Opens up within in a few minutes yet I feel it could have opened up further. Wonderful blend and pairs well with our hummus and chicken pita dinner. Some boozey taste once in awhile but I hope this is due to the fact it is still tight(I’m going to extend the drinking window).
Similar notes as last tasting. Would add wonderful. Big and tannic. Very good. Powerful and compelling. Adding a point. Score [ 50 + 5 + 13 + 16 + 9 ] = 93.
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well balanced and big. surprisingly smooth good flavor and was opening up as I finished but did not have time nor did I decant long finish wine has just about peaked
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Tar, smoke and scorched earth eventually transitioned into mushroom with air time. Rich moutn. Excellent grip on the finish with also a surprising return to fruit on the long finish. Impressive wine.
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Incredible wine. Initially, nose of cherries and leather, full bodied Tempranillo on the palate with a slightly acidic finish. That was the only flaw. But with some air, that disappeared, the wine became even fuller. May even deserve a 95 for where it ended up. Drinking very well, but definitely has plenty of life ahead. Would drink now through 2021
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Dense dark garnet in the glass. Robust nose of cherry cordial and tobacco. A veritable carpet of black cherry cobbler and new cigar with plush, velvety tannins on the palate. Medium acidity and full-bodied AF. In a great place now, though it clearly has some more time left. My pot roast loves it, too.
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This was seemingly corked and pushed aside but now, 2 days later, I don't smell TCA but I do smell a host of slightly more appealing scents; mocha, coffee, prune, damp wood. Spicy and leathery palate, heavy tannin and cooked fruit feeling, maybe a trace of TCA still?
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Went from oaky new world style where I was hoping, "a few more years," would bring it into balance, to a raisin bomb with a night in the fridge. Parker, you have won this round!
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Loved it - one of those wines that when you are drinking it you just go wow, Pernell agreed, well balanced, smooth, exceptional. Glad I have one more bottle.
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Sad to say it's my last bottle. Opened an hour before to let breath. It was big, jammy, with a great finish. Well balanced very nice wine. Hope to find more.
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89-91: deep fruit, decent acid, finish is average at best. Coming together, but probably needs a few years. I can't see it developing into something that justifies the price. Much better out there from RdD for less.
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Special occasion w/ friends. Decanted & Venturi for ~ 1 hr. Complex aroma and taste with dark berries and hint of herbs. Long, dry finish with tannis well integrated. Enjoyed by all.
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Great nose. Tons of black fruit. Drank fairly smooth but I didn't see the gripping tannins that others mention. Will wait some time before I open the next one.
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Best first day after decanting for 1 hour. Massive nose, lots of fruit, long finish. Tannins integrated. Day#2, tannins were a lot more noticeable! More joy on first day. Will try our second and last bottle in 2020+.
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(A-) Nearly black in color with a beautiful rim. Lovely pipe tobacco and a bit of fresh tar on the nose. Black fruits with a touch of sweetness, barrel room, and leather. The oak is present but not overbearing. Long finish. Still tannic, yet drinking beautifully.
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Nice dark ruby color. Nose dominated by toasted coconut (my wife smelled it independently and said "sun tan lotion") with vanilla, spice and dark fruit. Ripe and dried black fruit prominent on the palate along with licorice - coconut returning before the long finish. Fine tannins. Plenty of oak, plenty of very ripe fruit. It could use more acidity.
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Not the best cork, seemed to leak a little when "cork-popped" - but the wine was good, and the cork only showed a slight trace of stain running down one section.
Dark, dark black purple - seemed to have a slight overall tinge while deep purple, also seemed 1% "brown" because it was so black. Still a baby.
Terrifically dense, complex nose, with all kind of fruit, from blackberry to black cherry to stewed raisins, even floral notes, along with licorice, pipe tobacco, graphite. Wow.
Pretty much all the notes picked up on the nose were present on the palate. Extremely well-balanced. I picked up high alcohol on the nose, but this was not at all detecable on the palate. The huge fruit, tannins, and decent acid more, than compensated. Long finish that really flirted with my tastebuds in an almost shamefull manner! Bravo
This is a hugely underrated wine, in my opinion.
The next morning, it had continued to improve - lots of life left in this one.
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More blue fruit and oak then red fruit and leather. That was my thought trying to compare it to the 99. I think this needs more time and hope that it will shed its youth to emerge as its older sibling. Good but not great.
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what a pleasure, drinking great right now, still noticible tannins, but great flavor, long. Fruit, maybe licorice, I really like it. What a pleasant surprise to go into one's cellar and pick out a random bottle with no expectations and have it turn out great- this is why we cellar wine! Spanish wines seem to deliver
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(A) Dark purple color with a beautiful rim. Barrel room and sweet fruits on the nose. Multi-layered and complex, with dark fruits, vanilla, and leather. 20-30 second finish. Palate-coating, with fine tannin. Definitely more in your face than nuanced. A wonderful wine. Drink now, or hold.
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Drank over a few days, softened a little but held together very nicely. Big fruit, mainly black cherry & plum, earth, leather, tannins stayed around but created a mouth coating experience. Looking forward to drinking more of this.
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Dense ruby-purple color. Nose is a heady perfume of blackberries, graphite, some earth and oak.. Whoa - immediate and powerful explosion of flavors... licorice, tar, blackberry brandy, black cherry, hint of lilac - intensely wound together. Incredibly long, balanced finish with very soft tannins and appropriate acidity. Stylistically it may not please all, but I think this is a gorgeous wine, still has aging potential too.
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The Palomero is interesting. There was a faint barnyard scent to it that blew off after about an hour, leaving a terrific wet leaf, earthy leathery quality to it. It also has big dried fruit, prunes, maybe plump golden raisins, even dried cherries. Almost black in color, it coats the mouth and leaves a slightly alcoholic finish that lasts for 25-30 seconds. It's actually reminiscent to me of the Bionic Frog and 2003 CdPs we had last week, but not nearly as sweet and cutting as the Les Cailloux. Clearly different than the Frog, but there are definitely some similarities.
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7/18/2022 - mshellow wrote: 90 Points
Nothing great, nothing wrong. Drink if you need/want to, hold otherwise.
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1/12/2020 - Chapel Likes this wine: 92 Points
Opens up within in a few minutes yet I feel it could have opened up further. Wonderful blend and pairs well with our hummus and chicken pita dinner. Some boozey taste once in awhile but I hope this is due to the fact it is still tight(I’m going to extend the drinking window).
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10/13/2018 - roybivens Likes this wine: 93 Points
Similar notes as last tasting. Would add wonderful. Big and tannic. Very good. Powerful and compelling. Adding a point. Score [ 50 + 5 + 13 + 16 + 9 ] = 93.
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10/9/2018 - Yankee Clipper Likes this wine: 92 Points
well balanced and big. surprisingly smooth
good flavor and was opening up as I finished but did not have time nor did I decant
long finish
wine has just about peaked
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9/16/2018 - Ranjan wrote: 93 Points
Well balanced.
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7/16/2018 - gmat5497 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Wow! Totally balanced. Very nice!
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2/17/2018 - corkpopper1 wrote: 79 Points
This is my last bottle. Others were fantastic. This was was musty and perhaps corked. I ended up dumping it. Very disappointing.
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9/28/2017 - juffer Likes this wine: 93 Points
Tar, smoke and scorched earth eventually transitioned into mushroom with air time. Rich moutn. Excellent grip on the finish with also a surprising return to fruit on the long finish. Impressive wine.
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7/1/2017 - Dar3 wrote: 94 Points
Incredible wine. Initially, nose of cherries and leather, full bodied Tempranillo on the palate with a slightly acidic finish. That was the only flaw. But with some air, that disappeared, the wine became even fuller. May even deserve a 95 for where it ended up. Drinking very well, but definitely has plenty of life ahead. Would drink now through 2021
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4/18/2017 - iByron Likes this wine: 91 Points
Dense dark garnet in the glass. Robust nose of cherry cordial and tobacco. A veritable carpet of black cherry cobbler and new cigar with plush, velvety tannins on the palate. Medium acidity and full-bodied AF. In a great place now, though it clearly has some more time left. My pot roast loves it, too.
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8/24/2016 - andtheodor wrote:
This was seemingly corked and pushed aside but now, 2 days later, I don't smell TCA but I do smell a host of slightly more appealing scents; mocha, coffee, prune, damp wood. Spicy and leathery palate, heavy tannin and cooked fruit feeling, maybe a trace of TCA still?
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3/30/2016 - roybivens Likes this wine: 92 Points
Big and tannic. Very good. Has some time left but it is powerful and compelling. Austere is a good description. Score [ 50 + 5 + 12 + 16 + 9 ] = 92
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1/15/2016 - gmat5497 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Excellent. Creamy, powerful. Well balanced
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10/18/2015 - Barnaby33 wrote:
Went from oaky new world style where I was hoping, "a few more years," would bring it into balance, to a raisin bomb with a night in the fridge. Parker, you have won this round!
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3/20/2015 - joeroth Likes this wine: 93 Points
Smooth.
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12/26/2014 - michigan dogs Likes this wine:
Loved it - one of those wines that when you are drinking it you just go wow, Pernell agreed, well balanced, smooth, exceptional. Glad I have one more bottle.
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9/19/2014 - winelover4008 wrote: 93 Points
Sad to say it's my last bottle. Opened an hour before to let breath. It was big, jammy, with a great finish. Well balanced very nice wine. Hope to find more.
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9/15/2014 - sethboy23 wrote: 93 Points
Wish I could buy more. Each vintage I have tried has been solid. Exceptional depth. Complexity many more expensive wines lack. Buy buy buy
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9/1/2014 - BBinSC wrote: 90 Points
89-91: deep fruit, decent acid, finish is average at best. Coming together, but probably needs a few years. I can't see it developing into something that justifies the price. Much better out there from RdD for less.
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11/16/2013 - phillyphannj Likes this wine: 92 Points
Special occasion w/ friends. Decanted & Venturi for ~ 1 hr. Complex aroma and taste with dark berries and hint of herbs. Long, dry finish with tannis well integrated. Enjoyed by all.
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5/5/2013 - joeroth wrote: 93 Points
Decanted for one hour and it really opened up nicely.
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2/15/2013 - Old Vino Likes this wine: 93 Points
So far, the best bottle. Or simply the wine keeps getting better with aging. Needs decanting of at least 4 hours.
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9/28/2012 - bablues wrote: 91 Points
Great nose. Tons of black fruit. Drank fairly smooth but I didn't see the gripping tannins that others mention. Will wait some time before I open the next one.
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8/30/2012 - Old Vino wrote: 92 Points
Best first day after decanting for 1 hour. Massive nose, lots of fruit, long finish. Tannins integrated. Day#2, tannins were a lot more noticeable! More joy on first day. Will try our second and last bottle in 2020+.
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7/5/2012 - prettydeceextrap wrote: 92 Points
(A-) Nearly black in color with a beautiful rim. Lovely pipe tobacco and a bit of fresh tar on the nose. Black fruits with a touch of sweetness, barrel room, and leather. The oak is present but not overbearing. Long finish. Still tannic, yet drinking beautifully.
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10/24/2011 - prettydeceextrap wrote: 88 Points
(B+) Dark fruit, vanilla, tar. Long finish. Thick and palate coating. Nice wine.
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10/13/2011 - dkoontz wrote: 89 Points
Nice dark ruby color. Nose dominated by toasted coconut (my wife smelled it independently and said "sun tan lotion") with vanilla, spice and dark fruit. Ripe and dried black fruit prominent on the palate along with licorice - coconut returning before the long finish. Fine tannins. Plenty of oak, plenty of very ripe fruit. It could use more acidity.
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9/15/2011 - Wamrod wrote: 94 Points
Absolutely fantastic bottle.
Not the best cork, seemed to leak a little when "cork-popped" - but the wine was good, and the cork only showed a slight trace of stain running down one section.
Dark, dark black purple - seemed to have a slight overall tinge while deep purple, also seemed 1% "brown" because it was so black. Still a baby.
Terrifically dense, complex nose, with all kind of fruit, from blackberry to black cherry to stewed raisins, even floral notes, along with licorice, pipe tobacco, graphite. Wow.
Pretty much all the notes picked up on the nose were present on the palate. Extremely well-balanced. I picked up high alcohol on the nose, but this was not at all detecable on the palate. The huge fruit, tannins, and decent acid more, than compensated. Long finish that really flirted with my tastebuds in an almost shamefull manner! Bravo
This is a hugely underrated wine, in my opinion.
The next morning, it had continued to improve - lots of life left in this one.
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6/16/2011 - Barnaby33 wrote:
More blue fruit and oak then red fruit and leather. That was my thought trying to compare it to the 99. I think this needs more time and hope that it will shed its youth to emerge as its older sibling. Good but not great.
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6/15/2011 - michigan dogs wrote: 93 Points
what a pleasure, drinking great right now, still noticible tannins, but great flavor, long. Fruit, maybe licorice, I really like it. What a pleasant surprise to go into one's cellar and pick out a random bottle with no expectations and have it turn out great- this is why we cellar wine! Spanish wines seem to deliver
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4/27/2011 - dkoontz wrote: 89 Points
Dark ruby color. Nose of leather, spice and dark fruit. Dark fruit, licorice and some chocolatey notes on the palate. Long finish.
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4/16/2011 - prettydeceextrap wrote: 92 Points
(A) Dark purple color with a beautiful rim. Barrel room and sweet fruits on the nose. Multi-layered and complex, with dark fruits, vanilla, and leather. 20-30 second finish. Palate-coating, with fine tannin. Definitely more in your face than nuanced. A wonderful wine. Drink now, or hold.
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4/11/2011 - diane.forgy@dianeforgy.com wrote: 91 Points
Drank over a few days, softened a little but held together very nicely. Big fruit, mainly black cherry & plum, earth, leather, tannins stayed around but created a mouth coating experience. Looking forward to drinking more of this.
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3/7/2011 - berko wrote: 92 Points
Big, powerful wine. Nose: Black fruit, earth, stone. Taste: Dry fruit with heavy tanins that are slightly astringent but not unpleasant. Long finish.
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2/2/2011 - Wine Minx wrote: 93 Points
Dense ruby-purple color. Nose is a heady perfume of blackberries, graphite, some earth and oak.. Whoa - immediate and powerful explosion of flavors... licorice, tar, blackberry brandy, black cherry, hint of lilac - intensely wound together. Incredibly long, balanced finish with very soft tannins and appropriate acidity. Stylistically it may not please all, but I think this is a gorgeous wine, still has aging potential too.
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1/1/2011 - patrickt wrote: 92 Points
Excellent. Full of leather, spice, and dark fruit. Had with rack of lamb. good pairing. Long finish.
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12/24/2010 - DC_EO wrote: 90 Points
The Palomero is interesting. There was a faint barnyard scent to it that blew off after about an hour, leaving a terrific wet leaf, earthy leathery quality to it. It also has big dried fruit, prunes, maybe plump golden raisins, even dried cherries. Almost black in color, it coats the mouth and leaves a slightly alcoholic finish that lasts for 25-30 seconds. It's actually reminiscent to me of the Bionic Frog and 2003 CdPs we had last week, but not nearly as sweet and cutting as the Les Cailloux. Clearly different than the Frog, but there are definitely some similarities.
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6/7/2008 - Li6 wrote: flawed
Two bottles were corked to varying degrees. Tragic.
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