A little over the hill, but still OK. Good enough for evening drinking with wine, cheese, etc. A bit on the “thin” side, still some over-alcohol notes. Better after breathing in glass for just a few minutes.
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It's all in the eye of the beholder, isn't it, (or the palate of the taster)?! Well... I like this wine. Still have some 2013 bottles, and recently, opened one. About 5 years ago, I wanted to learn all about reds, for which I had no taste what so ever at the time. I wrote some tasting notes in 2016, however, today, I have more appreciation and understanding about reds. So... is it good? To me, it is. Some may find it a tad sweet, but truly, it is all a personal preference. It is not goowey sweet, just right for those who do not care for a very dry wine. There is not just one version of the "truth", therefore, if you like a red that is not too dry (sour, to some of us), well, you just may like this one. Did you ever try and enjoy an Amarone? Well, you just may like this one. Purchased in 2016, it was about $11 at the time. 2013 was a great year, climate wise. It is quite drinkable - the TNs are similar from my last post, but today, with years passing, and especially with some decanting, this wine is a pleasure. It has body, it has "substance" to go with heavier dishes, and to me, a delight as a sipping wine (decanted, though), so smooth, so balanced. Definitely not a sophisticated wine, but so enjoyable! For a low price, this wine would be a nice bottle to open and just enjoy, with no prejudice. It does not seem high in alcohol, therefore several glasses can be enjoyed.
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60% Merlot, 40% Corvina (info from vintner) - 14% alcohol
Opened this wine, found it a bit "sour" for my taste, and forgot about it on the counter. About 8-9 days later, I went to throw it out (because that is what the collective wisdom says here on CT), but had a taste first, out of curiosity. LOVED IT! Not sure how this "oxidation" works, but for my palate, apparently very well. So here are my notes:
• upon opening • • Interesting, pleasant nose at opening • first taste - eh - on the acidic side for me. • lovely fruity bouquet - actually enjoyed the fact that I could not tell the aromas apart. • did I detect something like smelly cheese, but in a nice way? • • after about 8-9 days of sitting on the counter, in the bottle, with a cork in • • LOVED IT! • on the nose, very “prunes compote” • so mellow, so balanced • on the palate, the acidity seems to have reduced dramatically • there is such a lovely, gentle sweetness to it • beautiful ripe dark fruits stewed into a compote with no sugar (compote of blackberry, a hint of sour cherry, prunes, couple of cherry pits) • OK - I’m stunned!
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Dark red. The nose starts out with some honey not sweet though. Then the earth and dried red fruit shows up. The flavours are all red fruit with a touch of sweetness in the finish.
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Sweet, raspberry and plum. Good tannin. Had with delicious red pasta and veal. Sweetness seems to moderate after a bit but is still dominant.
A bit sweeter than I like, not bad but wouldn't rush to buy more. My mother quite enjoyed it. Have another bottle so will give it another try at some point.
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Fleming's 100 Tasting Event 2015. Nose of earth, dark fruit, tea leaves, and dusty, forest floor, more of the same on the palate, medium body, tasty for an inexpensive red but just barely, around $14, so, you get your money's worth.
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Color: medium ruby core -> medium deep ruby rim. Forward nose of candied cherries, a little tar and rubber tires. Palate of cherries and rosewater; quite round and fruit-forward with a reasonable finish. Not exactly what I'd call complex, but what what do you want for a $10 weekday red? This was much better than the '11 Barbera I had from the same producer yesterday. Interesting and fun and certainly adequate for the price point.
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A bit jammy / low acid for my liking. Paid $10 and decent with a couple quick carry out burgers while my wife / chef is recuperating from a cold tonight.
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I thought this punched above its weight. Nice funky, earthy nose, rich fruit, not too raisiny. Popped it as the last bottle of the night not expecting much and ended up really enjoying it. Went well w/ lasagna Bolognese
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For a table wine, this is a nice quaff. It has an Amarone-like character of appassimento, but without the typical more powerful profile (or thankfully in this case, the alcohol) that is found in the substantially more expensive siblings of this wine. All in all it improved with some aeration and some time. Forward cherry with some tannins and then an appealing race of raisins across the middle palate.
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Color: dark puple. Nose: taste: sweet fruit, almost candy-like, with some chocolate. At the seventh (!) day, stored in the fridge with the vacu-vin-system: more tasting like a Medoc, with some unresolved tannins, a bit burning alcohol (14%) and a red berry-liquor-like taste. Better than the first day! What makes this wine attractive is the very nice concentration. 86-87 (first day), 87-88 (seventh day).
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Consistent with previous note. The wine features a 'sweetness' of fruit up front, backed by earthy minerality and excellent grip. Long, enjoyable finish. 90-91.
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My first sniff and taste gave me the impression of the soft approachability we get from whole cluster fermentation. Reading the back label reveals there was an addition of Amarone style mat dried grapes that increased the grapiness factor and added a touch of sweetness. It really works. This is mostly Merlot which lends decent structure and mouth feel. So, there is some concentrated close to raisiny rich sweet flavors with decent acid balance and nice supporting tannins. Really nice blueberry, mulberry and black cherry finish.
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Deep ruby color, muddy nose of red berries and smoky spice. Medium bodied with more than a touch of RS on the palate, this is going the Amarone direction but it's not really to my taste, though it is decently well made. Pleasant but without distinction.
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The colour is deep and dark reddish purple. The aroma is good; fresh and new; but not as good as the flavour, which is passionate and rich. Full bodied. The tannins are silky, and there is some acidity. This is a "baby Amarone," as they use the appassimento style, just like is used in an Amarone. 60% Merlot, plus Corvina. Overall value: 4 stars of 5. Overall impression: 87.5.
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Earthy bouquet, with lots of ripe fruit notes, smoked fig in particular. Powdery palate, bracing, balanced. Great sense of place, lovely finish. 90-91.
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11/19/2021 - gdizinno Likes this wine: 82 Points
A little over the hill, but still OK. Good enough for evening drinking with wine, cheese, etc. A bit on the “thin” side, still some over-alcohol notes. Better after breathing in glass for just a few minutes.
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6/17/2021 - Lucia Skywalker Likes this wine: 89 Points
It's all in the eye of the beholder, isn't it, (or the palate of the taster)?! Well... I like this wine. Still have some 2013 bottles, and recently, opened one. About 5 years ago, I wanted to learn all about reds, for which I had no taste what so ever at the time. I wrote some tasting notes in 2016, however, today, I have more appreciation and understanding about reds. So... is it good? To me, it is. Some may find it a tad sweet, but truly, it is all a personal preference. It is not goowey sweet, just right for those who do not care for a very dry wine. There is not just one version of the "truth", therefore, if you like a red that is not too dry (sour, to some of us), well, you just may like this one. Did you ever try and enjoy an Amarone? Well, you just may like this one. Purchased in 2016, it was about $11 at the time. 2013 was a great year, climate wise. It is quite drinkable - the TNs are similar from my last post, but today, with years passing, and especially with some decanting, this wine is a pleasure. It has body, it has "substance" to go with heavier dishes, and to me, a delight as a sipping wine (decanted, though), so smooth, so balanced. Definitely not a sophisticated wine, but so enjoyable! For a low price, this wine would be a nice bottle to open and just enjoy, with no prejudice. It does not seem high in alcohol, therefore several glasses can be enjoyed.
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3/29/2020 - Us333034 Does not like this wine: 75 Points
Too fruit forward
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8/26/2016 - candyman wrote:
on the sweet side not raisin
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5/23/2016 - Lucia Skywalker Likes this wine:
.
INTERESTING - please read.
Notes of a novice:
60% Merlot, 40% Corvina (info from vintner) - 14% alcohol
Opened this wine, found it a bit "sour" for my taste, and forgot about it on the counter. About 8-9 days later, I went to throw it out (because that is what the collective wisdom says here on CT), but had a taste first, out of curiosity. LOVED IT! Not sure how this "oxidation" works, but for my palate, apparently very well. So here are my notes:
• upon opening
•
• Interesting, pleasant nose at opening
• first taste - eh - on the acidic side for me.
• lovely fruity bouquet - actually enjoyed the fact that I could not tell the aromas apart.
• did I detect something like smelly cheese, but in a nice way?
•
• after about 8-9 days of sitting on the counter, in the bottle, with a cork in
•
• LOVED IT!
• on the nose, very “prunes compote”
• so mellow, so balanced
• on the palate, the acidity seems to have reduced dramatically
• there is such a lovely, gentle sweetness to it
• beautiful ripe dark fruits stewed into a compote with no sugar (compote of blackberry, a hint of sour cherry, prunes, couple of cherry pits)
• OK - I’m stunned!
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4/29/2016 - smpnyc wrote: 84 Points
Carmel and jam on the nose with spiced licorice and a soft finish on the palate. Drinkable and good value.
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3/21/2016 - pdev wrote: 90 Points
Dark, amarone/ripassa style wine, merlot/corvina, really well made, interesting wine at a great.
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3/7/2016 - timfrank wrote: 89 Points
Light nose. Light taste. Plum. Not sour
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3/3/2016 - pkatz Likes this wine: 89 Points
Tasty ripasso style wine.
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2/12/2016 - Jazzy Johnny wrote: 89 Points
Very smooth medium to light bodied needs to breath for 45 mins.
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1/27/2016 - wiles_family wrote:
Liked it for the price. Plan on buying some to put away
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1/16/2016 - David J Cooper wrote: 89 Points
Dark red. The nose starts out with some honey not sweet though. Then the earth and dried red fruit shows up. The flavours are all red fruit with a touch of sweetness in the finish.
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12/22/2015 - Tobacco wrote:
Sweet, raspberry and plum. Good tannin. Had with delicious red pasta and veal. Sweetness seems to moderate after a bit but is still dominant.
A bit sweeter than I like, not bad but wouldn't rush to buy more. My mother quite enjoyed it. Have another bottle so will give it another try at some point.
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12/13/2015 - RoscoeB Likes this wine: 77 Points
Nice blend. Baby amarone
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11/20/2015 - timmer57 Likes this wine: 88 Points
Yummy fruit and easy drinking- great for the price.
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10/16/2015 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 88 Points
Fleming's 100 Tasting Event 2015. Nose of earth, dark fruit, tea leaves, and dusty, forest floor, more of the same on the palate, medium body, tasty for an inexpensive red but just barely, around $14, so, you get your money's worth.
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10/1/2015 - BVal wrote: 88 Points
Color: medium ruby core -> medium deep ruby rim. Forward nose of candied cherries, a little tar and rubber tires. Palate of cherries and rosewater; quite round and fruit-forward with a reasonable finish. Not exactly what I'd call complex, but what what do you want for a $10 weekday red? This was much better than the '11 Barbera I had from the same producer yesterday. Interesting and fun and certainly adequate for the price point.
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8/28/2015 - rrboom54 Likes this wine: 87 Points
Round fruit. Perhaps preferred by those who struggle with drier wines.
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7/16/2015 - Tonythefish wrote: 87 Points
Decent Venetian mid week wine
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6/1/2015 - kmccullers wrote: 85 Points
The wine looks garnet colored. The legs are fast. There is no sediment in the bottle. Smooth fruit forward flavor
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5/19/2015 - WineMedic Likes this wine: 88 Points
Good value. young wine. needs time to develop
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5/2/2015 - Tlccorkmaster wrote:
- Medium forming legs with a medium finish - This has to be our favorite value wine. A mini Amarone-like quality. Stock up!
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5/1/2015 - Brett and Megan Likes this wine: 88 Points
Nice Amarone like notes, soft silky tannins, round red fruit, smooth mouthfeel.
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4/12/2015 - 1starfish Likes this wine: 88 Points
A good value for a baby Amarone.
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2/6/2015 - chablis28 wrote: 86 Points
A bit jammy / low acid for my liking. Paid $10 and decent with a couple quick carry out burgers while my wife / chef is recuperating from a cold tonight.
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1/23/2015 - TempranilloT wrote: 90 Points
Yummy! Deep, dark cherries with a hint of raisin. Very easy drinking. Served with grilled skirt steak with a Chinese black pepper marinade.
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1/19/2015 - Gymnvali Likes this wine:
Fantastic. Deep dark cherry. Little bit of tobacco, smoky finish.
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12/25/2014 - lifeattable Likes this wine: 90 Points
I thought this punched above its weight. Nice funky, earthy nose, rich fruit, not too raisiny. Popped it as the last bottle of the night not expecting much and ended up really enjoying it. Went well w/ lasagna Bolognese
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12/16/2014 - vino nut wrote:
Great week drink. Would be a great crowd pleaser. We weren't sharing tonight.
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12/10/2014 - vesuvius Likes this wine: 87 Points
For a table wine, this is a nice quaff. It has an Amarone-like character of appassimento, but without the typical more powerful profile (or thankfully in this case, the alcohol) that is found in the substantially more expensive siblings of this wine. All in all it improved with some aeration and some time. Forward cherry with some tannins and then an appealing race of raisins across the middle palate.
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11/24/2014 - audeyoe Likes this wine: 88 Points
Really enjoyable. VERY fruity and somewhat sweet, but still nice and tannic. Good, strong blend.
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11/2/2014 - euroyup wrote: 87 Points
Color: dark puple. Nose: taste: sweet fruit, almost candy-like, with some chocolate. At the seventh (!) day, stored in the fridge with the vacu-vin-system: more tasting like a Medoc, with some unresolved tannins, a bit burning alcohol (14%) and a red berry-liquor-like taste. Better than the first day! What makes this wine attractive is the very nice concentration. 86-87 (first day), 87-88 (seventh day).
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11/2/2014 - Motz wrote: 90 Points
Consistent with previous note. The wine features a 'sweetness' of fruit up front, backed by earthy minerality and excellent grip. Long, enjoyable finish. 90-91.
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10/11/2014 - Mike Kopanski wrote: 89 Points
My first sniff and taste gave me the impression of the soft approachability we get from whole cluster fermentation. Reading the back label reveals there was an addition of Amarone style mat dried grapes that increased the grapiness factor and added a touch of sweetness. It really works. This is mostly Merlot which lends decent structure and mouth feel. So, there is some concentrated close to raisiny rich sweet flavors with decent acid balance and nice supporting tannins. Really nice blueberry, mulberry and black cherry finish.
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10/11/2014 - dougsmith Does not like this wine: 86 Points
Deep ruby color, muddy nose of red berries and smoky spice. Medium bodied with more than a touch of RS on the palate, this is going the Amarone direction but it's not really to my taste, though it is decently well made. Pleasant but without distinction.
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10/7/2014 - Ombibulous Likes this wine: 87 Points
The colour is deep and dark reddish purple. The aroma is good; fresh and new; but not as good as the flavour, which is passionate and rich. Full bodied. The tannins are silky, and there is some acidity. This is a "baby Amarone," as they use the appassimento style, just like is used in an Amarone. 60% Merlot, plus Corvina. Overall value: 4 stars of 5. Overall impression: 87.5.
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8/1/2014 - Motz wrote: 90 Points
Earthy bouquet, with lots of ripe fruit notes, smoked fig in particular. Powdery palate, bracing, balanced. Great sense of place, lovely finish. 90-91.
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