Personally, I think the consensus rates this a touch too low. Lots of correct Medoc character, with graphite/pencil shavings and a tiny bit of funk/barnyard. The palate has a lovely seam of acidity and plenty of dark fruit…this is not an austere wine! That said, the tannins are still rather foresquare. I think it could handle another few years in the cellar. Canny buy by Qatar Airways at a time when all the airlines seem to be downgrading their wine offerings. 91-92
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From a bottle purchased recently at retail because I was interested in trying this seldom seen, much unloved fifth growth. I was ultimately very favorably impressed, but it took three days to get there.
On PnP, it showed an open nose of red fruits with the same on the palate, but it seemed thin and disjointed. I didn’t even have one glass before I packed it away under vacuum in the fridge.
On day three, it was a totally different wine, showing full, pure red fruits (red currant and raspberries), roses, and a touch of cinnamon, along with excellent cohesiveness and balance and ripe, dusty tannins. At the $33 US/bottle case price, this is a good value. 13.5% ABV (very good; distinctive/***/16.5/92)
Blackberry, leather, vanilla, cumin; smooth, fairly rich, fruits fairly accessible and tannins not overwhelming; medium length; a little one-dimensional but pleasing to drink
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Wine Warehouse Spring Tasting, nose of baked black cherry fruit, and cigar box, same on the palate, medium body, lovely fruit, rich fruit, very earthy tasting today, soft tannins on the mid palate, and a medium finish,
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Dark fruit, spices, tobacco, smoke, herbs on the nose. Powerful, grippy tannins on the palate, good concentration of fruit, lots of structure, fresh and bright. Good length. Positively rustic. 90-91+
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Light in color, medium-bodied, with soft, mineral driven red fruits and leafy qualities. You can already drink this now, just give it an hour in the decanter.
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UGCB 2015 tasting (Amsterdam): The bouquet is a bit locked, but there are dark berries. On the palate dark berries, some green bell pepper impressions, pleasant oak, good acidity and sticky tannin. Not a wine of great luxury or finesse, but certainly a very ok wine. 88 - 89 for today
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Assessing Bordeaux 2015 from bottle, part I; 11/2/2017-11/3/2017 (Bordeaux): OK, dear reader, this series of five wines from Saint Estephe surprised not just me but also two experienced Bordeaux tasters: Jane Anson and Yohan Castaing, whose blog Anthocyanes excellent. Anyway, all five were excellent. Starting with Cos Labory and its seductive, tobacco nose. The palate although a bit rude on the attack, settles down to a medium to full-bodied claret, that holds its own. Certainly more substantial than it was from barrel.
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5/9/2024 - Poussin Likes this wine: 91 Points
Personally, I think the consensus rates this a touch too low. Lots of correct Medoc character, with graphite/pencil shavings and a tiny bit of funk/barnyard. The palate has a lovely seam of acidity and plenty of dark fruit…this is not an austere wine! That said, the tannins are still rather foresquare. I think it could handle another few years in the cellar. Canny buy by Qatar Airways at a time when all the airlines seem to be downgrading their wine offerings. 91-92
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3/23/2024 - Mads Eriksen wrote: 93 Points
meget flot og fint moden til at drikke.
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10/2/2023 - Jake Barnes Likes this wine: 92 Points
From a bottle purchased recently at retail because I was interested in trying this seldom seen, much unloved fifth growth. I was ultimately very favorably impressed, but it took three days to get there.
On PnP, it showed an open nose of red fruits with the same on the palate, but it seemed thin and disjointed. I didn’t even have one glass before I packed it away under vacuum in the fridge.
On day three, it was a totally different wine, showing full, pure red fruits (red currant and raspberries), roses, and a touch of cinnamon, along with excellent cohesiveness and balance and ripe, dusty tannins. At the $33 US/bottle case price, this is a good value. 13.5% ABV (very good; distinctive/***/16.5/92)
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2/19/2022 - NMIZ wrote: 88 Points
Dark purple. Powerful. Too tannic. Still too young. Pencil lead. Red cherries. Tobacco. Medium body. Long finish.
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5/23/2021 - wineappreciation wrote: 90 Points
Blackberry, leather, vanilla, cumin; smooth, fairly rich, fruits fairly accessible and tannins not overwhelming; medium length; a little one-dimensional but pleasing to drink
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5/7/2019 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 91 Points
Wine Warehouse Spring Tasting, nose of baked black cherry fruit, and cigar box, same on the palate, medium body, lovely fruit, rich fruit, very earthy tasting today, soft tannins on the mid palate, and a medium finish,
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6/16/2018 - rossi.wine wrote: 91 Points
Dark fruit, spices, tobacco, smoke, herbs on the nose. Powerful, grippy tannins on the palate, good concentration of fruit, lots of structure, fresh and bright. Good length. Positively rustic. 90-91+
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5/21/2018 - Jeff Leve wrote: 87 Points
Light in color, medium-bodied, with soft, mineral driven red fruits and leafy qualities. You can already drink this now, just give it an hour in the decanter.
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3/19/2018 - Weinmeister Likes this wine: 90 Points
90,5 (90) Potential
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2/6/2018 - FransS wrote: 88 Points
UGC Tasting Amsterdam 2/5/2018: Nicely starting, but only a modest advance in the midtaste, ending with some severe tannins.
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2/5/2018 - Zweder wrote: 89 Points
UGCB 2015 tasting (Amsterdam): The bouquet is a bit locked, but there are dark berries. On the palate dark berries, some green bell pepper impressions, pleasant oak, good acidity and sticky tannin. Not a wine of great luxury or finesse, but certainly a very ok wine. 88 - 89 for today
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1/25/2018 - kmacSF wrote: 86 Points
Blueberry and paprika. Finish of tropical flowers.
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11/2/2017 - PanosKakaviatos Likes this wine: 91 Points
Assessing Bordeaux 2015 from bottle, part I; 11/2/2017-11/3/2017 (Bordeaux): OK, dear reader, this series of five wines from Saint Estephe surprised not just me but also two experienced Bordeaux tasters: Jane Anson and Yohan Castaing, whose blog Anthocyanes excellent. Anyway, all five were excellent. Starting with Cos Labory and its seductive, tobacco nose. The palate although a bit rude on the attack, settles down to a medium to full-bodied claret, that holds its own. Certainly more substantial than it was from barrel.
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4/19/2016 - Jeff Leve wrote: 87 Points
An earthy, medium-bodied wine with cassis, blackberries and a crisp, herbal, sweet and tart quality to the fruit. 86 - 88 Pts
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