My first time with this varietal. Clear, dark purplish/ruby (or is it ruby-esque purple?) with a thick viscosity to the legs, throwing a bit of fine sediment and worthy of a careful decant. Nose seemingly gives off heat in excess of the 14.5% that the label indicates (which is no limp wine, to be sure, but it smells hotter). Beneath the heat, cocoa and cloves dominate the nose but it's rather complex. Fruit dominates -- full, ripe tannins that are lush but have good structure. Tastes like a big Spanish tempranillo meets Bordeaux meets a fruit-forward (as opposed to peppery or leathery) Syrah/Shiraz. An interesting combination and a nice grape. Very pleased with this, if not overwhelmed.
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Big bold juicy, developed some really good tertiary flavours, but this is still about the juicy fruit, and you should contemplate drinking up fairly soon to make sure you take advantage of the juice!
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Glorious. Still youthful in colour and approach to life, this still has a mass of brambly fruit and is now starting to show benefit from life's experiences. The few grey hairs suit this one well.....
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I'm not sure why we bought this wine, but thanks to Devin at the Spirit Shoppe for stocking it. We had never had the Babol grape before but what an incredible surprise. Tastes like a hugely ripe cabernet with a slight blend of Australian shiraz. This wine would make some classed growth Bordeaux blush with shame. The nose just keeps coming from the glass -- a blend of blackberry, vanilla, and some cocoa. The taste was fantastic. Lots of black berries, ripe plums, and a hint of allspice/fall spices(?). The finish is moderately long. If it wasn't for the finish this might score in the high 90's. I know the Spirit Shoppe is out, but if you can find it this is a great deal at roughly $65/bottle.
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Very good. Big, tannic fruit bomb. Impenetrable colour. Lots of really rie tannins. Lovely wine and looks as if it is going to last at least another 2 years - maybe more but not sure what will happen to the fruit in there.
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Occasional tasting group: Top Spain (@ AW): Almost black purple. Very complex bouquet; oak, leather, sweet, spicy, very deep. Fills the mouth completely with soft juice and sweetness. So nice already!
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Very interesting. If tasted blind, I'm not sure I would have had the slightest clue as to where in the world it was from or what type of grapes were in it. That said, I thought it was very good. Ripe, but balanced. Well-integrated oak. Nice finish. I sensed that it might be holding something back, or be a bit closed at the moment. Perhaps it will be showing more in a couple years. I would like to try this again.
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2/23/2022 - David Price wrote: 94 Points
Way past the recommended drink window but decided to take a chance.
It did not disappoint. Decanted 3+ hours before tasting. Wonderful.
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2/23/2017 - mike lwp wrote: flawed
Corked
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7/16/2015 - KenPlace wrote: 94 Points
Simply fabulous. Big wine, but extremely well balanced, surprising amount of acidity and lots of fruit. Buy more.
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5/17/2015 - KenPlace wrote: 93 Points
Drinking great. Tannins have integrated.
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1/31/2015 - KenPlace wrote: 93 Points
Unique wine. Relatively inexpensive. Made from Bobal in Valencia. Great nose, acidity. Buy if you can.
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1/24/2014 - nvandyk Likes this wine: 93 Points
My first time with this varietal. Clear, dark purplish/ruby (or is it ruby-esque purple?) with a thick viscosity to the legs, throwing a bit of fine sediment and worthy of a careful decant. Nose seemingly gives off heat in excess of the 14.5% that the label indicates (which is no limp wine, to be sure, but it smells hotter). Beneath the heat, cocoa and cloves dominate the nose but it's rather complex. Fruit dominates -- full, ripe tannins that are lush but have good structure. Tastes like a big Spanish tempranillo meets Bordeaux meets a fruit-forward (as opposed to peppery or leathery) Syrah/Shiraz. An interesting combination and a nice grape. Very pleased with this, if not overwhelmed.
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12/8/2013 - Lordswood wrote: 91 Points
Big bold juicy, developed some really good tertiary flavours, but this is still about the juicy fruit, and you should contemplate drinking up fairly soon to make sure you take advantage of the juice!
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6/10/2012 - Lordswood wrote: 93 Points
Glorious. Still youthful in colour and approach to life, this still has a mass of brambly fruit and is now starting to show benefit from life's experiences. The few grey hairs suit this one well.....
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8/6/2011 - Lordswood wrote: 92 Points
Although full of red and dark red fruits this is now showing minerality, subtlety and balance. A lovely wine that is drinking beautifully now.
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1/18/2011 - LoireFan wrote: 91 Points
Expected more.
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11/17/2009 - LoireFan wrote: 93 Points
Exceeded my expectations.
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9/20/2009 - TMacpherson Likes this wine: 95 Points
I'm not sure why we bought this wine, but thanks to Devin at the Spirit Shoppe for stocking it. We had never had the Babol grape before but what an incredible surprise. Tastes like a hugely ripe cabernet with a slight blend of Australian shiraz. This wine would make some classed growth Bordeaux blush with shame. The nose just keeps coming from the glass -- a blend of blackberry, vanilla, and some cocoa. The taste was fantastic. Lots of black berries, ripe plums, and a hint of allspice/fall spices(?). The finish is moderately long. If it wasn't for the finish this might score in the high 90's. I know the Spirit Shoppe is out, but if you can find it this is a great deal at roughly $65/bottle.
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10/27/2008 - Lordswood wrote: 91 Points
Very good. Big, tannic fruit bomb. Impenetrable colour. Lots of really rie tannins. Lovely wine and looks as if it is going to last at least another 2 years - maybe more but not sure what will happen to the fruit in there.
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10/8/2006 - Zweder wrote: 95 Points
Occasional tasting group: Top Spain (@ AW): Almost black purple. Very complex bouquet; oak, leather, sweet, spicy, very deep. Fills the mouth completely with soft juice and sweetness. So nice already!
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4/26/2006 - Spencer wrote: 92 Points
Very interesting. If tasted blind, I'm not sure I would have had the slightest clue as to where in the world it was from or what type of grapes were in it. That said, I thought it was very good. Ripe, but balanced. Well-integrated oak. Nice finish. I sensed that it might be holding something back, or be a bit closed at the moment. Perhaps it will be showing more in a couple years. I would like to try this again.
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