I'm a fan of Kirk Venge and regularly purchase his wines. However, I really didn't enjoy this bottle. This blend of 66% Zinfandel, 16% Charbono, 14% Petit Syrah and 4% Syrah has a dark purple color and a fruity nose of dark berries and oak. It tastes of cherries, plums, licorice, and cedar. It's high alcohol content is very notable in its aromas and taste. I agree with others that it tastes too sweet and port like. I was told by the Venge staff that Scout's Honor should be consumed early and not cellared, so perhaps it lost something by waiting. I think that it's fruit lost its freshness and clarity. I tried the same bottle at a tasting years ago and enjoyed it much more.
Given 90 minutes to breathe and accompanied by ribs with a fairly sweet sauce, this wine did not suck. That's as strong of an endorsement that I can give it.
Better than a bottle last year, but still nothing to write home about. More integrated than the previous bottle, and the alcohol was less obtrusive. Still a little too sweet, however, and a little too rough around the edges. For the time being at least, it's just not what I would call enjoyable.
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Served blind, this was a very poor showing. The wine was distinctly sweet, overripe, alcoholic (it is 15.3% after all, as we found out when the bag came off) and overall cloying on the palate. It really had nothing to recommend it.
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The last of four reds at a small dinner party and by far the least impressive. Compared to the others, it was coarse and raw, with rough edges everywhere. Dominant component on both the nose and palate was alcohol. Although it was opened about 90 minutes before drinking, I suspect that aeration and/or a couple more years in the bottle will let it become more balanced and integrated. Plenty of fruit and a decent finish, so I'm not ready to write it off just yet.
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dark aroma, full body, rich red currant and blackberry masking cassis and earth, emergent graphite toward a moderate finish. Not my favorite style, but well-made; enjoyed with grilled turkey
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I stand by my previous comments posted in November of last year for the 2011 vintage of Venge Scout's Honor. I have reposted those comments below for reference. This vintage still holds a 91-point rating on CellarTracker. As a note of clarification, I have purchased other wines by the case, but this is one of few that I continue to return to. ----------- Consumption Date: November 2, 2013
Venge Scout's Honor is one of my top 10 wines. At under $40, this wine is a high value buy for the quality. I try to always have it on hand, as it's the only wine I'm willing to purchase by the case. The current CellarTracker community average for the 2011 vintage is 91 points, but Wine Spectator rates it a paltry 81 points (ratings on past vintages from WS are in the high 80s). Wine Spectator obviously is not a fan of the 2011 vintage, but I prefer it just as much as the 2010. I rate the 2011 Venge Scout's Honor 92 points. It has a strong alcohol content, weighing in at 15.3%, but there are some sweet undertones that help it go down with ease. This wine tends to be a crowd pleaser in my circle. Also try The Prisoner by The Prisoner Wine Company (formerly Orin Swift) if you like Scout's Honor. ---------------------
Rating Scale: Extraordinary (95-100 points); Outstanding (90-94); Very Good to Excellent (85-89); Good (80-84); Average (75-79); Below average (70-74); Avoid (50-69)
Note: Cost reflects base price only; it excludes any taxes and shipping.
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Dark, saturated color with rich, dense ripe fruit. Surprising ripe, jammy, exuberant style for the 2011 vintage. Zin characteristics come through but the blended varietals keep it interesting. No reason to hold this one. Drink up.
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The wine looks crimson colored. The legs are slow. There is no sediment in the bottle. It smells like blackberry, cherry and plum. It tastes like black pepper and cherry. The body is medium/full. The wine has round texture. The wine finishes medium. The wine has medium acidity.
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Venge Scout's Honor is one of my top 10 wines. At under $40, this wine is a high value buy for the quality. I try to always have it on hand, as it's the only wine I'm willing to purchase by the case. The current CellarTracker community average for the 2011 vintage is 91 points, but Wine Spectator rates it a paltry 81 points (ratings on past vintages from WS are in the high 80s). Wine Spectator obviously is not a fan of the 2011 vintage, but I prefer it just as much as the 2010. I rate the 2011 Venge Scout's Honor 92 points. It has a strong alcohol content, weighing in at 15.3%, but there are some sweet undertones that help it go down with ease. This wine tends to be a crowd pleaser in my circle. Also try The Prisoner by The Prisoner Wine Company (formerly Orin Swift) if you like Scout's Honor.
Rating Scale: Extraordinary (95-100 points); Outstanding (90-94); Very Good to Excellent (85-89); Good (80-84); Average (75-79); Below average (70-74); Avoid (50-69)
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PnP. Deep, opaque red with subdued earthy dark fruit aromas. Medium-full body, dusty tannins, plum and cherry notes stand out. Nice old viney stuff made in a ripe, exuberant, ready to drink style. Reasonable QPR for Napa fruit. Drink up or hold a couple of years.
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60% zin, 14% charbono, 4% syrah. Nice nose. Lavnder, grilled rosemary and thyme with roasty, peppery purple, black and blue fruits. Luscious on the palate and fruit forward. Smoke, cigar box, cedar, pepper and grilled herbs over plum, blackberry and blueberry. Zesty spice and really nice herbal integration providing nice layers. Also has a nice graphite/iron mineral edge. Complex, layered and nicely balanced with a juicy finish.
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66/16/14/4 Zin/Petite Sirah/Charbono/Syrah. Jammy nose but depth seems on the way. Zin dominates, more so than I've seen in other blends of this type. Killer acidity. Fruit is obvious and there's balance behind it.
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7/21/2020 - barrytaylor Likes this wine: 94 Points
deep, dark, outstanding, absolutry ready
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4/30/2018 - dvortex Likes this wine:
tasting full of cherry taste with some spicy notes of cinnamon and other spices.
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2/16/2018 - Endodr wrote: 87 Points
I'm a fan of Kirk Venge and regularly purchase his wines. However, I really didn't enjoy this bottle. This blend of 66% Zinfandel, 16% Charbono, 14% Petit Syrah and 4% Syrah has a dark purple color and a fruity nose of dark berries and oak. It tastes of cherries, plums, licorice, and cedar. It's high alcohol content is very notable in its aromas and taste. I agree with others that it tastes too sweet and port like. I was told by the Venge staff that Scout's Honor should be consumed early and not cellared, so perhaps it lost something by waiting. I think that it's fruit lost its freshness and clarity. I tried the same bottle at a tasting years ago and enjoyed it much more.
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8/17/2017 - Night Train wrote: 86 Points
Given 90 minutes to breathe and accompanied by ribs with a fairly sweet sauce, this wine did not suck. That's as strong of an endorsement that I can give it.
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6/4/2017 - Night Train wrote: 86 Points
Better than a bottle last year, but still nothing to write home about. More integrated than the previous bottle, and the alcohol was less obtrusive. Still a little too sweet, however, and a little too rough around the edges. For the time being at least, it's just not what I would call enjoyable.
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4/6/2017 - Rieslingfan wrote:
Served blind, this was a very poor showing. The wine was distinctly sweet, overripe, alcoholic (it is 15.3% after all, as we found out when the bag came off) and overall cloying on the palate. It really had nothing to recommend it.
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8/19/2016 - Night Train wrote: 85 Points
The last of four reds at a small dinner party and by far the least impressive. Compared to the others, it was coarse and raw, with rough edges everywhere. Dominant component on both the nose and palate was alcohol. Although it was opened about 90 minutes before drinking, I suspect that aeration and/or a couple more years in the bottle will let it become more balanced and integrated. Plenty of fruit and a decent finish, so I'm not ready to write it off just yet.
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4/9/2016 - 1997cobalt Likes this wine: 92 Points
Smooth, big boy. A bit sweet at first, then gets more tannic and balanced.
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11/29/2015 - 1997cobalt wrote: 91 Points
What a great blend.
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11/27/2015 - EdKz@comcast.net Likes this wine: 92 Points
dark aroma, full body, rich red currant and blackberry masking cassis and earth, emergent graphite toward a moderate finish. Not my favorite style, but well-made; enjoyed with grilled turkey
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6/7/2015 - moega Likes this wine: 91 Points
As expected from Venge. Deep purple color, smooth, long finish. Nice wine.
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1/11/2015 - 1997cobalt Likes this wine: 90 Points
Better than last bottle, not syrupy or heavy as was previous. Smooth.
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12/19/2014 - 1997cobalt Likes this wine: 88 Points
a bit syrupy(sp?)
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11/22/2014 - srshane Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drinking very well right now. Fully integrated acids and tannins. Good cherry and raspberry flavors.
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10/25/2014 - 1997cobalt wrote: 92 Points
A mouthful. Well balanced and with softer tannins. A pleasure and a big bargin.
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8/9/2014 - deon40g Likes this wine: 92 Points
I stand by my previous comments posted in November of last year for the 2011 vintage of Venge Scout's Honor. I have reposted those comments below for reference. This vintage still holds a 91-point rating on CellarTracker. As a note of clarification, I have purchased other wines by the case, but this is one of few that I continue to return to.
-----------
Consumption Date: November 2, 2013
Venge Scout's Honor is one of my top 10 wines. At under $40, this wine is a high value buy for the quality. I try to always have it on hand, as it's the only wine I'm willing to purchase by the case. The current CellarTracker community average for the 2011 vintage is 91 points, but Wine Spectator rates it a paltry 81 points (ratings on past vintages from WS are in the high 80s). Wine Spectator obviously is not a fan of the 2011 vintage, but I prefer it just as much as the 2010. I rate the 2011 Venge Scout's Honor 92 points. It has a strong alcohol content, weighing in at 15.3%, but there are some sweet undertones that help it go down with ease. This wine tends to be a crowd pleaser in my circle. Also try The Prisoner by The Prisoner Wine Company (formerly Orin Swift) if you like Scout's Honor.
---------------------
Rating Scale: Extraordinary (95-100 points); Outstanding (90-94); Very Good to Excellent (85-89); Good (80-84); Average (75-79); Below average (70-74); Avoid (50-69)
Note: Cost reflects base price only; it excludes any taxes and shipping.
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7/14/2014 - rdf58 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Dark, saturated color with rich, dense ripe fruit. Surprising ripe, jammy, exuberant style for the 2011 vintage. Zin characteristics come through but the blended varietals keep it interesting. No reason to hold this one. Drink up.
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7/10/2014 - srshane Likes this wine: 92 Points
In the sweet spot of being ready to drink.
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4/12/2014 - Jay_R Likes this wine: 89 Points
The wine looks crimson colored. The legs are slow. There is no sediment in the bottle. It smells like blackberry, cherry and plum. It tastes like black pepper and cherry. The body is medium/full. The wine has round texture. The wine finishes medium. The wine has medium acidity.
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3/16/2014 - Barbaro wrote: 90 Points
Pop and pour. This wine is fruit forward and easy drinking. Slight spicy/peppery finish helps round out the ripeness. Good wine for the price point.
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11/2/2013 - deon40g Likes this wine: 92 Points
Venge Scout's Honor is one of my top 10 wines. At under $40, this wine is a high value buy for the quality. I try to always have it on hand, as it's the only wine I'm willing to purchase by the case. The current CellarTracker community average for the 2011 vintage is 91 points, but Wine Spectator rates it a paltry 81 points (ratings on past vintages from WS are in the high 80s). Wine Spectator obviously is not a fan of the 2011 vintage, but I prefer it just as much as the 2010. I rate the 2011 Venge Scout's Honor 92 points. It has a strong alcohol content, weighing in at 15.3%, but there are some sweet undertones that help it go down with ease. This wine tends to be a crowd pleaser in my circle. Also try The Prisoner by The Prisoner Wine Company (formerly Orin Swift) if you like Scout's Honor.
Rating Scale: Extraordinary (95-100 points); Outstanding (90-94); Very Good to Excellent (85-89); Good (80-84); Average (75-79); Below average (70-74); Avoid (50-69)
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10/18/2013 - MXL wrote: 92 Points
Exceptional Zin blend.
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9/12/2013 - rdf58 Likes this wine: 91 Points
PnP. Deep, opaque red with subdued earthy dark fruit aromas. Medium-full body, dusty tannins, plum and cherry notes stand out. Nice old viney stuff made in a ripe, exuberant, ready to drink style. Reasonable QPR for Napa fruit. Drink up or hold a couple of years.
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8/4/2013 - Billiken Likes this wine: 91 Points
If you like big, fruity, jammy wines, this is for you. Not a fine wine, but in terms of enjoyment of a monolithic wine, this is very good.
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6/1/2013 - Badgermitch Likes this wine: 91 Points
Big and Jammy. In the same style as The Prisoner. very nice. paired well with both a burger and a steak.
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5/9/2013 - vegasoenophile Likes this wine: 91 Points
60% zin, 14% charbono, 4% syrah. Nice nose. Lavnder, grilled rosemary and thyme with roasty, peppery purple, black and blue fruits. Luscious on the palate and fruit forward. Smoke, cigar box, cedar, pepper and grilled herbs over plum, blackberry and blueberry. Zesty spice and really nice herbal integration providing nice layers. Also has a nice graphite/iron mineral edge. Complex, layered and nicely balanced with a juicy finish.
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4/23/2013 - GTFreek wrote:
66/16/14/4 Zin/Petite Sirah/Charbono/Syrah. Jammy nose but depth seems on the way. Zin dominates, more so than I've seen in other blends of this type. Killer acidity. Fruit is obvious and there's balance behind it.
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3/30/2013 - paulnutz Likes this wine: 90 Points
Very nice taste with a hint of dark berries. It goes well with a variety of foods.
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1/19/2013 - mbratkova Likes this wine: 92 Points
Jammy, tasty, love it! Super drinkable.
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