Bottle was past it's prime. As I only had one it's hard to say if this is characteristic, but primarily it had sour red fruits with persistent acidity, a lack of togetherness on the palate. Easy enough to drink, but to me no benefit of waiting.
Probably a great wine 5 years ago.
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I like this much more now compared to a few years ago. It is nicely balanced, with 13.5 percent abv. The acidity is in balance, and the tannins are very fine and linger nicely without drying the palate on the finish. The finish has moderate persistence. The nose is mostly a smoky and a bit burnt - still lacking freshness and complexity, but I have more hope now for my last bottle, which I think I’ll drink in another 5 or so years.
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Opaque purple. Big and bold pepper, charred meat and smoke. Palate is similar with black olive, game, and very dark red, moody fruit peaking out.
Tannins are present but integrated and this comes off as a strong example of this wine. Having tasted quite a few of the early 00s from this vineyard, I wonder if this may develop further and gain intrigue. Oh well, this single bottle was very good!
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Time has done it some good. On the elegant, red-fruited, side of things.... I like it a lot more now. 89/90, but thoroughly enjoyed it. Wish i had more.
A little light and boring for my taste. Decanted a magnum over several hours - never really opened up or became wonderful. Will try again in a few years but I don't have high hopes for this.
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in a good place. Elegant bouquet, with notes of lavender, savory, thyme and black pepper. Medium bodied with a textured mouthfeel. Classic syrah notes on the palate, dark cherry, blackcurrant, savory meaty elements with a lithe mineral streak. Clean finish, with savory dusty tannins. Drink now through 2022.
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Medium ruby red. Well integrated on the nose with layers of damp tobacco leaves, violets, dark plums and a little herbal. Medium bodied and medium tannins (5.5/10). Well rounded palate with some black olives, damp forest floor, cherries and a pinch of spiciness. Medium plus finish. Drink now.
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PnP at Solvang: Needed about an hour. Closed still but good balance and a incredible lightless but still keeping the syrahness intact. Amazing QPR and quality.
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Gave this about 1hr in a wide-bottom decanter before we got to this, but it's in a wonderful place now...just singing. Fantastic, elegant nose, showing bright red fruits, a touch of iron ore, a hint of baking spice, and olive tapenade. High toned red fruit on the palate, with silky texture. Slightly dusty tannic finish. Intense enough to pair well with burgers, subtle and elegant enough to be really compelling on its own.
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"A strawberry hangs out with Queen(the band)" (said my husband). Essentially berries with a good amount of leather and some ash. Bold with the berry to balance it out.
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Rhone Rangers DC (Longview Gallery - Washington, DC): Lovely texture, firm yet fresh, with black cherries, cola, earth, peppered steak, charcoal, coffee, sweet spice. Long and complex, lots of fruit but the most attractive elements are the non-fruit ones. Would love to open a bottle in three years or so.
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The wine looks ruby colored. The legs are medium. There is no sediment in the bottle. It smells like blackberry, mineral and black pepper. It tastes like cherry and plum. The body is medium/full. The wine has smooth texture. The wine finishes medium. The wine has medium acidity.
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3/9/2024 - gediminasbielskus wrote: 86 Points
Bottle was past it's prime. As I only had one it's hard to say if this is characteristic, but primarily it had sour red fruits with persistent acidity, a lack of togetherness on the palate. Easy enough to drink, but to me no benefit of waiting.
Probably a great wine 5 years ago.
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10/28/2023 - trumpet60201 Likes this wine: 91 Points
I like this much more now compared to a few years ago. It is nicely balanced, with 13.5 percent abv. The acidity is in balance, and the tannins are very fine and linger nicely without drying the palate on the finish. The finish has moderate persistence. The nose is mostly a smoky and a bit burnt - still lacking freshness and complexity, but I have more hope now for my last bottle, which I think I’ll drink in another 5 or so years.
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4/18/2023 - CPSchoeff Likes this wine: 91 Points
Opaque purple. Big and bold pepper, charred meat and smoke. Palate is similar with black olive, game, and very dark red, moody fruit peaking out.
Tannins are present but integrated and this comes off as a strong example of this wine. Having tasted quite a few of the early 00s from this vineyard, I wonder if this may develop further and gain intrigue. Oh well, this single bottle was very good!
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12/22/2022 - wormfarmer Likes this wine: 91 Points
Best 90+ minutes in -- this is still in very fine fettle, and may be at peak.
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5/26/2020 - Martin_G wrote: 90 Points
Time has done it some good. On the elegant, red-fruited, side of things.... I like it a lot more now. 89/90, but thoroughly enjoyed it. Wish i had more.
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5/25/2020 - MrSkimo Likes this wine: 89 Points
Coravin
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2/24/2020 - trumpet60201 wrote: 89 Points
A little light and boring for my taste. Decanted a magnum over several hours - never really opened up or became wonderful. Will try again in a few years but I don't have high hopes for this.
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2/3/2020 - bergkamp10 Likes this wine: 91 Points
in a good place. Elegant bouquet, with notes of lavender, savory, thyme and black pepper. Medium bodied with a textured mouthfeel. Classic syrah notes on the palate, dark cherry, blackcurrant, savory meaty elements with a lithe mineral streak. Clean finish, with savory dusty tannins. Drink now through 2022.
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2/21/2019 - Millennial Drinkers wrote: 90 Points
Medium ruby red. Well integrated on the nose with layers of damp tobacco leaves, violets, dark plums and a little herbal. Medium bodied and medium tannins (5.5/10). Well rounded palate with some black olives, damp forest floor, cherries and a pinch of spiciness. Medium plus finish. Drink now.
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10/28/2018 - Martin_G wrote: 88 Points
Not what i was hoping for. Felt sharp and angular, acid and tannins not in balance with fruit. Also a bit primary. Perhaps some more years?
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7/4/2018 - dingodog Likes this wine: 88 Points
Tasted next to 2008.
Leaner and more Rhône like than the 2008.
Thinner with more tannins gripping on the finish. Dark-Smokey fruit, more eucalyptus grove notes.
Smoked pig fat lingering finish
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3/18/2017 - ravikalaga Likes this wine: 92 Points
PnP at Solvang: Needed about an hour. Closed still but good balance and a incredible lightless but still keeping the syrahness intact. Amazing QPR and quality.
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5/30/2016 - Aravind Asok wrote:
Gave this about 1hr in a wide-bottom decanter before we got to this, but it's in a wonderful place now...just singing. Fantastic, elegant nose, showing bright red fruits, a touch of iron ore, a hint of baking spice, and olive tapenade. High toned red fruit on the palate, with silky texture. Slightly dusty tannic finish. Intense enough to pair well with burgers, subtle and elegant enough to be really compelling on its own.
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7/18/2015 - bambie321 Likes this wine: 89 Points
"A strawberry hangs out with Queen(the band)" (said my husband). Essentially berries with a good amount of leather and some ash. Bold with the berry to balance it out.
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6/18/2015 - isaacjamesbaker wrote: 91 Points
Rhone Rangers DC (Longview Gallery - Washington, DC): Lovely texture, firm yet fresh, with black cherries, cola, earth, peppered steak, charcoal, coffee, sweet spice. Long and complex, lots of fruit but the most attractive elements are the non-fruit ones. Would love to open a bottle in three years or so.
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5/15/2015 - estevehannon Likes this wine: 90 Points
The wine looks ruby colored. The legs are medium. There is no sediment in the bottle. It smells like blackberry, mineral and black pepper. It tastes like cherry and plum. The body is medium/full. The wine has smooth texture. The wine finishes medium. The wine has medium acidity.
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