Enjoyed with Thanksgiving (no detailed notes). Didn't think this would still be good after finding this had sat in my parents' dining room where I left it several years ago (at room temperature, but sideways at least) but it blew away expectations. More or less what you would expect for a Rhone with as much age, maybe flirting a bit with a New World style, but I chalk that up to the vintage. Still has great concentration of fruit and expression. Has a few years of life left but may be at or near peak.
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Very similar to the latest bottle - and certainly beating the Confiance of the same year, that are much heavier and clumpsy. This has real local character with garrigue and sweet grenache - but none of the vintages prunes galore - thank God. Probably peaking, but will live. (lunch with neigbours)
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What a great surprise! This has been standing around for a while, and I have been reluctant to try it, cause after some disappointments with older Soumade-wines, I had more or less written this off, especially in the very, very hot 2003-vintage. But behold, this has a vibrant freshness, drinks like a young wine, rich, yes, but with none of the heavy-set character, than can be Rasteau. Kudos to Stephan Deranoncourt, who arrived in 02 for creating this wine in such a difficult vintage - I don't think Romero could have dine this on his won. (dinner at home with T)
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Probably peaking, should likely not be decanted unless sediments are present. Impressively balanced, but the palate seems to be shorter as time goes. Strong balanced classic Rasteau, no jammyness around here - I wish I had more bottles left...
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Superb value! Notes of graphite, earth, dark cherry/blackberry and a touch of black olive on the nose. In the mouth, showing some gritty tannin, but not offensive. I don't think this wine will get any better. Its in a perfect window for me. Glad I picked up 6 of these.....
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Brilliant Rasteau, and simply incredible for the vintage. Cassis, sour cherry, black cherry, black olive, damp earth. Bracing acidity, firm tannins, and minerally finish. None of the overripeness of the vintage is present here, and this is surprisingly structured and sturdy. Really needs several more years. 91+
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Despite of the critical vintage of 2003, this wine is not yet at the end, Harmonic and well balanced, black currant and bitter almond, suitable nuances of port, good finish.
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This is a very impressive Rasteau. Almost black in color with a nose of provincial spices. Once on the palate I experienced black currents, wild blackberries and more lovely spices. There were some firm tannins present on the back of the palate. The finnish on this issue is quite remarkable, it seemed to go on and on. This is the finest "Rasteau" I have tasted to date. This is a big masculine wine with wonderful flavors. I would highly recommend it. Fabulous!!!
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Loads of sweet fruit, slightly masked by the cedary oak. Round, with some glycerin. Very similar to the Confiance and Fleur cuvees, without the same power. Served blind, I would have guessed this to be from California, save that great Rasteau chocolate note.
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12/4/2016 - jjjordan wrote: 85 Points
Enjoyed with Thanksgiving (no detailed notes). Didn't think this would still be good after finding this had sat in my parents' dining room where I left it several years ago (at room temperature, but sideways at least) but it blew away expectations. More or less what you would expect for a Rhone with as much age, maybe flirting a bit with a New World style, but I chalk that up to the vintage. Still has great concentration of fruit and expression. Has a few years of life left but may be at or near peak.
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8/7/2015 - beatles wrote: 91 Points
Very similar to the latest bottle - and certainly beating the Confiance of the same year, that are much heavier and clumpsy. This has real local character with garrigue and sweet grenache - but none of the vintages prunes galore - thank God. Probably peaking, but will live. (lunch with neigbours)
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5/2/2014 - beatles Likes this wine: 91 Points
What a great surprise! This has been standing around for a while, and I have been reluctant to try it, cause after some disappointments with older Soumade-wines, I had more or less written this off, especially in the very, very hot 2003-vintage. But behold, this has a vibrant freshness, drinks like a young wine, rich, yes, but with none of the heavy-set character, than can be Rasteau. Kudos to Stephan Deranoncourt, who arrived in 02 for creating this wine in such a difficult vintage - I don't think Romero could have dine this on his won. (dinner at home with T)
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12/7/2013 - timcardk Likes this wine: 91 Points
Probably peaking, should likely not be decanted unless sediments are present. Impressively balanced, but the palate seems to be shorter as time goes.
Strong balanced classic Rasteau, no jammyness around here - I wish I had more bottles left...
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12/4/2012 - bubbachumps wrote: 91 Points
Superb value! Notes of graphite, earth, dark cherry/blackberry and a touch of black olive on the nose. In the mouth, showing some gritty tannin, but not offensive. I don't think this wine will get any better. Its in a perfect window for me. Glad I picked up 6 of these.....
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4/15/2012 - nwaller wrote: 88 Points
- Ruby color with a medium finish - Must be decanted because of the sediment. Lovely wine. Great balance.
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2/21/2012 - graphite wrote: 91 Points
Brilliant Rasteau, and simply incredible for the vintage. Cassis, sour cherry, black cherry, black olive, damp earth. Bracing acidity, firm tannins, and minerally finish. None of the overripeness of the vintage is present here, and this is surprisingly structured and sturdy. Really needs several more years. 91+
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12/25/2011 - Albin wrote: 89 Points
Despite of the critical vintage of 2003, this wine is not yet at the end, Harmonic and well balanced, black currant and bitter almond, suitable nuances of port, good finish.
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8/19/2010 - nwaller Likes this wine: 87 Points
Delicious. Mixed berries with great balance of tanin and fruit. good length.
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8/7/2008 - jp_howell wrote: 89 Points
Started shining after an hour or so. Long tannin finish. Plums, chocolate?, woody earth.
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2/16/2008 - NO SPIT wrote:
This is a very impressive Rasteau. Almost black in color with a nose of provincial spices. Once on the palate I experienced
black currents, wild blackberries and more lovely spices. There were some firm tannins present on the back of the palate.
The finnish on this issue is quite remarkable, it seemed to go on and on. This is the finest "Rasteau" I have tasted to date.
This is a big masculine wine with wonderful flavors. I would highly recommend it. Fabulous!!!
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11/11/2007 - Wien wrote:
Nice wine, that is drinking really well now. Prunes and plums and a sweet tone to it.
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1/13/2007 - bknysak wrote: 90 Points
Loads of sweet fruit, slightly masked by the cedary oak. Round, with some glycerin. Very similar to the Confiance and Fleur cuvees, without the same power. Served blind, I would have guessed this to be from California, save that great Rasteau chocolate note.
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