The wine needed about 2 hours of aeration before it started to show off its plummy character. There was a generous amount of damp earth and permanent marker, sweet black cherry and ripe plum, the palate was minty with a bit of espresso on the moderate-length finish. The wine tasted fresh, but the tannins were still very drying, so it was better with food. The wine was just starting to develop tertiary flavors. Overall, this was a pleasant, old-school Bordeaux.
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0,375. Dark core. Brickish rim. Dried fruit, leather, a bit of coffee. Developes fuller body with air. Very balanced acidity. Medium finish. Well made in a difficult vintage. Better than at arrivage. Developes body, structure and more balance with time. Decant.
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Dark crimson color, no bricking. Fabulous, quintessential aromatics: blackberries, cassis, cedar, green pepper. Sweet and velvety soft on the attack; black cherry, cassis, green pepper. Tight, slightly tannic on the palate, and short on the finish. Decanted 2 hours. Looking forward to finishing it off tomorrow. Very good.
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Diskret lukt med solbær, blyantspiss og grønn paprika. Kommer i gang med luft. Den slår deg ikke i hodet med kraft eller fylde, men er en elegant og tilfredstillende matvin, som trolig er på vei inn i et godt drikkevindu. Jeg kjøper definitivt mer.
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Rett i glasset. Klassisk Bordeaux-nese med solbær, kirsebær, edelt treverk, blyant-kvess og søt lakris. Følger opp i munnen med samme. Rødbærsfrukten dominerer på en innsmigrende måte men viser flott modning. Tanninene er polerte og integrerte. Moderat lengde. Hadde ingen forventninger, men dette leverte til de grader. Som hånd i hanske til ytrefilet av Kvitsøylam med steinsoppsaus, asparges og mandelpotetmos. Branaire-Ducru-17 i forrige uke, som tildels ble hauset opp (2017 er visstnok tilgjengelig nå) blir blåst av banen. 92p
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It seems many of the Left Bank 2011 BDX are entering peak consumption window. Several of the winemakers at UGCB mentioned they are pouring 2011 at the Chateau. They advised a ahort decant. Decanted for about an hour then had with a filet. Nice energy still, red fruit balanced with vanilla and integrated tannins.
Drink over next 4-6 years.
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Has everything that could be asked for in a great Bordeaux. Concentration of flavors, acidity, tannic structure, intensity but restraint. Cassis, pencil shavings, some earthiness. This wine will last a long time. Patience, patience.
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Xmas party at Kheam Hock. Aired in decanter for about 30mins before drinking over the next 1 hour. Appearance is clear, deep intensity, purplish ruby colour. Legss. Nose is clean, medium+ intensity, with aromas of vanilla coated black cherries, blackberrries, blackcurrant, cassis, licorice, and ending with cedar wood. Hint of tobacco and emerging earth with more air in decanter. Developing. On the palate, dry, high acidity, medium alcohol (13%), fine high tannins, just making it to full body. Medium+ flavour intensity, with flavours of black cherries, blackberries, blackcurrant with a fine layer of vanilla coating, cassis, licorice, cedar wood. Long finish. Very good quality. Elegant refined classic style. Approachable with some air in decanter, otherwise can start drinking this in another 3+ years. Oak started to integrate already. 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc.
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Very expressive cedar nose, medium ruby, opened right up after about 20 minutes to reveal a classic St. Julien, good fruit, nice balance and a nice long finish. For my taste can be enjoyed right now.
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Académie des Cinquante Bordeaux visit; 9/20/2017-9/23/2017: An elegant and refined Saint-Julien, medium body, classical style, black and red berry fruit, liquorice, cedary oak, no excessive dryness in the tannins, well- balanced and relaxed, good length.
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(Decanter FWE 2016) :: Lots of puppy fat here. Very floral and primary aromas, with an undercurrent of leather. Still tight and malformed, but offering good layers of complexity. Big tannins on the palate; imposing structure; a bit brusque at this stage. Wait 5+ years.
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MW Institute 2011 Bordeaux Tasting: Leaf, capsicum, cherry and berries. The palate shows style, the fruit is definitely red, with a tinge of green. Not sure that it has the structure for the long haul, but I definitely found interest tonight.
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The wine was dark ruby in colour and offered dark flowers, red and dark fruit, black currant, dark cherry, blackberry, graphite, leather, tobacco, coconut, cocoa and vanilla on the nose. On the palate the wine showed red and dark fruit, cherry, red currant, black currant, blackberry, graphite, tobacco, coffee, cocoa, spices and vanilla, paired with medium-plus acidity, well-integrated, smooth, medium-level tannin, a creamy mouthfeel and good to very good length. The oak still was quite prominent, but other than that the medium-bodied wine was very balanced and surprisingly drinkable despite its young age, and actually drank drank extremely well. A medium-bodied, medium-complex Bordeaux for early and mid-term drinking. 90+
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Second Sunday Group: 2011 Bordeaux & others (Mike's): Aromas of cherries, black currants and perfume/florals; elegant and pretty aromatically. Violet and black fruit aromas stand out as the wine sits. Tannins are firm, but fine-grained and silky. Flavors of black cherry, currants and red fruits. Very pretty fruit on the palate that lingers on the finish. Overall this is a very balanced and pretty wine. 93+ pts.
My #1, Domino's #2 Group #3, 50 pts
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Bordeaux in Bordeaux (Pauillac): A touch above the other wines. Some caramel oak but also some herbaceous character on the nose. Quite good fruit and not great finish but I think this will be god drinking in another 5 years or so.
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UCGB tasting Bordeaux 2011 (Amsterdam): Smoke, red and dark fruits in the bouquet. On the palate cassis and other dark fruits, sweet spices, nicely toasted oak, good acidity and round tannin. Very well balanced. The oak still has to integrate a bit more, but I am sure this wine will deliver a luxurious experience around 2023 – 2025 and later. 91 – 92++
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Union Des Grand Crus Tasting 2011 Vintage, nose of red and black fruit and a touch of heat, same on the palate, slightly fruit forward, lovely rich fruit to taste, needs 3 years to peak, medium/big body, touch of soft tannins hurt the pleasant finish.
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Tasted at the chateau with Alexandra, side by side with the LB. Obviously still a very nascent wine, but a lot of elegance. The usual register on the fruit, well proportioned oak treatment, and great balance. A much less tannic wine than the LB, I think that this will be very pleasant by 7-8 years of age. I'll look forward to re-tasting it in a few years.
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2012 CellarTracker Bordeaux Trip; 5/21/2012-5/24/2012 (Bordeaux, France): 63% Cabernet Sauvignon / 34% Merlot / 3% Cabernet Franc. Barrel sample. Very fruit forward and concentrated on the nose, displaying cassis, red cherries, and tart red currants. Quite simple and fruity on the nose. Concentrated fruit comes to the forefront as well on the palate showing rich cassis, red cherries, tart red currants, red plums, and a bit of heat. There's no hiding the bracing acidity and chalky tannins. Medium finish ending with notes of black currants and red cherries. Quite one dimensional and not very well balanced for my palate. OK
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Produced from 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc, the wine will be aged in 60% new oak. Earth, cassis and cranberry notes, medium bodied with fresh, bright, soft cassis and a classic personality. 88-90 Pts
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11/11/2022 - Toasty Oak Likes this wine: 89 Points
The wine needed about 2 hours of aeration before it started to show off its plummy character. There was a generous amount of damp earth and permanent marker, sweet black cherry and ripe plum, the palate was minty with a bit of espresso on the moderate-length finish. The wine tasted fresh, but the tannins were still very drying, so it was better with food. The wine was just starting to develop tertiary flavors. Overall, this was a pleasant, old-school Bordeaux.
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4/17/2022 - Darbus123 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Clearly not a great vintage but this bottle was drinking well with some tertiary notes. Exceeded expectations. Not for the very long term.
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2/2/2022 - Christopherhoff wrote: 92 Points
Aroma av solbær, plommer, et grønt preg, anise, tobakk, åpner seg mer etter 2 timer karaffel, mer røde preg, våt jord, 2 timer karaffel er et must.
Fin struktur, bløt, anise, våt jord, fin tanninstruktur, syre, balansen er bra, et mørkt preg, barnål,
Poeng 92+
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12/29/2021 - sempervinum Likes this wine: 92 Points
0,375. Dark core. Brickish rim. Dried fruit, leather, a bit of coffee. Developes fuller body with air. Very balanced acidity. Medium finish. Well made in a difficult vintage. Better than at arrivage. Developes body, structure and more balance with time. Decant.
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9/11/2021 - vino_per_tutti Likes this wine: 92 Points
Dark crimson color, no bricking. Fabulous, quintessential aromatics: blackberries, cassis, cedar, green pepper. Sweet and velvety soft on the attack; black cherry, cassis, green pepper. Tight, slightly tannic on the palate, and short on the finish. Decanted 2 hours. Looking forward to finishing it off tomorrow. Very good.
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8/4/2021 - Kjellerrotta Likes this wine:
Diskret lukt med solbær, blyantspiss og grønn paprika. Kommer i gang med luft. Den slår deg ikke i hodet med kraft eller fylde, men er en elegant og tilfredstillende matvin, som trolig er på vei inn i et godt drikkevindu. Jeg kjøper definitivt mer.
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2/17/2021 - colmanstephenson wrote:
From a half-bottle
I drank this over four days. By far the best on days 2-3, so DECANT.
A little tough and dry at first, but gorgeous on day 2.
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11/29/2020 - Tahan wrote: 92 Points
Rett i glasset. Klassisk Bordeaux-nese med solbær, kirsebær, edelt treverk, blyant-kvess og søt lakris. Følger opp i munnen med samme. Rødbærsfrukten dominerer på en innsmigrende måte men viser flott modning. Tanninene er polerte og integrerte. Moderat lengde. Hadde ingen forventninger, men dette leverte til de grader. Som hånd i hanske til ytrefilet av Kvitsøylam med steinsoppsaus, asparges og mandelpotetmos.
Branaire-Ducru-17 i forrige uke, som tildels ble hauset opp (2017 er visstnok tilgjengelig nå) blir blåst av banen. 92p
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2/16/2020 - Gen NY Likes this wine: 90 Points
It seems many of the Left Bank 2011 BDX are entering peak consumption window. Several of the winemakers at UGCB mentioned they are pouring 2011 at the Chateau. They advised a ahort decant. Decanted for about an hour then had with a filet. Nice energy still, red fruit balanced with vanilla and integrated tannins.
Drink over next 4-6 years.
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1/19/2019 - FLXHoneymoon Likes this wine:
Has everything that could be asked for in a great Bordeaux. Concentration of flavors, acidity, tannic structure, intensity but restraint. Cassis, pencil shavings, some earthiness. This wine will last a long time. Patience, patience.
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12/23/2018 - Derek Darth Taster wrote: 91 Points
Xmas party at Kheam Hock. Aired in decanter for about 30mins before drinking over the next 1 hour.
Appearance is clear, deep intensity, purplish ruby colour. Legss.
Nose is clean, medium+ intensity, with aromas of vanilla coated black cherries, blackberrries, blackcurrant, cassis, licorice, and ending with cedar wood. Hint of tobacco and emerging earth with more air in decanter. Developing.
On the palate, dry, high acidity, medium alcohol (13%), fine high tannins, just making it to full body. Medium+ flavour intensity, with flavours of black cherries, blackberries, blackcurrant with a fine layer of vanilla coating, cassis, licorice, cedar wood. Long finish.
Very good quality. Elegant refined classic style. Approachable with some air in decanter, otherwise can start drinking this in another 3+ years. Oak started to integrate already.
63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc.
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10/13/2018 - TanPaulLoong wrote: 90 Points
Ready to drink but should improve in a few more years
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8/16/2018 - Sonoma Duck Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very expressive cedar nose, medium ruby, opened right up after about 20 minutes to reveal a classic St. Julien, good fruit, nice balance and a nice long finish. For my taste can be enjoyed right now.
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9/23/2017 - Xavier Auerbach wrote: 91 Points
Académie des Cinquante Bordeaux visit; 9/20/2017-9/23/2017: An elegant and refined Saint-Julien, medium body, classical style, black and red berry fruit, liquorice, cedary oak, no excessive dryness in the tannins, well- balanced and relaxed, good length.
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7/10/2017 - jmcmchi wrote: 90 Points
34% merlot makes this approachable at this point
Fruit, bramble and ripe tobacco nose. Quite juicy fruit - ripe black berries, smooth tannins and layers of complexity.
Still needs some time to smooth the edges
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11/18/2016 - Phenol73 Likes this wine: 92 Points
(Decanter FWE 2016) :: Lots of puppy fat here. Very floral and primary aromas, with an undercurrent of leather. Still tight and malformed, but offering good layers of complexity. Big tannins on the palate; imposing structure; a bit brusque at this stage. Wait 5+ years.
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8/6/2016 - Tannatastic Likes this wine: 90 Points
Young, but with bags of promise. Impenetrable , deep colour....Tough, brings to mind young Madiran but without the ferocious wall of tannins.
Could be a really nice bottle once it settles down. I thought '11 was supposed to be a poor vintage? On this evidence it isn't.
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5/25/2016 - PanosKakaviatos Likes this wine: 89 Points
Tasting Bordeaux 13-12-11-10 in Hong Kong (Visiting Vinexpo 2016, I finally tasted Bordeaux 2013s from bottle, plus earlier vintages): This shows far more structure than the 2013, a bit closed down at this stage, with ripe fruit aspects and a firm aspect leading to the medium finish. Give it time in the cellar.
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4/17/2016 - CamWheeler wrote: 88 Points
MW Institute 2011 Bordeaux Tasting: Leaf, capsicum, cherry and berries. The palate shows style, the fruit is definitely red, with a tinge of green. Not sure that it has the structure for the long haul, but I definitely found interest tonight.
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3/7/2016 - Xavier Auerbach wrote: 91 Points
Amsterdam UGC Tasting and Winemakers' Dinner (Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky / Café De Klepel): Classic, masculine, tannic, slightly dry finish. Needs time but will age well.
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1/20/2016 - RajivAyyangar wrote: 80 Points
Institute of Masters of Wine - 2011 Bdx Tasting (Hyatt, San Francisco): Closed. A bit light overall. This wasn't showing well at all.
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11/10/2015 - H.W. Crabb wrote: flawed
Corked. Strong TCA aroma.
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8/23/2014 - PSPatrick wrote: 90 Points
The wine was dark ruby in colour and offered dark flowers, red and dark fruit, black currant, dark cherry, blackberry, graphite, leather, tobacco, coconut, cocoa and vanilla on the nose. On the palate the wine showed red and dark fruit, cherry, red currant, black currant, blackberry, graphite, tobacco, coffee, cocoa, spices and vanilla, paired with medium-plus acidity, well-integrated, smooth, medium-level tannin, a creamy mouthfeel and good to very good length. The oak still was quite prominent, but other than that the medium-bodied wine was very balanced and surprisingly drinkable despite its young age, and actually drank drank extremely well. A medium-bodied, medium-complex Bordeaux for early and mid-term drinking. 90+
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7/13/2014 - AllRed wrote: 93 Points
Second Sunday Group: 2011 Bordeaux & others (Mike's): Aromas of cherries, black currants and perfume/florals; elegant and pretty aromatically. Violet and black fruit aromas stand out as the wine sits. Tannins are firm, but fine-grained and silky. Flavors of black cherry, currants and red fruits. Very pretty fruit on the palate that lingers on the finish. Overall this is a very balanced and pretty wine. 93+ pts.
My #1, Domino's #2
Group #3, 50 pts
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7/5/2014 - OmiyaDrinker wrote: 90 Points
Bordeaux in Bordeaux (Pauillac): A touch above the other wines. Some caramel oak but also some herbaceous character on the nose. Quite good fruit and not great finish but I think this will be god drinking in another 5 years or so.
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6/2/2014 - vespasian wrote: 89 Points
Nose is quite tight, giving nothing away; caramelly oak, chewy, a little tight, very slight fruit here. Fine.
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5/29/2014 - Tao wrote: 87 Points
Tasted at Vinexpo Asia 2014
Nose of sweet red fruits with a touch of flowery bouquet! Not rich in fruits and a slightly bitter finish!
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5/17/2014 - rossi.wine wrote: 92 Points
Bright nice fruit, very well judged oak, quite approachable and not to firm, juicy and fine. Good length too. I actually quite like this. 91-93
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5/8/2014 - Zweder wrote: 92 Points
UCGB tasting Bordeaux 2011 (Amsterdam): Smoke, red and dark fruits in the bouquet. On the palate cassis and other dark fruits, sweet spices, nicely toasted oak, good acidity and round tannin. Very well balanced. The oak still has to integrate a bit more, but I am sure this wine will deliver a luxurious experience around 2023 – 2025 and later. 91 – 92++
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2/16/2014 - Jeff Leve wrote: 88 Points
Earthy, medium bodied, slightly rustic, with crisp, peppery, cranberry and cassis flavors, the wine is a little tough in the finish.
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1/28/2014 - yofog wrote: 87 Points
Very oaky, soft, and glossy. Dull.
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1/27/2014 - thi nguyen wrote: 88 Points
Nice nose tanning taking over
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1/26/2014 - europat55 wrote: 90 Points
2011 Union des Grands Crus Tasting (Bentley Reserve, San Francisco CA): Medium red color. Excellent nose, little bit hot (B++). Excellent palate (B++).
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1/25/2014 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 90 Points
Union Des Grand Crus Tasting 2011 Vintage, nose of red and black fruit and a touch of heat, same on the palate, slightly fruit forward, lovely rich fruit to taste, needs 3 years to peak, medium/big body, touch of soft tannins hurt the pleasant finish.
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1/25/2014 - aagrawal wrote: 91 Points
2011 UGC Bordeaux Tasting (Bentley Reserve, San Francisco CA): Nice complexity to the nose with good intensity, red fruit, a bit of minerality; palate has medium density, good red fruits, some blackberry, youthful but well balanced. 90-91
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10/20/2013 - petitblanc wrote: 89 Points
La Fête du Bordeaux - 2011 Vintage (Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse, Chicago): Pleasant toasty oak nose. Some quality here, though somewhat generic and hot on the palate. Lingering firm tannins.
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4/3/2013 - camben wrote: 94 Points
Outstanding, Licorice and raspberry. Fresh and balanced
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5/28/2012 - englishman's claret wrote:
Tasted at the chateau with Alexandra, side by side with the LB. Obviously still a very nascent wine, but a lot of elegance. The usual register on the fruit, well proportioned oak treatment, and great balance. A much less tannic wine than the LB, I think that this will be very pleasant by 7-8 years of age. I'll look forward to re-tasting it in a few years.
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5/22/2012 - MattTM wrote:
2012 CellarTracker Bordeaux Trip; 5/21/2012-5/24/2012 (Bordeaux, France): 63% Cabernet Sauvignon / 34% Merlot / 3% Cabernet Franc. Barrel sample. Very fruit forward and concentrated on the nose, displaying cassis, red cherries, and tart red currants. Quite simple and fruity on the nose. Concentrated fruit comes to the forefront as well on the palate showing rich cassis, red cherries, tart red currants, red plums, and a bit of heat. There's no hiding the bracing acidity and chalky tannins. Medium finish ending with notes of black currants and red cherries. Quite one dimensional and not very well balanced for my palate. OK
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4/13/2012 - Jeff Leve wrote: 89 Points
Produced from 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc, the wine will be aged in 60% new oak. Earth, cassis and cranberry notes, medium bodied with fresh, bright, soft cassis and a classic personality. 88-90 Pts
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