Final bottle of five and first bottle in almost 4 years. The cork was pristine - tightly seated with no seepage up the cork neck. Heavy bricking. No decant given the age. First pour offered little in terms of aromatics. The aromas that do poke through include dusty old clothing, prunes, and figs. On the palate there is no tannin present, but there is energy from the acidity that remains. On the attack, there is prune, fig, blackberries, and white pepper with good weighting of each. In the mid palate the acidity picks up a little more prominence where the blackberries are predominant wrapped in a peppered iron sheath. The finish glides along as expected given the age with a subtle chalk and blackberry purée that is not flashy but satisfying nonetheless.
Passing into old age but probably can hang through 2024 and offer drinking pleasure.
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A beautiful Chateauneuf drinking at its peak Strawberries, leather, clove and cinnamon on the nose with just a hint of gaminess on the nose There is spiciness, wild game, and lots of brambly red fruits on the palate. There is still some tannin. There is great balance and a long finish
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After a few hours in a decanter, it has a youthful fresh and intense nose with deep layers of dark berries. Beautifully balanced, this is a big rich wine with lots of flavour, lovely freshness and length. Actually feels like it's too young to drink, but it is delicious. I'm starting to regret sharing my case with a friend...
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Bought on initial release and stored in temperature controlled cellar. Did not decant. Reddish-purple with very slight brickish color. Nose and taste are similar in fruit and earthly aspects. Straightforward nose and taste. Medium body and medium length. Drink now. Will fade from here.
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From an excellent looking bottle purchased on release, this wine had a very deep red center and light red rims. the medium intensity nose displayed dried black cherries, plums, anise, and a hint of pepper. it also show a bit of distracting wood char. As the wine aerated, the intensity of the wood flavors declined but never fully dissapated.
In the mouth, this wine was rich and quite ripe with light rounded tannin and good length. As this description suggests, the wine's balance was excellent. The flavors were very similar to the nose except the wood element was less noticeable.
While not wildly complex, this was an attractive wine that was held back by the charred wood note. While the color suggested this wine was still an adolescent, I felt it was unlikely to improve with time in the cellar.
Drink sooner rather than later.
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After a bottle in December 2017, I was worried about my remaining bottles. After tonight’s experience my faith is restored in this wine.
Allowed to slow ox about 90 minutes. Aromatically pleasing with garrigue, smoke, white pepper, and black fruits. On the palate this presents with energetic acidity, and no tannic grip. In the mid palate this picks up black fruits and smoke. Toward the finish this rotates into black pepper and an extended iron and mineral inflected finish. The finish is very persistent and extends well over 90 seconds on this bottle.
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After reading AAGRAWAL's note, and not having consumed a bottle in almost 4 years I became alarmed. After tasting, I found a similar experience to AAGRAWAL.
Aromatically pleasing with garrigue, some vanilla, plum, and crushed blackberry. On the palate this has really developed fatigue. Low acidity, dusty tannins, crushed black fruits, faint iron notes, and not much else. Reminded me of a savory old Bordeaux in the sense that it has had better days, but still offers some nostalgic pleasure.
I have three more bottles which I will plan on moving through in the near term. I will be drinking up.
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Coravin 11/8/17. Light ruby, less than expected bricking; nose is less aromatic than expected, fading black cherry fruit; palate is light bodied, slight bitterness, fruit has faded, leaving behind only a bit of excess acidity, tannins are overly prominent and simple; finish is short. This is different from my last bottle in 2012, seems like it is over the hill. 80- With some air, some fruit comes out. Now more average to good, but not as good as last time. 82
Drinking very nicely now. Opened quickly but got better over 2 hours. Most notable feature that I don't normally see as much of in a Ch d P is strong lavender, but it works well. Very nicely balanced and wonderful wine. Very good concentration, structure, finish, lovely nose and finish
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CdP Night (Extra Space): Tasted blind. Drank from bottle over 3 hours. Appearance is clear, medium intensity, ruby colour. Legs. Nose is medium+ intensity, with aromas of bretty barnyard, elegant red florals, spice, white pepper, red cherries. Developed. On the palate, dry, high acidity, medium+ alcohol (14%), smooth medium tannins, full body. Medium+ flavour intensity, with flavours of concentrated sweet red cherries, sweet spices, licorice, white pepper. Long finish. Very good quality. Still full-bodied, but a lot more elegant than many other CdPs out there. Deep fruit flavour, but just lacking more layers of complexity to bring it to the next level. Drinking at peak now.
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Fully open aromatically with airtime. Smooth, voluptuous, ripe rich tannins and acid balance. Just entering its "mature" phase drinking window. Very fine older school style wine.
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Decanted for an hour and paired with rack of lamb. Excellent combination and this wine is drinking splendidly right now. Good earthy funk, with tar and tobacco, smooth tannins and still good acidity. Wish I had more bottles of this!
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Châteauneuf-du-Pape 1998 (Chez moi): First bottle doomed corked (from CP); not sure it was, though, took the last from my cellar - very young, more rustic than expected, the mdoern treatment not so evident tonight, sweet fruit, quite tight, things to come here. Had a case, once, sadly my last bottle, should have kept more, where did they go? 93+
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From a mag opened for lunch at a tasting. The first day this was not showing too much- nose was a tad muted with underbrush, some black fruits and licorice lurking behind. A medium bodied and rustic palate showed brisk acidity and some drying tannins.
The second day this was much much better, with camphor, incense, blue-black fruits, smoky herbs and underbrush. The palate had nicely fleshed out to reveal black cherry, licorice and whiff of pepper on the finish.
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Surprisingly young showing. A nose of barnyard tells about the locale, but the taste is full, creamy, polished and juicy as one has come to expect from this semimodern domaine. One of the most backward 98's I have tasted yet, quite similar to my impression of the 2000 of the same wine. Will keep my last remaining bottlle for library purposes although I am not sure it will improve from here ... it's wonderful now. With AD at Gentlemens Farmer, NYC
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PnP. At age 15, this is a very primary wine with bright acidity and tannic backbone that is still youthful and almost rustic, though balanced. On the nose this has licorice, tar, smoke, dried herb, and spice. The nose is quite reticent, and really needs some coaxing to reveal the potential that has been asleep. On the palate, the tannins and acidity coat the palate with dark currant, licorice, pepper, some espresso, and bitter chocolate. The mid palate offers a bit of cranberry tartness that dries out, coasting into a subtle pepper finish. The acidity and tannins should hold this for many years. This feels like there is a lot of life left in the tank.
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Chateauneuf-Du Pape, The 1998 Vintage, A 15 Year Retrospective: Darkest in color of the 8 1998s with a fresh but somewhat closed earthy nose. Lighter bodied than many of the others (but lighter than Bonneaus Speciale and Secret de Sabon isn't saying much) but a nice array of dark fruit flavors. Group's #2 and my #5.
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Dark red core, lighter at the rim. Forward nose, black and ed berries, cherries, leather, earth and spice. Ripe rich fruit, blackberries, smooth lush palate feel, full bodied, good balance leaning more toward fruit than acid, mellow tannins, nice funky/earthy complexity, long sweet finish. Very similar to the last bottle 3 years ago but with a little added earthy complexity. Outstanding, should last another decade.
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The last bottle from my case was delicious. There was sweet, ripe, black and red fruits, earth and animal scents, lush textures and a long, earthy, peppery, black cherry finish.
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Still good ruby color. Took a little time for the fruit to appear in the nose. Then, nice ripe red fruit with a hint of garrigue. Palate much the same, but a tad too much wood to go along. Decent but Chateaneufs are not worth the price for me any more--even at the price I bought it years ago. 4-11-13-6: 84/100.
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Davids & Rhone Dinner (San Francisco): Nose had just the right amount of brett, meaty, gamey; palate is still a tad on the tannic side but very approachable, simpler palate than the Pegau but has lovely peppery notes; nice balanced finish. Overall a very nice, solid CdP with good balance. 91-92 Day 2 Update: Both the nose and the palate are about the same as yesterday. While chilled, the palate had a significant bitter component that was unpleasant, but that disappeared when it got back up to serving temperature. Overall this hasn't improved, though the wine is still showing some structure and has a decent life (5 years) ahead of it assuming that the fruit doesn't fall out.
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Last bottle out of the case and it's time to drink...still very nice, but the bright elements are gone and it's down to the darkies...but that's not bad. Beautiful with slow cooked brisket alongside 98 Rostaing Cote Rotie Blonde.
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This is a rich, full bodied, voluptuous, open Chateauneuf du Pape that is drinking great today. Pepper, smoke, black raspberry jam, spice and garrigue aromas are in full force. The wine ends with a long, delicious, ripe, sweet, dark berry finish. This was the penultimate bottle from the case and every bottle has been great.
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Good wine with good Rhone earth and garrigue notes with funky barnyard notes. I like it. Just strikes The right balance between parker bigness and jancis Robinson finese. This straddles Both well.
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K & J's Wedding Dinner (Intercontinental Hotel, Singapore): Popped and poured. I thought this was a very solid bottle, just that it was a in a rather awkward, shut-down phase akin to several other 1998s I have had in the last year or two. It had a lovely CDP nose. Still very young in that it was very Grenache-led, almost primary, with notes of cherries and red berries, along with incense, dried flowers and garrigue. A bit tight, but nice and very Provencal - something that I enjoy in good CDPs. The palate was even tighter. A little unyielding on the attack, with just hints of smoke and mineral at first, but the midpalate showed just a bit of how good the wine was, with a layer of juicy, gummy cherry fruit wed to darker berry flavours as the wine moved into a nicely detailed and certainly longish finish flecked with spice, garrigue and dried flowers. Not quite traditional, but this was nevertheless a prestige cuvee from a bygone era, where top-end CDP wines were not all about power, viscosity and hedonistic fruit. The balance was great, tannins were nicely fine, the fruit was nicely focused, but this was clearly in an in-between stage. 5 more years I would think, and then it should make a very nice wine.
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Horizontale 1998 Robe sombre, et brillante, jeune. Nez caramel, avec du fruit noir, de l’anis. Un vin qui a clairement vu du bois, ce qui est moins mon genre. Le vin est riche, assez alcooleux, dans un style moderne. Il montre cependant une belle matière et des tanins fins. L’ensemble a besoin de temps pour que tout se mette en place. Bon potentiel, à revoir dans 4 ou 5 ans. 90 (+) pts
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JULIA CHILD BYO CdP+ French Bistro Dinner Party (Icon Brickell, 465 Brickell Avenue, #3303, Miami, FL 33131): Carlos' wine(purchased from me). Decanted for 2+ hrs. For Ellen, Eddie, Carlos and I the WOTN. Complex flavorful CdP which still had good fruit. My guess on timing was correct the last time we tried it. At a peak now. Outshone the 03 Rayas, and its 03 sibling. There were a few ounces left in the decanter the next evening, and miraculously it still drank as well as the prior evening.
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Medium deep with maturing edge. Manageable amount of VA which does not increase over time. Leather, licorice, and lavender. Middle weight, dark fruit core. Ready now and I would not push it since the fruit seems on the downward path. Good but not special.
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Drank with a 1998 Fortia. Limited notes but this had a very dark color with a complex bouquet of tart fruit, deep cherry, something skunky, along with black pepper and licorice. Great concentration. Spectacular. [94-95]
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Dark red core with slight lightening at rim. Forward nose with black and red berries, cherries, leather, earth and spice. Ripe rich fruit, blackberries, smooth lush palate feel, full bodied, good balance leaning more toward fruit than acid, well integrated tannins, some funky complexity, long sweet finish, excellent-outstanding, should last many years.
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Over a couple of hours with dinner blind with the 98 Beaucastel and 98 Mordoree Rene des Bois, this was my #3 - but the #1 of most others at the table. It was by far the most open and advanced of the 3 thoughout the evening. Showed plenty of barnyard, and was the most expressive in every way. I just found it a bit flabby and felt by the end of dinner it was losing steam when the others were starting to really show. This is a very good wine, and fun to drink right now - but I put my money on the Beaucastel and Mordoree for the long run. A-
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Pre-Neuf tasting (Adam's appartment): Dark red color with slight orange rim. Barnyard, rustic nose with notes of dungheap, cow manure, raspberries, wild strawberries, sweet tobacco and exotic flowers, viols and farmyard roses. Amazingly intense yet elegant at once. Equally intense on the palate with lots of sweet fruit, raspberries and wild strawberries. It remains pure and fresh, even with the sweetness and concentration. Tobacco, rustic dust and leather, and exotic spices and flowers on the midpalate and finish. Very nuanced and great length. Perfect balance with lively acidity complete the picture and makes this sexy and stunning, while easily accessible.
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1998 CdP tasting at Il Corso, NY. Another spoofed wine that neither I or anyone else cared for. The oak treatment is obvious. Didn't jot down much and quickly moved on to the next wine. I don't think I've ever had a Boisrenard that I liked.
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This wine showed exceptionally well. It was decanted and poured. The bouquet shows leather, spices, black and red fruits, rocks and earth notes. The bouquet is expressive and develops with airing. The color is a dark brick red and correct for the wines age. The medium/full bodied palate shows a mature profile that retains some youthful intensity. The palate shows good texture and balance. The tannins on the finish are in balance with the wine. This wine is entering its mature stage and is drinking well now. It should continue to drink well for many years.
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Had time to warm to room temperature, and I would say this is good, but not great. There is still some tannin to resolve, but I'm not sure this has the fruit of the best of them. It came accross as a bit lean, and although plenty good with food this bottle would not have kept up with the better wines from this vinatage. B+
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Along side a TL VV this seemed more reserved at opening, and actually closed down after 20 min or so. Very good CDP with the fruit and structure to be great. Give this a few years. A-/A
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Ottawa offline with DoktaP and Bman (Bocado's in Ottawa): Nose of pure maple syrup. Not cooked or glazed but pure maple syrup. The real kind, not the Aunt Jemima stuff. Blackcurrant and sweet dark spices. Kinda of a short finish and the palate did not measure up fully to the nose but excellent nonetheless.
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Ottawa Offline: DoctaP and the MWP (Restaurant Bocado's): Decanted 3 hours. Deep ruby red, clear edge. Nose of maple syrup, raspberries with a nice sooth and sweet mouth-feel with good body. Very chewy finish with good length.
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sweet leathery funk, dark cherries and pepper. silky and surprisingly light in the mouth with some of the midpalate flavors missing. nice finish of funk. held up on day 2 as more fruit came to the fore.
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Medium dark ruby with minimal tawniness at the edge. Just lovely aromatics with crystallized black fruits, bitter chocolate, and a whiff of funk. Seamless, well integrated palate without evidence of oak at this point, but retaining a significant amount of structure and tannin to resolve. Serious, savory wine without any overripe elements. I really enjoyed this and was impressed with how youthful it showed. Much more satisfying than a 2000 Pegau tried last night.
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The nose is fairly faint, but I do get some garrigue and smoke and a touch of blackberry. The palate, however, is superlative. The most unique part is the lush, round mouthfeel. I am not certain, but I wonder if this saw some new oak that is now integrated. I get plenty of black fruit and spice. The mid palate is hiding a bit, so this may get better with age.
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Chaupin vs. Boisrenard: Clear red, black color with a red rim - looking very youthful. Surprisingly young on the nose as well, with dark fruit, buttermilk and farm yard - almost Burgungian in style. Huge on the palate, with intense fruit, ripe cherries and black berries, spices, pepper and a hint of mint. Large structure. Some licorise and sweet tobaco kick in on the midpalate and some prunes on the finish. Very long taste, yet also very young! Beautiful and I would expect even more from this in the future - awesome.
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consumed at Redd in Yountville...significantly better than over the hill 98 Janasse Chaupin...but expected more...a bit too overipe for my liking and not secondary flavors that I expected...going to drink more of 98s as these two have me worried
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Opened and aerated through Vinturi Aerator. Slight but sweet brett, evolving black berry boquet, great palate, and lingering finish. An extraordinary wine that promises to get better. I loved it. Ellen, the hypertaster didn't care for it. (We looked to see what Jancis Robinson's, another hypertaster, view is of Chateauneuf 98's and 03's. By and large she like Ellen is not enamored of them.) All, I can say is us normal tasting wine geeks seem to love it, including perhaps the world's biggest wine collector Park B Smith. To my mind this is = or better than any of the 98's I have had to date.
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(at Cru – NYC) Wow – that sums up this wine. Gorgeous, exotic nose of cinnamon spice and plum fruit with a bit of barnyard funk. This wine was the clear favorite of the group initially, though the Lagrange made a comeback toward the end of the dinner. Ripe and rich with high alcohol viscosity. A gorgeous, hedonistic wine that is drinking perfectly today. For me, a great Chateauneuf. (19)
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Another slight disappointment. Fairly light looking. a touch low acidity and very powdery tannins. Good fruit but not as intense as othe bottles. Was significantly better with food but....
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Deteriorated in the glass, Started out good but surprised how quickly it lost it’s intensity. Still very good though. Similar to last bottle. Had an ’01 at the same time and that is a much more impressive wine.
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Very good wine. Not as dark as other ones we’ve had. Intense, blackberry with some mature notes starting to develop; leather, underbrush and beef-blood. Not as focused and powerful as we had expected, but long lingering aftertaste.
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9/3/2023 - enthusiastic_amateur Does not like this wine: 80 Points
Funky, old, oxidized. Maybe victim of improper storage
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2/8/2023 - Vascular46 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Deep purple color-no brick. Black fruit and earth on the nose and palate. Certainly not past but unfortunately I don't have any more of this vintage
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12/27/2022 - french16 wrote:
Classic.
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9/10/2022 - winepog wrote: 92 Points
in a great place, but probably will be for a while. These are mostly tertiary flavors. Wonderful evolution.
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12/27/2021 - COWineLover wrote: 91 Points
Final bottle of five and first bottle in almost 4 years. The cork was pristine - tightly seated with no seepage up the cork neck. Heavy bricking. No decant given the age. First pour offered little in terms of aromatics. The aromas that do poke through include dusty old clothing, prunes, and figs. On the palate there is no tannin present, but there is energy from the acidity that remains. On the attack, there is prune, fig, blackberries, and white pepper with good weighting of each. In the mid palate the acidity picks up a little more prominence where the blackberries are predominant wrapped in a peppered iron sheath. The finish glides along as expected given the age with a subtle chalk and blackberry purée that is not flashy but satisfying nonetheless.
Passing into old age but probably can hang through 2024 and offer drinking pleasure.
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10/31/2021 - Ruby99 Likes this wine: 93 Points
A beautiful Chateauneuf drinking at its peak
Strawberries, leather, clove and cinnamon on the nose with just a hint of gaminess on the nose
There is spiciness, wild game, and lots of brambly red fruits on the palate. There is still some tannin. There is great balance and a long finish
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1/6/2021 - Scaramanga Likes this wine: 94 Points
After a few hours in a decanter, it has a youthful fresh and intense nose with deep layers of dark berries. Beautifully balanced, this is a big rich wine with lots of flavour, lovely freshness and length. Actually feels like it's too young to drink, but it is delicious. I'm starting to regret sharing my case with a friend...
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1/24/2020 - Renevin Likes this wine: 93 Points
Nez floral, cuir, terre. En bouche tout en rondeur, tanins fondus, belle longueur. Très agréable.
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1/20/2019 - Dalex Likes this wine: 92 Points
From magnum. Cork was soft. Drank great upon opening and became more balanced after an hour. Medium weight with plenty of character.
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6/4/2018 - JazzManWine Likes this wine: 91 Points
Bought on initial release and stored in temperature controlled cellar. Did not decant. Reddish-purple with very slight brickish color. Nose and taste are similar in fruit and earthly aspects. Straightforward nose and taste. Medium body and medium length. Drink now. Will fade from here.
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5/20/2018 - fclarity wrote: 91 Points
From an excellent looking bottle purchased on release, this wine had a very deep red center and light red rims. the medium intensity nose displayed dried black cherries, plums, anise, and a hint of pepper. it also show a bit of distracting wood char. As the wine aerated, the intensity of the wood flavors declined but never fully dissapated.
In the mouth, this wine was rich and quite ripe with light rounded tannin and good length. As this description suggests, the wine's balance was excellent. The flavors were very similar to the nose except the wood element was less noticeable.
While not wildly complex, this was an attractive wine that was held back by the charred wood note. While the color suggested this wine was still an adolescent, I felt it was unlikely to improve with time in the cellar.
Drink sooner rather than later.
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3/2/2018 - COWineLover wrote: 93 Points
After a bottle in December 2017, I was worried about my remaining bottles. After tonight’s experience my faith is restored in this wine.
Allowed to slow ox about 90 minutes. Aromatically pleasing with garrigue, smoke, white pepper, and black fruits. On the palate this presents with energetic acidity, and no tannic grip. In the mid palate this picks up black fruits and smoke. Toward the finish this rotates into black pepper and an extended iron and mineral inflected finish. The finish is very persistent and extends well over 90 seconds on this bottle.
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12/13/2017 - COWineLover wrote: 86 Points
After reading AAGRAWAL's note, and not having consumed a bottle in almost 4 years I became alarmed. After tasting, I found a similar experience to AAGRAWAL.
Aromatically pleasing with garrigue, some vanilla, plum, and crushed blackberry. On the palate this has really developed fatigue. Low acidity, dusty tannins, crushed black fruits, faint iron notes, and not much else. Reminded me of a savory old Bordeaux in the sense that it has had better days, but still offers some nostalgic pleasure.
I have three more bottles which I will plan on moving through in the near term. I will be drinking up.
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11/8/2017 - aagrawal wrote: 82 Points
Coravin 11/8/17. Light ruby, less than expected bricking; nose is less aromatic than expected, fading black cherry fruit; palate is light bodied, slight bitterness, fruit has faded, leaving behind only a bit of excess acidity, tannins are overly prominent and simple; finish is short. This is different from my last bottle in 2012, seems like it is over the hill. 80-
With some air, some fruit comes out. Now more average to good, but not as good as last time. 82
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7/28/2017 - Vinomnivore Likes this wine: 94 Points
Great bottle, well balanced, lavender, white pepper. I agree with other reviewers that this felt like a very elegant CDP.
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7/13/2017 - Vinomnivore Likes this wine: 92 Points
Hit its peak roughly an hour after opening.
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4/30/2017 - Vinomnivore wrote: 91 Points
PNP: Initially tasting of sweet red fruit with a hint of spice some Cedar. Soft tannins are present, good acid.
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4/23/2017 - Happybob wrote: 93 Points
Drinking very nicely now. Opened quickly but got better over 2 hours. Most notable feature that I don't normally see as much of in a Ch d P is strong lavender, but it works well. Very nicely balanced and wonderful wine. Very good concentration, structure, finish, lovely nose and finish
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4/18/2017 - Derek Darth Taster wrote: 93 Points
CdP Night (Extra Space): Tasted blind. Drank from bottle over 3 hours.
Appearance is clear, medium intensity, ruby colour. Legs.
Nose is medium+ intensity, with aromas of bretty barnyard, elegant red florals, spice, white pepper, red cherries. Developed.
On the palate, dry, high acidity, medium+ alcohol (14%), smooth medium tannins, full body. Medium+ flavour intensity, with flavours of concentrated sweet red cherries, sweet spices, licorice, white pepper. Long finish.
Very good quality. Still full-bodied, but a lot more elegant than many other CdPs out there. Deep fruit flavour, but just lacking more layers of complexity to bring it to the next level. Drinking at peak now.
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4/17/2017 - Vinomnivore Likes this wine: 92 Points
Nice cherry fruit elements in balance with earth, tar, slight meaty favor. Drank better in the day 2 (after being vacuum sealed).
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2/14/2017 - Ncjordan Likes this wine: 92 Points
Fully open aromatically with airtime. Smooth, voluptuous, ripe rich tannins and acid balance. Just entering its "mature" phase drinking window. Very fine older school style wine.
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9/3/2016 - tacoflyer Likes this wine: 94 Points
Decanted for an hour and paired with rack of lamb. Excellent combination and this wine is drinking splendidly right now. Good earthy funk, with tar and tobacco, smooth tannins and still good acidity. Wish I had more bottles of this!
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3/8/2016 - beatles Likes this wine: 93 Points
Châteauneuf-du-Pape 1998 (Chez moi): First bottle doomed corked (from CP); not sure it was, though, took the last from my cellar - very young, more rustic than expected, the mdoern treatment not so evident tonight, sweet fruit, quite tight, things to come here. Had a case, once, sadly my last bottle, should have kept more, where did they go? 93+
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6/20/2014 - devraj Likes this wine: 93 Points
From a mag opened for lunch at a tasting. The first day this was not showing too much- nose was a tad muted with underbrush, some black fruits and licorice lurking behind. A medium bodied and rustic palate showed brisk acidity and some drying tannins.
The second day this was much much better, with camphor, incense, blue-black fruits, smoky herbs and underbrush. The palate had nicely fleshed out to reveal black cherry, licorice and whiff of pepper on the finish.
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4/21/2014 - beatles Likes this wine: 94 Points
Surprisingly young showing. A nose of barnyard tells about the locale, but the taste is full, creamy, polished and juicy as one has come to expect from this semimodern domaine. One of the most backward 98's I have tasted yet, quite similar to my impression of the 2000 of the same wine. Will keep my last remaining bottlle for library purposes although I am not sure it will improve from here ... it's wonderful now. With AD at Gentlemens Farmer, NYC
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1/27/2014 - COWineLover wrote: 91 Points
PnP. At age 15, this is a very primary wine with bright acidity and tannic backbone that is still youthful and almost rustic, though balanced. On the nose this has licorice, tar, smoke, dried herb, and spice. The nose is quite reticent, and really needs some coaxing to reveal the potential that has been asleep. On the palate, the tannins and acidity coat the palate with dark currant, licorice, pepper, some espresso, and bitter chocolate. The mid palate offers a bit of cranberry tartness that dries out, coasting into a subtle pepper finish. The acidity and tannins should hold this for many years. This feels like there is a lot of life left in the tank.
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11/20/2013 - Munch Likes this wine: 94 Points
Chateauneuf-Du Pape, The 1998 Vintage, A 15 Year Retrospective: Darkest in color of the 8 1998s with a fresh but somewhat closed earthy nose. Lighter bodied than many of the others (but lighter than Bonneaus Speciale and Secret de Sabon isn't saying much) but a nice array of dark fruit flavors. Group's #2 and my #5.
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5/10/2013 - broadband013 wrote: 88 Points
Rustique, avis divergeants, long, passe ou jeune dependant les avis
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8/29/2012 - dbg wrote:
Dark red core, lighter at the rim. Forward nose, black and ed berries, cherries, leather, earth and spice. Ripe rich fruit, blackberries, smooth lush palate feel, full bodied, good balance leaning more toward fruit than acid, mellow tannins, nice funky/earthy complexity, long sweet finish. Very similar to the last bottle 3 years ago but with a little added earthy complexity. Outstanding, should last another decade.
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8/27/2012 - Jeff Leve wrote: 93 Points
The last bottle from my case was delicious. There was sweet, ripe, black and red fruits, earth and animal scents, lush textures and a long, earthy, peppery, black cherry finish.
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6/9/2012 - MicklethePickle wrote: 84 Points
Still good ruby color. Took a little time for the fruit to appear in the nose. Then, nice ripe red fruit with a hint of garrigue. Palate much the same, but a tad too much wood to go along. Decent but Chateaneufs are not worth the price for me any more--even at the price I bought it years ago. 4-11-13-6: 84/100.
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3/15/2012 - aagrawal wrote: 91 Points
Davids & Rhone Dinner (San Francisco): Nose had just the right amount of brett, meaty, gamey; palate is still a tad on the tannic side but very approachable, simpler palate than the Pegau but has lovely peppery notes; nice balanced finish. Overall a very nice, solid CdP with good balance. 91-92
Day 2 Update: Both the nose and the palate are about the same as yesterday. While chilled, the palate had a significant bitter component that was unpleasant, but that disappeared when it got back up to serving temperature. Overall this hasn't improved, though the wine is still showing some structure and has a decent life (5 years) ahead of it assuming that the fruit doesn't fall out.
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3/2/2012 - Edclr wrote: 91 Points
Last bottle out of the case and it's time to drink...still very nice, but the bright elements are gone and it's down to the darkies...but that's not bad. Beautiful with slow cooked brisket alongside 98 Rostaing Cote Rotie Blonde.
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2/13/2012 - jonprince wrote:
Decanted for two hours and paired with black bass with mushrooms and turnips. Rich earthy nose and classic dark fruit flavors.
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12/7/2011 - Jeff Leve wrote: 92 Points
This is a rich, full bodied, voluptuous, open Chateauneuf du Pape that is drinking great today. Pepper, smoke, black raspberry jam, spice and garrigue aromas are in full force. The wine ends with a long, delicious, ripe, sweet, dark berry finish. This was the penultimate bottle from the case and every bottle has been great.
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7/24/2011 - Alex H wrote: 87 Points
Good wine with good Rhone earth and garrigue notes with funky barnyard notes. I like it. Just strikes
The right balance between parker bigness and jancis Robinson finese. This straddles Both well.
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7/16/2011 - Mingmong wrote: 90 Points
Roasted pork, eucalyptus, funky socks and herbal spices. Some rich dark red fruits, indian spices, capsicums and herbs. Still very much a baby.
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7/16/2011 - Paul S wrote: 92 Points
K & J's Wedding Dinner (Intercontinental Hotel, Singapore): Popped and poured. I thought this was a very solid bottle, just that it was a in a rather awkward, shut-down phase akin to several other 1998s I have had in the last year or two. It had a lovely CDP nose. Still very young in that it was very Grenache-led, almost primary, with notes of cherries and red berries, along with incense, dried flowers and garrigue. A bit tight, but nice and very Provencal - something that I enjoy in good CDPs. The palate was even tighter. A little unyielding on the attack, with just hints of smoke and mineral at first, but the midpalate showed just a bit of how good the wine was, with a layer of juicy, gummy cherry fruit wed to darker berry flavours as the wine moved into a nicely detailed and certainly longish finish flecked with spice, garrigue and dried flowers. Not quite traditional, but this was nevertheless a prestige cuvee from a bygone era, where top-end CDP wines were not all about power, viscosity and hedonistic fruit. The balance was great, tannins were nicely fine, the fruit was nicely focused, but this was clearly in an in-between stage. 5 more years I would think, and then it should make a very nice wine.
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6/23/2011 - d'Artagnan wrote: 90 Points
Horizontale 1998
Robe sombre, et brillante, jeune. Nez caramel, avec du fruit noir, de l’anis.
Un vin qui a clairement vu du bois, ce qui est moins mon genre. Le vin est riche, assez alcooleux, dans un style moderne. Il montre cependant une belle matière et des tanins fins. L’ensemble a besoin de temps pour que tout se mette en place. Bon potentiel, à revoir dans 4 ou 5 ans. 90 (+) pts
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11/21/2010 - markellen.foodies@gmail.com wrote: 95 Points
JULIA CHILD BYO CdP+ French Bistro Dinner Party (Icon Brickell, 465 Brickell Avenue, #3303, Miami, FL 33131): Carlos' wine(purchased from me). Decanted for 2+ hrs. For Ellen, Eddie, Carlos and I the WOTN. Complex flavorful CdP which still had good fruit.
My guess on timing was correct the last time we tried it. At a peak now. Outshone the 03 Rayas, and its 03 sibling. There were a few ounces left in the decanter the next evening, and miraculously it still drank as well as the prior evening.
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10/29/2010 - canan wrote: flawed
CH9 1998 Horisontal (MG work): Dang...
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7/27/2010 - drwine2001 wrote:
Medium deep with maturing edge. Manageable amount of VA which does not increase over time. Leather, licorice, and lavender. Middle weight, dark fruit core. Ready now and I would not push it since the fruit seems on the downward path. Good but not special.
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2/28/2010 - SevenDayMile wrote: 93 Points
No detailed notes. Brought to tasting group. Showing very well after an hour's decant and is at a nice sweet spot right now.
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1/19/2010 - michal wrote: 94 Points
great wine. very refined. drinking beautifully. still has some backbone.
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12/28/2009 - Edclr wrote: 92 Points
very soft, jammy still, even at age 11. Smoky nose, beautiful chateauneuf.
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12/26/2009 - Kevin_C wrote: 94 Points
Drank with a 1998 Fortia. Limited notes but this had a very dark color with a complex bouquet of tart fruit, deep cherry, something skunky, along with black pepper and licorice. Great concentration. Spectacular. [94-95]
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10/1/2009 - MC wrote:
A lot of similarity to last note, but I would give it 30-60 minutes in a decanter. Showing really well. A-
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8/26/2009 - dbg wrote:
Dark red core with slight lightening at rim. Forward nose with black and red berries, cherries, leather, earth and spice. Ripe rich fruit, blackberries, smooth lush palate feel, full bodied, good balance leaning more toward fruit than acid, well integrated tannins, some funky complexity, long sweet finish, excellent-outstanding, should last many years.
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5/24/2009 - MC wrote:
Over a couple of hours with dinner blind with the 98 Beaucastel and 98 Mordoree Rene des Bois, this was my #3 - but the #1 of most others at the table. It was by far the most open and advanced of the 3 thoughout the evening. Showed plenty of barnyard, and was the most expressive in every way. I just found it a bit flabby and felt by the end of dinner it was losing steam when the others were starting to really show. This is a very good wine, and fun to drink right now - but I put my money on the Beaucastel and Mordoree for the long run. A-
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5/7/2009 - Terkel wrote: 96 Points
Pre-Neuf tasting (Adam's appartment): Dark red color with slight orange rim. Barnyard, rustic nose with notes of dungheap, cow manure, raspberries, wild strawberries, sweet tobacco and exotic flowers, viols and farmyard roses. Amazingly intense yet elegant at once. Equally intense on the palate with lots of sweet fruit, raspberries and wild strawberries. It remains pure and fresh, even with the sweetness and concentration. Tobacco, rustic dust and leather, and exotic spices and flowers on the midpalate and finish. Very nuanced and great length. Perfect balance with lively acidity complete the picture and makes this sexy and stunning, while easily accessible.
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4/7/2009 - pbaek wrote:
1998 CdP tasting at Il Corso, NY. Another spoofed wine that neither I or anyone else cared for. The oak treatment is obvious. Didn't jot down much and quickly moved on to the next wine. I don't think I've ever had a Boisrenard that I liked.
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1/16/2009 - sehill wrote: 93 Points
This wine showed exceptionally well. It was decanted and poured. The bouquet shows leather, spices, black and red fruits, rocks and earth notes. The bouquet is expressive and develops with airing. The color is a dark brick red and correct for the wines age. The medium/full bodied palate shows a mature profile that retains some youthful intensity. The palate shows good texture and balance. The tannins on the finish are in balance with the wine. This wine is entering its mature stage and is drinking well now. It should continue to drink well for many years.
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12/20/2008 - MC wrote:
Had time to warm to room temperature, and I would say this is good, but not great. There is still some tannin to resolve, but I'm not sure this has the fruit of the best of them. It came accross as a bit lean, and although plenty good with food this bottle would not have kept up with the better wines from this vinatage. B+
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6/16/2008 - MC wrote:
Along side a TL VV this seemed more reserved at opening, and actually closed down after 20 min or so. Very good CDP with the fruit and structure to be great. Give this a few years. A-/A
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5/2/2008 - markellen.foodies@gmail.com wrote: 91 Points
Dinner Party (Chez Ellen, Brickell Place, 1915 Brickell Avenue, C1507, Miami, FL): Modern, more heavily extracted than the Vieux Donjon. Slight brett, more restrained, very good but not as developed as the Vieux Donjon, wait until 2010 to try again. A keeper.
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3/29/2008 - mimik wrote: 93 Points
Ottawa offline with DoktaP and Bman (Bocado's in Ottawa): Nose of pure maple syrup. Not cooked or glazed but pure maple syrup. The real kind, not the Aunt Jemima stuff. Blackcurrant and sweet dark spices. Kinda of a short finish and the palate did not measure up fully to the nose but excellent nonetheless.
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3/29/2008 - vinaigre wrote: 93 Points
Ottawa Offline: DoctaP and the MWP (Restaurant Bocado's): Decanted 3 hours.
Deep ruby red, clear edge. Nose of maple syrup, raspberries with a nice sooth and sweet mouth-feel with good body. Very chewy finish with good length.
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3/24/2008 - br wrote:
sweet leathery funk, dark cherries and pepper. silky and surprisingly light in the mouth with some of the midpalate flavors missing. nice finish of funk. held up on day 2 as more fruit came to the fore.
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1/3/2008 - Wien wrote:
Nice. Not the best example of this wine in this vintage
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12/28/2007 - drwine2001 wrote:
Medium dark ruby with minimal tawniness at the edge. Just lovely aromatics with crystallized black fruits, bitter chocolate, and a whiff of funk. Seamless, well integrated palate without evidence of oak at this point, but retaining a significant amount of structure and tannin to resolve. Serious, savory wine without any overripe elements. I really enjoyed this and was impressed with how youthful it showed. Much more satisfying than a 2000 Pegau tried last night.
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12/10/2007 - Jason wrote: 92 Points
The nose is fairly faint, but I do get some garrigue and smoke and a touch of blackberry. The palate, however, is superlative. The most unique part is the lush, round mouthfeel. I am not certain, but I wonder if this saw some new oak that is now integrated. I get plenty of black fruit and spice. The mid palate is hiding a bit, so this may get better with age.
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11/9/2007 - Terkel wrote: 96 Points
Chaupin vs. Boisrenard: Clear red, black color with a red rim - looking very youthful. Surprisingly young on the nose as well, with dark fruit, buttermilk and farm yard - almost Burgungian in style. Huge on the palate, with intense fruit, ripe cherries and black berries, spices, pepper and a hint of mint. Large structure. Some licorise and sweet tobaco kick in on the midpalate and some prunes on the finish. Very long taste, yet also very young! Beautiful and I would expect even more from this in the future - awesome.
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5/19/2007 - JBVino wrote:
consumed at Redd in Yountville...significantly better than over the hill 98 Janasse Chaupin...but expected more...a bit too overipe for my liking and not secondary flavors that I expected...going to drink more of 98s as these two have me worried
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3/28/2007 - markellen.foodies@gmail.com wrote: 93 Points
Opened and aerated through Vinturi Aerator. Slight but sweet brett, evolving black berry boquet, great palate, and lingering finish. An extraordinary wine that promises to get better. I loved it. Ellen, the hypertaster didn't care for it. (We looked to see what Jancis Robinson's, another hypertaster, view is of Chateauneuf 98's and 03's. By and large she like Ellen is not enamored of them.) All, I can say is us normal tasting wine geeks seem to love it, including perhaps the world's biggest wine collector Park B Smith.
To my mind this is = or better than any of the 98's I have had to date.
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12/16/2006 - dbkitc wrote:
(at Cru – NYC) Wow – that sums up this wine. Gorgeous, exotic nose of cinnamon spice and plum fruit with a bit of barnyard funk. This wine was the clear favorite of the group initially, though the Lagrange made a comeback toward the end of the dinner. Ripe and rich with high alcohol viscosity. A gorgeous, hedonistic wine that is drinking perfectly today. For me, a great Chateauneuf. (19)
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10/31/2006 - phenricsson wrote: 91 Points
Another slight disappointment. Fairly light looking. a touch low acidity and very powdery tannins. Good fruit but not as intense as othe bottles. Was significantly better with food but....
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2/19/2006 - thijsseg wrote: 94 Points
nose closed, after an hour bit open. Wonderfull wine, still young.
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12/1/2005 - phenricsson wrote: 92 Points
Deteriorated in the glass, Started out good but surprised how quickly it lost it’s intensity. Still very good though. Similar to last bottle. Had an ’01 at the same time and that is a much more impressive wine.
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10/31/2005 - phenricsson wrote: 93 Points
Very good wine. Not as dark as other ones we’ve had. Intense, blackberry with some mature notes starting to develop; leather, underbrush and beef-blood. Not as focused and powerful as we had expected, but long lingering aftertaste.
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