visual: ruby with orange-brown tones. sedimemt. appears aged. nose: lovage replaced over time by dark berries, cassis, leaves, pencil palate: surprisingly fresh, high in acidity, sweetness, lack of specific fruits alcoholic, smooth tannins
an ok wine, but hmmm… left me puzzled. maybe the lillies next to me interfered. think I‘m too late, first bottle of that case. not the smartest buy - may end up as a sauce bolognese… but nice label at least :-)
temp 16-18°, no food pairing, popped & poured
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The wine looks brick colored. The legs are slow. There is moderate sediment in the bottle. It smells like black currant (cassis) and prune. It tastes like clove, nutmeg, walnut and prune. The body is full. The wine has silky texture. The wine finishes long. The wine has medium acidity.
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Vibrant in more than one way. In the bright red colour and its expressive fruit, from intense red berries to deep black plums. The ample acidity is nicely integrated, combining with earthy, spicy notes. This merlot does not give a heavy impression, but keeps it light, joyful and young. No tiring in this 2011 vintage yet. Brilliant.
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Margot's bottle. 100% Merlot. Bright cherry and red plum fruit on the palate with Vit B6 minerality that got stronger on the nose and palate with air. Much more acidity than the '08, and the finish had a medicinal note that reminded me of a Piedmontese Chinato. Tannins clamped down hard after an hour in the bottle. Try again in 2023.
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I cracked one of these bottles beginning of December 2019 and noticed that although the acidity was still good and maintained nice tannin structure, the fruit was falling hard. It was perfect that i consumed both of my bottles sooner than later, as the character was still mostly intact. I definitely wouldn't hold much longer then this year 2020. Enjoy!
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Purple red, transparent color. Not much sign of aging yet. Aromas jump from the glass. Minty herbs, eucalyptus, raspberries, and a distinct piney aroma. Luxuriously smooth tannins in the mouth with mouthwatering black plum, herbs, porcini broth, chocolate covered citrus peel, and a lingering stoney minerality. Long bright finish of minerals and raspberry. Beautiful Merlot, but still distinctly Chianti, even with a good dose of French oak. Wish I had more. Drinking perfectly right now, but I don't see a rush either.
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Wine Spectator Score: 94 points WS Tasting Note: Pure black cherry and raspberry flavors are countered by accents of sweet spice and tobacco. The tannins dominate the finish, which is long and mouthwatering. Needs air, so decant now or cellar. Merlot. Best from 2017 through 2024. 27,000 cases made. −BS
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Clear ruby color. Very fruity and fresh nose. Full palate of red fruit with elegant backdrop of cassis and quite acidic berries that i believe will develop a lot with another 5 years on the shelf. Looking forward to open next bottle if i only can stay patient.
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PnD 1/2 the bottle let air for 3hrs. then decanted the rest. Dark crimson purple almost saturated with plum to clear rim. Touch of VA initially on the nose which disappeared with time plum cassis lavender anise and cocoa on the nose. Deep and complex on the palate and vibrant with cassis plum blackberry espresso touch of licorice and violets. Going to get a few more and hold on for 5 years.
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1/7/2024 - Janstan Likes this wine: 92 Points
Dark cherries, tobacco,
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6/1/2022 - maxima wrote: 89 Points
Beau merlot, soyeux et satiné.
Moins bien que 2004 bu dernièrement
mais très bon tout de même.
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3/16/2022 - Janstan Likes this wine: 91 Points
Tobacco, dark fruit
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2/4/2022 - pilatus88 Likes this wine: 93 Points
I still love this wine. It is now showing the perfect maturity and some balsamic notes added. At its peak and should be drunk now.
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1/29/2022 - olebaer wrote: 89 Points
visual: ruby with orange-brown tones. sedimemt. appears aged.
nose: lovage replaced over time by dark berries, cassis, leaves, pencil
palate: surprisingly fresh, high in acidity, sweetness, lack of specific fruits
alcoholic, smooth tannins
an ok wine, but hmmm… left me puzzled. maybe the lillies next to me interfered.
think I‘m too late, first bottle of that case. not the smartest buy - may end up as a sauce bolognese…
but nice label at least :-)
temp 16-18°, no food pairing, popped & poured
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1/5/2021 - Janstan Likes this wine: 90 Points
Dark fruit, went well with meatballs
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11/13/2020 - Ajvandet wrote: 91 Points
The wine looks brick colored. The legs are slow. There is moderate sediment in the bottle. It smells like black currant (cassis) and prune. It tastes like clove, nutmeg, walnut and prune. The body is full. The wine has silky texture. The wine finishes long. The wine has medium acidity.
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11/1/2020 - benny-g wrote: 94 Points
Vibrant in more than one way. In the bright red colour and its expressive fruit, from intense red berries to deep black plums. The ample acidity is nicely integrated, combining with earthy, spicy notes. This merlot does not give a heavy impression, but keeps it light, joyful and young. No tiring in this 2011 vintage yet. Brilliant.
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4/30/2020 - pilatus88 Likes this wine: 93 Points
This is a true pleasure.
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3/15/2020 - df1962 wrote: 93 Points
PnD let air for 2hrs.
Lots of plum and cassis fruit. Earthy a bit funky.
Drink over the next five years.
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1/28/2020 - Neecies Likes this wine:
Margot's bottle. 100% Merlot. Bright cherry and red plum fruit on the palate with Vit B6 minerality that got stronger on the nose and palate with air. Much more acidity than the '08, and the finish had a medicinal note that reminded me of a Piedmontese Chinato. Tannins clamped down hard after an hour in the bottle. Try again in 2023.
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1/7/2020 - Team Walker Miller Likes this wine: 90 Points
I cracked one of these bottles beginning of December 2019 and noticed that although the acidity was still good and maintained nice tannin structure, the fruit was falling hard. It was perfect that i consumed both of my bottles sooner than later, as the character was still mostly intact. I definitely wouldn't hold much longer then this year 2020. Enjoy!
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11/24/2019 - WY Leonidas Likes this wine: 93 Points
Purple red, transparent color. Not much sign of aging yet. Aromas jump from the glass. Minty herbs, eucalyptus, raspberries, and a distinct piney aroma. Luxuriously smooth tannins in the mouth with mouthwatering black plum, herbs, porcini broth, chocolate covered citrus peel, and a lingering stoney minerality. Long bright finish of minerals and raspberry. Beautiful Merlot, but still distinctly Chianti, even with a good dose of French oak. Wish I had more. Drinking perfectly right now, but I don't see a rush either.
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10/5/2019 - pilatus88 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Love this wine. It keeps getting better and displaying more red fruit. Very crisp and long.
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6/7/2019 - pilatus88 wrote: 92 Points
Delicious and improving. Crisp clear fruit. Long smooth finish with lots of red berries and a hint of vanilla, cassis and tobacco.
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7/28/2018 - Janstan Likes this wine: 91 Points
Delicious wine with Manchego and Comte cheeses.
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7/27/2018 - pilatus88 Likes this wine: 91 Points
A truly good effort that keep improving. Clear crisp with red fruit and long finish. Great with classic Italian food.
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4/6/2018 - Pfleonard Likes this wine: 93 Points
This is a kickass wine. Wish I had more.
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3/30/2018 - df1962 wrote: 93 Points
PnD let air for 1hr. Consistent with previous note. No VA nice complexcity and integration. Ageing very well with lots of life ahead.
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11/29/2017 - Nectar of Life wrote: 94 Points
Wine Spectator Score: 94 points
WS Tasting Note: Pure black cherry and raspberry flavors are countered by accents of sweet spice and tobacco. The tannins dominate the finish, which is long and mouthwatering. Needs air, so decant now or cellar. Merlot. Best from 2017 through 2024. 27,000 cases made. −BS
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11/3/2016 - pilatus88 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Clear ruby color. Very fruity and fresh nose. Full palate of red fruit with elegant backdrop of cassis and quite acidic berries that i believe will develop a lot with another 5 years on the shelf. Looking forward to open next bottle if i only can stay patient.
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6/12/2016 - df1962 Likes this wine: 93 Points
PnD 1/2 the bottle let air for 3hrs. then decanted the rest. Dark crimson purple almost saturated with plum to clear rim. Touch of VA initially on the nose which disappeared with time plum cassis lavender anise and cocoa on the nose. Deep and complex on the palate and vibrant with cassis plum blackberry espresso touch of licorice and violets. Going to get a few more and hold on for 5 years.
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4/4/2016 - ZinRandy Likes this wine: 93 Points
Drank beautifully with homemade short rib ragu
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