Medium body. Soft tannins. Decent backbone. This is actually getting better but do not decant. This is a pop & pour only. It loses too much too quickly. This should be consumed over the next 3-5 yrs.
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Very soft & light. You can tell this has a higher % of merlot. Soft tannins that didn't leave an impression. Honestly I pulled it from the cellar and it was just too cold (55) and the nose was non existent. As it warmed up there was a bit of life left but nothing special. I opened this bec when we were at Cain a month or so ago my wife loves this. Very non intrusive on the palate. Paired with sea bass which actually was very nice. I thought pinot or this Cain and this is so light it did the job nicely. Again some decent acidity, light ruby in color. Light body, with a quick finish. Bits of red and purple fruits. Some chery, fig & a hint of dandelion. Not sure where the last bit came from but I swear it was in there.
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Cherry, berry, smoky nose. Nice and round with hints of chocolate and a slightly tart finish. Blend of three harvests of 4 grapes. 48% merlot, 32%cabernet sauvignon, 14% cabernet franc, 6% petite verdot.
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This is a blend of 48% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc and 6% Petit Verdot. Bought this last year on sale for $15. Opened with pizza. Deep purple color. Creamy with black fruit and cassis notes. Medium to full bodied. 89 points
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Great PQR. Pulled out some bottles for a BBQ. People drank it like it was water after running a marathon. Very fruit forward. Ready to drink now. Have 5 bottles left. Will not let them go at a party.
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Inviting nose, thin to medium body, not very tannic. Easy drinker and held up nicely next to a pricier CdP. A very good Bordeaux style wine that I plan to keep 1-2 around
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This wine continues to impress. Dark ruby color, great on the palette with hints of black currants and black cherry with a touch of smokiness, silky smooth finish. This is a fantastic house red at a great price!
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dark red fruit on the nose, alittle smokey and also a some green veg. On the palate, velvety tannis, medium finish. more dark fruit. not overly complex, but a very easy drinking wine for $25
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Very dark red violet color; ripe berry, black currant, berry syrup nose; tart black currant, red currant, cedar palate with integrating oak; medium-plus finish 88+ points (48% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot)
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Good restaurant glass pour. Blackberry and plum aromas with oak spice. Rounded black fruit flavors, soft and very Merlot-like. Good balance, even if somewhat short and simple.
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Eye: dark reddish purple. Nose: smoke, herbs, dark fruit. Palate: complex, nice subtle fruit, good structure, a bit subdued flavor yet good spice and body.
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I love it and was suprised it was so good. Everything about it was balanced. Smell taste and finish. If I was drinking a merlot based blend from bordeaux at 4 times the cost I would have been happy with it.
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nose: spices and chocolate, cassis, raspberry, high heat taste: subtle notes, good acidity, raspberry, lingering chocolate, low tannins, medium to full bodied, decent structure but lacking in strength of flavor except for its heat, finishes with a whisper
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Tasted a bunch of backside reds one night, including the NV8, NV9 and NV0. The 9 was by far the best, with the 0 and the 8 both being heavy in sediment and more tannin's than I thought possible. Lesson learned ... don't let a good value red sit!
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4/21/2014 - JDV.DDSPHD wrote: 88 Points
Medium body. Soft tannins. Decent backbone. This is actually getting better but do not decant. This is a pop & pour only. It loses too much too quickly. This should be consumed over the next 3-5 yrs.
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11/6/2013 - JDV.DDSPHD wrote: 87 Points
Very soft & light. You can tell this has a higher % of merlot. Soft tannins that didn't leave an impression. Honestly I pulled it from the cellar and it was just too cold (55) and the nose was non existent. As it warmed up there was a bit of life left but nothing special. I opened this bec when we were at Cain a month or so ago my wife loves this. Very non intrusive on the palate. Paired with sea bass which actually was very nice. I thought pinot or this Cain and this is so light it did the job nicely. Again some decent acidity, light ruby in color. Light body, with a quick finish. Bits of red and purple fruits. Some chery, fig & a hint of dandelion. Not sure where the last bit came from but I swear it was in there.
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10/9/2013 - redbrix wrote: 87 Points
Cherry, berry, smoky nose. Nice and round with hints of chocolate and a slightly tart finish. Blend of three harvests of 4 grapes. 48% merlot, 32%cabernet sauvignon, 14% cabernet franc, 6% petite verdot.
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7/7/2013 - Winecat Likes this wine: 89 Points
Great bordeaux blend. Decanted for 30 minutes.
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7/1/2013 - Alpton wrote: 84 Points
Ripe fruit and sweet vanilla.
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6/26/2013 - Vino Me wrote: 89 Points
This is a blend of 48% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc and 6% Petit Verdot. Bought this last year on sale for $15. Opened with pizza. Deep purple color. Creamy with black fruit and cassis notes. Medium to full bodied. 89 points
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6/19/2013 - WineGuyFL Likes this wine: 92 Points
Great PQR. Pulled out some bottles for a BBQ. People drank it like it was water after running a marathon. Very fruit forward. Ready to drink now. Have 5 bottles left. Will not let them go at a party.
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5/15/2013 - jviz Likes this wine: 90 Points
Paired with sous vide chuck roast. No decant.
Inviting nose, thin to medium body, not very tannic. Easy drinker and held up nicely next to a pricier CdP. A very good Bordeaux style wine that I plan to keep 1-2 around
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4/10/2013 - Bakek wrote: 86 Points
Meh. Nothing bad, but nothing to recommend it.
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4/6/2013 - billyfitness wrote: 89 Points
Not quite there yet, in terms of fruit maturity and integration, but still a good value Bordeaux blend for around thirty bucks.
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3/31/2013 - WineGuyFL Likes this wine: 90 Points
Bordeaux style. Elegant. Decanted for an hour plus. Did not improve the second night. Great PQR. Not fine wine, but should last a few years.
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2/22/2013 - Neumannl wrote: 90 Points
This wine continues to impress. Dark ruby color, great on the palette with hints of black currants and black cherry with a touch of smokiness, silky smooth finish. This is a fantastic house red at a great price!
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2/18/2013 - Neumannl wrote: 89 Points
Great wine at a great price
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2/15/2013 - wiscgrad Likes this wine: 90 Points
dark red fruit on the nose, alittle smokey and also a some green veg. On the palate, velvety tannis, medium finish. more dark fruit. not overly complex, but a very easy drinking wine for $25
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2/1/2013 - rjonwine@gmail.com wrote: 88 Points
Very dark red violet color; ripe berry, black currant, berry syrup nose; tart black currant, red currant, cedar palate with integrating oak; medium-plus finish 88+ points (48% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot)
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1/29/2013 - Burgundy Al wrote: 87 Points
Good restaurant glass pour. Blackberry and plum aromas with oak spice. Rounded black fruit flavors, soft and very Merlot-like. Good balance, even if somewhat short and simple.
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12/10/2012 - ian02054 wrote: 89 Points
- Ruby color and aromas of blackberry and has flavours of blackberry.
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10/27/2012 - khunchris wrote: 90 Points
Solid wine, great as house red.
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9/10/2012 - socidelvino wrote: 88 Points
Tasted at McCormick & Schmicks, Cincinnati
Eye: dark reddish purple. Nose: smoke, herbs, dark fruit. Palate: complex, nice subtle fruit, good structure, a bit subdued flavor yet good spice and body.
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9/9/2012 - Martin Redmond Likes this wine: 85 Points
Recap of Family Winemakers of California; 2012 San Francisco Tasting-Best of the Meritage Reds: Earthy, cassis and dark fruit aromas. On the palate, it's light-bodied with easy cherry flavor. Short finish.
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9/9/2012 - rjonwine@gmail.com wrote: 91 Points
2012 22nd Annual Family Winemakers of California Tasting; 9/9/2012-9/10/2012 (Festival Pavilion, Fort Mason, San Francisco, California): Dark red violet color; tar, tart black fruit nose; tasty, tart black fruit, tobacco palate; medium-plus finish (48% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot)
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9/9/2012 - cpgarage wrote: 90 Points
This is a well balanced wine. Very smooth, clean finish.
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8/31/2012 - leesullivan wrote: 91 Points
Really great. Same reveiw as before.
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8/28/2012 - matthew.gluth wrote: 91 Points
Needed decanting, but a pleasant surprise.
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8/5/2012 - PinotPaul wrote: 86 Points
Ok but nothing special
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7/14/2012 - leesullivan wrote: 91 Points
I love it and was suprised it was so good. Everything about it was balanced. Smell taste and finish. If I was drinking a merlot based blend from bordeaux at 4 times the cost I would have been happy with it.
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7/12/2012 - TSRFan wrote: 95 Points
Circa '98
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6/15/2012 - PinotPaul wrote: 86 Points
Okay bottle but didn't live up to my expectations. Drank sometime in June
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4/21/2012 - TEDL wrote: 85 Points
We were expecting a Cab like wine, more like a Pinot. SA good bottle and we will pick up more.
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4/13/2012 - carmanyd wrote: 88 Points
Good. Still a bit young but showing promise. Decanted which helped balance the flavors. Medium body, sone berry on the nose, smooth finish.
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2/27/2012 - pizzasomm wrote: 87 Points
nose: spices and chocolate, cassis, raspberry, high heat
taste: subtle notes, good acidity, raspberry, lingering chocolate, low tannins, medium to full bodied, decent structure but lacking in strength of flavor except for its heat, finishes with a whisper
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5/20/2011 - HollyAndMark wrote: 83 Points
Held up much better than the other NV8, though still way on the backside. rich, thick and earthy
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1/24/2011 - HollyAndMark wrote: 71 Points
Tasted a bunch of backside reds one night, including the NV8, NV9 and NV0. The 9 was by far the best, with the 0 and the 8 both being heavy in sediment and more tannin's than I thought possible. Lesson learned ... don't let a good value red sit!
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