Nice and fruity on the nose, almost light ruby in colour, much to my surprise this bottle had fairly low tannin levels. Quite smooth and expressive, though the fruit was overpowering and quite jammy! Short, sharp finish. Could have just been the bottle, and I have another one which I’ll have to open real soon for validation, though a tad bit disappointed with this. Back in a few weeks with another update!
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I generally find Bourgneuf to be a solid QPR performer that drinks earlier than the big boys, and that is holding true here. Red and black plum, anise, cocoa, there’s some tannin but nothing to get in the way, solid performance. B+
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Wowsers! This was stellar, and I have precisely no idea why. It has always been pretty solid, but it has hit new heights with this 10th bottle of 12. Dark red. Drinking beautifully, this was just superb. Cedar, tobacco and leather integrated perfectly with deep cassis and plum, it was rich and succulent, lip-smackingly delicious. It struck a perfect balance between being distinctively aged claret yet also vibrant and juicy - just singing. I simply don't understand how one bottle can have barely any fruit left (08/2021), and then another from the same case can be so outstandingly fresh and alive. I am almost scared to open #11! (but I know I will, and soon)
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Still good but I miss the merlot fruit which has faded with 17 years of age - to my taste its pretty much on the downhill. Still good and enjoyable but drink up.
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Another good bottle, drinking well. Dark red, very pure cassis smell and taste, on the mature side for sure, with a brown tinge to the side, but on the palate and on the nose a lot more youthful than the last I tried. Nicely integrated - cassis, plum and shades of cocoa and mint, with a smooth feel.
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This came out of the bottle with a discernible brownish tinge and I feared it was long gone. However, looks can be deceiving and the nose was just fine. Pronounced cocoa and red plum fruit sort of screamed merlot at me, with mint, tobacco leaf and slate edging. Smooth enough on the palate, there's still some fruit but the cocoa is quite pronounced and a little alcohol is poking through toward the slightly harsh, nearly tannin-less finish.
Based on this bottle, you should probably drink it now if you have any, but I'd posit what enjoyment it confers may last a few more years.
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Good bottle this evening, rich, dense and in much better shape than my last. Deep and dark red. Intense cassis fruit, quite succulent still, very pleasant mouthfeel with the smallest hints of tannin - resolved nicely. Funny how different bottles can show different evolution, my recollection is that this wine only 6-8 months ago was much chewier. Maybe the previously consumed Gigondas and Santenay had numbed my senses, but this was a lovely bottle with which to finish the evening. Classy stuff.
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PNP at restaurant. Dark black color - tobacco, charred oak, cedar, black currants and plum on nose. Palate similar with medium+ acidity, integrated tannins, medium body and long finish- fruit clearly at peak and has a slight extracted note. I enjoyed this. 92+/-
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Decent mature claret, a good year, but this bottle felt a little bit thin and tired and there was not a lot of fruit nor tannin left. Solid, but no wow factor. Drink up based on this bottle, but a previous bottle was much better only 4 months ago.
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Dependable right bank Bordeaux from a great vintage that is now mature and drinking well. Decanted for 1 hour. Deep garnet red, fruit and leather on the nose. A touch of rusticity perhaps, and some chewiness still, suggests can go on for a bit - good news as I have 8 left and don't drink enough claret to keep up. Balanced, reasonably rich, fine length. Slightly surprisingly better on day two, with no special care taken.
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A solid right bank bordeaux from a great year which in my opinion is now at peak. Decanted three hours before dinner, intense cassis aromas first up, really marked. Firm tannins still, it held its own all evening. Quite a long aftertaste. Good stuff, it really seems you cannot go to far wrong with well made claret these days if you store it properly. Went well with slow-cooked beef stew. I would say that this will drink quite nicely for a number of years beyond the stated 2021 end date.
Similar on the second evening. It had not gained anything much but neither had it lost its impact. A decent drop, paid £16 in bond back in 2006, a good investment.
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When this got going*, chalky, lots of lovely liquorice and very appetising acidity.
*It woke up with a start on the penultimate glass (2nd night). Throughout the first night and the first glass the next night, this was mute, uninteresting. I hadn't had the Chateau before and just thought it was no good. Treat the next bottle with more respect.
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Initially very vegetal, traditional, yet lacking in fruit - quite austere and angular. Herbaceous, almost a touch 'green'. Five hours of opening and this settles down, with a hint some soft, red fruits appearing and the tannins becoming more integrated and balanced. Becoming more supple. Day 2 and its evolution is identical to the day earlier, vegetal and harsh, becoming more supple and balanced.
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Tasting now after a decade in the cellar. Pleasant surprise at how fresh and vibrant the wine is. Racy acidity and minerality in the form of iron so many discussed. Tannins are corduroy more than velvet, yet with lots of texture. Moderate complexity and length on the finish.
In terms of pairing, this seems a better choice with cheese at the end of the meal. Though it could pair very well with duck or rare lamb.
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Nose: Iron, blood and minerals with red fruits underneath. Great aromatics. Palate: Cherries with the minerals and iron present. Super elegant and suave with evolved yet still a bit grippy tannins and good acid giving just the right amount of tension. Last bottle of this and the best of all three. Now 92 points and great to go out on a high note.
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From magnum. We took this to a party with friends and it was a big hit. A complex nose of ripe red and black berry fruit, pepper, spice, and forest floor. On the palate, this is a delight—After the subtle berry fruit upfront, there is plenty of structure and complexity on the mid-palate. The tannins, while still present, seem to be well on their way to integration and the multiple facets meld together wonderfully. I feared that I might have opened this too early, and while it certainly could have fared well for another 5-10 years in the magnum, it was certainly fabulous tonight. thedrunkencyclist.com
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PnP and then time in the glass, this is your standard but well made Pomerol, with nice fruit character and a certain smoothness to it that makes it very easy to drink. Air definitely brings out its better qualities so allow some decant time for this.
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An easy afternoon with close friends; Saint Julien & Pomerol (@ FD): Beautiful and complex bouquet with good red and black fruits as well as sweet spices. On the palate an inviting wine with sweet spices, good acidity and round, soft tannin. Juicy wine with good bitterness and a good balance. Harmonious wine which is ready now and the next few years. In a perfect drinking stage now.
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Shared after 2 hours decanting. Great colour, still young but lovely rich fruit on the nose and super density on the palate. Big structure with powerful but ripe tannins. Gutsy wine, would have been lovely with a steak. My preference would be to wait 2 to 3 more years to wait for a bit more maturity and integration but not a problem to enjoy now.
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Jack is Back in Town (Rocknroller's (Kevin & Vicki's Place)): Nose was quite vegetal, flat mid palate, vegetal finish. Neither complex or interesting to drink. Surprising bottle compared to other Bourgneufs we’ve had.
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Jack is Back in Town (Rocknroller's (Kevin & Vicki's Place)): Purple red color. Decanted for 1.75hrs, drank 1 glass over an hour. This was very rustic, black fruits, fennel, earth and mineral nose. The palate shows heat, oak, very firm rustic tannins, murky black fruits, very grippy. This improved somewhat in glass, so maybe this gets better with more age, but I doubt that rustic quality is going away.
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Still unite youthful in color, goo nose, a bit earthy and funk, old school. Fine textures, and with some finesse. There is a hint of brett that blows off with about 1-2 hours of decanting. Some appealing dark red fruits. Interesting enough, and well integrated at this point. Fine to drink now, or hold for a few more years.
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From a 375. A hint of greenness on the nose, but this is buoyed by subtle dark fruit and some forest floor. This was a legendary vintage in Bordeaux and while this is certainly not the most prestigious wine in the region, this is a stellar wine. Not a block-buster by any means, but I have a few bottles left, and I hope I can manage some restraint. Outstanding. thedrunkencyclist.com
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Quite closed, even following a decant. I mean, it took the better part of an hour to express much of anything. The nose remains stubbornly obtuse, yielding only hints of plum, cocoa, and tobacco leaf, eventually adding a gravel-like and minty back beat. The fruit is muted, and while the overall impression is balanced and the texture soft, I can't say this soars or inspires. Could a should a been more and don't know if it will be.
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Decanted for 2 hours and paired with grilled lamb loin chops.
Didn't take notes but relatively consistent with my note from 9/2013. Dark fruits, tobacco & dark chocolate on the nose & palate. Medium body, high acidity and long finish. Strong tannins - was much better with food than on it's own. Should continue to age well as this was very balanced and there is enough fruit to handle the tannins. 92+/-
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The sweetest pomerol I have ever tasted. Smells and tastes raisins, with a slight resemblance of port. According to the sommelier the bottle had been opened for 24 hours, which had lead to quite an improvement. 89-90 pts.
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I poured 3 different Pomerol on the same evening with a group of friends and this one got the higher mark. It was the best for me as well. Very nice maturity but I pretty sure it could improved more with time. That was the only bottle in my cellar :((
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The wine is popped and decanted for 3 hours before drinking. It pours an inky garnet color with a noticeable orange bricking at the rim - quite surprising for a wine that only has 9 years in it. There are long legs, attributable to the incredible vintage and high alcohol content (13.5% ABV - high for a Bordeaux). On the nose, the alcohol is present. There is a rustic bouquet of jammy red fruits, currants, mint, preserved plums and leather. The wine exhibits strength and remarkable concentration on the palate. Tannins are still a tad present and tingle astringently on the way down. Red currants, cherries and hay dominate the core of the palate. Finish is of decent length and nice acidity in the end. Overall a well-structured and well-defined wine but lacking the complexity to bump it above a 90.
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Pop and pour. Nice barnyard nose. Very nice red fruits and very smooth. The next time I open another bottle I will decant for 2 hours. This is the first time that I try this wine. I prefer the 2003.
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Decanted 2 hours (mag decanter) prior to consumption. Nose: Very pretty red fruits and flowers. Palate: Soft and feminine with cherries and cassis hints and an iron minerality that initially came off almost astringent, but with a ton of air this quality blew off showing soft spices and a medium length finish. This wine at almost 9 years old is amazingly youthful! My last notes on this were on 10/23/10 but given how balanced this still is my last bottle will probably sleep another 2 years at least. 91+ points.
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decant 1 hr.rather shy nose.rich secondary notes.with nt much fruits.pretty nice stucture.gd acidity support.decent finishing with some depth.texture is pretty nice here.start to reveal blueberry n toasted oak arnd 2 hrs of decanting.gain more complex palate.it perform much better than the 1st time.wud definitely b better if the fruits is more revealing to support the secondary notes.a potential wine
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pop n pour.showing sign of wet cardboard.fruits is hidden.decide to decant 90 minutes.rewarded with more fruits showing veri nice structure with plenty of fresh red fruits.but tere is stil sign of some greenish n a hint of wet cardboard.i am nt impress with the finishing too.its rather short.looking at the price $50 sing dollars,tis bttl is realy worth buying as i cant tink of any bttls cn perform with such prices.i tink tis bttl stil hve rooms for improvement
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Wine #4 in blind tasting of French wines. We had a hard time guessing '05 or '09 on this one - very little bricking and bright fruit. On nose, oak, cedar, tobacco & black currants. Similar flavor profile (fruit was very bright but I was able to guess '05 given more secondary flavors than '09 Bordeaux is throwing off at this stage of development) on palate with high acidity, medium+ body, strong tannins and long finish. This drank very well and I'm glad I've got 3 in my cellar and hopefully more on the way. 92+
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Very young but a fun drink alongside a bottle of the '86. The oak is still prevalent, vanilla, bright red fruit and a little heat. Red cherry, black pepper and some cassis. The tannins are very present but not overwhelming. Should definitely wait another couple years before opening another but a very lively no exciting wine.
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Day later from memory. Started a little lean and "off" in an intrusively chalky way but the imperfections blew off or integrated over the course of about 45 minutes. Don't know what that was but will definitely decant the next one. Acquired more stuffing, achieved an overall balance and appeared to be have sweet red fruit, cocoa/chocolate notes, and a general softness. Neutral rating reflects that I guess I wanted more from the wine in this vintage. Have several other bottles bought for $20 at auction and will need to give it a more diligent assessment next time.
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Dark to edge, concentrated; closed nose that is slow to open only allowing a little dark chocolate, dark berry, mineral, and a wall of tannin; in a dumb phase like many '05 Right Bank; not sure when this beast will wake from its slumber.
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Tannins are still loud and proud. There is fruit, but I was glad I had a big fat steak to counter the tannins. Maybe another year or two in the bottle will help.
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From a half bottle. Muted fruit with a bit of green pepper which was surprising hint of green pepper given the vintage. Nonetheless, Very Good and a nice accompaniment for the Ribeye.
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This was a tale of two nights kind of wine. I knew this needed a substantial decant, but impulsively I PnP'd. Hugely tannic, and tight. Vinvac'd-fridged overnight. Much better. Softer tannins. modest amount of fruit emerging. Being Right Bank, this wine is predominantly influenced by the Cab Franc.
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Not sure what the problem is. This is a lovely rich merlot. Beautiful and drinking really well. My wife and I really liked it, quite a lovely and well balanced wine.
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Homogeneous color. A bit closed, but what can be sensed is more vegetal and floral in combination with medicine. The opening gives a balanced mouth feel, but the aftertaste is dominated by dry wood and paprika. Very disappointing and in big contrast to the totally opposite 98-vintage.
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I consider myself a Bourgneuf fan - loved the 2001 - but I dunno what to make of this. From the get-go it's extremely ripe and inky with a very dark black-fruit complexion, not jammy but extremely intense, along with some scents of cedar shavings from the oak. It's drinkable but the fruit is so cranked up it ain't easy. Still, it was all right for most of the bottle, but towards the end the fruit picked up this medicinal character, featuring not just the over-the-top sweetness of cough syrup but the underlying wincingly unpalatable taste that the over-the-top sweetness is designed to mask... it triggered a very specific memory - what is this, exactly? - oh, right... Robitussin.
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Haven't ever been a fan of this label as the qpr isn't great. That said, the 2005, is good and balanced and not quite intergrated but offers something polished and satiable. It could use some more time and as said, the vintage is the key for me with this house.
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Robert Parker panned this wine (84 points). It isn't ready to drink now. Bury it for 5-7 years --> then you'll be happy. (Look at the notes from prior vintages. this wine always shows crappy in its youth.) We paid $20 / bottle. Good QPR at that price
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Austere, old school style of Pomerol is rough in texture and lacking in ripenes, fruit and charm. There is some red fruit, and hints of spice and earth, but the style of the wine did not thrill me.
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Popped and poured. Medium-plus ruby/crimson. Aromas of berries, earth, iron, and a touch of green. Medium veering on medium-plus body. Initially, the fruit flavors are a bit buried beneath the tannins. With air, a nice core of dark fruits is complemented by notes of earth and cedar, all framed nicely by a touch of oak. The tannins are astringent on the moderate finish. While nicely made, this wine could use another 3-5 years in the cellar to allow further integration of the tannins.
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1 hour in a mag decanter before consumption. Nose: Wonderful chalk mineral and iron qualities with tree moss and dark fruits. Palate: Very good acidity with the mineral showing and earthy, dark fruits. Medium length finish. Good food wine that went very well with NY Strip Steak (charcoal grilled) au Poivre. It will be interesting to see the evolution on the next two bottles.
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Juicy red and some black fruits. Some earthy tones as well. The oak is really nice and well dosed. Very pleasant complex wine which will continue to improve over the next 3 - 4 years.
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Ruby red in color with red fruit on the nose. Definite red fruits on the palate with fine tannin structure. Definitely quality fruit and well made, although not overpowering by any stretch. Very well balanced given its youth. More mellow on day two, and had a glass left under Vacu-vin that I had after we came back from five days in Jamaica (tough life, I know) that was even better. Excited to drink more of the '05's over the next 20 years....
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Medium purple in the glass. Almost undetectable, nose. Nice red fruit and well-integrated tannins in the glass. Better than average finish. Drinking well right out of the bottle and I would not bother to decant, or hope that it might improve with age. For the price point, good value.
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Minor 2005 Bordeaux, Major Quality (The Wine Club, San Francisco): Again, not the color intensity of some of the earlier wines. Alluring nose with cassis and blueberry. Fairly rich but not nearly as dense as others. Savory, elegant, and actually drinking quite well now.
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4/9/2023 - AhSoNice1990 wrote:
Nice and fruity on the nose, almost light ruby in colour, much to my surprise this bottle had fairly low tannin levels. Quite smooth and expressive, though the fruit was overpowering and quite jammy! Short, sharp finish. Could have just been the bottle, and I have another one which I’ll have to open real soon for validation, though a tad bit disappointed with this. Back in a few weeks with another update!
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1/29/2023 - hargy Likes this wine: 92 Points
lovely - such a consistent wine and great value (relatively) - no rush
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1/2/2023 - DaleW wrote:
I generally find Bourgneuf to be a solid QPR performer that drinks earlier than the big boys, and that is holding true here. Red and black plum, anise, cocoa, there’s some tannin but nothing to get in the way, solid performance. B+
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10/30/2022 - hargy Likes this wine: 92 Points
lovely and probably at its peak - bought en primeur, this really was excellent value
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8/21/2022 - oenanthe Likes this wine: 94 Points
Wowsers! This was stellar, and I have precisely no idea why. It has always been pretty solid, but it has hit new heights with this 10th bottle of 12. Dark red. Drinking beautifully, this was just superb. Cedar, tobacco and leather integrated perfectly with deep cassis and plum, it was rich and succulent, lip-smackingly delicious. It struck a perfect balance between being distinctively aged claret yet also vibrant and juicy - just singing. I simply don't understand how one bottle can have barely any fruit left (08/2021), and then another from the same case can be so outstandingly fresh and alive. I am almost scared to open #11! (but I know I will, and soon)
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7/23/2022 - drfloyd wrote:
Still good but I miss the merlot fruit which has faded with 17 years of age - to my taste its pretty much on the downhill. Still good and enjoyable but drink up.
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7/8/2022 - oenanthe Likes this wine: 89 Points
Another good bottle, drinking well. Dark red, very pure cassis smell and taste, on the mature side for sure, with a brown tinge to the side, but on the palate and on the nose a lot more youthful than the last I tried. Nicely integrated - cassis, plum and shades of cocoa and mint, with a smooth feel.
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4/9/2022 - TashNYC wrote: 90 Points
Red fruit, black fruit and iron. Good with lamb and steak.
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11/10/2021 - bevetroppo Likes this wine: 86 Points
This came out of the bottle with a discernible brownish tinge and I feared it was long gone. However, looks can be deceiving and the nose was just fine. Pronounced cocoa and red plum fruit sort of screamed merlot at me, with mint, tobacco leaf and slate edging. Smooth enough on the palate, there's still some fruit but the cocoa is quite pronounced and a little alcohol is poking through toward the slightly harsh, nearly tannin-less finish.
Based on this bottle, you should probably drink it now if you have any, but I'd posit what enjoyment it confers may last a few more years.
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9/17/2021 - oenanthe Likes this wine: 89 Points
Good bottle this evening, rich, dense and in much better shape than my last. Deep and dark red. Intense cassis fruit, quite succulent still, very pleasant mouthfeel with the smallest hints of tannin - resolved nicely. Funny how different bottles can show different evolution, my recollection is that this wine only 6-8 months ago was much chewier. Maybe the previously consumed Gigondas and Santenay had numbed my senses, but this was a lovely bottle with which to finish the evening. Classy stuff.
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9/12/2021 - CWilliam wrote:
PNP at restaurant. Dark black color - tobacco, charred oak, cedar, black currants and plum on nose. Palate similar with medium+ acidity, integrated tannins, medium body and long finish- fruit clearly at peak and has a slight extracted note. I enjoyed this. 92+/-
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8/7/2021 - oenanthe Likes this wine: 86 Points
Decent mature claret, a good year, but this bottle felt a little bit thin and tired and there was not a lot of fruit nor tannin left. Solid, but no wow factor. Drink up based on this bottle, but a previous bottle was much better only 4 months ago.
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5/15/2021 - hargy Likes this wine: 91 Points
this really is excellent and great value - mature but should be good for a few years yet
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4/17/2021 - oenanthe Likes this wine: 88 Points
In a very good place in 2021. Good to go.
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1/2/2021 - oenanthe Likes this wine: 88 Points
Dependable right bank Bordeaux from a great vintage that is now mature and drinking well. Decanted for 1 hour. Deep garnet red, fruit and leather on the nose. A touch of rusticity perhaps, and some chewiness still, suggests can go on for a bit - good news as I have 8 left and don't drink enough claret to keep up. Balanced, reasonably rich, fine length. Slightly surprisingly better on day two, with no special care taken.
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11/15/2020 - oenanthe Likes this wine: 89 Points
A solid right bank bordeaux from a great year which in my opinion is now at peak. Decanted three hours before dinner, intense cassis aromas first up, really marked. Firm tannins still, it held its own all evening. Quite a long aftertaste. Good stuff, it really seems you cannot go to far wrong with well made claret these days if you store it properly. Went well with slow-cooked beef stew. I would say that this will drink quite nicely for a number of years beyond the stated 2021 end date.
Similar on the second evening. It had not gained anything much but neither had it lost its impact. A decent drop, paid £16 in bond back in 2006, a good investment.
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7/1/2020 - djn63 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Pleasant. Subdued mature nose and fruits. Bit of woody aftertaste but very smooth. Drink now
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6/28/2020 - mlawren1 wrote: 90 Points
Nice mature Bordeaux. Fruit starts a little stewed then gives way to currants, cherries and plums. Finishes earthy with leather and cedar.
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6/13/2020 - cburgner Likes this wine: 88 Points
Decent, but certainly not anything noteworthy.
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3/31/2020 - Cofxc Likes this wine: 90 Points
When this got going*, chalky, lots of lovely liquorice and very appetising acidity.
*It woke up with a start on the penultimate glass (2nd night). Throughout the first night and the first glass the next night, this was mute, uninteresting. I hadn't had the Chateau before and just thought it was no good. Treat the next bottle with more respect.
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12/26/2019 - Ianjaig wrote: 87 Points
Initially very vegetal, traditional, yet lacking in fruit - quite austere and angular. Herbaceous, almost a touch 'green'. Five hours of opening and this settles down, with a hint some soft, red fruits appearing and the tannins becoming more integrated and balanced. Becoming more supple.
Day 2 and its evolution is identical to the day earlier, vegetal and harsh, becoming more supple and balanced.
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12/24/2019 - awinestory wrote: 90 Points
Tasting now after a decade in the cellar. Pleasant surprise at how fresh and vibrant the wine is. Racy acidity and minerality in the form of iron so many discussed. Tannins are corduroy more than velvet, yet with lots of texture. Moderate complexity and length on the finish.
In terms of pairing, this seems a better choice with cheese at the end of the meal. Though it could pair very well with duck or rare lamb.
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11/28/2019 - ctjared Likes this wine:
consistent, drinking well.
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10/22/2019 - CWilliam wrote: 93 Points
PNP at restaurant. Mattshank's note is spot on.
Best of 3 bottles I have had with one left. 92-93 range. Great balance and paired well with lamb rib chops.
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9/15/2019 - Mattshank wrote: 92 Points
Nose: Iron, blood and minerals with red fruits underneath. Great aromatics. Palate: Cherries with the minerals and iron present. Super elegant and suave with evolved yet still a bit grippy tannins and good acid giving just the right amount of tension. Last bottle of this and the best of all three. Now 92 points and great to go out on a high note.
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6/7/2019 - ctjared Likes this wine:
drinking very well - classic bordeaux
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4/10/2019 - hargy Likes this wine: 91 Points
not my favourite chateau but simply wonderful in this vintage - now mature but no particular rush
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3/28/2019 - jgreco Does not like this wine: 90 Points
Sweet cassis, tobacco leaf, and medicinal notes. Coarse, grainy tannins. A pleasant, but uninteresting finish.
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3/25/2019 - ctjared Likes this wine:
consistent
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1/27/2018 - jgreco Does not like this wine: flawed
Nose is quite medicinal with dark fruits. The medicinal flavor is piercing and overwhelms everything else. I think there is an issue with this bottle.
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1/20/2018 - The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine: 91 Points
From magnum. We took this to a party with friends and it was a big hit. A complex nose of ripe red and black berry fruit, pepper, spice, and forest floor. On the palate, this is a delight—After the subtle berry fruit upfront, there is plenty of structure and complexity on the mid-palate. The tannins, while still present, seem to be well on their way to integration and the multiple facets meld together wonderfully. I feared that I might have opened this too early, and while it certainly could have fared well for another 5-10 years in the magnum, it was certainly fabulous tonight. thedrunkencyclist.com
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1/1/2018 - quaffnov Likes this wine: 89 Points
PnP and then time in the glass, this is your standard but well made Pomerol, with nice fruit character and a certain smoothness to it that makes it very easy to drink. Air definitely brings out its better qualities so allow some decant time for this.
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9/9/2017 - Zweder wrote: 91 Points
An easy afternoon with close friends; Saint Julien & Pomerol (@ FD): Beautiful and complex bouquet with good red and black fruits as well as sweet spices. On the palate an inviting wine with sweet spices, good acidity and round, soft tannin. Juicy wine with good bitterness and a good balance. Harmonious wine which is ready now and the next few years. In a perfect drinking stage now.
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6/21/2017 - Chimer Likes this wine: 90 Points
Shared after 2 hours decanting. Great colour, still young but lovely rich fruit on the nose and super density on the palate. Big structure with powerful but ripe tannins. Gutsy wine, would have been lovely with a steak. My preference would be to wait 2 to 3 more years to wait for a bit more maturity and integration but not a problem to enjoy now.
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3/25/2017 - robertgf wrote: 87 Points
Jack is Back in Town (Rocknroller's (Kevin & Vicki's Place)):
Nose was quite vegetal, flat mid palate, vegetal finish.
Neither complex or interesting to drink. Surprising bottle compared to other Bourgneufs we’ve had.
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3/25/2017 - rocknroller wrote: 86 Points
Jack is Back in Town (Rocknroller's (Kevin & Vicki's Place)): Purple red color. Decanted for 1.75hrs, drank 1 glass over an hour. This was very rustic, black fruits, fennel, earth and mineral nose. The palate shows heat, oak, very firm rustic tannins, murky black fruits, very grippy. This improved somewhat in glass, so maybe this gets better with more age, but I doubt that rustic quality is going away.
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11/27/2016 - ctjared Likes this wine:
consistent
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11/21/2016 - ctjared Likes this wine:
drinking very well. dark fruit, well integrated, medium finish
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6/19/2016 - edub7 wrote: 91 Points
Still unite youthful in color, goo nose, a bit earthy and funk, old school. Fine textures, and with some finesse. There is a hint of brett that blows off with about 1-2 hours of decanting. Some appealing dark red fruits. Interesting enough, and well integrated at this point. Fine to drink now, or hold for a few more years.
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5/13/2016 - The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine: 90 Points
From a 375. A hint of greenness on the nose, but this is buoyed by subtle dark fruit and some forest floor. This was a legendary vintage in Bordeaux and while this is certainly not the most prestigious wine in the region, this is a stellar wine. Not a block-buster by any means, but I have a few bottles left, and I hope I can manage some restraint. Outstanding. thedrunkencyclist.com
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3/29/2016 - bevetroppo Likes this wine: 87 Points
Quite closed, even following a decant. I mean, it took the better part of an hour to express much of anything. The nose remains stubbornly obtuse, yielding only hints of plum, cocoa, and tobacco leaf, eventually adding a gravel-like and minty back beat. The fruit is muted, and while the overall impression is balanced and the texture soft, I can't say this soars or inspires. Could a should a been more and don't know if it will be.
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1/23/2016 - H. Eugene Likes this wine: 88 Points
Excellent wine. Decanted for 2 hours
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1/3/2016 - CWilliam wrote:
Decanted for 2 hours and paired with grilled lamb loin chops.
Didn't take notes but relatively consistent with my note from 9/2013. Dark fruits, tobacco & dark chocolate on the nose & palate. Medium body, high acidity and long finish. Strong tannins - was much better with food than on it's own. Should continue to age well as this was very balanced and there is enough fruit to handle the tannins. 92+/-
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3/29/2015 - FransS wrote: 84 Points
Too modest to be interesting.
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1/14/2015 - Sundbyberg wrote: 89 Points
The sweetest pomerol I have ever tasted. Smells and tastes raisins, with a slight resemblance of port. According to the sommelier the bottle had been opened for 24 hours, which had lead to quite an improvement.
89-90 pts.
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12/20/2014 - LeGaulois wrote: 91 Points
I poured 3 different Pomerol on the same evening with a group of friends and this one got the higher mark. It was the best for me as well. Very nice maturity but I pretty sure it could improved more with time. That was the only bottle in my cellar :((
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11/29/2014 - ctjared wrote:
a bit disappointing. thought there would be more to this.
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11/10/2014 - emzee.mc wrote: 89 Points
The wine is popped and decanted for 3 hours before drinking. It pours an inky garnet color with a noticeable orange bricking at the rim - quite surprising for a wine that only has 9 years in it. There are long legs, attributable to the incredible vintage and high alcohol content (13.5% ABV - high for a Bordeaux). On the nose, the alcohol is present. There is a rustic bouquet of jammy red fruits, currants, mint, preserved plums and leather. The wine exhibits strength and remarkable concentration on the palate. Tannins are still a tad present and tingle astringently on the way down. Red currants, cherries and hay dominate the core of the palate. Finish is of decent length and nice acidity in the end. Overall a well-structured and well-defined wine but lacking the complexity to bump it above a 90.
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10/4/2014 - quanmeister wrote: 92 Points
Very decent wine. Cellared for 6 years. Medium bodied that still has freshness. Tons of bright red fruit. Really enjoyable.
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8/30/2014 - BordeauxMN Likes this wine: 91 Points
Pop and pour. Nice barnyard nose. Very nice red fruits and very smooth. The next time I open another bottle I will decant for 2 hours. This is the first time that I try this wine. I prefer the 2003.
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8/13/2014 - ctjared Likes this wine:
solid Bordeaux.
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7/31/2014 - Mattshank wrote: 91 Points
Decanted 2 hours (mag decanter) prior to consumption. Nose: Very pretty red fruits and flowers. Palate: Soft and feminine with cherries and cassis hints and an iron minerality that initially came off almost astringent, but with a ton of air this quality blew off showing soft spices and a medium length finish. This wine at almost 9 years old is amazingly youthful! My last notes on this were on 10/23/10 but given how balanced this still is my last bottle will probably sleep another 2 years at least. 91+ points.
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4/10/2014 - clairenclarence wrote: 90 Points
decant 1 hr.rather shy nose.rich secondary notes.with nt much fruits.pretty nice stucture.gd acidity support.decent finishing with some depth.texture is pretty nice here.start to reveal blueberry n toasted oak arnd 2 hrs of decanting.gain more complex palate.it perform much better than the 1st time.wud definitely b better if the fruits is more revealing to support the secondary notes.a potential wine
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10/28/2013 - clairenclarence wrote: 89 Points
pop n pour.showing sign of wet cardboard.fruits is hidden.decide to decant 90 minutes.rewarded with more fruits showing veri nice structure with plenty of fresh red fruits.but tere is stil sign of some greenish n a hint of wet cardboard.i am nt impress with the finishing too.its rather short.looking at the price $50 sing dollars,tis bttl is realy worth buying as i cant tink of any bttls cn perform with such prices.i tink tis bttl stil hve rooms for improvement
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7/21/2013 - CWilliam wrote: 92 Points
Wine #4 in blind tasting of French wines. We had a hard time guessing '05 or '09 on this one - very little bricking and bright fruit. On nose, oak, cedar, tobacco & black currants. Similar flavor profile (fruit was very bright but I was able to guess '05 given more secondary flavors than '09 Bordeaux is throwing off at this stage of development) on palate with high acidity, medium+ body, strong tannins and long finish. This drank very well and I'm glad I've got 3 in my cellar and hopefully more on the way. 92+
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7/5/2013 - Spl232 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Very young but a fun drink alongside a bottle of the '86. The oak is still prevalent, vanilla, bright red fruit and a little heat. Red cherry, black pepper and some cassis. The tannins are very present but not overwhelming. Should definitely wait another couple years before opening another but a very lively no exciting wine.
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5/12/2013 - bevetroppo wrote: 88 Points
Day later from memory. Started a little lean and "off" in an intrusively chalky way but the imperfections blew off or integrated over the course of about 45 minutes. Don't know what that was but will definitely decant the next one. Acquired more stuffing, achieved an overall balance and appeared to be have sweet red fruit, cocoa/chocolate notes, and a general softness. Neutral rating reflects that I guess I wanted more from the wine in this vintage. Have several other bottles bought for $20 at auction and will need to give it a more diligent assessment next time.
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4/19/2013 - Rezy13 wrote:
Dark to edge, concentrated; closed nose that is slow to open only allowing a little dark chocolate, dark berry, mineral, and a wall of tannin; in a dumb phase like many '05 Right Bank; not sure when this beast will wake from its slumber.
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4/6/2013 - memphishusky Likes this wine:
Tannins are still loud and proud. There is fruit, but I was glad I had a big fat steak to counter the tannins. Maybe another year or two in the bottle will help.
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2/19/2013 - The Drunken Cyclist wrote: 88 Points
From a half bottle. Muted fruit with a bit of green pepper which was surprising hint of green pepper given the vintage. Nonetheless, Very Good and a nice accompaniment for the Ribeye.
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12/18/2012 - Bureso Likes this wine: 91 Points
Mørk med herlig stor duft, mørk frugt, eg og kirsebær. Stor krop med bløde tanniner, krydret med et strejf af røg. Lang eftersmag.
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8/5/2012 - Sauvyfan Likes this wine: 89 Points
This was a tale of two nights kind of wine. I knew this needed a substantial decant, but impulsively I PnP'd. Hugely tannic, and tight. Vinvac'd-fridged overnight. Much better. Softer tannins. modest amount of fruit emerging. Being Right Bank, this wine is predominantly influenced by the Cab Franc.
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8/3/2012 - Willsy wrote: 90 Points
Not sure what the problem is. This is a lovely rich merlot. Beautiful and drinking really well. My wife and I really liked it, quite a lovely and well balanced wine.
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4/20/2012 - sigge wrote: 81 Points
Homogeneous color. A bit closed, but what can be sensed is more vegetal and floral in combination with medicine. The opening gives a balanced mouth feel, but the aftertaste is dominated by dry wood and paprika. Very disappointing and in big contrast to the totally opposite 98-vintage.
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4/18/2012 - Keith Levenberg wrote:
I consider myself a Bourgneuf fan - loved the 2001 - but I dunno what to make of this. From the get-go it's extremely ripe and inky with a very dark black-fruit complexion, not jammy but extremely intense, along with some scents of cedar shavings from the oak. It's drinkable but the fruit is so cranked up it ain't easy. Still, it was all right for most of the bottle, but towards the end the fruit picked up this medicinal character, featuring not just the over-the-top sweetness of cough syrup but the underlying wincingly unpalatable taste that the over-the-top sweetness is designed to mask... it triggered a very specific memory - what is this, exactly? - oh, right... Robitussin.
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1/31/2012 - gr8nrg wrote: 88 Points
Haven't ever been a fan of this label as the qpr isn't great. That said, the 2005, is good and balanced and not quite intergrated but offers something polished and satiable. It could use some more time and as said, the vintage is the key for me with this house.
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9/11/2011 - TashNYC wrote:
Robert Parker panned this wine (84 points). It isn't ready to drink now. Bury it for 5-7 years --> then you'll be happy.
(Look at the notes from prior vintages. this wine always shows crappy in its youth.) We paid $20 / bottle. Good QPR at that price
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8/1/2011 - Jeff Leve wrote: 82 Points
Austere, old school style of Pomerol is rough in texture and lacking in ripenes, fruit and charm. There is some red fruit, and hints of spice and earth, but the style of the wine did not thrill me.
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3/1/2011 - Venturifan wrote: 91 Points
Excellent. Would buy again.
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12/4/2010 - *Vine* wrote:
Popped and poured. Medium-plus ruby/crimson. Aromas of berries, earth, iron, and a touch of green. Medium veering on medium-plus body. Initially, the fruit flavors are a bit buried beneath the tannins. With air, a nice core of dark fruits is complemented by notes of earth and cedar, all framed nicely by a touch of oak. The tannins are astringent on the moderate finish. While nicely made, this wine could use another 3-5 years in the cellar to allow further integration of the tannins.
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10/23/2010 - Mattshank wrote: 91 Points
1 hour in a mag decanter before consumption. Nose: Wonderful chalk mineral and iron qualities with tree moss and dark fruits. Palate: Very good acidity with the mineral showing and earthy, dark fruits. Medium length finish. Good food wine that went very well with NY Strip Steak (charcoal grilled) au Poivre. It will be interesting to see the evolution on the next two bottles.
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2/3/2010 - Zweder wrote: 90 Points
Juicy red and some black fruits. Some earthy tones as well. The oak is really nice and well dosed. Very pleasant complex wine which will continue to improve over the next 3 - 4 years.
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1/18/2009 - lano wrote: 90 Points
Ruby red in color with red fruit on the nose. Definite red fruits on the palate with fine tannin structure. Definitely quality fruit and well made, although not overpowering by any stretch. Very well balanced given its youth. More mellow on day two, and had a glass left under Vacu-vin that I had after we came back from five days in Jamaica (tough life, I know) that was even better. Excited to drink more of the '05's over the next 20 years....
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1/14/2009 - Dagalaifus Likes this wine: 90 Points
Medium purple in the glass. Almost undetectable, nose. Nice red fruit and well-integrated tannins in the glass. Better than average finish. Drinking well right out of the bottle and I would not bother to decant, or hope that it might improve with age. For the price point, good value.
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4/26/2008 - EMichels wrote: 87 Points
K&L Hollywood Tasting: No nose; A bit more mellow; Solid but nothing exciting
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3/29/2008 - drwine2001 wrote:
Minor 2005 Bordeaux, Major Quality (The Wine Club, San Francisco): Again, not the color intensity of some of the earlier wines. Alluring nose with cassis and blueberry. Fairly rich but not nearly as dense as others. Savory, elegant, and actually drinking quite well now.
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