Plum, blackberry, and licorice are the dominant notes. Upon opening, this is a bit rough and hot. This dissipated somewhat after an hour in the glass, but still hot (15.5% ABV). I had this with vegetarian chili, and I agree with the reviewer who said that this wine craves meat.
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Little rough 1st day so decided to let sit. Excellent 2nd day. Muted bouquet. Earthy notes and full bodied with black pepper and lots of mineral. Really enjoyable with cast iron pan seared aged NY Strip in compound butter with garlic mash. Seems like this one will age very well.
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Still in its youth this wine has spectrum of flavours and characters that evolve, turn youthful again and provides pleasure all along the way. I've had raspberry jam with pips in, balsamic vinegar, blackberries and cracked black pepper. A few vegetal shoots of freshness too. Finish is long but alcohol starts to dominate.
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I find this to be a MUCH better value than just about all of the Cabernets in this price range. And to my taste, the ETOH (15.5%) is no more obvious than in most of those confected cabs. I get whiffs of pipe smoke and smoked meats to go with the red and blue fruits and licorice. Has many of classic Rhone characteristics. Very subtle tannins, cries out for MEAT (grilled beef, braised lamb,..).
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Finally a Tasting (Wine Wizards Stockton): Solid Vacqueyras big round with all the spicy flavors very attractive and compelling. In the mouth all those flavors are there and then you swallow and it like you just had a shot of vodka. Not sure that will age out. Pass
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2 Coravin pours to taste and have with dinner. Same day purchase, paid ~$20 on sale, was curious to try. 15.5% ABV on label. This is a pretty generous and full bodied wine. Not well structured for aging but ripe and fruit forward. It drank pretty well with grilled teriyaki pork tenderloin. But alone it was noticeably hot while also showing a game meat and black fruit profile with light florals and pepper spice. This is not really my style of wine. It was soft and not very tannic and not too bright with acidity. Seems like a ripe modern styled Grenache/Syrah blend that would be good as an everyday meal wine but with noticeably high alcohol. I was hoping to recommend this to some friends and clients as a good wine at a great price but I think I will hold off after tasting the wine.
4/18/2023 - Bax62 wrote: 91 Points
Drinking very well now. Deep red color and intense blackberry. Tannins are integrated well.
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3/3/2023 - knothoef wrote: 90 Points
Very nice spicy, not too strong
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9/3/2022 - Bax62 Likes this wine:
So much better on Day 2! Needs more time or good long aeration.
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12/12/2021 - Bax62 wrote: 90 Points
Plum, blackberry, and licorice are the dominant notes. Upon opening, this is a bit rough and hot. This dissipated somewhat after an hour in the glass, but still hot (15.5% ABV). I had this with vegetarian chili, and I agree with the reviewer who said that this wine craves meat.
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11/14/2021 - Tenpasttwo Likes this wine: 93 Points
Little rough 1st day so decided to let sit. Excellent 2nd day. Muted bouquet. Earthy notes and full bodied with black pepper and lots of mineral. Really enjoyable with cast iron pan seared aged NY Strip in compound butter with garlic mash. Seems like this one will age very well.
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3/23/2021 - CAJR Likes this wine: 88 Points
Black fruit, olive, truffles
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3/3/2021 - Alex Brogan wrote: 95 Points
Still in its youth this wine has spectrum of flavours and characters that evolve, turn youthful again and provides pleasure all along the way. I've had raspberry jam with pips in, balsamic vinegar, blackberries and cracked black pepper. A few vegetal shoots of freshness too. Finish is long but alcohol starts to dominate.
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2/5/2021 - jmoore431 Likes this wine: 91 Points
I find this to be a MUCH better value than just about all of the Cabernets in this price range. And to my taste, the ETOH (15.5%) is no more obvious than in most of those confected cabs. I get whiffs of pipe smoke and smoked meats to go with the red and blue fruits and licorice. Has many of classic Rhone characteristics. Very subtle tannins, cries out for MEAT (grilled beef, braised lamb,..).
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1/14/2021 - Woodbridge Brad wrote:
Finally a Tasting (Wine Wizards Stockton): Solid Vacqueyras big round with all the spicy flavors very attractive and compelling. In the mouth all those flavors are there and then you swallow and it like you just had a shot of vodka. Not sure that will age out. Pass
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1/5/2021 - oldwines wrote: 88 Points
2 Coravin pours to taste and have with dinner. Same day purchase, paid ~$20 on sale, was curious to try. 15.5% ABV on label. This is a pretty generous and full bodied wine. Not well structured for aging but ripe and fruit forward. It drank pretty well with grilled teriyaki pork tenderloin. But alone it was noticeably hot while also showing a game meat and black fruit profile with light florals and pepper spice. This is not really my style of wine. It was soft and not very tannic and not too bright with acidity. Seems like a ripe modern styled Grenache/Syrah blend that would be good as an everyday meal wine but with noticeably high alcohol. I was hoping to recommend this to some friends and clients as a good wine at a great price but I think I will hold off after tasting the wine.
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12/16/2020 - BernieMSY wrote: 92 Points
Solid wine, intensely flavored, sweet fruit, perfumed nose. Good value.
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