Nice solid blend. This had some good dark fruit notes with a fruit forward mid palate, but a drier finish. I had this wine solo, but it would go well with a hearty meat dish.
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Much better than the 2006. Nose of black fruits and cedar with bell pepper. Good depth of black and blue fruits with an earth element and touch of spice.
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I tasted this after a few hours at about 65 degrees in Spieglau. In Appearance, this was was clear and showed a medium+ ruby hie with long legs. The Nose was clean with medium intensity and aromas of dark fruits, like black plums, black cherries along with a little bell pepper and some herbaceous notes. The Palate was dry and medium+ in body. The tannins and alcohol were fairly aggressive (med+), but well balanced and the acidity was medium. The flavors again involved dark fruits of cherries, blackberries, and plums along with some toasted oak and a distinct herbaceous note on the medium length finish--again, green pepper and eucaplyptus. Overall, a very good wine with good QPR. It is solidly strcuture and drinking well now, but could also cellar for a few more years.
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This is the last of my favorite QPR wine. Too bad they decided to commercialize it. It was a better story in 2005 when it truly was the leftover grapes. Now it is a brand. Here's a toast to the good old days.
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Decanted 30 minutes. Per winery 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc 8% Petit Verdot. Deep ruby color. Blackberries, cherries, cedar, dried herbs, tobacco and a hint of vanilla on the nose. Medium body with a nice tannic backbone and good acidity. Nice finish with just enough spicy oak to compliment the fruit without dominating. Tasting delicious now, can be cellared longer, but I don't think there will be much more improvement, also no hurry to open remaining bottles.
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decanted for a about 1 hour before first glass. Dark fruit with black currant on the nose. On the palate the wine was rich with cherry, and cocoa and a bit of greeness. Tannins are in check, nice wine with a good mouthfeel.
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Very big and tannic, lots of sediment - would highly recommend decanting. Took awhile to open up and I would still say this is too young to drink. The tannins overwhelmed the fruit a bit, but it did open up after about 30 minutes. This should drink nicely in another few years.
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Nose of blueberry, black cherry and cigar. Good fruit flavor and secondary character. This has plenty to recommend it for a midweek drink but doesn't have enough to raise it above other tasty, very good but not outstanding reds.
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The nose opens with blackberries and a bit of blackcurrant, all floating over some underlying nettles and greenery, followed by some vanilla.
It is far less green on the palate. It opens with blueberry and boysenberry jams, some tobacco leaf and cedar. Vanilla and brown sugar make an appearance on the mid-palate. Tannins are sweet and the finish is long.
Mouth-feel is full and think, lots of glycerin. Alcohol and acids are very well balanced. This is a definite "drink now" because it is good, but let's wait for Night Two to get a sense of cellar life and potential for improvement.
Night Two
Redcurrant, red licorice, and some cherries are all on the nose, a much fruitier and, well, redder nose than on Night One.
The palate is just like the nose this time. It has redcurrant, red licorice, and cherries. The licorice is more pronounced on the palate, but they are all there. Tannins are very sweet and smooth. There is a secondary flavor of tobacco leaf, enough to make it wonder if there is some cab franc in the mix. Vanilla shows upon the mid-palate, along with some cedar. Sure, there was obviously new oak used, but it is not overpowering or out of balance.
This is not a terribly complex wine. At an average cost of a little less than $30, it doesn't knock the QPR out of the park, but Napa wines tend to catch a pretty penny.
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(1) Drank at cabin with Mom & Monica. We had this with venison steaks - a GREAT pairing and the wine was phenomonal - I actually thought about giving this a 1+.
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This wine has a nice young color that is worth 2 of 2, but there is nothing in the bouquet. Perhaps over-filtered? (2 of 4) The taste is Too dry and tart for my liking, and not enough body to blend well with the tannins. I think 11% Cabernet Franc was too much. As a result, not a terribly well balanced wine. Even lots of time to breathe didn't sort this one out. Not one I'd care to buy again. (2 of 10). Overall, Too dry, too thin, too flat, too short, which is too bad. (1 of 4) TOTAL: 7 of 20
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If anything, this is definitely a consistent wine from vintage to vintage. I look back at my notes on the 02,03, and 04 and they are similar and also represent the 05 quite well. This is a very youthful wine at this stage with very primary fruit flavors representing some raspberry licorice and a bit a red currant. The color is inky dark and it is still showing a good tannic bite throughout. Should age well for a few years and be really nice after 2010. The blend for this vintage is 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc, and 8% Petit Verdot.
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Went to dinner at Flemings Steakhous and paired it with a prime ribeye. Nice dark cherry, intermixed with coco powder, vanilla, cassis and a touch of oak. Nice balance and a pleasantly long finish with little to no heat.
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Drank at a party. Nice nose of berries with a touch of oak. Very much a cab sauv and cab franc blend. A little earthy in taste. Smooth texture. Very dark.
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Nose starts out as chemicals, bitter, glue, apple skin, with some buried cherry. Upon opening, a musty raspberry jam begins to come out. Flavors of black cherry, rustic, with some very very subtle oak. Dry and smooth finish, with lots of biting tannins. Better after being open for 2-3 hours.
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Good wine. Bright, dark fruit on the nose with vanilla. Needs decanting for about 1 hour to open up. Once opened, dark fruit is present with slight oak and some complimentary spices, (allspice?). Good balance. Enjoyed with grilled flanksteak and crumbled blue cheese. Enjoy alone with the cheese as well. Not too tannic but tannins still present. I can smell this wine for hours! Good wine for Cab drinkers as well as Merlot drinkers. Meets half way.
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This is a Bordeaux style blend by Duckhorn and the '05 was good, but not quite as good as the '04 or '06. This is drinking now, but you could also sit on it for a bit more. The 2005 season began with a wet winter and spring; annual rainfall totals were well above average. An ideal fruit set, which produced an abundant number of full grape clusters. As a result, the vintage yielded exceptional fruit for the season. The harvest lasted over two months-into the early days of November. In many ways the 2005 season was reminiscent of 1997, which had an abundant harvest of remarkable quality. This inviting wine is well-rounded with forward fruit balanced by smooth, supple tannins and a lingering finish. The aroma is approachable with black cherry, ripe berry, & floral notes of violet and rose petal. The flavors are ripe with fresh fruit including blackberry, black cherry, and cassis complemented by a spicy note of white pepper. 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot11% Cabernet Franc, 8% Petit Verdot.
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Cedar on nose at first with dark plum and hint of choc. as it opened up, cedar turned to oak and vanilla. Slightly tannic with ok finish. raspberry and cedar at first taste. Opened into a big fruity vanilla oak bomb. Would not buy but decent enough to drink if served to me.
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Nose of sweet cherry cola, nice full mouthfeel, but too fruity and a bit one dimensional on the palette. If you like fruity new world blends, you might like this.
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Blend: unspecified blend of Bordeaux varietals Color: dark red Aroma: earthy, some fruit (raspberry) Taste: black cherry, chocolate, clove, light tannins, toasty Finish: long Notes: Paired nicely with a variety of fish entrees as well as the appetizer and salad course. Very pleasant to sip. Kept some to finish at the end of dinner.
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Tried this at Duckhorn and liked it. Had it with pasta at home and it was better. Smooth with nice fruit. Not too deep though... Still very good for the value and looking forward to the other bottles.
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7/20/2014 - Capitolhack Likes this wine: 89 Points
A very nice blend. Good fruit with a smooth finish.
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10/2/2013 - Rhaub wrote: 91 Points
Dark garnet to purple. Nose with plum and hint of flowers. Dark fruit with complex well integrated tannins. Has matured nicely
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10/3/2012 - RedLoverJim Likes this wine: 89 Points
Nice solid blend. This had some good dark fruit notes with a fruit forward mid palate, but a drier finish. I had this wine solo, but it would go well with a hearty meat dish.
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9/4/2012 - RedLoverJim wrote: flawed
Subtle but noticeable cork taint.
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5/9/2012 - Brsed wrote: 90 Points
Much better than the 2006. Nose of black fruits and cedar with bell pepper. Good depth of black and blue fruits with an earth element and touch of spice.
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4/20/2012 - bordeaux4wino Likes this wine: 90 Points
I tasted this after a few hours at about 65 degrees in Spieglau.
In Appearance, this was was clear and showed a medium+ ruby hie with long legs.
The Nose was clean with medium intensity and aromas of dark fruits, like black plums, black cherries along with a little bell pepper and some herbaceous notes.
The Palate was dry and medium+ in body. The tannins and alcohol were fairly aggressive (med+), but well balanced and the acidity was medium. The flavors again involved dark fruits of cherries, blackberries, and plums along with some toasted oak and a distinct herbaceous note on the medium length finish--again, green pepper and eucaplyptus.
Overall, a very good wine with good QPR. It is solidly strcuture and drinking well now, but could also cellar for a few more years.
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11/22/2011 - jrcarpentier wrote:
needs cellaring and abt 1+ hrs air upon opening
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1/10/2011 - rxlaw95 wrote: 90 Points
This is the last of my favorite QPR wine. Too bad they decided to commercialize it. It was a better story in 2005 when it truly was the leftover grapes. Now it is a brand. Here's a toast to the good old days.
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11/8/2010 - cbbrown3 wrote: 90 Points
Decanted 30 minutes. Per winery 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc 8% Petit Verdot. Deep ruby color. Blackberries, cherries, cedar, dried herbs, tobacco and a hint of vanilla on the nose. Medium body with a nice tannic backbone and good acidity. Nice finish with just enough spicy oak to compliment the fruit without dominating. Tasting delicious now, can be cellared longer, but I don't think there will be much more improvement, also no hurry to open remaining bottles.
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10/30/2010 - n2wine wrote: 88 Points
Smooth, big fruit. Got better the longer it was open.
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7/28/2010 - timdrex wrote: 88 Points
Better than I expected.
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2/13/2010 - robnmo wrote: 89 Points
decanted for a about 1 hour before first glass. Dark fruit with black currant on the nose. On the palate the wine was rich with cherry, and cocoa and a bit of greeness. Tannins are in check, nice wine with a good mouthfeel.
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1/16/2010 - ksimback wrote: 87 Points
Very big and tannic, lots of sediment - would highly recommend decanting. Took awhile to open up and I would still say this is too young to drink. The tannins overwhelmed the fruit a bit, but it did open up after about 30 minutes. This should drink nicely in another few years.
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12/20/2009 - eastover wrote:
Drunk At Lisa's for Hannukah family dinner.
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9/22/2009 - gmbdds wrote: 88 Points
Nose of blueberry, black cherry and cigar. Good fruit flavor and secondary character. This has plenty to recommend it for a midweek drink but doesn't have enough to raise it above other tasty, very good but not outstanding reds.
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8/7/2009 - Jurgens wrote: 89 Points
nice blend and easy to drink
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8/7/2009 - Jurgens wrote: 89 Points
nice blend a
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6/18/2009 - eastover wrote:
Thursday night ahead of a longer Father's Day weekend. Drank at cellar temp with Jilly's garlic chicken. Temp not the best for the wine. ok.
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4/1/2009 - AZ Cat wrote:
(2) Lots of fruit and quite extracted, but enjoyable. Close to a 2+.
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3/27/2009 - eastover wrote:
Friday night - Jill brings to Lisa Bennet's for a girls planning dinner (planning the boys' summer).
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1/25/2009 - dhonig wrote:
from 2 Days per Bottle.
Night One
The nose opens with blackberries and a bit of blackcurrant, all floating over some underlying nettles and greenery, followed by some vanilla.
It is far less green on the palate. It opens with blueberry and boysenberry jams, some tobacco leaf and cedar. Vanilla and brown sugar make an appearance on the mid-palate. Tannins are sweet and the finish is long.
Mouth-feel is full and think, lots of glycerin. Alcohol and acids are very well balanced. This is a definite "drink now" because it is good, but let's wait for Night Two to get a sense of cellar life and potential for improvement.
Night Two
Redcurrant, red licorice, and some cherries are all on the nose, a much fruitier and, well, redder nose than on Night One.
The palate is just like the nose this time. It has redcurrant, red licorice, and cherries. The licorice is more pronounced on the palate, but they are all there. Tannins are very sweet and smooth. There is a secondary flavor of tobacco leaf, enough to make it wonder if there is some cab franc in the mix. Vanilla shows upon the mid-palate, along with some cedar. Sure, there was obviously new oak used, but it is not overpowering or out of balance.
This is not a terribly complex wine. At an average cost of a little less than $30, it doesn't knock the QPR out of the park, but Napa wines tend to catch a pretty penny.
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1/21/2009 - goofy Yno wrote: 78 Points
nose of blueberry, green pepper ans anise/ mouth a touch angular, with red fruits, and a bitter finish
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11/19/2008 - AZ Cat wrote:
(1) Still very nice.
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11/11/2008 - briquette wrote: 87 Points
expected slightly more from duckhorn
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7/5/2008 - AZ Cat wrote:
(1) Drank at cabin with Mom & Monica. We had this with venison steaks - a GREAT pairing and the wine was phenomonal - I actually thought about giving this a 1+.
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7/3/2008 - MikeHines wrote: 68 Points
This wine has a nice young color that is worth 2 of 2, but there is nothing in the bouquet. Perhaps over-filtered? (2 of 4) The taste is Too dry and tart for my liking, and not enough body to blend well with the tannins. I think 11% Cabernet Franc was too much. As a result, not a terribly well balanced wine. Even lots of time to breathe didn't sort this one out. Not one I'd care to buy again. (2 of 10). Overall, Too dry, too thin, too flat, too short, which is too bad. (1 of 4) TOTAL: 7 of 20
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6/16/2008 - Rob MacKay wrote: 88 Points
If anything, this is definitely a consistent wine from vintage to vintage. I look back at my notes on the 02,03, and 04 and they are similar and also represent the 05 quite well. This is a very youthful wine at this stage with very primary fruit flavors representing some raspberry licorice and a bit a red currant. The color is inky dark and it is still showing a good tannic bite throughout. Should age well for a few years and be really nice after 2010. The blend for this vintage is 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc, and 8% Petit Verdot.
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6/11/2008 - sjk7 wrote: 88 Points
A nice blend and decent value.
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5/16/2008 - cabdrinker wrote: 90 Points
Went to dinner at Flemings Steakhous and paired it with a prime ribeye. Nice dark cherry, intermixed with coco powder, vanilla, cassis and a touch of oak. Nice balance and a pleasantly long finish with little to no heat.
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5/4/2008 - Brsed wrote: 91 Points
Drank at a party. Nice nose of berries with a touch of oak. Very much a cab sauv and cab franc blend. A little earthy in taste. Smooth texture. Very dark.
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4/22/2008 - AZ Cat wrote:
(1) Fruity and a little sweet, but very tasty. Drank at City Hall (by the glass) with Zac, C. Ellis and Christy.
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3/11/2008 - mstrickland wrote: 90 Points
Nose starts out as chemicals, bitter, glue, apple skin, with some buried cherry. Upon opening, a musty raspberry jam begins to come out. Flavors of black cherry, rustic, with some very very subtle oak. Dry and smooth finish, with lots of biting tannins. Better after being open for 2-3 hours.
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3/2/2008 - fandersson wrote: 90 Points
Good wine. Bright, dark fruit on the nose with vanilla. Needs decanting for about 1 hour to open up. Once opened, dark fruit is present with slight oak and some complimentary spices, (allspice?). Good balance. Enjoyed with grilled flanksteak and crumbled blue cheese. Enjoy alone with the cheese as well. Not too tannic but tannins still present. I can smell this wine for hours! Good wine for Cab drinkers as well as Merlot drinkers. Meets half way.
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2/21/2008 - bordeaux4wino wrote:
This is a Bordeaux style blend by Duckhorn and the '05 was good, but not quite as good as the '04 or '06. This is drinking now, but you could also sit on it for a bit more. The 2005 season began with a wet winter and spring; annual rainfall totals were well above average. An ideal fruit set, which produced an abundant number of full grape clusters. As a result, the vintage yielded exceptional fruit for the season. The harvest lasted over two months-into the early days of November. In many ways the 2005 season was reminiscent of 1997, which had an abundant harvest of remarkable quality. This inviting wine is well-rounded with forward fruit balanced by smooth, supple tannins and a lingering finish. The aroma is approachable with black cherry, ripe berry, & floral notes of violet and rose petal. The flavors are ripe with fresh fruit including blackberry, black cherry, and cassis complemented by a spicy note of white pepper. 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot11% Cabernet Franc, 8% Petit Verdot.
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1/29/2008 - Whinojb wrote: 84 Points
Cedar on nose at first with dark plum and hint of choc. as it opened up, cedar turned to oak and vanilla. Slightly tannic with ok finish. raspberry and cedar at first taste. Opened into a big fruity vanilla oak bomb. Would not buy but decent enough to drink if served to me.
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11/24/2007 - davwiltho wrote: 85 Points
Good wine but not worth the money
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10/29/2007 - zerhart wrote: 84 Points
Nose of sweet cherry cola, nice full mouthfeel, but too fruity and a bit one dimensional on the palette. If you like fruity new world blends, you might like this.
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10/12/2007 - Wrighty wrote: 92 Points
US Trip; 10/8/2007-10/14/2007 (Dallas, Hudson, New York): Full body and great structure. Dark fruit and good finish
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9/3/2007 - bradfriedlander wrote: 89 Points
Blend: unspecified blend of Bordeaux varietals
Color: dark red
Aroma: earthy, some fruit (raspberry)
Taste: black cherry, chocolate, clove, light tannins, toasty
Finish: long
Notes: Paired nicely with a variety of fish entrees as well as the appetizer and salad course. Very pleasant to sip. Kept some to finish at the end of dinner.
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5/1/2007 - TEDL wrote: 86 Points
See 4-13 note. Yummy and a great value for the quality.
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4/13/2007 - TEDL wrote: 86 Points
Tried this at Duckhorn and liked it. Had it with pasta at home and it was better. Smooth with nice fruit. Not too deep though... Still very good for the value and looking forward to the other bottles.
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