dark purple ruby rim and appreciable body. generous nose of ripe plum and cassis, violets, bay leaf and menthol, cedar and hints of sweet cocoa. dry and structured, it is juicy with dark fruit that unfolds in layers, gaining in tartness in the mid palate. earthy, spice and cocoa accents are revealed with time, complemented by chalky tannins. excellent persistence.
youthful and still very primary, drinks very well now and looks to have the stuffing to go another decade or so. upside potential here.
14.6% AbV; 81% CS/ 9% ME/ 4% CF/ 4% Malbec/ 2% PV; twenty months in oak (63% new), mostly French, some American
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Amazing nose of crushed blackberry, current, blueberry. Tannins attack the initial taste on the palate then after 10 seconds becomes smooth and integrated with wonderful fruit and berries.
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Deep ruby color; fragrant nose of cassis, cinnamon and cocoa;smooth red fruit and flavors that confirm the nose. Restrained tannins everything in balance and tasting well now. Very enjoyable.
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Retail $80. 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 4% Malbec, 2% Petit Verdot. The last bottle of my double mini-vertical tasting of three wines and the last time out, this was fantastic, maybe the best of all the nine wines. This time? Medium color in the glass with fruit, yes, but also a tartness that verges on off-putting. The palate, though, is anything but. Rich fruit (blackberry), wonderful spice, and a near impeccable balance. While the nose this go-around had me nervous, there was no need for concern. Gangbusters.
Retail $80. 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 4% Malbec, 2% Petit Verdot. The third of my mini-three bottle vertical, and the most expressive, at least on the nose, of the three. Red and dark berry fruit, loads of plum, black pepper. Yowza. The nose is fabulous. The palate is loaded with fruit: rich, layered, tart, incredible. Plenty of depth and intrigue here, this is a wine, while almost a decade old already, is youthful and incredible now. Those chalky tannins on the finish, though, suggest plenty of life ahead. Whoa.
This is a serious wine, worthy of serious consideration. Initially it was a little flat, but after some hours - indeed days - it opened up beautifully. Concentrated blackcurrant compote surrounded by blueberries, forest floor and a hint of foraged mushrooms. Hints of mint and eucalyptus linger. Medium to full bodied with definite structure. Delicious, but hold for now if you can.
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90 min decant. Very very deep magenta color. Cherries jubilee, dark raspberry, cocoa powder, and subtle toffee on the slightly extracted nose. Smooth, dry palate, with tongue drying acidity. Firm, full, medium intensity tannins on the longish finish.
This is an easy drinker, but lacks depth of fruit and complexity. It’s a touch Caymus-esque.
Good color (very dark), full body. Upfront dark fruits - plum, black berry, middle to the end baking spice and butter scotch. Complex, not over The top, delicious.
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Good color, clarity and body. Mouth feel was soft - Light berries and wood from start to end. The finish suggests that there is still more time left in the bottle. Very nice wine!
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This is really good and much better than I was expecting. I haven’t seen this wine on a wine list or in a shop in a long time, but now I remember how much I used to like it. Very balanced wine with a fruit forward expression of blackberry and a thread of blue fruit that initially comes off like creme de cassis, but then turns into spice cake on the finish. While very new world in style, it is not overdone and has enough complexity to keep it interesting. Pop n poured, but if I had a decanter last night, I would have given it at least 30 minutes to aerate.
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Enjoyed during the super bowl. Good color, weight and clarity Soft - lots of vanilla and fruit combined together from start to end. Finish was long and enjoyable. Lots to like about his wine!
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Nice wine paired with Steak dinner at Range Life. The wine is big. Maybe a Little better 6 to 12 months from now. Bold, good color, Clarity and full body. A blend of fruit, oak and some earth tones. Complex From start to finish. Tannins were not Too strong and faded at the end.
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Decanted for an hour. Blackberry, plum, graphite, black tea, mocha and freesia. Compelling, with fabulous texture featuring tannins of cotton, and an elaborately long finish. The middle palate is layered and round. The fruit is forward, yet there’s a sophistication that is evident during all phases. Decant, stow away, and study for many years. Statuesque and quite formidable, with a medium body. Drink 2020 - 2037.
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It had been many years since we had enjoyed a Cinq Cepages. We drank to celebrate the life of Grace Kruska. Rich berry flavors with very little tannins for a wine that would be expected to only get better and more mellow with age. I would definitely buy again if I could find it! Tasting notes are sparse as we drank it 5 days ago and I forgot to note.
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12/30/2023 - WindFlyer Likes this wine: 93 Points
half-hour aeration (not enough).
dark purple ruby rim and appreciable body. generous nose of ripe plum and cassis, violets, bay leaf and menthol, cedar and hints of sweet cocoa. dry and structured, it is juicy with dark fruit that unfolds in layers, gaining in tartness in the mid palate. earthy, spice and cocoa accents are revealed with time, complemented by chalky tannins. excellent persistence.
youthful and still very primary, drinks very well now and looks to have the stuffing to go another decade or so. upside potential here.
14.6% AbV; 81% CS/ 9% ME/ 4% CF/ 4% Malbec/ 2% PV; twenty months in oak (63% new), mostly French, some American
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7/11/2023 - Scottlmatthews Likes this wine: 94 Points
Amazing nose of crushed blackberry, current, blueberry. Tannins attack the initial taste on the palate then after 10 seconds becomes smooth and integrated with wonderful fruit and berries.
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3/3/2023 - Thomas D Likes this wine: 94 Points
Deep ruby color; fragrant nose of cassis, cinnamon and cocoa;smooth red fruit and flavors that confirm the nose. Restrained tannins everything in balance and tasting well now. Very enjoyable.
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2/24/2023 - The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine: 96 Points
Retail $80. 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 4% Malbec, 2% Petit Verdot. The last bottle of my double mini-vertical tasting of three wines and the last time out, this was fantastic, maybe the best of all the nine wines. This time? Medium color in the glass with fruit, yes, but also a tartness that verges on off-putting. The palate, though, is anything but. Rich fruit (blackberry), wonderful spice, and a near impeccable balance. While the nose this go-around had me nervous, there was no need for concern. Gangbusters.
www.thedrunkencyclist.com
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2/5/2023 - The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine: 95 Points
Retail $80. 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 4% Malbec, 2% Petit Verdot. The third of my mini-three bottle vertical, and the most expressive, at least on the nose, of the three. Red and dark berry fruit, loads of plum, black pepper. Yowza. The nose is fabulous. The palate is loaded with fruit: rich, layered, tart, incredible. Plenty of depth and intrigue here, this is a wine, while almost a decade old already, is youthful and incredible now. Those chalky tannins on the finish, though, suggest plenty of life ahead. Whoa.
www.thedrunkencyclist.com
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9/28/2021 - OWC Likes this wine: 94 Points
This is a serious wine, worthy of serious consideration. Initially it was a little flat, but after some hours - indeed days - it opened up beautifully. Concentrated blackcurrant compote surrounded by blueberries, forest floor and a hint of foraged mushrooms. Hints of mint and eucalyptus linger. Medium to full bodied with definite structure. Delicious, but hold for now if you can.
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6/27/2021 - AGELVIS Likes this wine: 92 Points
90 min decant. Very very deep magenta color. Cherries jubilee, dark raspberry, cocoa powder, and subtle toffee on the slightly extracted nose. Smooth, dry palate, with tongue drying acidity. Firm, full, medium intensity tannins on the longish finish.
This is an easy drinker, but lacks depth of fruit and complexity. It’s a touch Caymus-esque.
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3/21/2021 - bryon m Likes this wine: 92 Points
Good color (very dark), full body. Upfront dark fruits - plum, black berry, middle to the end baking spice and butter scotch. Complex, not over The top, delicious.
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8/31/2020 - bryon m wrote: 91 Points
Good color, clarity and body. Mouth feel was soft - Light berries and wood from start to end. The finish suggests that there is still more time left in the bottle. Very nice wine!
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3/2/2020 - Francophile1 Likes this wine: 92 Points
This is really good and much better than I was expecting. I haven’t seen this wine on a wine list or in a shop in a long time, but now I remember how much I used to like it. Very balanced wine with a fruit forward expression of blackberry and a thread of blue fruit that initially comes off like creme de cassis, but then turns into spice cake on the finish. While very new world in style, it is not overdone and has enough complexity to keep it interesting. Pop n poured, but if I had a decanter last night, I would have given it at least 30 minutes to aerate.
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2/3/2020 - bryon m wrote: 92 Points
Enjoyed during the super bowl. Good color, weight and clarity Soft - lots of vanilla and fruit combined together from start to end. Finish was long and enjoyable. Lots to like about his wine!
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1/1/2020 - bryon m wrote: 92 Points
Nice wine paired with Steak dinner at Range Life. The wine is big. Maybe a Little better 6 to 12 months from now. Bold, good color, Clarity and full body. A blend of fruit, oak and some earth tones. Complex From start to finish. Tannins were not Too strong and faded at the end.
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9/25/2019 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
Oak and powerful and rich.
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6/15/2019 - Matt Scott Likes this wine: 95 Points
Decanted for an hour. Blackberry, plum, graphite, black tea, mocha and freesia. Compelling, with fabulous texture featuring tannins of cotton, and an elaborately long finish. The middle palate is layered and round. The fruit is forward, yet there’s a sophistication that is evident during all phases. Decant, stow away, and study for many years. Statuesque and quite formidable, with a medium body. Drink 2020 - 2037.
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3/9/2019 - Sauerjs172 wrote:
It had been many years since we had enjoyed a Cinq Cepages. We drank to celebrate the life of Grace Kruska. Rich berry flavors with very little tannins for a wine that would be expected to only get better and more mellow with age. I would definitely buy again if I could find it! Tasting notes are sparse as we drank it 5 days ago and I forgot to note.
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