Alex's Birthday Party (Yan's China Bistro, Walnut Creek, Ca.): Nose of cigar box, black cherry, black berry, and plum, same on the palate, big body, lovely, mouth filling fruit, well blended and crafted, very tasty, at its peak in this magnum format, and a long, long finish. Tasted one hour later and starting to fade.
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Dark claret color; Nose exhibits strong dark fruits and is promising, but the wine itself is thinner and does not match up with the same depth. Very short finish for what I would expect for this producer. Still had good enough body, but does not stand out.
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Wow! Well worth the cellaring time. Decanted. Flawless rich claret color. Tasted like a fine bordeaux. If you have this in your cellar, it's time to take it out, you won't be disapointed.
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Great red table wine, by any standard. Needed about 30-45 minutes decanting and more in the glass. Red fruit on the nose with a smooth finish. Served with caprese salad and lasagna. Yum.
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No tasting note, but consistent impression with my previous tasting back in 2005. I don’t think I tasted an improvement, but a good solid well drinking Newton that’s drinking very well right now.
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This is actually quite good. I’ve been collecting Newton on and off since the eighties, and they can be hit and miss. After a very uninspiring 96 Merlot, I opened up the 1999 Grand Vin to see where it’s at. Still very young, tight, and somewhat closed, but after an hour, the wine was rather enjoyable. Nose of rich cherry, smoke, and tobacco. Firm tannins, but the fruit really balanced it out. Medium finish with a lingering diluted dark cherry note. I’ll give this one a few years, but so far, it’s not at all bad right now.
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Great wine, but really needs more time. I opened one bottle and didn't really like it the evening I opened it - really tight and not very approachable. On the second day I re-tasted it and it was fantastic. I expect best is to wait for 5 years or if you have to drink it now, open it a day in advance.
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Nose of cherry, smokey. Few minutes decanting. Smooth, bordeaux-blend like (I suspect more Merlot blended in than originally expected). A decent, but not prolonged finish. Not as huge as expected, certainly seemed very balanced. An after dinner quaf.
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2/1/2019 - KenK Likes this wine: 94 Points
from Magnum: drinking great, dark ripe fruits with lots of zing and black spices. Really good.
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5/5/2018 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 95 Points
Alex's Birthday Party (Yan's China Bistro, Walnut Creek, Ca.): Nose of cigar box, black cherry, black berry, and plum, same on the palate, big body, lovely, mouth filling fruit, well blended and crafted, very tasty, at its peak in this magnum format, and a long, long finish. Tasted one hour later and starting to fade.
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9/1/2014 - windypinot wrote: 89 Points
Dark claret color; Nose exhibits strong dark fruits and is promising, but the wine itself is thinner and does not match up with the same depth. Very short finish for what I would expect for this producer. Still had good enough body, but does not stand out.
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4/3/2014 - affordableCollector wrote: 90 Points
red body, purple rim, in the color. plum, blackberry, candied, dusty, earth, oak, on the nose. medium acid, on the finish.
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4/16/2011 - WineShark wrote: 95 Points
Wow! Well worth the cellaring time. Decanted. Flawless rich claret color. Tasted like a fine bordeaux. If you have this in your cellar, it's time to take it out, you won't be disapointed.
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12/12/2009 - DenisLee wrote:
I really enjoyed this wine. Wish I had more.
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6/21/2009 - hld1970 wrote: 91 Points
Great red table wine, by any standard. Needed about 30-45 minutes decanting and more in the glass. Red fruit on the nose with a smooth finish. Served with caprese salad and lasagna. Yum.
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4/4/2009 - Mpoob wrote: 89 Points
Stewed plums in the nose, Nicely assembled and balanced drinking fine right now.
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6/28/2008 - Mark wrote: 90 Points
No tasting note, but consistent impression with my previous tasting back in 2005. I don’t think I tasted an improvement, but a good solid well drinking Newton that’s drinking very well right now.
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10/27/2007 - ggtirevite wrote: 90 Points
Very nice - smooth, bordeaux like,
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12/3/2006 - LC17SMP wrote: 86 Points
Was open for a couple of hours before I tried it. My first thoughts were old and dusty. Not my cup of tea.
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8/5/2006 - Fatty Cat wrote: 92 Points
Early Aug 2006: dark red ink; red and dark berries, vanilla and chocolate; smooth with a slight fruity sweetness on the palate; full body.
14.3% alcohol. Unfiltered.
An already mature Bordeaux-like Cuvée in international style.
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6/23/2006 - bhornby wrote: 94 Points
Improving nicely - really opening up.
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12/31/2005 - bhornby wrote:
new year's Eve party
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12/2/2005 - Mark wrote: 91 Points
This is actually quite good. I’ve been collecting Newton on and off since the eighties, and they can be hit and miss. After a very uninspiring 96 Merlot, I opened up the 1999 Grand Vin to see where it’s at. Still very young, tight, and somewhat closed, but after an hour, the wine was rather enjoyable. Nose of rich cherry, smoke, and tobacco. Firm tannins, but the fruit really balanced it out. Medium finish with a lingering diluted dark cherry note. I’ll give this one a few years, but so far, it’s not at all bad right now.
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9/3/2005 - bhornby wrote:
Great wine, but really needs more time. I opened one bottle and didn't really like it the evening I opened it - really tight and not very approachable. On the second day I re-tasted it and it was fantastic. I expect best is to wait for 5 years or if you have to drink it now, open it a day in advance.
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4/2/2005 - NeuroDoc wrote: 92 Points
Nose of cherry, smokey. Few minutes decanting. Smooth, bordeaux-blend like (I suspect more Merlot blended in than originally expected). A decent, but not prolonged finish. Not as huge as expected, certainly seemed very balanced. An after dinner quaf.
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