MC2 is spot on…..delicious but still so young and not fully distinguished the way MV becomes as it ages. The telltale signs are there with ripe blackberries, good acidity, and some eucalyptus notes permeating the mid-palate and finish. Very nice texture, not clumsy in any way. 94+ today but with a lot of upside
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Every cab I try I compare to the 1990 Heitz, which in my opinion blows them all away, but again I found myself trying another vintage.....and loved it.
In a serendipitous fusion of refined elegance and soulful passion, the 2010 Heitz Cabernet Martha's Vineyard transcends the boundaries of taste and time. As a well-traveled member of upper gentile society, I have wandered through the grandest vineyards, and as a blues man, I have sought solace in the deepest notes of melancholy. Today, these two worlds unite in a symphony of flavor and emotion, harmonizing on my palate, stirring my senses, and echoing through my soul.
With a regal presence that commands reverence, this Cabernet Sauvignon unveils itself in the glass, showcasing a deep garnet hue that exudes both intensity and maturity. Like the rich colors of an impressionist painting, it draws you closer, inviting you to uncover its secrets, much like the mesmerizing blue notes of a blues guitar.
The first inhalation is a voyage to the enchanting vineyards of Napa Valley, where the Martha's Vineyard grapes basked in the warm California sun. The bouquet reveals an orchestra of scents, from the black currant and blackberry notes that dominate the stage, to the delicate whispers of violet and tobacco dancing in the background. It is as if a blues riff is unfolding, the smoky aroma reminiscent of a dimly lit jazz club, where tales of love and loss intermingle. (not to mention my 1998 tryst there one summer with a wine maiden)
With the first sip, the symphony reaches its crescendo. The luscious mouthfeel wraps around the senses like a velvety jazz melody, coating the tongue with a sensuous tapestry of flavors. The dark fruits take center stage, supported by the graceful presence of black cherries, plums, and hints of cassis. The tannins, like the percussive rhythm of a blues drum, provide structure and balance, adding depth to the experience. As the wine evolves on the palate, nuances of dark chocolate, cloves, and a whisper of graphite emerge, creating a complex and layered composition that resonates with the finesse of a virtuoso guitar solo.
The finish, akin to the lingering notes of a blues harmonica, embraces the palate with a persistent embrace, leaving behind a medley of memories. The elegant symphony fades into a reverberating resonance, punctuated by a touch of espresso and a dash of vanilla, a fitting conclusion to this extraordinary composition. Time stands still as the finale stretches, allowing the flavors to evolve and entwine, leaving an indelible imprint on the soul.
Conclusion: The 2010 Heitz Cabernet Martha's Vineyard, with its remarkable marriage of upper gentile society and blues spirit, embodies a transformative sensory experience. Like a well-traveled explorer, it traverses the vineyards and blues clubs, weaving tales of sophistication and raw emotion. It transcends the boundaries of mere wine, becoming a gateway to moments frozen in time and melodies that touch the depths of the soul.
For those privileged enough to taste this enigmatic elixir, it offers a voyage to the heart of sophistication and the essence of the blues. It is a testament to the timeless power of wine and music, reminding us that the greatest pleasures in life lie not only in the refined and the elegant, but also in the raw and the passionate.
In the 2010 Heitz Cabernet Martha's Vineyard, we find a symphony of flavors and emotions that transcend boundaries, inviting us to embark on a journey that unites worlds, transcends time, and ignites the fires of our very souls. Raise your glass, embrace
At Gabriel Kreuther. I haven’t been disappointed yet by a Martha’s. This was extremely good, not great, but lots to chew on. Each vintage a bit different but always unique compared to its Cali brethren.
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Napa 2023: the quieter version; 2/6/2023-2/11/2023 (Napa/Sonoma California): Super young wine still. It is very pretty. There’s lots of sweet black fruits, some more minty style, a bit of the spice character. It’s up a level with a bit more time than the 16 or 17 but this is still pretty early in it’s lifetime and not yet at the heights of some of the much older vintages. Hold for a bunch of years.
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Wild brush, blue fruits. On the palate this is a little harsh and acidic, particularly on the first day. Other bottles from the same case have been better.
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Green bell pepper, red plum, black currants, fennel, violets. A little tight at first, but this becomes quite expressive and beautiful. Great acidity. Big tannins. The best bottle of the case I have so far.
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Great fine fruit notes - not fat in any way. The most complex and elegant wine in this tasting. Beautifully balanced structure. Tannins already nicely integrated - I loved it. Drink from 2025 until 2035 (IG)
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2010 Blind Cali Cab/Bordeaux Homage to Spurrier (Chez de la Mata): Blind. Pronounced mintiness with lots of higher toned red and black cherry. Fruit is silky and bright with suave tannin. Long, mint-filled finish. Unmistakably Heitz Martha's. My 4/10, Group 3/10.
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Decanted about a half hour. Dark ruby. Bouquet of cassis, red fruit and eucalyptus. Palate of black fruit, cherry, mint and a medium to long finish of salt loam. An interesting wine with almost too much acidity, this really needs very hearty food as at times I felt it a touch too bracing. After 2 hours slightly more polished if losing some of the interesting mintyness. Nice wine to try out, the cherry and eucalyptus reminds me not of Cabernet but a youthful Brunello. I’d drink up now as this was a touch monolithic and not sure how much improvement there will be but equally it should last for a while.
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Decanted for 1 hour. Aromas of mint, eucalyptus, blackberry, currant and black cherry. Flavors of cherry, blackberry, currant, earth and mint. Ends with a big finish of 40-45 seconds with blackberry and a vanilla note. This is quite the showing. A big step up from the last time I had this.
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Aromatics offer an amazing menthol, eucalyptus note that was singing after an hour decant. This is very silky and at this point well integrated, tannins are resolved, showing blackberry and cherry liquors, ultra smooth just lacking a lift from some needed acidity. Drink now.
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This is a pure beauty. The powerful nose is met by a super smooth and perfect palate followed by a great finish. Drinking right now with pure enjoyment and ease. Really amazing!
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Beautiful nose. Deep, pronounced and serious. Black fruits, ripe but restrained with oak (coconut) showing but well into integrating. Palate is very smooth. Lovely level of maturity. Super long finish. Excellent.
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Aromas of spice, dark cherry, smoke, violet, and a touch of heat. Slightly high acidity with dark red cherries poking through leaves a bit unbalanced right now on the palate but great length and minerality demonstrate quality of the fruit.
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A total surprise despite expecting a lot. PnP and wow this deliver. Bright fruit despite being dark right out of the bottle. I sensed almost rotted peach, boysenberry, some white pepper, and plum. On the finish there is leather lingering along with asphalt.
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Heitz Dinner w/the winemaker (Harry's NYC): One of my favorites of the tasting. I thought this was just wonderful. Much too young to be drinking now. Out of magnum so even more young. Lots of boysenberry and chocolate and a more rustic note. Very well done and well structured. Convinced us to pick up a bottle/mag.
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WOTN in a walk-around charity tasting. What struck me about the Martha's was the difference in today's version compared to the mid 80's wines. The mint/eucalyptus note is basically gone, when it used to be the focus of the wines when young. Rich smooth and interesting, should develop well but makes for excellent current drinking.
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Deep ruby. Decanted and tasted the next day. Tightly coiled but complex on the nose, offering aromas of just ripe black cherry, blood orange, currant, mint and vanilla. Medium to medium+ bodied, silky and round, but balanced with fine tannins and nearly high acidity. True to the vintage and the producer, this has almost a throwback feel, but without any sense of austerity. Needs three to five years minimum and might need ten to be at its best.
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Deep ruby/garnet color. Nose of dark fruits and mint/menthol. Palate showing blackberry, currants, orange zest and spice. Medium/long finish. Still very primary, wine was somewhat closed on this tasting. This will be great with some age, not bad now but would need a healthy decant....hard to rate at this juncture, in time I think this will be great!
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The highlight of the evening. Deep ruby in color, the nose offered up rich boysenberry, cassis, and mint. On the palate it was tight, even after being decanted for some time. Notes of chocolate and mint, cigar, mint, and orange peel. Elegant smooth tannins for a long lingering finish. I had a later chance to try this after it had been decanted, sat out, then re-poured the next day. Its depth and fruit were so much more pronounced on that second tasting. This wine will be extraordinary in ten to twenty more years. It was truly special to taste one of the wines that won the judgment of Paris in 1976.
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Bright, fruity, red currant, elderflower, burnt peach, some leather and light earth and white pepper, but really well balanced, and while young, is actually ready to drink now with a bit of decanting. Great wine!!
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11/23/2023 - rbfleming Likes this wine: 93 Points
Very much ready. Approachable acidity and a nice balance. Happy Thanksgiving!
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10/15/2023 - kr522 wrote: 95 Points
MC2 is spot on…..delicious but still so young and not fully distinguished the way MV becomes as it ages. The telltale signs are there with ripe blackberries, good acidity, and some eucalyptus notes permeating the mid-palate and finish. Very nice texture, not clumsy in any way. 94+ today but with a lot of upside
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6/13/2023 - BellevuePhil Likes this wine: 96 Points
Every cab I try I compare to the 1990 Heitz, which in my opinion blows them all away, but again I found myself trying another vintage.....and loved it.
In a serendipitous fusion of refined elegance and soulful passion, the 2010 Heitz Cabernet Martha's Vineyard transcends the boundaries of taste and time. As a well-traveled member of upper gentile society, I have wandered through the grandest vineyards, and as a blues man, I have sought solace in the deepest notes of melancholy. Today, these two worlds unite in a symphony of flavor and emotion, harmonizing on my palate, stirring my senses, and echoing through my soul.
With a regal presence that commands reverence, this Cabernet Sauvignon unveils itself in the glass, showcasing a deep garnet hue that exudes both intensity and maturity. Like the rich colors of an impressionist painting, it draws you closer, inviting you to uncover its secrets, much like the mesmerizing blue notes of a blues guitar.
The first inhalation is a voyage to the enchanting vineyards of Napa Valley, where the Martha's Vineyard grapes basked in the warm California sun. The bouquet reveals an orchestra of scents, from the black currant and blackberry notes that dominate the stage, to the delicate whispers of violet and tobacco dancing in the background. It is as if a blues riff is unfolding, the smoky aroma reminiscent of a dimly lit jazz club, where tales of love and loss intermingle. (not to mention my 1998 tryst there one summer with a wine maiden)
With the first sip, the symphony reaches its crescendo. The luscious mouthfeel wraps around the senses like a velvety jazz melody, coating the tongue with a sensuous tapestry of flavors. The dark fruits take center stage, supported by the graceful presence of black cherries, plums, and hints of cassis. The tannins, like the percussive rhythm of a blues drum, provide structure and balance, adding depth to the experience. As the wine evolves on the palate, nuances of dark chocolate, cloves, and a whisper of graphite emerge, creating a complex and layered composition that resonates with the finesse of a virtuoso guitar solo.
The finish, akin to the lingering notes of a blues harmonica, embraces the palate with a persistent embrace, leaving behind a medley of memories. The elegant symphony fades into a reverberating resonance, punctuated by a touch of espresso and a dash of vanilla, a fitting conclusion to this extraordinary composition. Time stands still as the finale stretches, allowing the flavors to evolve and entwine, leaving an indelible imprint on the soul.
Conclusion:
The 2010 Heitz Cabernet Martha's Vineyard, with its remarkable marriage of upper gentile society and blues spirit, embodies a transformative sensory experience. Like a well-traveled explorer, it traverses the vineyards and blues clubs, weaving tales of sophistication and raw emotion. It transcends the boundaries of mere wine, becoming a gateway to moments frozen in time and melodies that touch the depths of the soul.
For those privileged enough to taste this enigmatic elixir, it offers a voyage to the heart of sophistication and the essence of the blues. It is a testament to the timeless power of wine and music, reminding us that the greatest pleasures in life lie not only in the refined and the elegant, but also in the raw and the passionate.
In the 2010 Heitz Cabernet Martha's Vineyard, we find a symphony of flavors and emotions that transcend boundaries, inviting us to embark on a journey that unites worlds, transcends time, and ignites the fires of our very souls. Raise your glass, embrace
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4/7/2023 - Nontaco Likes this wine: 95 Points
At Gabriel Kreuther. I haven’t been disappointed yet by a Martha’s. This was extremely good, not great, but lots to chew on. Each vintage a bit different but always unique compared to its Cali brethren.
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2/7/2023 - MC2 Wines Likes this wine:
Napa 2023: the quieter version; 2/6/2023-2/11/2023 (Napa/Sonoma California): Super young wine still. It is very pretty. There’s lots of sweet black fruits, some more minty style, a bit of the spice character. It’s up a level with a bit more time than the 16 or 17 but this is still pretty early in it’s lifetime and not yet at the heights of some of the much older vintages. Hold for a bunch of years.
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1/1/2023 - awever Likes this wine: 95 Points
Napa in Perfektion , noch zu jung, aber schon extrem gut
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9/24/2022 - jgreco Does not like this wine: 88 Points
Wild brush, blue fruits. On the palate this is a little harsh and acidic, particularly on the first day. Other bottles from the same case have been better.
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6/3/2022 - jgreco Likes this wine: 94 Points
Green bell pepper, red plum, black currants, fennel, violets. A little tight at first, but this becomes quite expressive and beautiful. Great acidity. Big tannins. The best bottle of the case I have so far.
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12/25/2021 - doug374 Likes this wine: 95 Points
A terrific bottle. Cherries, chocolate, smokiness clean and silky texture.
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11/28/2021 - KTelaak_Buffalo Likes this wine: 95 Points
Needed a solid 2-1/2 hour decant to open up. Well worth the wait. Everything in place.
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9/3/2021 - scotty_b wrote: 93 Points
Silky smooth mouthfeel. Notes of cherry, sage, underbrush, espresso, and cigar box. 2-hour decant and consumed over another 2 hours. Slightly austere.
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8/30/2021 - DrZett wrote: 95 Points
Great fine fruit notes - not fat in any way. The most complex and elegant wine in this tasting. Beautifully balanced structure. Tannins already nicely integrated - I loved it. Drink from 2025 until 2035 (IG)
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8/2/2021 - KTelaak_Buffalo Likes this wine: 96 Points
This takes about 60 to 90 minutes to open up, then all the magic happens.
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5/29/2021 - Nanda wrote: 94 Points
2010 Blind Cali Cab/Bordeaux Homage to Spurrier (Chez de la Mata): Blind. Pronounced mintiness with lots of higher toned red and black cherry. Fruit is silky and bright with suave tannin. Long, mint-filled finish. Unmistakably Heitz Martha's. My 4/10, Group 3/10.
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12/13/2020 - Lord of the Bottles Likes this wine: 94 Points
Decanted about a half hour. Dark ruby. Bouquet of cassis, red fruit and eucalyptus. Palate of black fruit, cherry, mint and a medium to long finish of salt loam. An interesting wine with almost too much acidity, this really needs very hearty food as at times I felt it a touch too bracing. After 2 hours slightly more polished if losing some of the interesting mintyness. Nice wine to try out, the cherry and eucalyptus reminds me not of Cabernet but a youthful Brunello. I’d drink up now as this was a touch monolithic and not sure how much improvement there will be but equally it should last for a while.
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10/7/2020 - Hitman66 Likes this wine:
Tasted with continuum and others and it was favorite
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8/30/2020 - slywka7 Likes this wine: 96 Points
Decanted for 1 hour. Aromas of mint, eucalyptus, blackberry, currant and black cherry. Flavors of cherry, blackberry, currant, earth and mint. Ends with a big finish of 40-45 seconds with blackberry and a vanilla note. This is quite the showing. A big step up from the last time I had this.
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11/30/2019 - 83Vintage wrote: 93 Points
Aromatics offer an amazing menthol, eucalyptus note that was singing after an hour decant. This is very silky and at this point well integrated, tannins are resolved, showing blackberry and cherry liquors, ultra smooth just lacking a lift from some needed acidity. Drink now.
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11/20/2019 - KTelaak_Buffalo Likes this wine: 96 Points
This is a pure beauty. The powerful nose is met by a super smooth and perfect palate followed by a great finish.
Drinking right now with pure enjoyment and ease. Really amazing!
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9/27/2019 - Yassine23 Likes this wine:
Lovely savoury that has fantastic balance. Sure it can age further but so nice now
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9/26/2019 - R J Lewis wrote:
Beautiful nose. Deep, pronounced and serious. Black fruits, ripe but restrained with oak (coconut) showing but well into integrating. Palate is very smooth. Lovely level of maturity. Super long finish. Excellent.
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7/5/2019 - mchern02 wrote: 93 Points
2 hour decant
Different than last bottle but quite enjoyable.
Aromas of spice, dark cherry, smoke, violet, and a touch of heat. Slightly high acidity with dark red cherries poking through leaves a bit unbalanced right now on the palate but great length and minerality demonstrate quality of the fruit.
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5/25/2019 - jkvedar Likes this wine: 94 Points
Refined, delicate . Almost no tannic bite, but, complex and well-balanced. Minty nose, dark fruits on the palate. Mouth-coating finish.
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3/28/2019 - tomoem Likes this wine: 94 Points
A total surprise despite expecting a lot. PnP and wow this deliver. Bright fruit despite being dark right out of the bottle. I sensed almost rotted peach, boysenberry, some white pepper, and plum. On the finish there is leather lingering along with asphalt.
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3/13/2019 - MC2 Wines Likes this wine:
Heitz Dinner w/the winemaker (Harry's NYC): One of my favorites of the tasting. I thought this was just wonderful. Much too young to be drinking now. Out of magnum so even more young. Lots of boysenberry and chocolate and a more rustic note. Very well done and well structured. Convinced us to pick up a bottle/mag.
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12/22/2018 - mchern02 wrote:
Pop and pour
Inky purple
Mint, cherry, Sweetness, menthol, euceleptus,
Nice structure, sweet tannins without much tightness
Moderate finish, not huge length but nice weight.
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11/18/2018 - jkvedar Likes this wine: 92 Points
Refined, balanced. Drinking well now
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11/9/2018 - lockestep Likes this wine: 95 Points
WOTN in a walk-around charity tasting. What struck me about the Martha's was the difference in today's version compared to the mid 80's wines. The mint/eucalyptus note is basically gone, when it used to be the focus of the wines when young.
Rich smooth and interesting, should develop well but makes for excellent current drinking.
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6/21/2018 - wino_tim wrote: 95 Points
Deep ruby. Decanted and tasted the next day. Tightly coiled but complex on the nose, offering aromas of just ripe black cherry, blood orange, currant, mint and vanilla. Medium to medium+ bodied, silky and round, but balanced with fine tannins and nearly high acidity. True to the vintage and the producer, this has almost a throwback feel, but without any sense of austerity. Needs three to five years minimum and might need ten to be at its best.
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3/15/2018 - AWBryce wrote:
Austere, could be in a dumb phase...good fruit, pure and long finish. Nose wasn't giving me much.
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11/16/2016 - walkerjfw wrote:
Taste of Oakville (Carnegie Hall, New York City): Drank the 09/10 next to each other with the 97 as a follow up.
Deep ruby/garnet color. Nose of dark fruits and mint/menthol. Palate showing blackberry, currants, orange zest and spice. Medium/long finish. Still very primary, wine was somewhat closed on this tasting. This will be great with some age, not bad now but would need a healthy decant....hard to rate at this juncture, in time I think this will be great!
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9/28/2016 - Lakewood Cellarmaster wrote: 97 Points
The highlight of the evening. Deep ruby in color, the nose offered up rich boysenberry, cassis, and mint. On the palate it was tight, even after being decanted for some time. Notes of chocolate and mint, cigar, mint, and orange peel. Elegant smooth tannins for a long lingering finish. I had a later chance to try this after it had been decanted, sat out, then re-poured the next day. Its depth and fruit were so much more pronounced on that second tasting. This wine will be extraordinary in ten to twenty more years. It was truly special to taste one of the wines that won the judgment of Paris in 1976.
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5/14/2016 - ckinv368 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Bright, fruity, red currant, elderflower, burnt peach, some leather and light earth and white pepper, but really well balanced, and while young, is actually ready to drink now with a bit of decanting. Great wine!!
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