This wine was stored horribly -- in the bottom of my office file cabinet for 4 years, forgotten under some papers. But this evening it really drank beautifully, especially considering its past. Could have mistaken it for an entry-level Priorat, with nice purity of fruit (raspberries), a hint of tannins, and a long finish. Not what I expected!
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Very nice garnacha with a fresh, cherry flavor that bubbles through the underlying layer of raisins that first greets the palate. Flavorful with a long, appealing finish. Very versatile: we drank it with some Brie and then went on to drink it against pan-fried haddock--of all things, but I intend to open bottles to serve with lamb on Easter Sunday with which it should pair at least equally well. There's a thread of sweetness through this otherwise dry wine that plays well with savory accompaniments.
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The world is awash in enjoyable, everyday $10 wines. So much so, that it makes sense to buy a variety of these wines rather than stock up on one in particular. Often, everyday wines have a monotonous character and become boring -- ruining the notion that these "cellar defenders" are the go to bottles during the week. Instead you tire of them and leave them to rot in the cellar racks. Thats exactly what happened with this '10 Espelt. I wish I had bought 3 rather than 12.
True, the wine is dense and deep purple in the glass and offers an abundance of lively "new worldly" blackberry fruit. It's lush and forward but with a finish that shows a bit too much heat for my taste. One might guess its a Californian Syrah which might appeal to some. Worth a shot but not twelve.
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Medium purple in color, this wine revealed black currant, raspberry, espresso and spices on the nose. The mouth feel brought gobs of juicy dark fruits and added notes of cinnamon and forest floor. The finish was medium in length with the dark fruits and juicy fruit elements coming on strong.
Purchased for $11US, this is one of the best values on the market today for a wine of this quality. The intense fruits and sot tannins make this an easy drinking, thoroughly enjoyable Spanish red.
An Eric Solomon Selection. Imported by European Cellars, LLC, Charlotte, NC.
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After a year and half this wine has not improved at all. I tried a sip on PnP then again after 45 minutes of air. Better, but there is still no chance of this reaching WA 92. I loved it when a family member took his first sip and said "this is ok." That about sums it up. It is well made, with a Rhone-like palate that is much better than the nose. However, there is nothing that makes it distinctive or complex. It served its role as an appetizer wine with our cheese and ham.
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Had one for the first time in over a year, and the time has served it well. Good fruit and the structure showed up on the back end without overpowering the taste. Great quality for the price!
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Nose: Floral, cherry, spice, licorice/anise. Palate: Sour cherry, licorice, a little cinnamon? spice, dustiness, full mouth-feel, and a decent length. Solid wine, 1 left in the cellar. 87-88 pts.
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Tight and complex out of the bottle, it opens up after about an hour in the glass. Layers of minerality, dark fruits, chocolate to start, with smoke and bacon like flavors filling in with some time. Great value, I imagine this will hold up fine for a couple years in the cellar.
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dirty red, in color. floral, cherry, spice, earth, on the nose. chocolate, espresso, pepper, blackberry, plum, cigar box, on the palate. medium finish.
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Too young, will be better in 6- 12 mos. Definitely not a pop and pour. Strongly recommend breathing and decanting. Dark, black fruit on the nose and taste with touch of mocha. Slightly restrained but with some foot complexity and balance, depth not normally seen at this price range. Good food wine, acidity and alcohol are well-balanced. Definitely more of a food wine that I found with my May, 2013 note. Recommend.
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Wine was drinking great tonight; balanced, seamless from start to finish; good fruit but not overpowering; good middle for a granache; a bit unusual for a granache; enjoyed and wish I had more.
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Good value for $11 price paid. Nice fruit, not super complex, but juicy and delicious, with a hint of pleasant earthiness at times. Day 2 was as good as Day 1. Day 3 was drinkable, but dropped off from Day 2. 88-89 points
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Very enjoyable wine at an amazing price. A bit intense right out of the bottle, but mellowed out to a astonishingly balanced wine after a few hours in the decanter. Simply amazing considering the price I paid. Very fruity with a touch of pepper and enough tannic backbone to balance out. I'm not sure how well this will age, but I doubt I will be able to keep from drinking it long enough for that to matter.
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maroon in color. baking spice, nutmeg, berry, candy, on the nose. cherry, candy, berry, cola, pepper, spice, earth, sweet mint, on the palate. medium acid, low tannins, on this light finish.
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it took a while to open up and would benefit from a bit more cellar time, but this is a wonderful example of what a Spanish Garnacha should be. Bright fruit, a bit of leather and nice spice tones leading to a longish finish.
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Rather dark and inky, less than a Syrah. Intense black cherry/fruit nose that won't quit. Taste is the same, although more restrained with a lot of finesse and delicacy. This wine is best used as a fantastic "sipper", as it would be easy for some food to overwhelm it. The wine has a lot of depth and complexity, but it won't stand up to food with any spicy elements in it. That said, I can't think of a bottle of red I would rather have on a hot summer day just to quaff...chill to about 62-63 degrees (do not refrigerate). One of best $10-12 reds I have had and I am becoming a believer in Spanish Grenache.
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The wine looks Purple colored. The legs are Medium. It smells like Blackberry, Blueberry, Raspberry, and Plum. It tastes like and Strawberry Jam. The body is Medium. The wine has Juicy texture. The wine finishes Medium.
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Grabbed some after seeing that RP scored this a 92, which is eyeopening for a sub-$10 bottle. Not typically of fan of 100% grenache, but always willing to see if something can get me exited about it. While I don't doubt that RP saw this as an interesting wine when he sampled it, it has not turned into anything beyond a pleasant, basic table wine. Flavor profile is not particularly expressive. Of course there are much worse wines for sub-$10, but having recently discovered the 2011 Bodegas Ateca "Garnacha de Fuego-Old Vines" Calatayud for the same money, I would go for the latter, which offers more character.
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Color of pomegranate juice and equally tannic, acidic and juicy. Went great with a lamb ragu with mint and peas (onion, garlic and shallots too) tonight at home. Consistent with last two bottles. Considering getting another and putting it aside for 1 1/2 years to see if it sheds some of its sharp edges.
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I decanted and let sit for 30 minutes. A pretty nose of ripe black fruit. Black currant and red fruit on the pallet. There are other fruits as well if I could be bothered to identify them. The short finish was the only disappointment. Nice acidity with very soft tannins. This wine is forward and very smooth.
I don't get the RP-92, but for ten bills this is a superb QPR that will cellar well for 3 to 5. This wine paired well with the sausage pizza I was eating as I pondered what rating to give.
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Wow what a great value on a full-bodied granacha. Notes of stone fruit such as black cherry, plum with a nice spicy finish. I think a decant would help this wine as it was more complex on day 3. Either wa, great value at $10.
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I was disappointed with this wine. It was much lighter in body than I expected given the 14% alc. and the Parker score. It also didn't display much complexity. It had improved by the end of the dinner, but not by very much. I think the reason for some of the differences between RP scores and CT scores is letting the wine breathe. I aerated this one with a handheld device and then drank it. I don't think that was sufficient. From reading other CT reviews, I've concluded that this wine should be decanted for about 90 min. before drinking in order to fully appreciate it. Otherwise it doesn't display much character.
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I noticed that Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate rated this wine at 92 pts., thought it had a lot of complexity and, in short, thought it was a stunning wine. I tend to follow the feedback of fellow CT members over the professional reviewers, but in this case I don't understand the big difference in commentary (not numerical rating) on the wine by the two groups. Does anyone have thoughts on this?
Very grape-y, but did have some flashes of complexity. 92 points, WS... not seeing it. Hard to fault this wine for the price, though. Maybe would benefit from more air or time?
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Earthy on the nose, very tight, decanted and aerated several times to make loosen up. Had with a decent mouth feel but was not exceptional. Would recommend decanting several hours before drinking. Angus pot roast helped cut a little and dark chocolate after dinner. Will not purchase again, too many other great Spanish wines out there to buy this one again.
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Cranberry color. Medium legs. Nice nose! Lavender, raspberry, garrigue. Forward for such a young wine. Palate is a nice match for the nose, with a bit of oak in a medium-bodied format. Some tannin but quite drinkable. Good not great finish, but it lasts. This is a great bargain. 4-13-14-8: 89/100.
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This is a fantastic QPR for under $15/ bottle! Dark ruby, almost purple in color. Though the nose is a bit reserved, the flavors really come alive on the palate. Almost creamy with notes of ripe blackberry, blueberry, chocolate, red cherry, and vanilla. Nice long finish with soft tannins that have just enough grip to let you know they are there.
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A nose of dark fruit, some funk and spice, dark purple in color. A medium bodied red, with black currants, raspberries, some earth and spice, a good value.
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Very good balanced wine; nice fruit with structure; this was my second bottle of this wine and very consistent; enjoyed the bottle; an excellent bargain.
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Among the best values I have found this year, this pins QPR at the extreme value end of the scale. At under $11/bottle, this Grenache-based gem shows big fruit, well-integrated tannins and is simply a pleasure to drink. It won't change your life, but it will imbue you with a sense of contentment and make you feel like a "smart" buyer for uncovering this gem. 89-90, but this gets the bump up to the hallowed 90 based on its superb value.
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Great value. The wine is reddish purple colored. The legs are Medium. Interesting aroma with a combination of strawberry jam and a bit of stoniness. Tastes include Cherry and tobacco. The body is Medium/Full. The wine has Smooth texture and medium finish. Very nice.
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Liked this wine. Good fruit but also had good tannins and some terroir. Wine received a very high score from the WA and deserves it. A great bargain. Not sure how widely available the wine is.
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Grenache all the way. Light bodied, nothing super special but not offensive in any way. Enjoyed with turkey chili. Certainly worth 10 bucks. I'm considering mixing this with a bit of inexpensive Syrah to see what we'd get. Heck, all of life is an experiment...
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Yep, another overrated Spanish wine from WA. This one has very little nose, even after 1 hour +. However, the palate is very nice, with some Cotes du Rhone type notes and a surprisingly long finish (15-20 secs). This is a nice QPR for $10, but a disappointment if you are expecting a 92-pointer.
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For a 10$ spanish red, this is not as fruit-bomby as I had imagined. Blackberries, cedar, pine tree, black pepper, and soy sauce show up. If I may compare this to Herencia Altes Garnacha 2011, this is less dense and less fruit-forward. Not because of the style, but simple because of the level of quality, I think Herencia is much better.
Left-over was sitting in the fridge for 6 days, and I tried it, and it became substantially better with lively acidity, so I increased the score.
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Delicious, spicey, medium dark fruit. While I frequently like Grenache with roast chicken, this was good with chicken, but with its structure it is probably a better match with beef or pork.
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Nose: Oak, violet / lavender and floral, some blackberry Palate: oak, blackberry, a bit tart on the finish, a little thin. Good, but may develop more and smooth out a few rough edges over the next couple of years. 86-87 pts.
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This 100 percent Garnatxa wine is biodynamically farmed and comes from 80/90-year-old vineyards in the heart of the Emporda-Costa Brava region (northeast Catalonia /province of Girona). Maturation: 3 months in new French oak. Very deep and concentrated purple-black color and a complex nose offering intense scents of black cherry, plum, rosemary, thyme and some forest floor aromas. The powerful palate reveals ripe bramble and berry fruit, sweet Mediterranean spices and elegant, well-behaved tannins. Long finish with a nice mineral touch. An ideal wine to pair with traditional Mediterranean dishes. The wine needs 60-90 minutes of decanting to open up. Unbeatable QPR. Drink it now through 2015.
Een wijn van biodynamisch geteelde druiven (100 percent Garnatxa), afkomstig uit 80/90 jaar oude wijngaarden in het hart van de Emporda-Costa Brava streek (noordoosten van Catalonië /provincie Girona). Rijping: 3 maanden op nieuwe Franse eik. Zeer diepe, geconcentreerde paars-zwarte kleur en een complexe neus met intense aroma’s van kers, pruim, rozemarijn, tijm en een zweem van bosgrond. Een krachtige, volmondige wijn gedomineerd door rijp bramen- en bessenfruit, zachte mediterrane kruiden en elegante, fraai geïntegreerde tannines. Lange afdronk met een mooie minerale toets. Zeer goed combineerbaar met traditionele mediterrane gerechten. Best een 60-90-tal minuten op voorhand te decanteren. Schitterende prijskwaliteitverhouding. Te drinken: nu tot in 2015.
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Way too young. This should put on weight over time. Lacking in complexity right now. Good fruit but little else. Hold remaining bottles 6 mos and revisit.
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silky mouth feel with delicious dark berry typical in grenache. smooth tannis on the finish. you can really taste the quality in production in this wine. a delicious wine and an incredible value for $10. Parker gave it a 92, i think that's a little generous, but this is an easy 91.
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PNP. Color dark purplish garnet. nose on tight side with dark fruit. Swishing shows good structure with relatively soft sweet tannins. Sipping shows great balance between fruit and structure with great mouthfeel and medium very soft finish. Really a great value
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Awesome QPR. Nearly opaque dark red color. Pop of red fruit on the nose with blueberries. Smooth and rich and a wine there is absolutely no need to over think.
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A very drinkable wine, especially after decanting; lots of blackberry and raspberry (jammy, almost) on top of some minerality and medium tannin. Excellent QPR.
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Gave several hours in the decanter. Deep red in the glass. Nose has minerals and earthy, forest stone. Tart on the palate, but with rich fruit body - cherries and spice. Some dry tannin, over a respectable finish. Solid QPR. PJG: 88/89
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Intense berry fruit, dark plums, some wet dried grass all nicely balanced out and smooth with some oak and a bit of spice on the end. A real steal at the $10-$15 price point.
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Dark, rich, hearty Spanish Granacha. Some oak and spiced fruits on the nose. Rich, thick, tannic body. Dark cherries, raspberry jam. Could probably use more air than I gave it tonight and likely to get better and mellow out a bit in the next 6-9 months. This is still very young, but promising.
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11/4/2019 - whudock Does not like this wine: 84 Points
flat and one dimensional. Past its prime.
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8/2/2017 - Quarked wrote: 90 Points
This wine was stored horribly -- in the bottom of my office file cabinet for 4 years, forgotten under some papers. But this evening it really drank beautifully, especially considering its past. Could have mistaken it for an entry-level Priorat, with nice purity of fruit (raspberries), a hint of tannins, and a long finish. Not what I expected!
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2/2/2017 - Baylorwine Likes this wine: 90 Points
This was a fun well made wine. Not sure it will last much longer before the downturn but drinking great now. Slowly improved over 4 days.
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9/29/2016 - whudock Likes this wine: 89 Points
solid qpr. good fruit and spice. held up well to Moroccan lamb
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6/6/2016 - chcook Likes this wine:
Big and heavy compared to previous vintages.
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6/6/2016 - Barry Raterink Likes this wine: 90 Points
What a great value wine - fruity, well balanced, held up for a few hours, with a touch more acid this wine would be really good.
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3/21/2016 - RobertVitello wrote: 89 Points
Very nice garnacha with a fresh, cherry flavor that bubbles through the underlying layer of raisins that first greets the palate. Flavorful with a long, appealing finish. Very versatile: we drank it with some Brie and then went on to drink it against pan-fried haddock--of all things, but I intend to open bottles to serve with lamb on Easter Sunday with which it should pair at least equally well. There's a thread of sweetness through this otherwise dry wine that plays well with savory accompaniments.
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10/15/2015 - Altonplace wrote:
Solid wine has reached end of life. After aeration for 30 minutes the flavor flattened near zip.
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8/9/2015 - Baylorwine Likes this wine: 91 Points
Serious Value here. Had with gyros and was extremely happy. Full bodied Southfield but lightweight thanks to acidity. Each taste was fun.
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4/19/2015 - Sugarb Likes this wine: 89 Points
Needs 45-60 minutes to open up. Went great with smoked pork.
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3/29/2015 - Sugarb Likes this wine: 88 Points
Very dark purple color, definitely in its drinking window. Gets better as it progresses to the back of the palate. Medium finish.
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11/25/2014 - pepmi wrote: 85 Points
The world is awash in enjoyable, everyday $10 wines. So much so, that it makes sense to buy a variety of these wines rather than stock up on one in particular. Often, everyday wines have a monotonous character and become boring -- ruining the notion that these "cellar defenders" are the go to bottles during the week. Instead you tire of them and leave them to rot in the cellar racks. Thats exactly what happened with this '10 Espelt. I wish I had bought 3 rather than 12.
True, the wine is dense and deep purple in the glass and offers an abundance of lively "new worldly" blackberry fruit. It's lush and forward but with a finish that shows a bit too much heat for my taste. One might guess its a Californian Syrah which might appeal to some. Worth a shot but not twelve.
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8/30/2014 - cuffthis Likes this wine: 90 Points
Medium purple in color, this wine revealed black currant, raspberry, espresso and spices on the nose. The mouth feel brought gobs of juicy dark fruits and added notes of cinnamon and forest floor. The finish was medium in length with the dark fruits and juicy fruit elements coming on strong.
Purchased for $11US, this is one of the best values on the market today for a wine of this quality. The intense fruits and sot tannins make this an easy drinking, thoroughly enjoyable Spanish red.
An Eric Solomon Selection. Imported by European Cellars, LLC, Charlotte, NC.
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8/21/2014 - Quendil Likes this wine: 90 Points
Excellent. Almost jammy dark fruit (plum, perhaps) on the palate, with gentle oak. Slight vanilla on the finish, low astringency.
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8/5/2014 - MadisonWIneGuy wrote: 88 Points
Cherry, black raspberry, dry, balanced acidity, a little dustiness. Quite tasty, blows the Tres Picos Borsao away. 88 pts.
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8/3/2014 - pkatz Likes this wine: 91 Points
Consistent with previous notes.
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7/26/2014 - jcosindc Likes this wine: 90 Points
Excellent QPR for a medium bodied red with smoky fruit flavor.
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7/19/2014 - Decanthor wrote: 87 Points
After a year and half this wine has not improved at all. I tried a sip on PnP then again after 45 minutes of air. Better, but there is still no chance of this reaching WA 92. I loved it when a family member took his first sip and said "this is ok." That about sums it up. It is well made, with a Rhone-like palate that is much better than the nose. However, there is nothing that makes it distinctive or complex. It served its role as an appetizer wine with our cheese and ham.
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5/24/2014 - ehodin wrote: 87 Points
A bit overpowering tannins, with little real interest
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4/4/2014 - Sugarb Likes this wine: 91 Points
Had one for the first time in over a year, and the time has served it well. Good fruit and the structure showed up on the back end without overpowering the taste. Great quality for the price!
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3/26/2014 - calodo2011 Likes this wine: 88 Points
Clean, juicy, Luden's cough drop-esque flavor, slight minerality, fun - perfect for a huge Taco Bus lunch!
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3/9/2014 - Alekos wrote: 86 Points
Decent but nothing special.
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2/8/2014 - MadisonWIneGuy wrote: 87 Points
Nose: Floral, cherry, spice, licorice/anise.
Palate: Sour cherry, licorice, a little cinnamon? spice, dustiness, full mouth-feel, and a decent length. Solid wine, 1 left in the cellar. 87-88 pts.
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1/23/2014 - Hershey in CA Likes this wine: 90 Points
Tight and complex out of the bottle, it opens up after about an hour in the glass. Layers of minerality, dark fruits, chocolate to start, with smoke and bacon like flavors filling in with some time. Great value, I imagine this will hold up fine for a couple years in the cellar.
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1/12/2014 - scott w Likes this wine: 87 Points
last bottle, really great qpr, glad I bought some of the 12's. Cherry blackberry balancing acid and a touch of tannin.
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1/6/2014 - affordableCollector wrote: 89 Points
dirty red, in color. floral, cherry, spice, earth, on the nose. chocolate, espresso, pepper, blackberry, plum, cigar box, on the palate. medium finish.
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12/22/2013 - Z1nnfull Likes this wine: 88 Points
Too young, will be better in 6- 12 mos. Definitely not a pop and pour. Strongly recommend breathing and decanting. Dark, black fruit on the nose and taste with touch of mocha. Slightly restrained but with some foot complexity and balance, depth not normally seen at this price range. Good food wine, acidity and alcohol are well-balanced. Definitely more of a food wine that I found with my May, 2013 note. Recommend.
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12/11/2013 - mwneil Likes this wine: 91 Points
Wine was drinking great tonight; balanced, seamless from start to finish; good fruit but not overpowering; good middle for a granache; a bit unusual for a granache; enjoyed and wish I had more.
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11/11/2013 - scott w wrote: 86 Points
Always a nice drink, juicy strawberry with nice acid, great qpr
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10/29/2013 - Altonplace Likes this wine: 90 Points
Getting even better - subtle tannins and powerful berries starting to balance. Very enjoyable wine and bargain at $11.
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10/8/2013 - SeaWine Likes this wine: 89 Points
Good value for $11 price paid. Nice fruit, not super complex, but juicy and delicious, with a hint of pleasant earthiness at times. Day 2 was as good as Day 1. Day 3 was drinkable, but dropped off from Day 2. 88-89 points
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9/27/2013 - rickfell-new Likes this wine: 89 Points
very smooth, fruity and a little floral, great wine for the price
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9/4/2013 - nplez1 wrote: 93 Points
Very enjoyable wine at an amazing price. A bit intense right out of the bottle, but mellowed out to a astonishingly balanced wine after a few hours in the decanter. Simply amazing considering the price I paid. Very fruity with a touch of pepper and enough tannic backbone to balance out. I'm not sure how well this will age, but I doubt I will be able to keep from drinking it long enough for that to matter.
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8/9/2013 - mwneil Likes this wine: 90 Points
Good wine. At this stage it needs more acid as the fruit predominates. Still enjoy the wine. Drink up.
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8/8/2013 - footloosiety Likes this wine: 90 Points
An excellent red for the price - will look for more
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8/4/2013 - Altonplace wrote: 88 Points
Lovely granache flavor and body. Nose raspberry, fruit fw as expected. Mellow finish. A winner in price range.
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7/22/2013 - ledocq Likes this wine:
It was even smooth and a little tannic three days later. Ridiculously good value.
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7/14/2013 - GuruofAV Likes this wine: 87 Points
Big and juicy but a touch too much heat
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7/2/2013 - flwinos wrote: 88 Points
Decent Grenache, but when factoring in the price, this is a very nice value.
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6/30/2013 - redman77 wrote: 88 Points
see 5/21/13 nice qpr for summer bbq
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6/19/2013 - affordableCollector wrote: 87 Points
maroon in color. baking spice, nutmeg, berry, candy, on the nose. cherry, candy, berry, cola, pepper, spice, earth, sweet mint, on the palate. medium acid, low tannins, on this light finish.
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6/14/2013 - 3daywinereview.com wrote: 87 Points
Not bad for the price. Spices, earth, raspberries and minerals. Not complex or age worthy.
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6/11/2013 - whudock Likes this wine: 91 Points
it took a while to open up and would benefit from a bit more cellar time, but this is a wonderful example of what a Spanish Garnacha should be. Bright fruit, a bit of leather and nice spice tones leading to a longish finish.
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6/8/2013 - mwneil Likes this wine: 90 Points
Good wine. Drank with grilled salmon. Nice fruit and well balanced. Not overly complex but an enjoyable wine. Good bargain.
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6/2/2013 - rbrezny wrote: 83 Points
Light but fruity wine, very drinkable and will not offend. light tannins.
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5/30/2013 - Z1nnfull Likes this wine: 89 Points
Rather dark and inky, less than a Syrah. Intense black cherry/fruit nose that won't quit. Taste is the same, although more restrained with a lot of finesse and delicacy. This wine is best used as a fantastic "sipper", as it would be easy for some food to overwhelm it. The wine has a lot of depth and complexity, but it won't stand up to food with any spicy elements in it. That said, I can't think of a bottle of red I would rather have on a hot summer day just to quaff...chill to about 62-63 degrees (do not refrigerate). One of best $10-12 reds I have had and I am becoming a believer in Spanish Grenache.
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5/27/2013 - RobbieC wrote: 86 Points
The person in my house to whom I am related by marriage described this wine as "thin but fine" and I think that about sums it up. Mild in every way.
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5/25/2013 - willpluc Likes this wine: 88 Points
The wine looks Purple colored. The legs are Medium. It smells like Blackberry, Blueberry, Raspberry, and Plum. It tastes like and Strawberry Jam. The body is Medium. The wine has Juicy texture. The wine finishes Medium.
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5/24/2013 - laxman wrote: 88 Points
Grabbed some after seeing that RP scored this a 92, which is eyeopening for a sub-$10 bottle. Not typically of fan of 100% grenache, but always willing to see if something can get me exited about it. While I don't doubt that RP saw this as an interesting wine when he sampled it, it has not turned into anything beyond a pleasant, basic table wine. Flavor profile is not particularly expressive. Of course there are much worse wines for sub-$10, but having recently discovered the 2011 Bodegas Ateca "Garnacha de Fuego-Old Vines" Calatayud for the same money, I would go for the latter, which offers more character.
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5/21/2013 - redman77 wrote: 88 Points
Served on the cooler side - nice fruit and finish - red spice and evrything nice....note to self decant next time....this is getting better with age
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5/20/2013 - dkstar1 Likes this wine: 88 Points
Color of pomegranate juice and equally tannic, acidic and juicy. Went great with a lamb ragu with mint and peas (onion, garlic and shallots too) tonight at home. Consistent with last two bottles. Considering getting another and putting it aside for 1 1/2 years to see if it sheds some of its sharp edges.
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5/19/2013 - WineScoundrel wrote: 89 Points
Smooth n fruity. Great QPR.
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5/19/2013 - Nike-Raider Likes this wine: 88 Points
I decanted and let sit for 30 minutes. A pretty nose of ripe black fruit. Black currant and red fruit on the pallet. There are other fruits as well if I could be bothered to identify them. The short finish was the only disappointment. Nice acidity with very soft tannins. This wine is forward and very smooth.
I don't get the RP-92, but for ten bills this is a superb QPR that will cellar well for 3 to 5. This wine paired well with the sausage pizza I was eating as I pondered what rating to give.
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5/19/2013 - thedoxin wrote: 89 Points
On the nose cinnamon soil and Berries. Really nice fruity flavor with decent finish. Well balanced. Great for this price!
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4/27/2013 - ICaWineGuy wrote: 89 Points
Wow what a great value on a full-bodied granacha. Notes of stone fruit such as black cherry, plum with a nice spicy finish. I think a decant would help this wine as it was more complex on day 3. Either wa, great value at $10.
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4/16/2013 - billyboy02 Likes this wine: 89 Points
For $10 you'll be hard pressed to find a better value. Buy a couple of cases if u can.
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4/13/2013 - Enrique Soto wrote: 80 Points
1a comunhao Gabi
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4/12/2013 - RealeWine wrote: 85 Points
I was disappointed with this wine. It was much lighter in body than I expected given the 14% alc. and the Parker score. It also didn't display much complexity. It had improved by the end of the dinner, but not by very much. I think the reason for some of the differences between RP scores and CT scores is letting the wine breathe. I aerated this one with a handheld device and then drank it. I don't think that was sufficient. From reading other CT reviews, I've concluded that this wine should be decanted for about 90 min. before drinking in order to fully appreciate it. Otherwise it doesn't display much character.
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4/9/2013 - RealeWine wrote:
I noticed that Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate rated this wine at 92 pts., thought it had a lot of complexity and, in short, thought it was a stunning wine. I tend to follow the feedback of fellow CT members over the professional reviewers, but in this case I don't understand the big difference in commentary (not numerical rating) on the wine by the two groups. Does anyone have thoughts on this?
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4/5/2013 - jpinsb Likes this wine: 89 Points
Easily approachable garnacha, low tannin easy drinker, didn't try with food, but a very nice pre-dinner offering.
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3/26/2013 - cjsadler wrote:
Very grape-y, but did have some flashes of complexity. 92 points, WS... not seeing it. Hard to fault this wine for the price, though. Maybe would benefit from more air or time?
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3/24/2013 - Slug81 wrote: 85 Points
Earthy on the nose, very tight, decanted and aerated several times to make loosen up. Had with a decent mouth feel but was not exceptional. Would recommend decanting several hours before drinking. Angus pot roast helped cut a little and dark chocolate after dinner. Will not purchase again, too many other great Spanish wines out there to buy this one again.
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3/15/2013 - Tim221 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Nice grape-y aftertaste. We like the grenache wines, and this one did not disappoint. Very nice.
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3/11/2013 - KSWinegeek wrote: 86 Points
Decent Grenache, but simple. Ther are better Garnacha values at these pice points.
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3/10/2013 - MicklethePickle Likes this wine: 89 Points
Cranberry color. Medium legs. Nice nose! Lavender, raspberry, garrigue. Forward for such a young wine. Palate is a nice match for the nose, with a bit of oak in a medium-bodied format. Some tannin but quite drinkable. Good not great finish, but it lasts. This is a great bargain. 4-13-14-8: 89/100.
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3/8/2013 - Cutter wrote: 90 Points
This is a fantastic QPR for under $15/ bottle! Dark ruby, almost purple in color. Though the nose is a bit reserved, the flavors really come alive on the palate. Almost creamy with notes of ripe blackberry, blueberry, chocolate, red cherry, and vanilla. Nice long finish with soft tannins that have just enough grip to let you know they are there.
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3/7/2013 - Jhalpin wrote: 89 Points
Smooth, fruity crowd pleaser.
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3/3/2013 - mwneil Likes this wine: 91 Points
VG wine. Nice balance with fruit and tannin. Drank with lamb chops. Everyone enjoyed the wine.
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2/15/2013 - corkscrews wrote: 87 Points
A nose of dark fruit, some funk and spice, dark purple in color. A medium bodied red, with black currants, raspberries, some earth and spice, a good value.
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2/14/2013 - ljl203 wrote: 86 Points
Purple color, berries with sour cherry. Metallic acid note, no rough tannins.
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2/10/2013 - Quarked wrote: 86 Points
This was a smooth and somewhat fruity grenache, but for the price I would prefer one of the grenaches of Borsao.
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2/4/2013 - nicklewis wrote:
- Garnet color - We drank two of these during the Super Bowl. Not sure I am as crazy about this wine as Parker, but it is a great value.
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2/2/2013 - Carniolan Likes this wine: 91 Points
nice floral nose, fruit, acid and tannins in good balance; yummy - drinking nicely now but should be good for a few more years
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1/30/2013 - XBCX Likes this wine: 88 Points
Deep dark red with dark fruits and earthy, oaky nose. Great buy to pop open for spur of the moment visitors !
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1/25/2013 - Castle Peak wrote: 90 Points
Deep and full bodied, with purple berry fruits and smoky notes. Nicely balanced.
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1/21/2013 - dkstar1 Likes this wine: 88 Points
Pretty good. Needs an hour (or more) to open up and be enjoyable. Happy to have a few of these for midweek dinners.
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1/21/2013 - mwneil Likes this wine: 91 Points
Very good balanced wine; nice fruit with structure; this was my second bottle of this wine and very consistent; enjoyed the bottle; an excellent bargain.
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1/20/2013 - VintageSully wrote: 90 Points
Among the best values I have found this year, this pins QPR at the extreme value end of the scale. At under $11/bottle, this Grenache-based gem shows big fruit, well-integrated tannins and is simply a pleasure to drink. It won't change your life, but it will imbue you with a sense of contentment and make you feel like a "smart" buyer for uncovering this gem. 89-90, but this gets the bump up to the hallowed 90 based on its superb value.
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1/19/2013 - peter.s.c Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very nice. Liked even more a few hours later!
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1/18/2013 - redman77 wrote: 87 Points
Thank you Catalunya.....great juice needs a 30 min decant 10 bucks ... say good night Grace
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1/18/2013 - sraders Likes this wine: 91 Points
Great value. The wine is reddish purple colored. The legs are Medium. Interesting aroma with a combination of strawberry jam and a bit of stoniness. Tastes include Cherry and tobacco. The body is Medium/Full. The wine has Smooth texture and medium finish. Very nice.
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1/10/2013 - mcsac67 wrote: 88 Points
Fruit on the nose, with flavors of currant and blueberry. A little bit of rosemary. Medium tannins. Medium finish. Great value.
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1/7/2013 - mwneil Likes this wine: 91 Points
Liked this wine. Good fruit but also had good tannins and some terroir. Wine received a very high score from the WA and deserves it. A great bargain. Not sure how widely available the wine is.
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1/2/2013 - dp38393 wrote: 91 Points
Delicious wine. Powerful fruit flavor that hits hard on the first sip. I recommend buying buy the case for the value.
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12/27/2012 - syrahz Likes this wine: 89 Points
Grenache all the way. Light bodied, nothing super special but not offensive in any way. Enjoyed with turkey chili. Certainly worth 10 bucks.
I'm considering mixing this with a bit of inexpensive Syrah to see what we'd get. Heck, all of life is an experiment...
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12/26/2012 - Nedder_travels_the_world wrote: 88 Points
good garnacha but not a 92 pointer, very simplistic. great for a casual pizza but not complex enough to stand up to a Christmas dinner.
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12/23/2012 - Decanthor wrote: 87 Points
Yep, another overrated Spanish wine from WA. This one has very little nose, even after 1 hour +. However, the palate is very nice, with some Cotes du Rhone type notes and a surprisingly long finish (15-20 secs). This is a nice QPR for $10, but a disappointment if you are expecting a 92-pointer.
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12/23/2012 - Number51 wrote: 88 Points
For a 10$ spanish red, this is not as fruit-bomby as I had imagined.
Blackberries, cedar, pine tree, black pepper, and soy sauce show up.
If I may compare this to Herencia Altes Garnacha 2011, this is less dense and less fruit-forward. Not because of the style, but simple because of the level of quality, I think Herencia is much better.
Left-over was sitting in the fridge for 6 days, and I tried it, and it became substantially better with lively acidity, so I increased the score.
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12/21/2012 - pkatz Likes this wine: 92 Points
Delicious, spicey, medium dark fruit. While I frequently like Grenache with roast chicken, this was good with chicken, but with its structure it is probably a better match with beef or pork.
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12/12/2012 - MadisonWIneGuy wrote: 86 Points
Nose: Oak, violet / lavender and floral, some blackberry
Palate: oak, blackberry, a bit tart on the finish, a little thin. Good, but may develop more and smooth out a few rough edges over the next couple of years. 86-87 pts.
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12/11/2012 - huse wrote: 90 Points
This 100 percent Garnatxa wine is biodynamically farmed and comes from 80/90-year-old vineyards in the heart of the Emporda-Costa Brava region (northeast Catalonia /province of Girona). Maturation: 3 months in new French oak. Very deep and concentrated purple-black color and a complex nose offering intense scents of black cherry, plum, rosemary, thyme and some forest floor aromas. The powerful palate reveals ripe bramble and berry fruit, sweet Mediterranean spices and elegant, well-behaved tannins. Long finish with a nice mineral touch. An ideal wine to pair with traditional Mediterranean dishes. The wine needs 60-90 minutes of decanting to open up. Unbeatable QPR. Drink it now through 2015.
Een wijn van biodynamisch geteelde druiven (100 percent Garnatxa), afkomstig uit 80/90 jaar oude wijngaarden in het hart van de Emporda-Costa Brava streek (noordoosten van Catalonië /provincie Girona). Rijping: 3 maanden op nieuwe Franse eik. Zeer diepe, geconcentreerde paars-zwarte kleur en een complexe neus met intense aroma’s van kers, pruim, rozemarijn, tijm en een zweem van bosgrond. Een krachtige, volmondige wijn gedomineerd door rijp bramen- en bessenfruit, zachte mediterrane kruiden en elegante, fraai geïntegreerde tannines. Lange afdronk met een mooie minerale toets. Zeer goed combineerbaar met traditionele mediterrane gerechten. Best een 60-90-tal minuten op voorhand te decanteren. Schitterende prijskwaliteitverhouding. Te drinken: nu tot in 2015.
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12/9/2012 - ocperu wrote: 90 Points
Drank with Brandy.
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11/29/2012 - gordoyflaca wrote: 90 Points
a bit lighter than last bottle- variation?
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11/28/2012 - danielbleier Likes this wine: 86 Points
nice full wine with floral aromas and a good chocolate/berry flavor. Very nice QPR
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11/28/2012 - gordoyflaca wrote: 90 Points
raspberry, lavender, paint, a bit hot
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11/16/2012 - gordoyflaca wrote: 88 Points
rich dark raspberry fruit.
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11/15/2012 - Castle Peak wrote: 90 Points
Ripe, rich and powerful. Plenty of structure. Wonderful entry and solid finish.
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11/9/2012 - BMG Wine wrote: 87 Points
Way too young. This should put on weight over time. Lacking in complexity right now. Good fruit but little else. Hold remaining bottles 6 mos and revisit.
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11/6/2012 - M Macht wrote: 91 Points
Deep purple, berries on the nose. raspberry and flower petals, full body and nice satisfying finish. A good value.
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10/30/2012 - fdub wrote: 90 Points
Drank over two days. Wonderfully juicy with raspberry and a hint of tar. Nice palate and acid to keep it lively.
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10/26/2012 - Sugarb wrote: 89 Points
Pretty good, would give it more time to decant.
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10/23/2012 - fdub wrote: 90 Points
Yummy.
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10/19/2012 - Myersei wrote: 91 Points
silky mouth feel with delicious dark berry typical in grenache. smooth tannis on the finish. you can really taste the quality in production in this wine. a delicious wine and an incredible value for $10. Parker gave it a 92, i think that's a little generous, but this is an easy 91.
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10/10/2012 - chcook wrote:
PNP. Color dark purplish garnet. nose on tight side with dark fruit. Swishing shows good structure with relatively soft sweet tannins. Sipping shows great balance between fruit and structure with great mouthfeel and medium very soft finish. Really a great value
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10/4/2012 - fdub wrote: 91 Points
Awesome QPR. Nearly opaque dark red color. Pop of red fruit on the nose with blueberries. Smooth and rich and a wine there is absolutely no need to over think.
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10/1/2012 - Richard123 wrote: 88 Points
A very drinkable wine, especially after decanting; lots of blackberry and raspberry (jammy, almost) on top of some minerality and medium tannin. Excellent QPR.
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9/30/2012 - noahbw wrote: 89 Points
Gave several hours in the decanter. Deep red in the glass. Nose has minerals and earthy, forest stone. Tart on the palate, but with rich fruit body - cherries and spice. Some dry tannin, over a respectable finish. Solid QPR. PJG: 88/89
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9/28/2012 - ruffem wrote: 90 Points
Intense berry fruit, dark plums, some wet dried grass all nicely balanced out and smooth with some oak and a bit of spice on the end. A real steal at the $10-$15 price point.
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9/16/2012 - Castle Peak wrote: 90 Points
Big, dark and smooth. Nice everyday drinker.
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8/8/2012 - Oakjeff wrote: 89 Points
Dark, rich, hearty Spanish Granacha. Some oak and spiced fruits on the nose. Rich, thick, tannic body. Dark cherries, raspberry jam. Could probably use more air than I gave it tonight and likely to get better and mellow out a bit in the next 6-9 months. This is still very young, but promising.
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