Monthly Tasting Group: Spain (Rincon 38, Mpls, MN): Very dark red color. PNP, drank a small pour over an hour plus. Big, ripe and juicy, blackberry liqueur, seemed a bit much and the alcohol was blowsy. 87ish pts.
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This wine has aged beautifully and has depth and broad character. The nose has notes of forest floor, tobacco and slight hint of leather. Dark fruit with fullness, smooth tannins and a nice finish. I was worried it might be past it’s peak but it’s not. Just lovely, glad I have a few more in my cellar!
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JD Friday Wine Group - ED host (City Club, FW): Served blind - this was my second favorite of the night. The purity of fruit and lasting finish on this wine were amazing. It had a nose of bright red fruit - cherries, raspberries - nice, but integrated tannins, which helped it hold up to the steak. A beautiful red color in the glass, with nice clarity. Some cherry medicinal flavors as it opened up. This one was really tasty. I called a grenache heavy CDP, so I was in the arena, but I thought it was younger.
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Really enjoyed this bottle. This wine is singing right now. I got more than enough deep red fruit, but a lot of baking spices, some chocolate brownie notes... also a bit of a leathery note on the end. Wonderful with food but probably enjoyed most on its own where all of the subtler notes can be tasted. Excellent QPR as well.
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I'm purposefully avoiding a rating, but if I were to give one, it would be an 88, and that only after 1-2 hours of decant. (84 upon PnP.) Why? Flavors in this bottle were mostly devoid of fruit, and what was there I'd describe as prune with a heavy dose of raw olive. The primary fruits have diminished, but the wine is far from a secondary peak. Today, the flavors are earthy, dry, heavy. In terms of pairings, I'd say best with lean red meat, like filet mignon or lean Texas brisket barbecue. I have one bottle left from a half-case and will probably drink it rather than gamble on another 5-10 years of cellaring.
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Delicious! Pleasant cherry and cigar box aromas are followed by a complex, mature wine that drinks easily and finishes with a pleasant tannic grip. Alas, it was my last bottle.
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similar notes to the previous bottle 6 months ago, though slightly better. this one held up ok across two nights. still pleasant. time to drink up. no reason to wait
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This bottle was past its prime and on its way downhill. That being said it was still a nice wine. Muted dark fruits with a smoky, dusty and mushroom flavor. Finish is medium with a dry but smooth tannin finish.
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Based on this bottle, wine has mellowed quite a bit. Still flavors of cherry, blue fruits and baking spices, although not sure it will evolve beyond now and the 2023 drinking end date may be a bit generous. Decanted, no sediment. Seems to peak roughly 30 minutes after being decanted. Not bad, but also not as complex or interesting as it once was. Still have a few bottles on hand, will be interesting to see if it’s bottle variation at this point or if the wine is truly on its downhill.
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Medium ruby and the color around the rim has just started to fade. Intense aromas of gingerbread spices, blueberry, cherry and a hint of evergreen. The medium+ acid and softly-texture palate shows juicy cherry and tart cranberry sauce. Light, elegant, almost Pinot-like. Smells more interesting than it tastes.
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Finally - after more tham 13 years - it reached its peak. According to Coates Law, one can expect a correct drinking window as from 2018 to 2031 (13 years to reach the peak, will hold peak for another 13 years). Excellent qualities, wonderful fruit, spices, round, deep, long - a great Garnacha Wine from 50 to 80 years old vines. Best for me in the big Burgundy Glass.
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Dark garnet with very mild bricking at rim - moderate staining of tears. Medium(+) aromas of red and black fruit - cherry and blackberries with secondary aromas of clay/ mushrooms. Medium(+) palate more red fruit now. Medium(+) fine and well integrated tannins with medium(+) acidity. High alcohol on the palate but not disjointed. Minimal oak on nose and palate. The high alcohol and red fruit profile suggest Grenache but the darker color and the pigmentation which holds up with age suggest against this. Likely would guess Old World and best guess would prob have been southern Rhone. This got better on day #2 which is saying something considering its 13 yrs old. Very nice
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Inky, deep purple color in the glass. Nose of intense boysenberry preserves with hints of candied sugar, cedar, and tobacco. Tastes of blackberry with a slight sour cherry backend. Very nice fruit with an amazingly tannic bite for a 13 year old wine. Should hold up well for many more years to come.
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Decanted and run through a Venturi. Well balanced after a good amount of air. Cherry, strawberry, violets, vanilla, cocoa, leather, and cinnamon. Should continue to evolve with time.
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Inky color. Good balance, with tannins beginning to soften. After a couple of hours it started to give a hint of violets on the nose. Could wait a few more years or decant and drink.
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Clear medium ruby. Good fruit purity, boasting bright raspberry and strawberry backed by a hint of citrus. Medium acidity and soft tannins. Well integrated oak and a peek of spice on the finish. Flavorful expression of Grenache if a tad one dimensional. I'm not sure if it's worth the $30 tariff.
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We purchased three bottles. We enjoyed the first bottle a while ago, did not enjoy the second a few months ago, and once again we enjoyed the third bottle just this week. It's not bad, but we feel that we overpaid for the quality.
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Inky heaviness. Cherry, blackberry, black pepper. The finish, of moderate length, pulls in some assorted red fruit. I've had several bottles and still think this is leaning on the younger side.
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Raisiny smell and blueberry jam, licorice and bacon taste. And yet somehow not over the top. Plenty to think about and enjoy. Nice now but will be even better if it gets more restrained over time.
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This wine is Spain's claim to make a distinctive Grenache that is as great as any other in the world. Just short of opaque black, with delicious aromas of blackberry and black cherry, plus a mouth entry that is as sumptuous, silky, and weightlessly billowy as a goose down pillow. The fruit, acid, and tannin are all now exquisitely rich and rounded. Overall, a wine that breaks on through a ceiling door to another side.
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Getting better with time. After open air, dark currant, spices. Full flavor and smooth finish. Again, high abv undetectable. If you have bottles, these should be better in '17 through '20 at least.
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Mancuso...... It's got some serious cuso, man!.....deep deeper deepest Purple violet...legs are slow to release...aroma exudes from glass, Very ripe bing cherry...Godiva chocolate box...licorice... Flavor is cherry, blackberry raspberry, chocolate....really delicious... Tannins are there but nice... It's a wine to sit down with and get to know...persistent finish that is a late round contender!..
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A nice medium-to-full bodied garnacha, hiding its alcohol well, but not in the league of Alto Moncayo, and probably not worth the $30 I spent on it. Still seems to have a lot of life left, so I'll hold next bottle a few years.
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Medium dull red with a little refractiveness deep inside. Blueberries and spicy wood on the nose, which has real depth. Blueberries and oak notes. Very pleasant.
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This wine is SO well-balanced and is drinking superbly right now. Please give it time, either in the glass or decanter, and it will reward you handsomely. Got it off WTSO for $30 I think and it's worth every penny. Do yourself a favor. Like prior entries it goes well with a nice steak. I paired it with a grilled flat iron marinated in balsamic, olive oil, and basil, rosemary, oregano, and parsley.
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A strong candidate for the best Grenache from Spain and an excellent value, that could go toe-to-toe with more expensive Grenache from the southern Rhone Valley in France. Firm tannins, bright acidity, and delicious fruit, all balanced at a high level of concentration. Superb by itself and with food.
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Deep, brooding ruby-garnet, tainted legs @14.5% abv. Medium aromas of bluekberry marmalade, garrigue, underbrush, licorice, cinnamon, leather, cocoa. Dry, medium-medium(+) acidity, medium-medium(+) integrated tannin, full body and high alcohol. Medium flavors of blueberries, bayleave, sour cherry note (due to adequate acidity) oak, dark chocolate, white pepper notes. Elegant on the palate, almost light-footed texture, good balance. Good length with solid finish, bitter sweet notes, and slightly puckering tannins. It does well with grilled red meats. Decant. Drink or keep.
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No serious review this time... Drank it while watching the Houston Rockets complete their incredible comeback against the LA Clippers to win game 7. Somehow it just tasted better.
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This is a big frit and heavy wine with a bit of strong earthy bite. The finish has a heavy tannin and big full mouth. Give this wine some more serious time in bottle to develop. Very good now but I expect even better in a few years.
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What a pleasant surprise! Deep ruby color, black cherries, well-rounded, full-bodied grenache, medium finish. Tremendous value considering the quality and depth of this wine.
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Aromatic nose of black raspberry, menthol, licorice, vanilla and graphite pencil. This is drinking well upon opening. Velvety and fruit forward. Not sure if it will improve but it should hold at its drinking plateau for at least 5 years. Would buy more if available.
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This wine is medium in body and has aromas of strawberry, cherry, and stone. The texture is unique with some green powder and dark streaks which open up over time. Full bodied, it breathes well.
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I don't know where the 96 points came from, but this is still pretty solid. Oak is fairly dominant as expected though with a couple of hours in the decanter, red fruit comes through as well. The palatte is not quite as broad and the finish not as long as I would have liked, but the overall balance of the wine puts it at a 90 for me. Drank as a standalone -- might be better with food.
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This is a soft elegant wine from start to finish. It offers a near perfect balance of fresh black fruit and fully integrated soulful tannin. Elegant yet approachable. The aroma leads to anticipated taste with lingering finish. I'm just glad I have another bottle but wish I had more.
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Delicious. Big and round. Great mouth feel. Black cherry. Lots of black cherry. A tad too acidic, but I'm getting nitpicky. Enjoy this wine now, but don't hesitate to hold off and let age mellow it out a bit.
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Appearance: inky purple cast, medium clarity, medium legs. Decant + 30 minutes: nose of blackberry with hints of liquorice, violets, graphite, and smoke. Attack of blackberry, pencil shavings, plum. Amazing fruit given age of wine. Acid still refreshingly bright. Tannins still have plenty of grip. Mouth feel: comes on velvety, then tannins grip about 20 sec. in. Acid and EtOH in balance. the tannins release a bit about a minute in, yielding to a long, balanced finish. Drinking window: now - 2024. Overall: I don't quite see the RP 96 rating, but it is very, very good. nine years old, but still young! This will improve over the next decade +!
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11/12/2023 - rocknroller wrote:
Monthly Tasting Group: Spain (Rincon 38, Mpls, MN): Very dark red color. PNP, drank a small pour over an hour plus. Big, ripe and juicy, blackberry liqueur, seemed a bit much and the alcohol was blowsy. 87ish pts.
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9/8/2023 - vinodolphin wrote: 88 Points
Very nice on day one. Even though vacuum sealed, it didn't hold up well for 24 hours.
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3/3/2023 - JDHIRES Likes this wine: 94 Points
This wine has aged beautifully and has depth and broad character. The nose has notes of forest floor, tobacco and slight hint of leather. Dark fruit with fullness, smooth tannins and a nice finish. I was worried it might be past it’s peak but it’s not. Just lovely, glad I have a few more in my cellar!
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2/4/2023 - Gregmonroe wrote:
JD Friday Wine Group - ED host (City Club, FW): Served blind - this was my second favorite of the night. The purity of fruit and lasting finish on this wine were amazing. It had a nose of bright red fruit - cherries, raspberries - nice, but integrated tannins, which helped it hold up to the steak. A beautiful red color in the glass, with nice clarity. Some cherry medicinal flavors as it opened up. This one was really tasty. I called a grenache heavy CDP, so I was in the arena, but I thought it was younger.
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10/21/2022 - knorthrip Likes this wine: 90 Points
This one is starting to fade.
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8/1/2022 - yurcek wrote: flawed
The cork was dry and only some of it came in pieces. The wine did not improve after 3 hours of decanting.
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7/20/2022 - Vino921 wrote: 88 Points
Was okay but had a prune-like taste to it making me think that this is starting its descent...
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2/26/2022 - YuriyG Likes this wine: 93 Points
Really enjoyed this bottle. This wine is singing right now. I got more than enough deep red fruit, but a lot of baking spices, some chocolate brownie notes... also a bit of a leathery note on the end. Wonderful with food but probably enjoyed most on its own where all of the subtler notes can be tasted. Excellent QPR as well.
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1/26/2022 - Montesquieu wrote:
I'm purposefully avoiding a rating, but if I were to give one, it would be an 88, and that only after 1-2 hours of decant. (84 upon PnP.) Why? Flavors in this bottle were mostly devoid of fruit, and what was there I'd describe as prune with a heavy dose of raw olive. The primary fruits have diminished, but the wine is far from a secondary peak. Today, the flavors are earthy, dry, heavy. In terms of pairings, I'd say best with lean red meat, like filet mignon or lean Texas brisket barbecue. I have one bottle left from a half-case and will probably drink it rather than gamble on another 5-10 years of cellaring.
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5/20/2021 - Mossrose Likes this wine: 94 Points
Delicious! Pleasant cherry and cigar box aromas are followed by a complex, mature wine that drinks easily and finishes with a pleasant tannic grip. Alas, it was my last bottle.
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12/25/2020 - K&J Likes this wine: 94 Points
While an outstanding wine, I think the fruit it starting to drop slightly. Could be a signal that it is nearing the end of its drink window.
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12/6/2020 - samsneed wrote:
wine was flat, nothing really going on. Maybe I was off but I didn't care for it. One glass and the rest went down the drain.
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6/7/2020 - idonotlikeliver Likes this wine: 89 Points
similar notes to the previous bottle 6 months ago, though slightly better. this one held up ok across two nights. still pleasant. time to drink up. no reason to wait
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5/26/2020 - rojoloco Likes this wine: 91 Points
Tannins mostly resolved. Just a little in the background
A perfectly pleasant wine. Drinking nicely now. Drank an hour after opening.
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4/20/2020 - wtianseter wrote: 89 Points
This bottle was past its prime and on its way downhill. That being said it was still a nice wine. Muted dark fruits with a smoky, dusty and mushroom flavor. Finish is medium with a dry but smooth tannin finish.
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1/3/2020 - idonotlikeliver Likes this wine: 88 Points
Based on this bottle, wine has mellowed quite a bit. Still flavors of cherry, blue fruits and baking spices, although not sure it will evolve beyond now and the 2023 drinking end date may be a bit generous. Decanted, no sediment. Seems to peak roughly 30 minutes after being decanted. Not bad, but also not as complex or interesting as it once was. Still have a few bottles on hand, will be interesting to see if it’s bottle variation at this point or if the wine is truly on its downhill.
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12/26/2019 - DavidWong168 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Medium ruby and the color around the rim has just started to fade. Intense aromas of gingerbread spices, blueberry, cherry and a hint of evergreen. The medium+ acid and softly-texture palate shows juicy cherry and tart cranberry sauce. Light, elegant, almost Pinot-like.
Smells more interesting than it tastes.
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11/23/2019 - 1961Vintage Likes this wine: 93 Points
Continues to be a ptq favorite. Another strong showing.
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11/16/2019 - Pjzlotnik Likes this wine: 91 Points
needs aeration about 1 hour and lasted a few days with vacuvin. bold dark barryb fruit with pleasant nose
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9/7/2019 - asteff Likes this wine: 91 Points
Nice mix of red and blue berries. Higher acidity and freshness. A faint kiss of Brett.
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8/5/2019 - Momus99 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Didn't take detailed notes but really drinking quite well (well-integrated but without any signs of age) after about 3h decant.
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7/2/2019 - vincemcd61 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very nice wine had with Orecchiette with Sausage Chickpeas and Mint from Food and Wine magazine. Delicious.
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5/23/2019 - maxima wrote: 89 Points
Beau fruit avec pas mal d'épices.
Des tanins bien enrobés sur une finale assez longue.
Très bien.
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3/21/2019 - vincemcd61 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Wonderful paired very well with chicken curry
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3/15/2019 - FrancoF wrote: 93 Points
Finally - after more tham 13 years - it reached its peak. According to Coates Law, one can expect a correct drinking window as from 2018 to 2031 (13 years to reach the peak, will hold peak for another 13 years). Excellent qualities, wonderful fruit, spices, round, deep, long - a great Garnacha Wine from 50 to 80 years old vines. Best for me in the big Burgundy Glass.
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3/7/2019 - vandal16 wrote: 91 Points
Blackberry and Leather. Organic and brambly aromas. Smooth tannins.
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10/28/2018 - Quarked wrote:
Saw no obvious seepage, but this bottle was really dead -- perhaps corked, perhaps just past its prime.
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10/19/2018 - dsamuel Likes this wine: 91 Points
Dark garnet with very mild bricking at rim - moderate staining of tears. Medium(+) aromas of red and black fruit - cherry and blackberries with secondary aromas of clay/ mushrooms. Medium(+) palate more red fruit now. Medium(+) fine and well integrated tannins with medium(+) acidity. High alcohol on the palate but not disjointed. Minimal oak on nose and palate. The high alcohol and red fruit profile suggest Grenache but the darker color and the pigmentation which holds up with age suggest against this. Likely would guess Old World and best guess would prob have been southern Rhone. This got better on day #2 which is saying something considering its 13 yrs old. Very nice
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9/11/2018 - kronfeld Likes this wine: 90 Points
This has settled in and come into balance. Not as extravagant as two years ago but still lots to enjoy.
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8/23/2018 - K-Web24 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Inky, deep purple color in the glass. Nose of intense boysenberry preserves with hints of candied sugar, cedar, and tobacco. Tastes of blackberry with a slight sour cherry backend. Very nice fruit with an amazingly tannic bite for a 13 year old wine. Should hold up well for many more years to come.
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7/17/2018 - yurcek wrote:
Decant aerate for 2 hours
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5/5/2018 - JHolthaus wrote: 87 Points
Little tight when first opened but after opening up for 90 mins was very good.
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4/29/2018 - knorthrip Likes this wine: 91 Points
Decanted and run through a Venturi. Well balanced after a good amount of air. Cherry, strawberry, violets, vanilla, cocoa, leather, and cinnamon. Should continue to evolve with time.
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4/18/2018 - anstruletz Likes this wine: 90 Points
Inky color. Good balance, with tannins beginning to soften. After a couple of hours it started to give a hint of violets on the nose. Could wait a few more years or decant and drink.
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2/14/2018 - TGLeroy wrote: 90 Points
This could go a number of years longer, but drinking well now.
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1/22/2018 - jmcmchi Likes this wine: 90 Points
Mature grenache, spice is refined more than assertive, acidity and tannins coming together nicely; maybe a couple of years more before a decline
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9/4/2017 - Castle Peak wrote: 88 Points
Big, tannic, dark and musty. Not my preferred style, but interesting.
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7/23/2017 - tabrand Likes this wine: 90 Points
Really opened up nicely after a day or two... Could use another year or two
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5/13/2017 - DavidWong168 Likes this wine: 88 Points
Clear medium ruby. Good fruit purity, boasting bright raspberry and strawberry backed by a hint of citrus. Medium acidity and soft tannins. Well integrated oak and a peek of spice on the finish. Flavorful expression of Grenache if a tad one dimensional. I'm not sure if it's worth the $30 tariff.
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4/27/2017 - gkarlsson wrote: 80 Points
We purchased three bottles. We enjoyed the first bottle a while ago, did not enjoy the second a few months ago, and once again we enjoyed the third bottle just this week. It's not bad, but we feel that we overpaid for the quality.
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4/9/2017 - jmcmchi wrote: 89 Points
Attractive dark aromas with a hint of spice
Initial impression of heat never totally fades, big fruit and tannins well melded.
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3/29/2017 - gkarlsson wrote: 80 Points
This wine underwhelmed us, especially for the price. It seemed nice, but rather forgettable. Perhaps it simply had aged too long.
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2/25/2017 - bklynfoodie Likes this wine: 93 Points
This already great wine keeps getting better with age. The espresso seems a bit more pronounced at this stage. Excellent QPR.
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2/12/2017 - K&J Likes this wine: 94 Points
Probably one of the best Granachas out there! Full bodied and fruit filled.
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1/20/2017 - CameronSumpter Likes this wine: 89 Points
Inky heaviness. Cherry, blackberry, black pepper. The finish, of moderate length, pulls in some assorted red fruit. I've had several bottles and still think this is leaning on the younger side.
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1/14/2017 - vincemcd61 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Decanted for 2+ hours. Had with morrocan medley meatballs
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11/30/2016 - gkarlsson Likes this wine: 89 Points
It is a very fruity, smooth wine with a light bouquet. Hints of blackberry and pepper. We drank it with Baked Ziti with Meatballs.
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10/14/2016 - kronfeld Likes this wine: 89 Points
Raisiny smell and blueberry jam, licorice and bacon taste. And yet somehow not over the top. Plenty to think about and enjoy. Nice now but will be even better if it gets more restrained over time.
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7/5/2016 - Mossrose wrote: 95 Points
This wine is Spain's claim to make a distinctive Grenache that is as great as any other in the world. Just short of opaque black, with delicious aromas of blackberry and black cherry, plus a mouth entry that is as sumptuous, silky, and weightlessly billowy as a goose down pillow. The fruit, acid, and tannin are all now exquisitely rich and rounded. Overall, a wine that breaks on through a ceiling door to another side.
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6/24/2016 - mrmikemtr wrote: 90 Points
Getting better with time. After open air, dark currant, spices. Full flavor and smooth finish. Again, high abv undetectable. If you have bottles, these should be better in '17 through '20 at least.
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4/16/2016 - MikeinDC Likes this wine: 94 Points
Amazingly smooth and delicious. Drinking well now with a bit of decanting
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4/13/2016 - KJD45$ Likes this wine: 93 Points
Mancuso...... It's got some serious cuso, man!.....deep deeper deepest
Purple violet...legs are slow to release...aroma exudes from glass,
Very ripe bing cherry...Godiva chocolate box...licorice...
Flavor is cherry, blackberry raspberry, chocolate....really delicious...
Tannins are there but nice... It's a wine to sit down with and get to know...persistent finish that is a late round contender!..
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1/24/2016 - Momus99 wrote: 91 Points
Still very very youthful. Has real depth and structure but doesn't really start to sing unti about an hour of air time.
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1/24/2016 - duckywine wrote: 91 Points
Notes of blackberry, red fruit, medium acidity, full bodied. Decant 2 hours before drinking. Can be laid down a few more years.
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1/23/2016 - Quarked wrote: 90 Points
A nice medium-to-full bodied garnacha, hiding its alcohol well, but not in the league of Alto Moncayo, and probably not worth the $30 I spent on it. Still seems to have a lot of life left, so I'll hold next bottle a few years.
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1/1/2016 - mrmikemtr Likes this wine: 89 Points
A medium red. High abv but so smooth it is undetectable. Disappointed can't pick up more flavor but this paired well with a filet.
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12/29/2015 - duckywine wrote: 64 Points
Has turned into vinegar. Drink now, hope your bottles turn out ok.
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12/25/2015 - TexasBob Likes this wine: 89 Points
Medium dull red with a little refractiveness deep inside. Blueberries and spicy wood on the nose, which has real depth. Blueberries and oak notes. Very pleasant.
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10/24/2015 - Jack howland Likes this wine: 93 Points
This wine is SO well-balanced and is drinking superbly right now. Please give it time, either in the glass or decanter, and it will reward you handsomely. Got it off WTSO for $30 I think and it's worth every penny. Do yourself a favor. Like prior entries it goes well with a nice steak. I paired it with a grilled flat iron marinated in balsamic, olive oil, and basil, rosemary, oregano, and parsley.
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10/17/2015 - bklynfoodie Likes this wine: 92 Points
Full bodied, firm tannins, bright acidity
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8/11/2015 - Mossrose wrote: 94 Points
A strong candidate for the best Grenache from Spain and an excellent value, that could go toe-to-toe with more expensive Grenache from the southern Rhone Valley in France. Firm tannins, bright acidity, and delicious fruit, all balanced at a high level of concentration. Superb by itself and with food.
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8/7/2015 - mrmikemtr wrote: 88 Points
Ok. Decanted 2 hours and still rough not much flavor at the onset but finishes neutral.
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7/26/2015 - Barolo Raymond Likes this wine: 91 Points
Deep, brooding ruby-garnet, tainted legs @14.5% abv. Medium aromas of bluekberry marmalade, garrigue, underbrush, licorice, cinnamon, leather, cocoa. Dry, medium-medium(+) acidity, medium-medium(+) integrated tannin, full body and high alcohol. Medium flavors of blueberries, bayleave, sour cherry note (due to adequate acidity) oak, dark chocolate, white pepper notes. Elegant on the palate, almost light-footed texture, good balance. Good length with solid finish, bitter sweet notes, and slightly puckering tannins. It does well with grilled red meats. Decant. Drink or keep.
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5/20/2015 - Humblewineguy wrote: 92 Points
No serious review this time... Drank it while watching the Houston Rockets complete their incredible comeback against the LA Clippers to win game 7. Somehow it just tasted better.
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4/6/2015 - wtianseter wrote: 89 Points
This is a big frit and heavy wine with a bit of strong earthy bite. The finish has a heavy tannin and big full mouth. Give this wine some more serious time in bottle to develop. Very good now but I expect even better in a few years.
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4/5/2015 - CAP Likes this wine: 91 Points
excellent wine. Great body and mouthfeel. Strong fruit and solid finish. Delicious.
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3/19/2015 - bklynfoodie Likes this wine: 92 Points
Full-bodied. Black raspberry and cherries, well-rounded, silky, and a long finish. Impressive for the price.
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3/15/2015 - alsatl wrote: 92 Points
Really opened up after an hour of decanting. Great wine for the price.
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3/2/2015 - colowino Likes this wine: 94 Points
What a pleasant surprise! Deep ruby color, black cherries, well-rounded, full-bodied grenache, medium finish. Tremendous value considering the quality and depth of this wine.
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2/22/2015 - auhead Likes this wine: 92 Points
Aromatic nose of black raspberry, menthol, licorice, vanilla and graphite pencil. This is drinking well upon opening. Velvety and fruit forward. Not sure if it will improve but it should hold at its drinking plateau for at least 5 years. Would buy more if available.
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2/20/2015 - broadband013 wrote:
vin puissant.
nez de café torrefié, de cigare, de vanille.
gout tres prononcé de vanille, ca m'étonne pas que Parker aime...
le genre de vins moderne que je n'aime pas, mais qui reste tres bien fait, sais pas comment le noter...
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1/13/2015 - wdlohr wrote: 91 Points
This wine is medium in body and has aromas of strawberry, cherry, and stone. The texture is unique with some green powder and dark streaks which open up over time. Full bodied, it breathes well.
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1/7/2015 - THF49 Likes this wine: 92 Points
beautiful fruit forward Grenache, smooth with spice and oak, long finish with deep tannins;
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11/6/2014 - Russfeit wrote: 90 Points
I don't know where the 96 points came from, but this is still pretty solid. Oak is fairly dominant as expected though with a couple of hours in the decanter, red fruit comes through as well. The palatte is not quite as broad and the finish not as long as I would have liked, but the overall balance of the wine puts it at a 90 for me. Drank as a standalone -- might be better with food.
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10/26/2014 - ELSandIF Likes this wine: 93 Points
after breathing fir a bit opened up nicely. nose of black cherries and bacon
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10/17/2014 - Momus99 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Opened up in glass after about 20-30min. Needs long decant (1h or more) next time.
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9/27/2014 - wdlohr wrote: 93 Points
This is a soft elegant wine from start to finish. It offers a near perfect balance of fresh black fruit and fully integrated soulful tannin. Elegant yet approachable. The aroma leads to anticipated taste with lingering finish. I'm just glad I have another bottle but wish I had more.
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7/26/2014 - wdlohr wrote: 89 Points
Soft velvet taste with fruit aroma, taste is balanced by powdery tannin
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7/21/2014 - TGOT Likes this wine: 96 Points
Delicious. Big and round. Great mouth feel. Black cherry. Lots of black cherry. A tad too acidic, but I'm getting nitpicky. Enjoy this wine now, but don't hesitate to hold off and let age mellow it out a bit.
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3/20/2014 - PostOakBluffer Likes this wine: 92 Points
Appearance: inky purple cast, medium clarity, medium legs.
Decant + 30 minutes: nose of blackberry with hints of liquorice, violets, graphite, and smoke.
Attack of blackberry, pencil shavings, plum. Amazing fruit given age of wine. Acid still refreshingly bright. Tannins still have plenty of grip.
Mouth feel: comes on velvety, then tannins grip about 20 sec. in. Acid and EtOH in balance. the tannins release a bit about a minute in, yielding to a long, balanced finish.
Drinking window: now - 2024.
Overall: I don't quite see the RP 96 rating, but it is very, very good. nine years old, but still young! This will improve over the next decade +!
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