this wine: 93 Points
Rich and full. Age-worthy. Great balance - lush fruit sweet oak, smooth tannins.
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5/19/2012 - jeward wrote: 93 Points
Great bordeaux blend. Restaurant decanted the bottle 20 minutes before our meal. I had BBQ ribs, asparagus, and potato salad, my wife had gnocchi with meat sauce. This wine was perfect with both. Terrific balance of fruit and acidity. Not too much alcohol. This is one of the best food wines I've had. It would also be perfect as a stand alone wine. If you ever see this on a restaurant wine list, do yourself a favor and order a bottle.
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5/11/2012 - Yack Man wrote: 88 Points
I first tried the 2006 vintage because I liked the label and I paid about $35 (30% off sale). I put it on the wine rack and decided to give it a shot a few weeks ago and Ooh Boy! Rich, hefty, well integrated, dark fruit, thick inky long legs on the side of the glass, very pleasing. As for the 2009 vintage, I detect the basic elements that were present in the 06 vintage that were wonderful, but it is too young in my opinion. This is a very good wine that is bound to be better with some time. I think that tucking a few cases away in a cool spot will be worth it. This wine is bound to be a solid winner. I score this one a very conservative 88 points for now.
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5/9/2012 - Willman82 wrote: 97 Points
Incredible. A really impressive blend. Pair it with anything.
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