From a crappy little wine glass, hard to get any aroma. 👅 light weight, concentrated black plum and maybe black cherries, some baking spices, touch of licorice, smooth, cherry pit, kind of a short or at best medium finish. There is also a vegetal or leafy character.
Overall, I like this wine and by some accounts it is just entering it's window. I think it was mostly the same with a couple of hours in bottle (not decanted), but better. Is it amazeballs? Not now, and I'm not sure if it will hit the highs of the reviews.
Would buy a current vintage at regular price and wait for maturity out of curiosity.
24h later, everything melts together and becomes one super smooth wine.
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Beautiful wine, soft, open and ready for drinking now if given a long decant. We had for Thanksgiving dinner. Notes consistent with when we had it at the winery in France.
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Big, complex nose! Cassis, cherry, raspberry and a certain gaminess. Cassis, blackberry, red currants some raspberry and strawberry. A nice gaminess and touch of the oak. Very pure fruit and great freshness.
Excellent wine from an excellent vintage.
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Opaque and purple red. After 90 min decant the nose brings plums and blackberries and forest floor. Also menthol and vanilla and cedar wood. Very elegant. The wine is medium + in body, yet light in weight. Acidity and tannins nicely balanced off each other. A great wine. Still young and has more years of development, but great to drink on it way up. I say this won’t peak for another 10 years.
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Elegant and pretty. Medium, velvety texture. Black cherry and blackberries. A hint of black tea and a touch, just a touch, of graphite. It is closed upon opening and with aeration and decanting quickly grows in complexity and depth. Enjoyable now and will get better.
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Trinity Wines tasting (Stavros Niarchos): Big, smoky, earthy, spicy, dark fruit, licorice, palate easy, nice, fruit forwrd, juicy, a touch hot, med body, med acidity, toast, med finish
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Decanted 1 hour while we enjoyed Champagne, and she needed it. While I must admit that I by in large prefer my Bordeaux with age, this was open enough to enjoy young.
Overall, very complex and nuanced. Nose of candied cherries, plum and blood orange, sandalwood, and roses and violets in the background. The palate was much the same, with medium + velvet textured tannin, and medium to medium plus acids.
Overall, amazing wine and well enjoyed. It fell short in body as it was a touch lean, and the finish was not short, but not as persistent as desired, but still a very layered and decadent wine.
70% Merlot, 30% Cab Franc, if I had a case, which I don't, I personally would open one in 4ish years to see how she is evolving. For those who like their wines primary (or if you're American lol), try one now with an hour or 2 decant and you'll be pleasantly surprised.
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30% Cabernet Franc first time. A lot of freshness. Deep purple in colour. Pronounced nose with notes of pepper, green bell pepper, spice. Medium+ acidity and tannin. Decanted 2 hours
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Good but not very good. Probably too young and closed. Decanting and aeration for 3-4 hours was probably not enough time. At day 2 the wine has improved but was not overwhelming complex or deep-tasted.
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This struck me as fine, but no better than that at this point. Pop and pour, followed over three hours or so. Not too tannic, or anything else, just didn't connect as special.
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Mouth: Sweet black cherry and blackberry puree flavors roll through in layers together with etched in acid, picking up notes of crushed anise, tobacco, and bitter black tea. Fruit takes on streaks of raspberry and light vanilla as it fades, making this dynamic and multidimensional as it oscillates between the black/red fruit notes.
Overall: Smooth and blended in feel, with a silken sheen that runs underneath everything. Friendly, but with serious elements throughout - really pretty in all. With some additional years, I expect it to become even more velveteen as time goes on. 70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc . Drink 2023 - 2038.
95.
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bright purple colour Vanilla, oaky nose Ripe fruit, really gorgeous red fruit under those firm tannins, toasty, roasty coffee notes, then pencil shavings, long finish Oak needs a little time but this is good.
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Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux 2016 Vintage Tasting (Las Vegas, NV): Deep-to-opaque crimson in color, this blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc is deceivingly structured. Medium-to-full-bodied, freshly acidic and with nicely integrated alcohol, it serves up a mélange of black and blue fruits, accented with notes of lavender, espresso, dark chocolate and a hint of mint. The tannins are abundant but lurk quietly by virtue of their silky texture, which gives the wine a soft mouthfeel throughout the dense middle palate and long finish. These tannins will allow this elegant wine to get even better after some time in the cellar. Drink 2025-2041.
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UGC Bordeaux (Drake Hotel - Chicago IL): Tasting, brief note. Both rich and meaty, this showcases both Merlot and Cab Franc wonderfully in a balanced and elegant package. Good weight, very good length. As good as Canon-la-Gaffelière today, but without the same upside. 91-93 point potential.
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Zachys Grands Crus de Bordeaux 2016 (New York City, NY): Quite fruit forward for a left bank and worthy of attention. Viscous, black fruit driven mouthfeel and a worthy contender for the WOTN. Falls short whe the finish is acidity driven and closed. Still a fabulous and ageworthy wine
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This is rather light on its feet. Fresh, certainly. Barrel aging should fill it out. I bet it will be quite nice down the road. Lacks the substance and density – perhaps – of the best wines from Saint Emilion but I do like the lift and elegance. Good job! 91-94
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En primeur tasting of a barrel sample at Lords earlier this month. Inky black colour, blackcurrant nose, the balance of a 1961. Superb and worth buying at £47 a bottle in bond.
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Medium bodied, soft polished and fresh, with an earthy, licorice, espresso, smoke and black cherry profile. The finish says as much about the silky tannins, as it does with its dark cherry finish has a nice, dark chocolate finish.
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3/25/2024 - YackAttack213 Likes this wine: 90 Points
From a crappy little wine glass, hard to get any aroma.
👅 light weight, concentrated black plum and maybe black cherries, some baking spices, touch of licorice, smooth, cherry pit, kind of a short or at best medium finish. There is also a vegetal or leafy character.
Overall, I like this wine and by some accounts it is just entering it's window. I think it was mostly the same with a couple of hours in bottle (not decanted), but better. Is it amazeballs? Not now, and I'm not sure if it will hit the highs of the reviews.
Would buy a current vintage at regular price and wait for maturity out of curiosity.
24h later, everything melts together and becomes one super smooth wine.
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11/23/2023 - Brendel Likes this wine: 94 Points
Beautiful wine, soft, open and ready for drinking now if given a long decant. We had for Thanksgiving dinner. Notes consistent with when we had it at the winery in France.
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10/28/2023 - danielbleier Likes this wine: 93 Points
Red Currant, plum, and a smooth finish - this was opened too young from Magnum -the tasting notes are from 2nd day w significant decant.
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10/23/2023 - remyworldpeace Likes this wine: 94 Points
Big, complex nose! Cassis, cherry, raspberry and a certain gaminess. Cassis, blackberry, red currants some raspberry and strawberry. A nice gaminess and touch of the oak. Very pure fruit and great freshness.
Excellent wine from an excellent vintage.
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8/20/2023 - Bottle Dog Likes this wine: 94 Points
Opaque and purple red. After 90 min decant the nose brings plums and blackberries and forest floor. Also menthol and vanilla and cedar wood. Very elegant. The wine is medium + in body, yet light in weight. Acidity and tannins nicely balanced off each other. A great wine. Still young and has more years of development, but great to drink on it way up. I say this won’t peak for another 10 years.
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7/23/2023 - RayOB Likes this wine: 91 Points
Drank at 67
Young fresh and vibrant
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6/23/2023 - super007 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Fantastic wine. Soft gripping tannins.
Lot of darker rich fruit, cherries. Cherries throughout, clear that’s the dominant fruit, but not tart though, an enjoyable richness
Fruit really started to shine after 45-60 minute decanting.
70/30 merlot/cab franc
14.5% alcohol
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6/10/2023 - PlanetX wrote: 94 Points
Union Grands Crus Bordeaux (UGC) 2020 Tasting (Hangar 14, Bordeaux): Very balanced and very much in the character of the vintage. Fruit is hiding a bit right now. Expect this would have benefitted from a good decant. Consistent in style with the 2020.
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2/10/2023 - Pitch_n Likes this wine: 93 Points
Elegant and pretty. Medium, velvety texture. Black cherry and blackberries. A hint of black tea and a touch, just a touch, of graphite. It is closed upon opening and with aeration and decanting quickly grows in complexity and depth. Enjoyable now and will get better.
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11/22/2022 - Joeyskills Likes this wine: 95 Points
I don't care if you accuse me of infanticide. This wine is drinking beautifully right now
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11/7/2022 - kostaslonis wrote:
Trinity Wines tasting (Stavros Niarchos): Big, smoky, earthy, spicy, dark fruit, licorice, palate easy, nice, fruit forwrd, juicy, a touch hot, med body, med acidity, toast, med finish
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11/6/2022 - TightLettuce Likes this wine: 94 Points
At Restaurant
Decanted 1 hour while we enjoyed Champagne, and she needed it. While I must admit that I by in large prefer my Bordeaux with age, this was open enough to enjoy young.
Overall, very complex and nuanced. Nose of candied cherries, plum and blood orange, sandalwood, and roses and violets in the background. The palate was much the same, with medium + velvet textured tannin, and medium to medium plus acids.
Overall, amazing wine and well enjoyed. It fell short in body as it was a touch lean, and the finish was not short, but not as persistent as desired, but still a very layered and decadent wine.
70% Merlot, 30% Cab Franc, if I had a case, which I don't, I personally would open one in 4ish years to see how she is evolving. For those who like their wines primary (or if you're American lol), try one now with an hour or 2 decant and you'll be pleasantly surprised.
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8/6/2022 - Brendel Likes this wine: 93 Points
70% Merlot, 30% CF
N: blueberries, plums; similar to the ‘15.
P: more Sonoma valley; sweeter, rounder, softer than the ‘15. We like both, but like the 2015 more.
Tasted at Chateau La Gaffeliere. €70. Bought 2 bottles.
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3/24/2021 - Sean Tay wrote: 93 Points
30% Cabernet Franc first time. A lot of freshness. Deep purple in colour. Pronounced nose with notes of pepper, green bell pepper, spice. Medium+ acidity and tannin. Decanted 2 hours
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1/25/2021 - HorstPeak Likes this wine: 93 Points
Nice fruit on the nose, firm tannins, medium length finish, way too young, wait 5 years minimum....
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12/30/2020 - Marvin77 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Good but not very good. Probably too young and closed. Decanting and aeration for 3-4 hours was probably not enough time. At day 2 the wine has improved but was not overwhelming complex or deep-tasted.
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11/21/2020 - Traxx wrote:
This struck me as fine, but no better than that at this point. Pop and pour, followed over three hours or so. Not too tannic, or anything else, just didn't connect as special.
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8/28/2020 - RoyaltyCoins wrote: 95 Points
Deep ruby.
Nose: Black cherry, sweet creme, rose petal, tar.
Mouth: Sweet black cherry and blackberry puree flavors roll through in layers together with etched in acid, picking up notes of crushed anise, tobacco, and bitter black tea. Fruit takes on streaks of raspberry and light vanilla as it fades, making this dynamic and multidimensional as it oscillates between the black/red fruit notes.
Overall: Smooth and blended in feel, with a silken sheen that runs underneath everything. Friendly, but with serious elements throughout - really pretty in all. With some additional years, I expect it to become even more velveteen as time goes on. 70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc . Drink 2023 - 2038.
95.
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7/19/2020 - Druh wrote: 91 Points
Young dark closed
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9/21/2019 - Jeff Leve wrote: 94 Points
Deep ruby in color, the wine is round, lush, polished, concentrated and fruity, with these great, crushed rock and floral accents.
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8/24/2019 - dnnk88 wrote: 88 Points
Great Bordeaux 2016 Tasting: Tasted black cherries, black currants, black tea. Still edgy and needs time to come together. Hold
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2/25/2019 - Zweder wrote: 91 Points
UCGB tasting Bordeaux 2016 (Beurs van Berlage, Amsterdam.): The wine is a bit locked. Some sweet red and black berries are there, firm acidity and bitterness. Need to taste again. For today 90 - 91
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2/25/2019 - Xavier Auerbach wrote: 91 Points
Amsterdam UGCB Tasting and Winemakers' Dinner (Beurs van Berlage / Café De Klepel): Liquorous cherries on the nose and palate, seems a bit nervous and unknit. Not sure. Provisional score.
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2/25/2019 - FransS wrote: 92 Points
The 2016 vintage UGCB tasting in Amsterdam 2/25/2019; 2/25/2019-2/27/2019 (Amsterdam): This wine convinced me less; everything is OK, but for my taste a bit too loose.
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2/7/2019 - henrygjeffreys Likes this wine:
bright purple colour
Vanilla, oaky nose
Ripe fruit, really gorgeous red fruit under those firm tannins, toasty, roasty coffee notes, then pencil shavings, long finish
Oak needs a little time but this is good.
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1/26/2019 - La Cave d'Argent Likes this wine: 93 Points
Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux 2016 Vintage Tasting (Las Vegas, NV): Deep-to-opaque crimson in color, this blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc is deceivingly structured. Medium-to-full-bodied, freshly acidic and with nicely integrated alcohol, it serves up a mélange of black and blue fruits, accented with notes of lavender, espresso, dark chocolate and a hint of mint. The tannins are abundant but lurk quietly by virtue of their silky texture, which gives the wine a soft mouthfeel throughout the dense middle palate and long finish. These tannins will allow this elegant wine to get even better after some time in the cellar. Drink 2025-2041.
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1/23/2019 - Burgundy Al wrote:
UGC Bordeaux (Drake Hotel - Chicago IL): Tasting, brief note. Both rich and meaty, this showcases both Merlot and Cab Franc wonderfully in a balanced and elegant package. Good weight, very good length. As good as Canon-la-Gaffelière today, but without the same upside. 91-93 point potential.
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1/21/2019 - tomoem Likes this wine: 93 Points
Zachys Grands Crus de Bordeaux 2016 (New York City, NY): Quite fruit forward for a left bank and worthy of attention. Viscous, black fruit driven mouthfeel and a worthy contender for the WOTN. Falls short whe the finish is acidity driven and closed. Still a fabulous and ageworthy wine
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6/10/2017 - PanosKakaviatos Likes this wine:
This is rather light on its feet. Fresh, certainly. Barrel aging should fill it out. I bet it will be quite nice down the road. Lacks the substance and density – perhaps – of the best wines from Saint Emilion but I do like the lift and elegance. Good job! 91-94
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5/30/2017 - wineforth Likes this wine: 95 Points
En primeur tasting of a barrel sample at Lords earlier this month.
Inky black colour, blackcurrant nose, the balance of a 1961. Superb and worth buying at £47 a bottle in bond.
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5/28/2017 - wineappellation wrote: 91 Points
2016 En Primeur (tasted 26 May 2017) - Spicy, mixed black and red fruits.
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4/29/2017 - Jeff Leve wrote: 93 Points
Medium bodied, soft polished and fresh, with an earthy, licorice, espresso, smoke and black cherry profile. The finish says as much about the silky tannins, as it does with its dark cherry finish has a nice, dark chocolate finish.
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