Found a bottle in the cellar. Was pleasantly surprised how good this wine is for 2007. Good color, deep dark, good structure. Nice cali Syrah with chocolate and dark berry flavors.
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Have not tried a bottle in almost a year but the notes are the same We took a bottle to my club for lunch and pnp'd. There was dark fruit on the nose. The palate was dark berries, dark plums and hints of mocha. The finish was full and moderate to long. Unfortunately the last of my 07's.
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Have not tried a bottle in almost 8 months but the notes are the same We took a bottle to my club for lunch and pnp'd. There was dark fruit on the nose. The palate was dark berries, dark plums and hints of mocha. The finish was full and moderate to long. I honestly believe that if we had time to decant this wine would have scored higher as each glass improved with time. I have one bottle left of the 07 and I will try to remember to at least give it a 4-5 hours slow ox.
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Similar to my notes of last month. We took a bottle to Steve's club for lunch and pnp'd. There was dark fruit on the nose. The palate was dark berries, dark plums and hints of mocha. The finish was full and moderate to long. I honestly believe that if we had time to decant this wine would have scored higher as each glass improved with time.
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Finally found this half case in my office basement where it had been alluding me for years. We took a bottle to Steve's club and pnp'd. There was dark fruit on the nose. The palate was dark berries, dark plums and hints of mocha. The finish was full and moderate to long. I honestly believe that if we had time to decant this wine would have scored higher as each glass improved with time.
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Still singing, this bottle was in great shape even with questionable providence from last bottle. Juicy black fruits on the tongue with nicely resolved and integrated tannins. Nose of some funk and game but mostly black fruits. Definitely more new world than old world but with more restraint and elegance. I’d say it’s probably near peak but still could go at least a couple years without missing much. Great juice.
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This bottle showed better bottle bouquet / more aromatically expressive than a bottle a year and a half ago. Blue fruits, some emerging savory characteristics. Drinking well, but no rush to drink up.
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This is the second bottle I've opened, the first was about 2 years ago. The wine has softened but still has plenty of delicious blue and red fruit, admirable acidity with soft tannins and classic Syrah spicy finish. It's a very well made wine that feels like it's on the downslope of its drinking window so enjoy now.
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Dense coloring; ruby edges; clear meniscus. Aromas of blue, black, and dark red fruits, bourbon soaked cherries, red hot candies, licorice, graphite, chalky minerals, cedar, fennel and dry spice drawer, a little earthy funk/damp roots, orange peel, and a touch of floral. What a nose! Medium body, medium (+) acid, long finish and packed and stacked, with robust but in check flavors of tart blue, black, and dark red fruits, black tea, bitter orange peel, spice, and mineral. This was great with a marinated and perfectly seared flank steak tonight. Really nice.
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Repeating what I previously wrote: "Insane! Black fruit, vanilla along with iodine on the nose. Also leather, "stinky cheese", moss, meat with a flowery back nose too. Very old school on the palate, with dark stone fruit and leather, white pepper which compose this deep black, smooth liquid. Elegant tannins."
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Funny wine - my second bottle - it’s really not what I expect in North Coast Syrah. It’s lean, although you do get blue fruit, there is a good bit of acid. The wine is balanced and has a decent finish, but honestly seems to be missing something. It’s pretty one dimensional and lacks layers.
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Big n' Chewy! Blue fruit, dust bordering on cocoa powder, and I'm not sure what else. But certainly very tannic still for a wine this old (a Syrah!!!). Paired well with a lamb burger. But this wine is still somewhat of a brute. You've been warned...
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I had been advised that this wine was a beast, unloved by at least a few. Had sat on it for a year or two hoping it would settle down.
A big wine yes, but fine with our burgers tonight and otherwise agreeable. Not a crazy amount of tannis, huge fruit obviously, acid to support. Balanced in a California "big wine" sort of way.
Scoring a 90 in the American way of thinking that a big wine should score better, to me personally often the "smaller, lesser" wine is as appropriate.
Day two, OK but not much left except big fruit. As before there is a bit of acidity and minimal soft tannins but overall lacking interest. Would not buy this again, Cote Rotie is basically the same (grape) formula with more Old World depth.
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Despite this wine having been in bottle for almost 10 years, it is still young and primary. It has the structure to last for many years yet. If I had a bunch of these, I'd sit on them for at least 5 years, although it's certainly approachable now. This bottle was a very good accompaniment to our well-marbled, extra-thick ribeye steaks.
The 2% Viognier is detectable and adds a nice floral grace note.
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This was my first purchase of Agharta wine and it did not disappoint. Based on several recommendations and finding this below $40 I had to try it.
Opened and decanted for 40 minutes. Dark inky in the glass with no clarity. After some swirl in the glass the aromas of black fruits, peppery spices and an earthy element came though.
On the palate this wine is quite smooth and has a minimal tannin backbone. The black & blue fruits are still in front with a nice brightness. The Syrah spices come though and the finish is decently long and tasty.
Glad I took this plunge, well worth it!
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Still super tasty after decanting for about an hour. Screams to be paired with a steak. Was a little one dimensional when tasted next to some much more expensive bottles, but it was still the first bottle emptied that evening.
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This may be the first time I appreciated the Agharta wines. Probably could go 93. Decanted about two hours. Inky purple. Nice nose. Very pleasant black and blue relatively complex and integrated fruit. Full bodied, still with some youth, but minimal tannins. Good finish.
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The first night it was in a dumb phase. Had a strong rotten note on the nose. The second day everything was hitting on all cylinders and tasted great. I'd say hide these for a few more years.
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at age eleven just barely showing some bricking at the edges. first sniff and sip announce a really good wine. nose with beautiful integrated oak, vanilla, chocolate, caramel, and pound cake. also black plum, licorice, and clay. rich and delicious with deep layers of blackberry, mulberry, and semisweet chocolate truffles. savory, tart, and tannic. dry, long finish. this has gravitas.
on day three tannins resolved but still drinking great. nose with a cool rubber cement element. palate with brighter berries. this will really sing in another year or two.
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Decanted 1 hour. Huge wine, just massive fruit and structure. Black fruits, espresso oak, slight alcohol with drying tannins. This is still just a baby at 10 years old...drink now (with air, preferably) - 2027.
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This is the second bottle I have tried if this wine, so this is not an anomaly. Just not a good wine. Lots of off flavors. Astingent, over earthy, too much smoke. I there is any fruit to it is lost under the unpleasant flavors
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Great with barbecue. Can still go for some years to come. More oak (or oak wasn't as integrated) in this bottle. Black fruit, oak, thinnish mouth feel with shorter finish.
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Smells like heaven. Sweet blueberry and steak on the nose. Tastes like liquid satisfaction. In the mouth is smooth Red Berry / Blueberry, Mushroom, Herbs. While not much more than primary flavors, the balance displayed at this point is well worth the price. A tasty wine for more than a Tuesday, less than a Birthday.
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Hard to rate this wine because I'm not sure what to think of it. Decanted about 90 minutes. Faint old-world nose. Pleasant smooth purple and dark red fruit. A bit of tart on the back end with a slightly unpleasant finish.
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This was just a tad hot, but other than that, delicious. It showed a complex assemblage of black fruits, some floral perfume, and well-balanced acid and tannins. It is an excellent example of a California Syrah. The community rating is accurate.
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Notes of robust cherry, raspberry, blackberry and faint charcoal on the nose. Seamless and well integrated in the mouth, decent level of acidity providing lift. Tannins not noticeable, good balance in the mouth. This wine will carry forward at its peak for a few years, but ready to go if you open now. For me, hitting the sweet spot with primary and secondary characteristics. Delicious!
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Delicious, old world syrah. A bit big for a solo drinker, but fantastic food wine. Still a few more years in the bottle for sure, but integrated well and smooth tanins.
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Since I was able to get a few more bottles, I did share another one with friends yesterday evening and it did not disappoint. I didn't do a detailed score again but from my memory, this was the same. Wonderful, dry and full of spice.
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This is a superb, complex and rich wine. Notes of fruit, vanilla, moss, and hints of leather and a very, very slight bit of pepper. Smooth finish and smooth tannins. Drinking well now and I expect there could be a tad bit of improvement with time, though how much more is questionable.
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Insane! Black fruit, vanilla along with iodine on the nose. Also leather, "stinky cheese", moss, meat with a flowery back nose too. Very old school on the palate, with dark stone fruit and leather, white pepper which compose this deep black, smooth liquid. Elegant tannins.
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Love this. I am a Syrah guy and when you add that touch of Voigner on the nose it is nice. Saw this on last bottle and got a steal on it so I tried it. Just great. Complex, rich and dry. Dried dark fruits, spice, olive and aged cheese on the bouquet. Wine has great body. Legs hang on the glass like they were glued there. The palate is my taste all the way. Dry with subtle dark fruits. Great tannin and structure. Complex and evolves. Lights up on the back palate big time. This is a big alcohol wine. Hot at 15.5 but drinks so smooth. It's the 2007 but it has legs. I am going to try to sit on my next two bottles and see how it develops further. My only regret is I didn't buy a case.
Loads of olive, dark cherries, cola, white pepper, and pretty significant tannin...for a 10 year old bottle. Lovely fruit, with a solid backbone. Very fresh, which could come from the 2% viognier, but I wouldn't have guessed the inclusion otherwise.
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Dark garnet color in the glass, clear looking throughout. Nose of smoke, tobacco, thatch and mixed dark fruits. Flavors of boysenberries, plums and a hint of red cherries. Medium acidity, medium tannin, full bodied. Drink or hold.
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Bought as part of a library release from the winery a few months back, this bottle was firing on all cylinders. Savory aromatics of pepper and black fruit. Fresh, chewy mouthfeel, expansive and generous. Fully integrated oak, fine grained tannins, notes of black cherry, blackberry and licorice. The co-fermented Viognier adds a glycerine feel and hints of apricot. Well done, and a very compelling value.
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Wow. Finishing on the 3rd day. Evolved each day, but was spectacular on the pour on day 1. Seamless, develops in the mouth, as good as any Cali Syrah I've had. This wine is nowhere near its last legs. Can't say it will keep improving, but it certainly isn't close to falling apart. I had an 07 relentless recently and had a similar experience. If you are a Syrah lover, this is soooooooo good.
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Dark purple garnet color, dense and opaque, with a very slight haze. Brooding color. The aromas are blackberry, blueberry, flowers, vanilla, earth, and perfumed notes. The tastes are black olive, blueberry, blackberry, earth, lanolin, stone, and sour fruit. There is some heat and the tannins are like satin and the finish is lengthy. Delicious!
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Another Saturday at Cooking School - California Wines (ICASI): Perhaps these need more time. I am finding the 05 to be much better than it was (for my tastes). Purple in color. The nose has black raspberries, some blueberries and a bit of raisins. On the palate, this is like a dry ruby port. No heat or alcohol showing, but just has the port-like feel to it. It is a very heavy and cumbersome wine. A little goes a long way. At the same time, there is delicious fruit on it. It worked well with my dessert. The crowd seemed split. If I owned any (I don't), i might wait a few years to see where it is going.
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I like the wine, but it's a far cry from other Agharta efforts. I prefer the 2004 and also the 2006 ExB. It's elegant, spicy, medium bodied and fairly long with well integrated alcohol. But it lacks power and depth to really be exciting. It might add richness over time, so be patient.
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Decanted and poured. Deep, dark red with aromas that seem to linger in the air forever after opening and pouring. This is a big wine with 15.5% alcohol, but after the first couple of sips it disappears into the wine and never appears again. Everything works well together - tannins, acidity, body, with a very long finish. This wine is good today, but it will be so much better four or five years from now. I will definitely hold on to my other two bottles. As a side note, the back label states that it is a Sonoma County Red Wine, but in an email from Pax, he states, "Unfortunately, our label company carried the Sonoma designation over from one of our Cabernet bottlings and we didn't catch it in time...so the label is sadly incorrect. I apologize for any confusion, I promise there is only one 2007 Black Label...and it is a beautiful beast." I agree!
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Black fruit and iodine on the nose, plus meat and pepper, and some leather and flowers at the end. Rich and juicy on the palate, with dark fruit and leather, some pepper and meat juice, and a nice iodine finish.
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Dark, near opaque. Had to do a double-take on the nose, just so much going on. Some swirling, another sniff, even more to behold. The aromas are punchy, energetic, and very pure. With solid secondary characteristics, this winks at tertiary development by the final glass, as if to say 'read my next novel'. And like any good story, I'm hooked, and I can't wait to read the next installment, though for me that will occur 5-8 years from now, after it's become something altogether more different, yet no less spectacular. The full-bodied palate has its work cut out trying to live up to the nose - it's good, but the nose is better; on this night, anyway. Grilled and cured meats, balsamic, fresh cut red floral, bacon fat, peppercorns, pan drippings, with flavors largely following the nose. Delicious, and properly lifted, which is no small miracle, this is huge. The 15,5% abv is noticeable only for the first few minutes, the tannins, ripe and round. recommended, drink thru 2025
Aerated in decanter 4 hours, returned to bottle and served non-blind.
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A bruiser. Opaque red. Intense exotic nose of black and red fruit with notes of licorice and spices. Very fleshy wine but still maintains an intense precision and seems to open over the course of the evening with more herbal and flower elements emerging as time went on. Great juicy acidity made it a very good partner with fatty steak and roasted potatoes.
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Garnet color and clarity is good and the color densities are deep and this wine is just barely translucent. The nose is tar, blueberries, pepper, stones, and lovely floral notes. The tastes are sweet blueberries, minerals, tar, pepper, cherry, exotic spices and herbs. This wine is lithe with satin tannins and soft acidity. The body is medium to heavy and the finish is sweet and lengthy. Very delicious!.
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Still very primary with great dark fruits and smoky hints of earthiness. Suspect great things from this Cote Rotie look a like but would wait 5+ years.
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3/15/2024 - pas.vino Likes this wine: 90 Points
Found a bottle in the cellar. Was pleasantly surprised how good this wine is for 2007. Good color, deep dark, good structure. Nice cali Syrah with chocolate and dark berry flavors.
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10/28/2022 - cos65 Likes this wine: 88 Points
Deep, opaque, very Cali, over the top syrah which gets just a bit too flabby in the finish.
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7/5/2022 - markcic Likes this wine: 92 Points
Have not tried a bottle in almost a year but the notes are the same We took a bottle to my club for lunch and pnp'd. There was dark fruit on the nose. The palate was dark berries, dark plums and hints of mocha. The finish was full and moderate to long. Unfortunately the last of my 07's.
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7/30/2021 - markcic Likes this wine: 92 Points
Have not tried a bottle in almost 8 months but the notes are the same We took a bottle to my club for lunch and pnp'd. There was dark fruit on the nose. The palate was dark berries, dark plums and hints of mocha. The finish was full and moderate to long. I honestly believe that if we had time to decant this wine would have scored higher as each glass improved with time. I have one bottle left of the 07 and I will try to remember to at least give it a 4-5 hours slow ox.
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7/28/2021 - clinty Does not like this wine: 89 Points
3 bad bottles in a row.
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12/8/2020 - markcic Likes this wine: 92 Points
Similar to my notes of last month. We took a bottle to Steve's club for lunch and pnp'd. There was dark fruit on the nose. The palate was dark berries, dark plums and hints of mocha. The finish was full and moderate to long. I honestly believe that if we had time to decant this wine would have scored higher as each glass improved with time.
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11/6/2020 - markcic Likes this wine: 92 Points
Finally found this half case in my office basement where it had been alluding me for years. We took a bottle to Steve's club and pnp'd. There was dark fruit on the nose. The palate was dark berries, dark plums and hints of mocha. The finish was full and moderate to long. I honestly believe that if we had time to decant this wine would have scored higher as each glass improved with time.
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5/9/2020 - jcp5 Likes this wine:
Still singing, this bottle was in great shape even with questionable providence from last bottle. Juicy black fruits on the tongue with nicely resolved and integrated tannins. Nose of some funk and game but mostly black fruits. Definitely more new world than old world but with more restraint and elegance. I’d say it’s probably near peak but still could go at least a couple years without missing much. Great juice.
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11/28/2019 - thalver wrote:
This bottle showed better bottle bouquet / more aromatically expressive than a bottle a year and a half ago. Blue fruits, some emerging savory characteristics. Drinking well, but no rush to drink up.
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10/15/2019 - pjhr Likes this wine: 93 Points
Continues to drink beautifully! The refreshing acidity is more prominent than the previous bottle as the wine matures.
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9/4/2019 - Brunello218 Likes this wine: 92 Points
This is the second bottle I've opened, the first was about 2 years ago. The wine has softened but still has plenty of delicious blue and red fruit, admirable acidity with soft tannins and classic Syrah spicy finish. It's a very well made wine that feels like it's on the downslope of its drinking window so enjoy now.
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7/21/2019 - tunaguy Likes this wine: 91 Points
big ripe dark fruit, vanilla, and some spice. went well with tri tip
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6/1/2019 - studleytrey Likes this wine: 93 Points
Dense coloring; ruby edges; clear meniscus. Aromas of blue, black, and dark red fruits, bourbon soaked cherries, red hot candies, licorice, graphite, chalky minerals, cedar, fennel and dry spice drawer, a little earthy funk/damp roots, orange peel, and a touch of floral. What a nose! Medium body, medium (+) acid, long finish and packed and stacked, with robust but in check flavors of tart blue, black, and dark red fruits, black tea, bitter orange peel, spice, and mineral. This was great with a marinated and perfectly seared flank steak tonight. Really nice.
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2/23/2019 - JJZ wrote: 85 Points
Still very tannic for 2007.
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1/3/2019 - brouigu1 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Same score.... This is a nice still fruit forward wine that pairs nicely with food.
Still in good shape but time is ticking....
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12/29/2018 - ogres3 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Didn't rock my socks, and may be on the downslope. Opaque and dusty. Fruit almost dull. Full bodied and chewy. Long but not overly appealing finish.
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11/12/2018 - ChopperWine Likes this wine: 93 Points
Repeating what I previously wrote: "Insane! Black fruit, vanilla along with iodine on the nose. Also leather, "stinky cheese", moss, meat with a flowery back nose too. Very old school on the palate, with dark stone fruit and leather, white pepper which compose this deep black, smooth liquid. Elegant tannins."
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11/10/2018 - Swaggering Beaunie Likes this wine:
Floral, perfumy, full-bodied, and delicious. The labels shows 15.5% alcohol, but it doesn't taste hot. Very good west-coast Syrah.
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9/24/2018 - BBinSC wrote: 90 Points
Funny wine - my second bottle - it’s really not what I expect in North Coast Syrah. It’s lean, although you do get blue fruit, there is a good bit of acid. The wine is balanced and has a decent finish, but honestly seems to be missing something. It’s pretty one dimensional and lacks layers.
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7/9/2018 - TallMikeWine Likes this wine: 90 Points
Big n' Chewy! Blue fruit, dust bordering on cocoa powder, and I'm not sure what else. But certainly very tannic still for a wine this old (a Syrah!!!). Paired well with a lamb burger. But this wine is still somewhat of a brute. You've been warned...
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6/22/2018 - JimTaft Likes this wine: 90 Points
I had been advised that this wine was a beast, unloved by at least a few. Had sat on it for a year or two hoping it would settle down.
A big wine yes, but fine with our burgers tonight and otherwise agreeable. Not a crazy amount of tannis, huge fruit obviously, acid to support. Balanced in a California "big wine" sort of way.
Scoring a 90 in the American way of thinking that a big wine should score better, to me personally often the "smaller, lesser" wine is as appropriate.
Day two, OK but not much left except big fruit. As before there is a bit of acidity and minimal soft tannins but overall lacking interest. Would not buy this again, Cote Rotie is basically the same (grape) formula with more Old World depth.
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5/26/2018 - ChrisWagner Likes this wine: 90 Points
Nice. Seemed much younger than it was. Overall, was decent.
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5/7/2018 - ogres3 wrote: 89 Points
Didn't really enjoy and did not finish the bottle. A bit acidic, sour plum fruit, not particularly enticing. Could be a bad bottle.
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4/12/2018 - Swaggering Beaunie Likes this wine:
Despite this wine having been in bottle for almost 10 years, it is still young and primary. It has the structure to last for many years yet. If I had a bunch of these, I'd sit on them for at least 5 years, although it's certainly approachable now. This bottle was a very good accompaniment to our well-marbled, extra-thick ribeye steaks.
The 2% Viognier is detectable and adds a nice floral grace note.
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4/6/2018 - fm1488 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Just a fantastic wine. Deep dark fruit, spice, leather and great complexity and mouthfeel.
9/10/9/8/9 = 45/95
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3/15/2018 - brouigu1 Likes this wine: 92 Points
This was my first purchase of Agharta wine and it did not disappoint. Based on several recommendations and finding this below $40 I had to try it.
Opened and decanted for 40 minutes. Dark inky in the glass with no clarity. After some swirl in the glass the aromas of black fruits, peppery spices and an earthy element came though.
On the palate this wine is quite smooth and has a minimal tannin backbone. The black & blue fruits are still in front with a nice brightness. The Syrah spices come though and the finish is decently long and tasty.
Glad I took this plunge, well worth it!
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3/9/2018 - e.Rock Likes this wine: 92 Points
Still super tasty after decanting for about an hour. Screams to be paired with a steak. Was a little one dimensional when tasted next to some much more expensive bottles, but it was still the first bottle emptied that evening.
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2/19/2018 - ogres3 Likes this wine: 92 Points
This may be the first time I appreciated the Agharta wines. Probably could go 93. Decanted about two hours. Inky purple. Nice nose. Very pleasant black and blue relatively complex and integrated fruit. Full bodied, still with some youth, but minimal tannins. Good finish.
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2/10/2018 - mercurius wrote:
The first night it was in a dumb phase. Had a strong rotten note on the nose. The second day everything was hitting on all cylinders and tasted great. I'd say hide these for a few more years.
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1/29/2018 - bps2266 wrote: 93 Points
at age eleven just barely showing some bricking at the edges. first sniff and sip announce a really good wine. nose with beautiful integrated oak, vanilla, chocolate, caramel, and pound cake. also black plum, licorice, and clay. rich and delicious with deep layers of blackberry, mulberry, and semisweet chocolate truffles. savory, tart, and tannic. dry, long finish. this has gravitas.
on day three tannins resolved but still drinking great. nose with a cool rubber cement element. palate with brighter berries. this will really sing in another year or two.
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1/28/2018 - RPerro Likes this wine: 93 Points
Decanted 1 hour. Huge wine, just massive fruit and structure. Black fruits, espresso oak, slight alcohol with drying tannins. This is still just a baby at 10 years old...drink now (with air, preferably) - 2027.
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12/29/2017 - joiedevino Likes this wine: 92 Points
Such a well-balanced wine for the money. Wish we had gotten more!
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12/28/2017 - Swaggering Beaunie Likes this wine:
We drank this, after a 3-hour decant, with our beef Bourguignon.
It featured generous acidity, mixed black and blue fruits, and some tobacco, vanilla and butterscotch at the end. It matched quite well with our dish.
This is good now, with rich food, but could cellar for years yet. There is no hurry to drink it.
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12/25/2017 - jmoulder Does not like this wine: 82 Points
This is the second bottle I have tried if this wine, so this is not an anomaly. Just not a good wine. Lots of off flavors. Astingent, over earthy, too much smoke. I there is any fruit to it is lost under the unpleasant flavors
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12/24/2017 - bradleymichaelharris@gmail.com Likes this wine: 94 Points
Really a great, full bodied wine. Drinking perfectly right now. The 2% viognier adds something.
Definitely echoes of cote rotie. Seems like the winemaker achieved exactly what they set out to do.
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12/18/2017 - mercurius Likes this wine: 91 Points
Great with barbecue. Can still go for some years to come. More oak (or oak wasn't as integrated) in this bottle. Black fruit, oak, thinnish mouth feel with shorter finish.
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12/6/2017 - WineCPA wrote: 94 Points
Excellent wine. Black fruit and integrated tannins. Perfect now, especially with lamb chops.
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12/3/2017 - JeremyBernton Likes this wine: 93 Points
Delicious, layered syrah with depth, balance, and still plenty of fruit.
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11/26/2017 - tzarf Likes this wine: 92 Points
Smells like heaven. Sweet blueberry and steak on the nose. Tastes like liquid satisfaction. In the mouth is smooth Red Berry / Blueberry, Mushroom, Herbs. While not much more than primary flavors, the balance displayed at this point is well worth the price. A tasty wine for more than a Tuesday, less than a Birthday.
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11/25/2017 - ogres3 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Hard to rate this wine because I'm not sure what to think of it.
Decanted about 90 minutes. Faint old-world nose. Pleasant smooth purple and dark red fruit. A bit of tart on the back end with a slightly unpleasant finish.
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11/17/2017 - Boomer Sooner Likes this wine: 91 Points
Lighter than I expected. Very nice wine. Lacking a little in the finish.
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10/27/2017 - brianlevin89 Likes this wine:
Peppery, spicy, very good
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10/20/2017 - Swaggering Beaunie Likes this wine:
This was just a tad hot, but other than that, delicious. It showed a complex assemblage of black fruits, some floral perfume, and well-balanced acid and tannins. It is an excellent example of a California Syrah. The community rating is accurate.
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10/17/2017 - mercurius wrote: 92 Points
Shorter finish than I was expecting but everything else was perfect.
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10/11/2017 - bubbachumps wrote: 93 Points
Notes of robust cherry, raspberry, blackberry and faint charcoal on the nose. Seamless and well integrated in the mouth, decent level of acidity providing lift. Tannins not noticeable, good balance in the mouth. This wine will carry forward at its peak for a few years, but ready to go if you open now. For me, hitting the sweet spot with primary and secondary characteristics. Delicious!
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9/17/2017 - cos65 wrote:
Dark black ruby
Easy juicy sweet cali red
15.5%
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9/1/2017 - e.Rock Likes this wine: 92 Points
Delicious, old world syrah. A bit big for a solo drinker, but fantastic food wine. Still a few more years in the bottle for sure, but integrated well and smooth tanins.
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8/26/2017 - fm1488 wrote:
Since I was able to get a few more bottles, I did share another one with friends yesterday evening and it did not disappoint. I didn't do a detailed score again but from my memory, this was the same. Wonderful, dry and full of spice.
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8/25/2017 - whitejones wrote: 93 Points
This is a superb, complex and rich wine. Notes of fruit, vanilla, moss, and hints of leather and a very, very slight bit of pepper. Smooth finish and smooth tannins. Drinking well now and I expect there could be a tad bit of improvement with time, though how much more is questionable.
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8/14/2017 - Iceman611 wrote: 90 Points
Dry and elegant. Reminded me of a st Joseph French Syrah more than a "new world" version.
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8/11/2017 - ChopperWine Likes this wine: 93 Points
Insane! Black fruit, vanilla along with iodine on the nose. Also leather, "stinky cheese", moss, meat with a flowery back nose too. Very old school on the palate, with dark stone fruit and leather, white pepper which compose this deep black, smooth liquid. Elegant tannins.
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8/9/2017 - dman7 wrote:
First bottle. Grabbed a few on WTSO. Wow. This is fantastic juice. Now I need to take a trip to Pax at Wind Gap.
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8/9/2017 - fm1488 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Love this. I am a Syrah guy and when you add that touch of Voigner on the nose it is nice. Saw this on last bottle and got a steal on it so I tried it. Just great. Complex, rich and dry. Dried dark fruits, spice, olive and aged cheese on the bouquet. Wine has great body. Legs hang on the glass like they were glued there. The palate is my taste all the way. Dry with subtle dark fruits. Great tannin and structure. Complex and evolves. Lights up on the back palate big time. This is a big alcohol wine. Hot at 15.5 but drinks so smooth. It's the 2007 but it has legs. I am going to try to sit on my next two bottles and see how it develops further. My only regret is I didn't buy a case.
9/10/10/9/8 - 45/95
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8/8/2017 - jhieb Likes this wine: 94 Points
Loads of olive, dark cherries, cola, white pepper, and pretty significant tannin...for a 10 year old bottle. Lovely fruit, with a solid backbone. Very fresh, which could come from the 2% viognier, but I wouldn't have guessed the inclusion otherwise.
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3/31/2017 - cubswinws Likes this wine: 94 Points
Lovely wine. Quite expressive with beautiful nose and spicy finish.
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3/17/2017 - pjhr Likes this wine: 93 Points
Wonderful blackberry, pepper and spice on the nose and palate with chewy tannins on the long finish.
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12/31/2016 - wineismylife wrote: 91 Points
WIML91
Tasted non blind from MAGNUM format.
Dark garnet color in the glass, clear looking throughout. Nose of smoke, tobacco, thatch and mixed dark fruits. Flavors of boysenberries, plums and a hint of red cherries. Medium acidity, medium tannin, full bodied. Drink or hold.
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10/28/2016 - JonnyG Likes this wine: 92 Points
Bought as part of a library release from the winery a few months back, this bottle was firing on all cylinders. Savory aromatics of pepper and black fruit. Fresh, chewy mouthfeel, expansive and generous. Fully integrated oak, fine grained tannins, notes of black cherry, blackberry and licorice. The co-fermented Viognier adds a glycerine feel and hints of apricot. Well done, and a very compelling value.
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9/21/2016 - tc from santee wrote: flawed
Sadly it was corked.
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6/12/2016 - FlyPig Likes this wine: 97 Points
Wow. Finishing on the 3rd day. Evolved each day, but was spectacular on the pour on day 1. Seamless, develops in the mouth, as good as any Cali Syrah I've had. This wine is nowhere near its last legs. Can't say it will keep improving, but it certainly isn't close to falling apart. I had an 07 relentless recently and had a similar experience. If you are a Syrah lover, this is soooooooo good.
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12/6/2015 - ckinv368 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Earthy and leather on the nose. Smooth, mushroom, blackberry essence, with sour cherry and leather. Really nice!
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12/6/2015 - hackey37 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Dark purple garnet color, dense and opaque, with a very slight haze. Brooding color. The aromas are blackberry, blueberry, flowers, vanilla, earth, and perfumed notes. The tastes are black olive, blueberry, blackberry, earth, lanolin, stone, and sour fruit. There is some heat and the tannins are like satin and the finish is lengthy. Delicious!
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11/22/2015 - Loren Sonkin wrote: 90 Points
Another Saturday at Cooking School - California Wines (ICASI): Perhaps these need more time. I am finding the 05 to be much better than it was (for my tastes). Purple in color. The nose has black raspberries, some blueberries and a bit of raisins. On the palate, this is like a dry ruby port. No heat or alcohol showing, but just has the port-like feel to it. It is a very heavy and cumbersome wine. A little goes a long way. At the same time, there is delicious fruit on it. It worked well with my dessert. The crowd seemed split. If I owned any (I don't), i might wait a few years to see where it is going.
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11/21/2015 - ksmith Likes this wine: 91 Points
Very good. Dominant syrah, ready to drink.
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7/23/2015 - G_H wrote: 90 Points
I like the wine, but it's a far cry from other Agharta efforts. I prefer the 2004 and also the 2006 ExB. It's elegant, spicy, medium bodied and fairly long with well integrated alcohol. But it lacks power and depth to really be exciting. It might add richness over time, so be patient.
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3/22/2014 - joefel Likes this wine: 94 Points
Decanted and poured. Deep, dark red with aromas that seem to linger in the air forever after opening and pouring. This is a big wine with 15.5% alcohol, but after the first couple of sips it disappears into the wine and never appears again. Everything works well together - tannins, acidity, body, with a very long finish. This wine is good today, but it will be so much better four or five years from now. I will definitely hold on to my other two bottles. As a side note, the back label states that it is a Sonoma County Red Wine, but in an email from Pax, he states, "Unfortunately, our label company carried the Sonoma designation over from one of our Cabernet bottlings and we didn't catch it in time...so the label is sadly incorrect. I apologize for any confusion, I promise there is only one 2007 Black Label...and it is a beautiful beast." I agree!
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3/11/2014 - mmurry Likes this wine: 94 Points
Black fruit and iodine on the nose, plus meat and pepper, and some leather and flowers at the end. Rich and juicy on the palate, with dark fruit and leather, some pepper and meat juice, and a nice iodine finish.
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3/8/2014 - Tim Heaton Likes this wine:
Dark, near opaque. Had to do a double-take on the nose, just so much going on. Some swirling, another sniff, even more to behold. The aromas are punchy, energetic, and very pure. With solid secondary characteristics, this winks at tertiary development by the final glass, as if to say 'read my next novel'. And like any good story, I'm hooked, and I can't wait to read the next installment, though for me that will occur 5-8 years from now, after it's become something altogether more different, yet no less spectacular. The full-bodied palate has its work cut out trying to live up to the nose - it's good, but the nose is better; on this night, anyway. Grilled and cured meats, balsamic, fresh cut red floral, bacon fat, peppercorns, pan drippings, with flavors largely following the nose. Delicious, and properly lifted, which is no small miracle, this is huge. The 15,5% abv is noticeable only for the first few minutes, the tannins, ripe and round. recommended, drink thru 2025
Aerated in decanter 4 hours, returned to bottle and served non-blind.
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2/16/2014 - short and confused wrote: 94 Points
A bruiser. Opaque red. Intense exotic nose of black and red fruit with notes of licorice and spices. Very fleshy wine but still maintains an intense precision and seems to open over the course of the evening with more herbal and flower elements emerging as time went on. Great juicy acidity made it a very good partner with fatty steak and roasted potatoes.
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1/30/2014 - Silveradoup wrote: 97 Points
Awesome
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1/18/2014 - hackey37 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Garnet color and clarity is good and the color densities are deep and this wine is just barely translucent. The nose is tar, blueberries, pepper, stones, and lovely floral notes. The tastes are sweet blueberries, minerals, tar, pepper, cherry, exotic spices and herbs. This wine is lithe with satin tannins and soft acidity. The body is medium to heavy and the finish is sweet and lengthy. Very delicious!.
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11/25/2013 - cubswinws Likes this wine: 93 Points
Still very primary with great dark fruits and smoky hints of earthiness. Suspect great things from this Cote Rotie look a like but would wait 5+ years.
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