Still a great bottle and should easily last another year or two. Deep ruby colour, strong black fruit aromas with a lucious mouth feel. Not a really long finish but it was lovely going all the way down.
We had it over two nights with Italian sausage on the first night and grilled lamb chops on the second.
So glad there are 2 more bottles in the cellar.
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Age hasn't benefited this wine. If anything, its the same as we remember from 3 years ago. Even with long decanting, the thick fruit and heavy palate won't loosen or smooth.
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Visual: Vermelho-granada Nariz: Muito aromático, com notas de cereja preta e vermelha, ameixa e toques florais Boca: É complexo, vivo, intenso, com sabor de frutas maduras, taninos aveludados e acidez balanceada
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This is good stuff, and incredible for price (~$7). We saved a couple of these from 2 years ago to see how’d they’d age: the answer is well.
Very dark purple color. On day 1 the wine was awkward, hot, and a little too sweet. Vacusealed overnight or with a 2-4 hour decant, a welcoming nose of cherries, mint licorice, raspberry await. Palate is similar, beginning sweet then building a balsamic acid and depth. Finish is long, slightly metallic.
Can drink on its own but is more poised with food, spicy barbecue, something bold.
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Further to my TN of Dec 28 '18: Tried another bottle tonight and over the next two days. No decant, no sediment. Quality is still there over the 48h period: dark, black cherry nose with a bit of tar, good fruit and very good mouthfeel. Solidly notable+.
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Farbe dunkel und etwas purpurn. In der Nase erdig mit leichter Gewürznote. Im Mund sehr trocken und noch etwas verschlossen. Im Abgang zunächst gewisse Bitterstoffe am Ende auch etwas Frucht.
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Better then the last bottle! It seems to be softening, integrating, much tastier. Very dry, but very fruit forward on the nose. Also the longer it freeze the better it gets.
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Bought 9b for 6.30/b 1+ years ago from a local gourmet produce market with a wine section; this is our fourth bottle. No decant or breathing time except over dinner. Dark red color, red fruit nose, bright fruit flavors, hints of cranberry and pomegranate. Good complement to mild Mexican or even Indian or on its own. Fruit forward, good mouthfeel, not complex. Stored vertically in a cool, dark basement since purchase (synthetic cork). My evaluation: I've stopped giving scores on a "100-point scale" as I've become less convinced that they can be meaningful to others. I use a 4-category scale (perhaps with +/-)--not including flawed--which runs outstanding/notable/drinkable/poor. I considered this notable+ when considering quality, age, and price.
P: LM body; ALMOST swtish frt met by an astringent pucker with the early swtness of this morphing into a LONG, puckerish finish. NEEDS into mid '19, but enough frt? 14.5% ABV; My G+, potentially VG. 92 pts Guia Penin, 91 ea Int'l Wine Cellar & WA, 88 wine-pages.com, 87 Wine Casual, 86 & "Best Buy" WE @ $9, 83 WS, and 15.5/20 with a "Good Value" from Jancis Robinson. [This vendor's $6.99 is about as good as any out there.]
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Dark. This tasted like port to me (which I love). It tasted burnt and had a certain astringent component. The flavors were fig paste and raisins. I wouldn't buy this again for this vintage. There are a number nice professional reviews for this wine, but at any price I wouldn't like this. 83
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The Wine Advocate almost falls over itself praising this wine that averages only $10 as a terrific big time value winner that merits 91 points for being aromatic, rich, and dense. Having tasted this several times through an evening, the price is certainly impressively cheap but the quality of the wine in the bottle is best described as a skinny disappointment that would leave a case full trail of regret if bought in quantity.
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A(ccuracy)=2: Med ruby. Ripe peppery varietal. B(alance)=2: Fruit forward. Bit heady and hot. C(omplexity)=1: Dark berries, herbs. D(epth)=1: Sinewy and short.
Wine Tally Score [2,2,1,1] = 6/10
Pizza/Burger wine. Great value at well under US$10 price point.
[https://www.facebook.com/WineTally/]
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P: Med body; ALMOST swtish frt (threshold R.S.?) nicely offset by a very slightly puckerish acidity which, fairly seamlessly, transitions into a LONG, very slightly tangy, somewhat chocolatey finish. *Marvelous* QPR that could well improve a tad over the next 6 mos, then drink NICELY through '19. 91 ea Int'l Wine Cellar & WA, 88 wine-pages.com, 87 Wine Casual, 86 & "Best Buy" WE @ $9, 83 WS, and 15.5/20 with a "Good Value" from Jancis Robinson.
Addendum: Also tasted 3/3/2018, though not NEARLY as positively
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The wine looks garnet colored. The legs are medium. There is no sediment in the bottle. It smells like mineral, stoniness, blackberry, cherry and ethanol. It tastes like blackberry, blueberry, cranberry, cherry, cedar, mineral and stoniness. The body is medium/full. The wine has polished texture. The wine finishes short. The wine has medium acidity. A high alcohol smell and taste, which clears the palate thereby making the finish very short. Ok to drink on its own but pairs well with heavier foods. All in all, a bold, interesting wine worth at least double its price.
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With grilled steaks, sautéed asparagus with garlic. A pretty crimson, sparkling in the glass, very dark (almost opaque). Initial nose is nice and clean. Dry, not particularly tannic, earthy more than fruity (fruit leads but the earth moves in, and a touch of mushroom brings up the rear. 88-89.
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1/6/2021 - DbertCellar wrote: 90 Points
Chocolate cherry aroma. Dry. Tannin left.
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6/21/2020 - Vizionista wrote:
Still a great bottle and should easily last another year or two. Deep ruby colour, strong black fruit aromas with a lucious mouth feel. Not a really long finish but it was lovely going all the way down.
We had it over two nights with Italian sausage on the first night and grilled lamb chops on the second.
So glad there are 2 more bottles in the cellar.
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4/21/2020 - CheviotCellar wrote: 87 Points
Age hasn't benefited this wine. If anything, its the same as we remember from 3 years ago. Even with long decanting, the thick fruit and heavy palate won't loosen or smooth.
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3/20/2020 - DbertCellar wrote: 90 Points
Drinking very nicely! Very fragrant aroma, beautiful taste. Same comments as before. Best guess is this will last one more year
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11/7/2019 - m-g-b Likes this wine: 90 Points
Visual: Vermelho-granada
Nariz: Muito aromático, com notas de cereja preta e vermelha, ameixa e toques florais
Boca: É complexo, vivo, intenso, com sabor de frutas maduras, taninos aveludados e acidez balanceada
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9/7/2019 - CheviotCellar Likes this wine: 88 Points
This is good stuff, and incredible for price (~$7). We saved a couple of these from 2 years ago to see how’d they’d age: the answer is well.
Very dark purple color. On day 1 the wine was awkward, hot, and a little too sweet. Vacusealed overnight or with a 2-4 hour decant, a welcoming nose of cherries, mint licorice, raspberry await. Palate is similar, beginning sweet then building a balsamic acid and depth. Finish is long, slightly metallic.
Can drink on its own but is more poised with food, spicy barbecue, something bold.
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8/16/2019 - black sheep 2130 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Paired very nicely with Lasagna.
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7/31/2019 - Oenecnist wrote:
Further to my TN of Dec 28 '18: Tried another bottle tonight and over the next two days. No decant, no sediment. Quality is still there over the 48h period: dark, black cherry nose with a bit of tar, good fruit and very good mouthfeel. Solidly notable+.
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7/13/2019 - WarnerNL Likes this wine: 91 Points
even for Monastrell quite outspoken, chocolaty + dark cherry flavour, a mouthful, nearly eating wine, needs to air, very very nice wine
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4/26/2019 - winenose wrote: 84 Points
Farbe dunkel und etwas purpurn. In der Nase erdig mit leichter Gewürznote. Im Mund sehr trocken und noch etwas verschlossen. Im Abgang zunächst gewisse Bitterstoffe am Ende auch etwas Frucht.
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3/29/2019 - DbertCellar wrote: 89 Points
Better then the last bottle! It seems to be softening, integrating, much tastier. Very dry, but very fruit forward on the nose. Also the longer it freeze the better it gets.
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12/28/2018 - Oenecnist wrote:
Bought 9b for 6.30/b 1+ years ago from a local gourmet produce market with a wine section; this is our fourth bottle. No decant or breathing time except over dinner. Dark red color, red fruit nose, bright fruit flavors, hints of cranberry and pomegranate. Good complement to mild Mexican or even Indian or on its own. Fruit forward, good mouthfeel, not complex. Stored vertically in a cool, dark basement since purchase (synthetic cork). My evaluation: I've stopped giving scores on a "100-point scale" as I've become less convinced that they can be meaningful to others. I use a 4-category scale (perhaps with +/-)--not including flawed--which runs outstanding/notable/drinkable/poor. I considered this notable+ when considering quality, age, and price.
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11/15/2018 - mkrapn Likes this wine: 90 Points
Full bodied. Purple. Legs. Chocolate. Oak. Mild-Acidic and mild-tannic. Mild-dry.
Oak: sweet tobacco
Herbal: Licorice
Red Fruit: Red plum
Black Fruit: Black currant
Earth: Leather
Secondary: cream
Spain. Valencia. ⛰Alicante appellation. Mourvèdre (Mataró)
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9/21/2018 - smcisaac Likes this wine: 90 Points
Dry, uncomplicated, black fruit, soft tannins, amazing qpr
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5/9/2018 - DbertCellar wrote: 87 Points
Aromas of blackberry, slight notes of prune and cherry. Dry, tannin, and a long finish to tart. Believe this will blend and soften over time.
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3/26/2018 - Dave124 Does not like this wine: 80 Points
Fell flat. Inexpensive try. Not my cup of tea.
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3/3/2018 - srh Likes this wine:
Taste Top Wines for March (San Diego Wine Co.): N: Closed, but seems ripe
P: LM body; ALMOST swtish frt met by an astringent pucker with the early swtness of this morphing into a LONG, puckerish finish. NEEDS into mid '19, but enough frt? 14.5% ABV; My G+, potentially VG. 92 pts Guia Penin, 91 ea Int'l Wine Cellar & WA, 88 wine-pages.com, 87 Wine Casual, 86 & "Best Buy" WE @ $9, 83 WS, and 15.5/20 with a "Good Value" from Jancis Robinson. [This vendor's $6.99 is about as good as any out there.]
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2/5/2018 - swade wrote: 83 Points
Dark. This tasted like port to me (which I love). It tasted burnt and had a certain astringent component. The flavors were fig paste and raisins. I wouldn't buy this again for this vintage. There are a number nice professional reviews for this wine, but at any price I wouldn't like this. 83
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11/21/2017 - Breukelman Likes this wine: 91 Points
Chocolate, cherry notes. Full bodied smooth wine. Ready to drink
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11/18/2017 - BaylinBoy Likes this wine: 89 Points
Purple hue, serious body, fresh herbaceous nose Strong cherry taste this is spectacular value, great wine.
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11/13/2017 - hutchbr Likes this wine: 88 Points
$$/taste - excellent value - scored 91 pts by Robert Parker
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11/1/2017 - henrygjeffreys wrote:
Great price £8 Majestic
SPiced plums! big nose, fresh
Clean, fresh, ripe and good
Great value
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10/11/2017 - pupaes Likes this wine: 88 Points
good pizza wine. good qpr.
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9/22/2017 - Mossrose wrote: 85 Points
The Wine Advocate almost falls over itself praising this wine that averages only $10 as a terrific big time value winner that merits 91 points for being aromatic, rich, and dense. Having tasted this several times through an evening, the price is certainly impressively cheap but the quality of the wine in the bottle is best described as a skinny disappointment that would leave a case full trail of regret if bought in quantity.
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9/5/2017 - Double-A Likes this wine: 90 Points
Ripe, black cherry, chocolate and blueberry nose. Ripe, full and juicy palate. Warming alcohol, with balancing grip.
4/5
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8/19/2017 - WineTally wrote:
A(ccuracy)=2: Med ruby. Ripe peppery varietal.
B(alance)=2: Fruit forward. Bit heady and hot.
C(omplexity)=1: Dark berries, herbs.
D(epth)=1: Sinewy and short.
Wine Tally Score [2,2,1,1] = 6/10
Pizza/Burger wine. Great value at well under US$10 price point.
[https://www.facebook.com/WineTally/]
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8/12/2017 - srh Likes this wine:
Sat, 08/12/17, $2 Tasting (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA): N: Closed, but some flowers & berries (red rasps?); More to give?
P: Med body; ALMOST swtish frt (threshold R.S.?) nicely offset by a very slightly puckerish acidity which, fairly seamlessly, transitions into a LONG, very slightly tangy, somewhat chocolatey finish. *Marvelous* QPR that could well improve a tad over the next 6 mos, then drink NICELY through '19. 91 ea Int'l Wine Cellar & WA, 88 wine-pages.com, 87 Wine Casual, 86 & "Best Buy" WE @ $9, 83 WS, and 15.5/20 with a "Good Value" from Jancis Robinson.
Addendum: Also tasted 3/3/2018, though not NEARLY as positively
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7/21/2017 - mzmijewski wrote: 88 Points
Reasonable wine. Nothing outstanding. Short finish.
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7/13/2017 - CheviotCellar Likes this wine: 87 Points
The wine looks garnet colored. The legs are medium. There is no sediment in the bottle. It smells like mineral, stoniness, blackberry, cherry and ethanol. It tastes like blackberry, blueberry, cranberry, cherry, cedar, mineral and stoniness. The body is medium/full. The wine has polished texture. The wine finishes short. The wine has medium acidity. A high alcohol smell and taste, which clears the palate thereby making the finish very short. Ok to drink on its own but pairs well with heavier foods. All in all, a bold, interesting wine worth at least double its price.
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5/27/2017 - bjschmitt Likes this wine: 88 Points
With grilled steaks, sautéed asparagus with garlic.
A pretty crimson, sparkling in the glass, very dark (almost opaque).
Initial nose is nice and clean.
Dry, not particularly tannic, earthy more than fruity (fruit leads but the earth moves in, and a touch of mushroom brings up the rear.
88-89.
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5/20/2017 - Richard123 wrote: 87 Points
Easy drinking for $8.50. Not a great QPR, but nothing wrong with it either.
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5/7/2017 - JoneaBabones wrote: 92 Points
Schöner kräftiger Rotwein, fur den Preis von 5-6 eurowirklich zu empfehlen. Samtig aber kräftig und nicht zu scharf.
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2/10/2017 - Rvandyke Likes this wine: 95 Points
Gave to Court & Nick
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