Initially the nose was a bit off but after a decant it started to open up. Fresh cut violets, black cherry, anise, dark chocolate and a touch of pepper. Nice up front and started to fade on the mid palate but the finish was actually pretty nice which confused me a bit bec it started strong, started to disappear mid palate and then was still there for a decent lingering finish. I would definitely want to try this again if I could find another bottle in 5 yrs.
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A bit of harshness on open (surprising) but softened considerably after one hour. mature but still well integrated. Open now if you have it. More time will not improve it.
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Catena Zapata Winemaker Dinner (Betony): From the winery. Drank alongside the 2000. Big, ripe black fruit, this is more riper, more modern and less complex than the 2000. This shows more oak as well. But there's enough concentration and structure to stand up to the oak, and the fruit while big and ripe is not too sweet, with sufficient acidity to hold everything together. This tastes quite young to me and I think will still improve for a while. I preferred the 2000 this time for its greater elegance and complexity, but this seems to have more future potential.
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Not nearly as impressed as I was hoping to be. Well balanced, well made, with an interesting vegetable character. Tannins were well integrated. Drink soon.
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88+ on this wine, of awesome bright crimson color with ruby rim. Nice complex nose containing dark licorice, plum, milk chocolate, and delicate strawberry aromas. I insist.. the nose is very elegant, quality-proof and complex. The nose can fool you for an expensive tempranillo; it is that youthful. Rich and lush on the initial attack. Coats your palate with involving, velvety texture, and flavors of dark chocolate, green pepper, tobacco, and blackberries. Good length. Nice finish that leaves you with spicy, peppery, and berry jammy notes.
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7/17/2014 - JDV.DDSPHD wrote: 91 Points
Initially the nose was a bit off but after a decant it started to open up. Fresh cut violets, black cherry, anise, dark chocolate and a touch of pepper. Nice up front and started to fade on the mid palate but the finish was actually pretty nice which confused me a bit bec it started strong, started to disappear mid palate and then was still there for a decent lingering finish. I would definitely want to try this again if I could find another bottle in 5 yrs.
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2/2/2014 - MDRwinos wrote: 90 Points
A bit of harshness on open (surprising) but softened considerably after one hour. mature but still well integrated. Open now if you have it. More time will not improve it.
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12/10/2013 - coremill wrote: 90 Points
Catena Zapata Winemaker Dinner (Betony): From the winery. Drank alongside the 2000. Big, ripe black fruit, this is more riper, more modern and less complex than the 2000. This shows more oak as well. But there's enough concentration and structure to stand up to the oak, and the fruit while big and ripe is not too sweet, with sufficient acidity to hold everything together. This tastes quite young to me and I think will still improve for a while. I preferred the 2000 this time for its greater elegance and complexity, but this seems to have more future potential.
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9/5/2011 - MDRwinos wrote: 92 Points
This is a good bottle. Excellent balance. Open and enjoy without waiting.
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4/17/2011 - csoren wrote: 94 Points
Absolutely stunning. Drink now.
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4/22/2009 - vancouvermatt wrote: 90 Points
Not nearly as impressed as I was hoping to be. Well balanced, well made, with an interesting vegetable character. Tannins were well integrated. Drink soon.
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11/4/2008 - Capt M wrote: 88 Points
88+ on this wine, of awesome bright crimson color with ruby rim. Nice complex nose containing dark licorice, plum, milk chocolate, and delicate strawberry aromas. I insist.. the nose is very elegant, quality-proof and complex. The nose can fool you for an expensive tempranillo; it is that youthful. Rich and lush on the initial attack. Coats your palate with involving, velvety texture, and flavors of dark chocolate, green pepper, tobacco, and blackberries. Good length. Nice finish that leaves you with spicy, peppery, and berry jammy notes.
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5/17/2008 - Rodenbach99 wrote: 86 Points
very oaky, youg, full of fruit, too young
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2/25/2008 - JWP wrote: 86 Points
Big, full-bodied CS, strongly oaked, needs more time, will try another bottle in a couple of years.
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7/10/2007 - pakabear wrote: 82 Points
Way over-oaked on the nose and the palate. You can almost taste the pulp, just not a good wine.
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9/16/2006 - maothecat wrote: 80 Points
This wine needs way more time to mature. Even a 2hrs+ trip in the decanter didnt open this one up. Nose very closed.
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