7th of 12, consistent very good notes, still improving, decanted an hour - deepish red, little development; bouquet of black plums and cherries, touch of pepper, pure, refined; medium bodied, long, pure fresh fruit with depth of fine vintage, balanced, improving, not outclassed by Vieille Julienne, Tempier or Delorme, so impressive for Ventoux. Fine for what it is (17.5/20).
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Treated this bottle differently than others I tasted recently (see prevous notes) by pairing it with eggs and garlic rather than meat in order to try to coax out the remaining fruit. Seemed to work. Also found a more interesting mineral nose this time.
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Consistent with previous notes. Wine seems to be past its prime in terms of loss of fruit. Will see if any secondary flavors evolve on second day, since there is still a bit of grip in the finish, but am skeptical.
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Drink up. The fruit has faded. There's a pleasant oak induced herbal-pepperiness still left, with still firm tannins. But I don't think this will improve.
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Dusty nose of dried red berry fruit and dried leaves. Strawberry. Hints of black tea and rose petal. On the palate, it's savory and still retains great berry fruit. Some roasted coffee and dark chocolate tones. Loads of red and black fruit emerge on the nose and palate with more time and air. Great structure and balance and once open, it continued to improve and evolve, getting better and better. Delicious wine with great structure and balance.
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I think this baby was just a tad old. After about 30 min in the decanter it did come around and turned pleasant but never good. Some fruit left but more on the stewed side. Not bad but wish I had drunk it earlier because it was delicious at one time.
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Surprised that this was mostly syrah, seemed like a Grenache heavy cuvee... A little muted on the nose, but a nice savory flavor with a fairly long finish. Lost all verve the next few days.
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Notes consistant with last bottle but less of the orchid pungentcy and more white pepper. The palate is also similar but the white pepper is present. Great QPR.
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Nose: Meaty with an interesting orchid pungentcy, wet stone/natural cellar aromas, dust, and a hint of black cherry. Palate: Firm tannins upfront with spice, and nuances of leather and cherry. This is the first wine I have had from this appellation. Stylistically it is like Chateauneuf meets Cotes du Rhone, and while not a profound wine, is very interesting and multi-faceted; particularily the nose.
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Sour black cherry, raw meat, garrigue with a silky mouthfeel and slightly chunky finish. A bit more rich fruit to match the complexity would raise the score. Drink up.
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Tight initially and dominated by flavors of earth. 12 hrs after opening nose displayed black fruit and spice which carried through to the palate. Not as impressive as I had hoped.
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With Deni, Linda, Jen & I, at NJ BBQ (Little Silver, NJ): This wine had some interesting black fruit, oak and spice notes--all packed densely together--but wasn't nearly as good as the most wonderful version 2000. Good with our BBQ, but disappointing, relative to my expectations.
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I just have not enjoyed the '01 version of this as much as te stellar 2000 and 1999. Last bottle opened last night and there wasn't mcuh change since my bottle in Oct. Decent nose of dark fuit with little stink, but the mid-palate was thin and not much of a finish. Rather simple and reminded me of an $8 table wine. I'm not sure that my 3 bottles weren't slightly flawed.
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Wasn't too impressed with this last night especially considering how great the '99 and '00 were. This may just need some time. There was little fruit present last night, just a lot of earthiness. A decent mouthfeel, but not much depth. I rushed it last night and didn't decant which may have impacted this experience. Some left to try tonight.
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from Eric: It needed some time to coax itself out of the glass. Now revealing ripe fruit, spice and creamy oak. It's a big wine that is dense and full with savoury meaty tones alongside red and black fruits. Spice and pepper lead to just the right amount of oak to round the wne out and give it a long spicy, creamy finish. Cracking wine for drinking over the next 5 or more years.
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Tasted at Washington Golf and Country Club. The wine is smooth and intriguing, possibly served too warm but showing well despite that. Fruity, with an evident core of soft tannin, the wine was delicious. It was light enough to pair well with the crab cakes, although a white would have been better. Overall, an enjoyable wine by the glass - and one I wouldn't mind having at home.
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9/5/2016 - liber Likes this wine: 87 Points
10th of 12, pnp, odd cork, perfect level - dull, though perfectly correct, previous bottle was slightly flawed, a significant downward step on previous bottles, drink up. G+ (15.5).
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8/1/2015 - liber Likes this wine: 90 Points
7th of 12, consistent very good notes, still improving, decanted an hour - deepish red, little development; bouquet of black plums and cherries, touch of pepper, pure, refined; medium bodied, long, pure fresh fruit with depth of fine vintage, balanced, improving, not outclassed by Vieille Julienne, Tempier or Delorme, so impressive for Ventoux. Fine for what it is (17.5/20).
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8/15/2012 - juffer Likes this wine: 88 Points
Treated this bottle differently than others I tasted recently (see prevous notes) by pairing it with eggs and garlic rather than meat in order to try to coax out the remaining fruit. Seemed to work. Also found a more interesting mineral nose this time.
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5/11/2012 - juffer wrote: 84 Points
Consistent with previous notes. Wine seems to be past its prime in terms of loss of fruit. Will see if any secondary flavors evolve on second day, since there is still a bit of grip in the finish, but am skeptical.
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2/17/2012 - juffer wrote: 87 Points
Drink up. The fruit has faded. There's a pleasant oak induced herbal-pepperiness still left, with still firm tannins. But I don't think this will improve.
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11/4/2011 - vegasoenophile wrote: 93 Points
Dusty nose of dried red berry fruit and dried leaves. Strawberry. Hints of black tea and rose petal. On the palate, it's savory and still retains great berry fruit. Some roasted coffee and dark chocolate tones. Loads of red and black fruit emerge on the nose and palate with more time and air. Great structure and balance and once open, it continued to improve and evolve, getting better and better. Delicious wine with great structure and balance.
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3/21/2010 - getkrunk wrote:
I think this baby was just a tad old. After about 30 min in the decanter it did come around and turned pleasant but never good. Some fruit left but more on the stewed side. Not bad but wish I had drunk it earlier because it was delicious at one time.
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11/25/2009 - aktormedic wrote:
Surprised that this was mostly syrah, seemed like a Grenache heavy cuvee... A little muted on the nose, but a nice savory flavor with a fairly long finish. Lost all verve the next few days.
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11/18/2009 - Mattshank wrote: 91 Points
On par with the bottle tasted on 12/23/08. The orchid pungentcy and white pepper are in full force. Really nice wine for the $.
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5/30/2009 - sdylewski wrote:
I remember this being nicely fruity without being CA style.
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4/24/2009 - Mattshank wrote: 90 Points
Notes consistant with last bottle but less of the orchid pungentcy and more white pepper. The palate is also similar but the white pepper is present. Great QPR.
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12/23/2008 - Mattshank wrote: 91 Points
Nose: Meaty with an interesting orchid pungentcy, wet stone/natural cellar aromas, dust, and a hint of black cherry. Palate: Firm tannins upfront with spice, and nuances of leather and cherry. This is the first wine I have had from this appellation. Stylistically it is like Chateauneuf meets Cotes du Rhone, and while not a profound wine, is very interesting and multi-faceted; particularily the nose.
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10/18/2008 - Jim and Patricia wrote:
We really loved this wine. We had it with Chipotle burritos and it was great! We would definitely buy this wine again.
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2/5/2008 - rmodak wrote: 88 Points
Sour black cherry, raw meat, garrigue with a silky mouthfeel and slightly chunky finish. A bit more rich fruit to match the complexity would raise the score. Drink up.
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11/17/2007 - vinole wrote: 90 Points
Consistent with earlier note.
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10/11/2007 - vinole wrote: 90 Points
A little age has made for a very smooth wine, featuring black cherry fruit with notes of pepper and oak. A lovely 25 sec finish.
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1/4/2007 - tnc wrote: 90 Points
Ruby color, pink edge. Great fruit, licorice, blackberry and raspberry with a slight white pepper. Awesome wine, would certainly buy more.
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11/1/2006 - colinsegovis wrote: 85 Points
Tight initially and dominated by flavors of earth. 12 hrs after opening nose displayed black fruit and spice which carried through to the palate. Not as impressive as I had hoped.
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8/19/2006 - TashNYC wrote: 88 Points
With Deni, Linda, Jen & I, at NJ BBQ (Little Silver, NJ): This wine had some interesting black fruit, oak and spice notes--all packed densely together--but wasn't nearly as good as the most wonderful version 2000. Good with our BBQ, but disappointing, relative to my expectations.
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3/22/2006 - decaturwinedude wrote: 87 Points
I just have not enjoyed the '01 version of this as much as te stellar 2000 and 1999. Last bottle opened last night and there wasn't mcuh change since my bottle in Oct. Decent nose of dark fuit with little stink, but the mid-palate was thin and not much of a finish. Rather simple and reminded me of an $8 table wine. I'm not sure that my 3 bottles weren't slightly flawed.
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11/30/2005 - umazz wrote: 85 Points
big and fruity, sour like a typical rhone.
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11/12/2005 - decaturwinedude wrote: 88 Points
Wasn't too impressed with this last night especially considering how great the '99 and '00 were. This may just need some time. There was little fruit present last night, just a lot of earthiness. A decent mouthfeel, but not much depth. I rushed it last night and didn't decant which may have impacted this experience. Some left to try tonight.
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6/21/2005 - TashNYC wrote:
from Eric:
It needed some time to coax itself out of the glass. Now revealing ripe fruit, spice and creamy oak. It's a big wine that is dense and full with savoury meaty tones alongside red and black fruits. Spice and pepper lead to just the right amount of oak to round the wne out and give it a long spicy, creamy finish. Cracking wine for drinking over the next 5 or more years.
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9/11/2004 - DianeR wrote: 89 Points
Tasted at Washington Golf and Country Club. The wine is smooth and intriguing, possibly served too warm but showing well despite that. Fruity, with an evident core of soft tannin, the wine was delicious. It was light enough to pair well with the crab cakes, although a white would have been better. Overall, an enjoyable wine by the glass - and one I wouldn't mind having at home.
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5/5/2003 - spidersva wrote:
Super for the price- nice depth
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