Full, deep garnet color. Really nice, Cab Franc-influenced secondary notes on the nose- mesquite smoke, dried lavender & herbs, with notes of red currant and saddle leather. Medium-bodied and supple texture on the palate, showing pure red fruit with secondary earth, floral and leather notes. Mid-palate is elegant but not lacking. Medium acidity, and fine open-knit tannin. Finishes dry with lingering red fruit and spice notes. Right-bank-style blend, the Cab Franc only accounts for 19% of the wine, but steals the show. This is drinking like a good Chinon from a ripe vintage.
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Much better after a year in bottle. Nose is intoxicating...begins with rich fruit, finishes almost candied. Good texture. Good fruit with enough tannin to make food paiting easy.
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The rating is influenced by the QPR. If this wine was $75+ I would be disappointed but for less than $30 it is a bargain. Really enjoyed. Light to medium body.
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Couldn't resist opening one. Way too early. Fairly shut down initially, despite a 45 minute decant. Not giving up much fruit at this juncture and fairly tannic as well. You can taste the potential, though.
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Cinnamon and spice on the nose, violets, red fruits, some oak showing. Tight on the palate (in a good way), really showing off its cab-franc-y-ness. Needs a couple more years to come around. Say taste again in 2?
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6/10/2021 - ClaytonDave Likes this wine: 91 Points
Ready now; soft tannins; red fruit and plum on the palate. Good value.
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3/23/2021 - kmtama wrote: 91 Points
Ready to drink. Smooth. Paired nicely with the filet but had depth and maybe a little pepper
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11/11/2020 - ClaytonDave Likes this wine: 91 Points
Ready, but still vibrant. Cab franc definitely evident. Dry, with notable dark cherry on palate.
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7/23/2016 - MattMauldin wrote: 91 Points
Full, deep garnet color. Really nice, Cab Franc-influenced secondary notes on the nose- mesquite smoke, dried lavender & herbs, with notes of red currant and saddle leather. Medium-bodied and supple texture on the palate, showing pure red fruit with secondary earth, floral and leather notes. Mid-palate is elegant but not lacking. Medium acidity, and fine open-knit tannin. Finishes dry with lingering red fruit and spice notes. Right-bank-style blend, the Cab Franc only accounts for 19% of the wine, but steals the show. This is drinking like a good Chinon from a ripe vintage.
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3/8/2016 - The Wine Write Likes this wine: 90 Points
Much better after a year in bottle. Nose is intoxicating...begins with rich fruit, finishes almost candied. Good texture. Good fruit with enough tannin to make food paiting easy.
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12/16/2015 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
Rich in the mid palate, rather quite tasty now. Still coming!
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6/19/2015 - MikeATL wrote: flawed
Georgeous until TCA overwhelmed the delightfully pure fruit.
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3/31/2015 - jaxpaj wrote: 92 Points
The rating is influenced by the QPR. If this wine was $75+ I would be disappointed but for less than $30 it is a bargain. Really enjoyed. Light to medium body.
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1/6/2015 - The Wine Write wrote: 88 Points
Couldn't resist opening one. Way too early. Fairly shut down initially, despite a 45 minute decant. Not giving up much fruit at this juncture and fairly tannic as well. You can taste the potential, though.
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11/24/2014 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
Moving into the pocket with dark cherry fruit and hints of mocha.
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10/7/2014 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
Cinnamon and spice on the nose, violets, red fruits, some oak showing. Tight on the palate (in a good way), really showing off its cab-franc-y-ness. Needs a couple more years to come around. Say taste again in 2?
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6/20/2014 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
Powerful and gutsy off the cork pull.
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4/28/2014 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
Big, full and rich with structure. Meaning this is rather outstanding Sonoma (Chalk Hill, I know), cabernet.
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