Bought 5b for 12/b from CHW about seven years ago; this is #1. Dark purple; fragrant blue/black fruit nose--esp blueberry--plus some subtle oak that follow on the palate, bit of anise, very good mouthfeel; some persistence. Delicious and among the best (and best value) CHW wines that I've had in 10 years. Noticed a bit of fruit fade over 90 minutes and, taken with others' notes on the wine, should not plan on holding much longer. Stored horizontally in a cool, dark basement since purchase. My evaluation: For me, scores on a "100-point scale" are misleading. I use a 4-category scale (perhaps with +/-)--not including flawed--which runs outstanding/notable/drinkable/poor. This is notable+ when considering quality, age, and price.
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Disgusting bouquet. I really did not enjoy this wine at all. If you can get past the bouquet, maybe it is drinkable, but frankly, it's not at all pleasant on the nose
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Very good drinking bottle for just about any casual occasions. Drink best without any prior aeration. Slightly sweet with a noticeable sharpness at the end. Almost done with the first case.
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Sat, 06/24/17, $2 Tasting (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA): 64% Merlot, 25% C.F., 10% C.S, & 1% P.V.; "All of these component wines were made from fruit destined for $50+ Bordeaux varietal programs & aged in top quality FR oak for 18 months." 13.5% ABV; 2,000 cs
N: RIPE, VERY raisiny, anything else WAY underneath
P: MF body; RIPE, ALMOST swtish frt (close to threshold R.S.) with balancing mid-P acidity which fairly seamlessly morphs into a LONG, ult very, VERY slightly bitter choc finish. On the decline, but @ this vendor's now $6.95 still DECENT with food for another 6-9 mos. Silver @ '12 S.F. Int'l Wine Comp
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N: Muted, but SEEMS ripe with notes of tar, earth, & poss alch
P: MF, poss F, body; Almost swtish frt on front begins turning astringent early mid-palate, building thru the lingering finish with added notes of bitterness on the very end. Being charitable, I'd say disjointed, although for a now 6 yr old wine?!? Nonetheless, my "I don't like it" is redeemed/softened by other reviews here -- & this vendor's $3.95 price point, although I guess I'd advocate drinking it NOW while its fruit remains.
Addendum: Also tasted on 6/24/2017
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Pretty impressive wine for the money. Really opened up with time in the glass. The nose became more expressive with ripe plums, blackberries, vanilla and pine resin. All that plus cranberries and graphite on the palate. Tannins are completely resolved. Elegant, simple and simply delicious with a finish that lasts. 13.7% ABV is right in my sweet spot.
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Color: Garnet Red with brown edges. Nose/Smell: Chalk and light dirt. Dark fruits and plums. Palate/Taste: Definitely has sweeter dark fruits. Low tannins (4.5/10) and thinner body. Very easy drinker. Opinion: Drink by the end of 2016 before it gets too thin. Solid easy drinker. Very quaffable.
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Inky purple with an aroma of nail polish. After thirty minutes decant, black pepper in the front with a winey astringency in the back. Fine, not impressive. Given earlier reviews, I'd say this vintage has peaked.
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Black to beet red edge. Black fruit on the nose with distinct Cab Franc influence. A bit of green pepper. A bit rustic, mountain fruit flavors. Tannins present but in balance at first. Modest finish that began to thin out with air time. This was best at PNP. Open and drink. I won't be aging the second one.
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A bit bloody, with some cinnamon, bright red cherries, and some nice raspberry notes on the palate. A hint of white pepper as well. Very fresh, and just a nice little good-qpr bottle of wine.
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Unfortunately, we had this after an outstanding zin, so this was 'cheated' as people were comparing it to the zin rather than judging it on it's own. Nice blend of dark red fruit with nice balance. Enjoyable.
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Nose of earth, red fruit and mint notes. Lively wine with expressive red fruits and great acid. Mineral note on the dry finish. Very enjoyable wine and a good buy.
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The wine looks Violet colored. The legs are Fast. It smells like Blackberry, and Raspberry. It tastes like Oak, Blackberry, and Alcohol/Hot. The body is Light/Medium. The wine finishes Long.
color 5/5 nose 7/10 taste 14/20 balance 7/10 finish 3/5
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7/28/2020 - Oenecnist wrote:
Bought 5b for 12/b from CHW about seven years ago; this is #1. Dark purple; fragrant blue/black fruit nose--esp blueberry--plus some subtle oak that follow on the palate, bit of anise, very good mouthfeel; some persistence. Delicious and among the best (and best value) CHW wines that I've had in 10 years. Noticed a bit of fruit fade over 90 minutes and, taken with others' notes on the wine, should not plan on holding much longer. Stored horizontally in a cool, dark basement since purchase. My evaluation: For me, scores on a "100-point scale" are misleading. I use a 4-category scale (perhaps with +/-)--not including flawed--which runs outstanding/notable/drinkable/poor. This is notable+ when considering quality, age, and price.
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12/2/2018 - Alok Kapoor Likes this wine: 88 Points
Agree with the previous review - the bouquet isn’t great. But the wine is still good.
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10/7/2018 - jpr1 wrote: 80 Points
Disgusting bouquet. I really did not enjoy this wine at all. If you can get past the bouquet, maybe it is drinkable, but frankly, it's not at all pleasant on the nose
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10/27/2017 - phannenstiel wrote: 85 Points
Drink now
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6/28/2017 - NathanT wrote: 90 Points
Very good drinking bottle for just about any casual occasions. Drink best without any prior aeration. Slightly sweet with a noticeable sharpness at the end. Almost done with the first case.
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6/24/2017 - srh wrote:
Sat, 06/24/17, $2 Tasting (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA): 64% Merlot, 25% C.F., 10% C.S, & 1% P.V.; "All of these component wines were made from fruit destined for $50+ Bordeaux varietal programs & aged in top quality FR oak for 18 months." 13.5% ABV; 2,000 cs
N: RIPE, VERY raisiny, anything else WAY underneath
P: MF body; RIPE, ALMOST swtish frt (close to threshold R.S.) with balancing mid-P acidity which fairly seamlessly morphs into a LONG, ult very, VERY slightly bitter choc finish. On the decline, but @ this vendor's now $6.95 still DECENT with food for another 6-9 mos. Silver @ '12 S.F. Int'l Wine Comp
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12/10/2016 - srh wrote:
Sat, 12/10/16, $2 Tasting (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA): [Far & away the darkest red of this flight]
N: Muted, but SEEMS ripe with notes of tar, earth, & poss alch
P: MF, poss F, body; Almost swtish frt on front begins turning astringent early mid-palate, building thru the lingering finish with added notes of bitterness on the very end. Being charitable, I'd say disjointed, although for a now 6 yr old wine?!? Nonetheless, my "I don't like it" is redeemed/softened by other reviews here -- & this vendor's $3.95 price point, although I guess I'd advocate drinking it NOW while its fruit remains.
Addendum: Also tasted on 6/24/2017
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9/29/2016 - Wreck Beach Likes this wine: 90 Points
Easy drinking and great for the price.
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5/24/2016 - DavidWong168 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Pretty impressive wine for the money. Really opened up with time in the glass. The nose became more expressive with ripe plums, blackberries, vanilla and pine resin. All that plus cranberries and graphite on the palate. Tannins are completely resolved. Elegant, simple and simply delicious with a finish that lasts. 13.7% ABV is right in my sweet spot.
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12/31/2015 - Millennial Drinkers wrote: 88 Points
Color: Garnet Red with brown edges.
Nose/Smell: Chalk and light dirt. Dark fruits and plums.
Palate/Taste: Definitely has sweeter dark fruits. Low tannins (4.5/10) and thinner body. Very easy drinker.
Opinion: Drink by the end of 2016 before it gets too thin. Solid easy drinker. Very quaffable.
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10/27/2015 - jedlarkinesq wrote: 87 Points
Inky purple with an aroma of nail polish. After thirty minutes decant, black pepper in the front with a winey astringency in the back. Fine, not impressive. Given earlier reviews, I'd say this vintage has peaked.
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2/22/2015 - timbobwhite wrote:
Light - color, nose, taste. Decent on PNP. A bit tart with mostly red fruit and cranberry note. Fine everyday wine. I would drink up now.
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11/26/2014 - timbobwhite wrote: 87 Points
Black to beet red edge. Black fruit on the nose with distinct Cab Franc influence. A bit of green pepper. A bit rustic, mountain fruit flavors. Tannins present but in balance at first. Modest finish that began to thin out with air time. This was best at PNP. Open and drink. I won't be aging the second one.
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7/16/2014 - Heywood_ja Likes this wine: 88 Points
A pleasant surprise.
Poured through ventuirri into decanter and immediately consumed over light snacks instead of having a late full dinner.
Smooth drinking, nice nose, good balance, excellent QPR for a mid-week spur of the moment drinker.
Not something I would make a big presentation over, but fills the niche nicely.
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5/27/2014 - cork breath wrote: 83 Points
gets better with more time to breathe
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4/7/2014 - cork breath Does not like this wine: 80 Points
Flavorless. Even after a 1 hour decant.
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4/2/2014 - Parnelli Likes this wine: 86 Points
A nice red blend for everyday consumption. Dark red fruit on the nose and palate. There was some bite to the mouth even after aerating the wine.
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2/23/2014 - ckinv368 wrote: 88 Points
A bit bloody, with some cinnamon, bright red cherries, and some nice raspberry notes on the palate. A hint of white pepper as well. Very fresh, and just a nice little good-qpr bottle of wine.
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12/21/2013 - Parnelli Likes this wine: 88 Points
Unfortunately, we had this after an outstanding zin, so this was 'cheated' as people were comparing it to the zin rather than judging it on it's own. Nice blend of dark red fruit with nice balance. Enjoyable.
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11/12/2013 - SCMeyer Likes this wine: 88 Points
Nose of earth, red fruit and mint notes. Lively wine with expressive red fruits and great acid. Mineral note on the dry finish. Very enjoyable wine and a good buy.
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10/17/2013 - Winetex Likes this wine: 87 Points
Dark and smooth after decanting. Decant this wine. Young now and may improve with additional cellar time. Good value under $15.
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2/7/2013 - topher18 Likes this wine: 86 Points
The wine looks Violet colored. The legs are Fast. It smells like Blackberry, and Raspberry. It tastes like Oak, Blackberry, and Alcohol/Hot. The body is Light/Medium. The wine finishes Long.
color 5/5
nose 7/10
taste 14/20
balance 7/10
finish 3/5
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1/6/2013 - labs&cabs wrote: 86 Points
Average meritage. Good value for the $
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