Deep purple colored with slight staining and high viscosity (15% ABV). The nose has medium intensity aromas of black raspberry, black olives, licorice, blackberry ganache, black cherry, granite and petrichor. The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, full body and medium tannins. The flavors are quite pronounced- black raspberry, black cherry, blackberry, licorice, charred cedar, olives and that mineral granite note. The finish is long and silky with the tannins slinking away to reveal loads of dark raspberry and cherry notes. The slight oak nuance is nice, as is the earthy minerality. I like this $26 wine- 93 points worth, making it a 5 star effort. I would pair it with hearty stews, game meat or meatloaf. It’s drinking beautifully now and will do so for quite a few years. Mostly Grenache, there’s other Rhone varietals from different vintages thrown in for good measure. Look out for this wine. It’s yummy.
A concentrated and brooding wine. Deep blueberries and blackberries, almost in jam form, really dominated the glass. The nose was not as expressive as the palate. Really velvety tannins with a little bit of air, I didn’t find it that hot for being a 15% wine. Really enjoyed this wine.
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Excellent unpretentious cote de rhone. As before, it's very herbal but it's integrated with the red fruits and chocolate and forest floor. There are bad bottles, we had one or two, but for the most part the wine does not disappoint.
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I liked this a lot more than my previous bottles. Full of garrigue and deep dark fruits. Really started to show after open for an hour. The last bits had an almost overwhelming licorice thing going on. This is a very interesting wine but there seems to be some major bottle variation going on here.
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This time one-hour decant through a screened and aerating funnel. Otherwise, profile in line with my note of 9-30-2021. Excellent pairing with grilled duck.
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Seems like it can be great. Needs to breath quite a bit to open up but then has turned by day 2. Puzzled by this wine. But I can see myself enjoying it
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Suggestion - should have read these notes prior to drinking :-) Decant - Open it - air it out - etc. I drank it immediately after opening the bottle and found it a little harsh. Lots of tannin, good depth of flavors but a bit rough around the edges. I have half a case so I'll have ample opportunity to experiment. There were lots of high ratings online which influenced by purchase decision, but to be fair, it seems to ned time to calm down before drinking. I'll write another review after a second experience where I've decanted it.
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Decanted 90 minutes before pouring the first glass. Somewhat deep garnet in color and lighter around the edges. Lots of dark fruit and some savory herbal edge on the nose.
On the palate, this is nearing full-bodied with ample acidity and medium-high tannic presence. Flavors come into clearer focus with each new glass, specifically showing dark plum, raspberry, menthol, dark chocolate and black pepper. Great persistence.
I can't say I agree with some of the more neutral reviews of this wine, as I love it. Extremely concentrated and powerful, I'd say this has the bones for aging, but damn it's good now too.
Not sure how Jeb gives this a 96. “I promise you there’s nothing bigger or better than this.” Again Jeb, what are you talking about? 4 more bottles to go, maybe one of those will give me something close to Jeb’s experience.
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Enoyed with raclette for Easter dinner. On the nose, bold, stewed fruit, plum, wet wood, some spice. Very rich aroma. In the palate it’s full flavored Rhone. Like a baby CDP. Plum and blackberry, notes of cedar and baking spice. Stewed fruit gives way to grippy but well structured tannins that provide a satisfying finish without being overly aggressive Could probably have let this sit a few more years but I was too interested to wait. Would definitely buy again.
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Lovely stuff! As before, it's very herbal but it's integrated with the red fruits and chocolate and forest floor. Closed first bottle seems to have been an exception.
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This is an interesting wine. Sort of like a French person has had wine in Napa and decided to try to make that style in France (rather than the reverse). Big, bold, and fruity. Nice nose, pretty strong and seemed to be good with food but better on it's own. Not my everyday purchase, but definitely an interesting one. A little too alcoholic unfortunately (15%!).
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Red blend consisting of 85% Grenache and 5% each of Mourvèdre, Syrah, and Caladoc from multiple terroirs in and around Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
Beautiful deep ruby color. The nose was subtle but was able to pick up on strawberry, blueberry, and a mushroom note. On the palate was strawberry jam, raspberry, and a slight cinnamon.
Can't say I would purchase this again, but it was good enough.
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Drunk with farfalle/pesto genovese. As before, lots of garrigue but now integrated with the rest of the palate, dark red berry fruit with aniseseed and chocolate. Better than I remember from last time, perhaps bottle variation but more likely that the wine has settled down after its journey.
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PNP first impression is a bit undeveloped but has acid and tannin to go with compelling fruit. Recorked half-empty and finished 2 days later -- smooth and compelling, very enjoyable. Should keep.
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Popped and poured. I got a whole lot of garrigue on the nose and kirsch on the palate, and it seemed a very simple cote de rhone. The 96 point rating seems seriously overhyped. Possibly a bit of time and air will change my mind.
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Finished last 1/2 bottle after being opened, with air pumped out, after five days. So much better than when initially opened. Dark red fruits, licorice, dried herbs, espresso and kirsch on the nose. Palate was full bodied, mouth filling yet silky with the alcohol noticeable but not necessarily detracting. Balanced finish though not particularly long.
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Nice value wine for when you want something good to drink as an everyday wine. Also a good choice for large events like weddings or reunions where you want something good that won't break the bank. High alcohol but otherwise medium bodied and medium intensity aromas and flavors of red and black fruit with some minerality.
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Xavier again proves a master blender of Rhone varieties. This is indeed reminiscent of a baby CdP, with lots of red and blue fruits on the nose and palate playing alongside a hint of cocoa and savory herbs. Full bodied, medium plus tannins, medium acid, high alcohol. Not shy, this is a bold weeknight food wine boasting excellent QPR.
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Nose of blueberries and perfectly ripe plum was strong upon opening the bottle but palate was overwhelmed by heat from the alcohol. Astringent.
A two-hour decant later, blueberries and plum remain on the nose with a hint of dates. Palate of dark chocolate, blueberry and blackberry.
11/20/22 - Last time the bottle seemed disjointed on opening but today the alcohol and tannins were smooth and integrated right from the open. Previously mentioned dark and blue fruits remain but are not as intense. Dark chocolate still very present. Additionally, tasted cherry and herbs. Acid much more noticeable and higher than before.
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2 hour decant, and eventually revealing notes of dark chocolate, blackberry, and black licorice. A sanguine note weaves in late, commingling with hints of tar on the mildly tannic finish. There's a touch of heat here throughout that distracts from an otherwise terrific wine.
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For the price, this drank like a baby CdP, perhaps because it’s mostly from vines in that area. Surprised one can still find wines like these at this price point. Good balance and concentration.
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Modne brombær, boysenbær, krydderurter, rosmarin, lakrids, lidt kaffe og chokolade, medium tannin, høj fylde, medium syre, varm i udtrykket, mangler lidt friskhed.
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Dark ruby in the glass. Nose of dried herbs, raspberry, dark fruits and hint of licorice. Palate is full bodied with loads of fruit, herbs and minerality. Some tannin in the finish but minimal acid. Overall very enjoyable, drank over two nights and enjoyed night two a bit more than night one. At $20 this was a great QPR.
Agree with and took TOB100's recommendation of decanting first.
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First of all you need to decant this wine for like and hour ot two and try to keep it on a minimum temperature like 14-15 degrees.
The nose: Chocolate, vanilla, oak. Blueberry, blackberry, blackcurrant. A little cherry.
The palate: Vanilla is a big player next to the chocolate. Dark berries overall. Creamy, mineral, fleshy. Very delicious.
First time i tried this wine, it was a bit odd. Maybe because it was a blend of several vintages. I do think that you'll have to trie a couple of bottles, so you really do know to get this wine. It doesn't feel like a Rhone at first, but it will.
Medium(+) dark purple/ruby colored. No gas or sediment
Nose: medium/medium(+) aromas of lilac and ripe black plum with notes of toast and pepper
Palate: full bodied, medium acid, dry (but with some RS), medium(+)/high tannins, smooth and rich texture. Medium flavors of blackberry and black plum with hints of lavender. Average complexity and balance with a medium-length juicy and earthy dark fruit finish.
A more powerful wine with ripe dark fruit. Would go well with red meat dishes.
Bottle ID: LR 2030 3/09; 15:50:38
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Smooth, dynamic and lingering. Nice fruit backed by substance. Can only imagine this will get better with time. Happy to have 5 bottles to open over the years
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Oct 2021 👃 Maraschino cherry, garrigue, black licorice. 👅 Still a ton of grippy tannin, very acidic, a little sweet cherries, lots of fresh blackberry and I guess cassis - just that initial taste and sensation you get when eating blackberries, vanilla, oak. Definitely not a fruit forward wine at first, that comes out after an hour decant. Fairly light bodied. Maybe this is what a terroir driven wine is. It is very good, like a less sweet CdP.
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One-hour splash decant. No sediment and wine was fairly numb during decant. Wine was clear with a translucent ruby color throughout the bowl to the rim. No bricking and a small clear halo. Lovely nose of blueberry, blackberry, quartz and fines herbs. The nose was remarkably deep. In the mouth, blue and black fruits, some tarragon and slate. To say there was purity of fruit in the wine seems an understatement. Moderate finish and the wine did not have a lot of acid (which seems to be a characteristic of Xavier's wines). Lovely match with a smoked and charred pork chop. Fantastic QPR!
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Needs more time. At this time, mid-2021, must decant, but that won't make up for the aging that ought to happen. Dark fruit forward, particularly blackberry, but also strong on herbs and minerals, with a strongly peppery finish. In a couple/few years I expect my rating to go up significantly.
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Black and blue fruit, pastille, and spices lead the way. Sultry, full bodied, and structured, the palate is layered with a melted texture, clever complexity, generosity of fruit, and a seamless finish. Beautiful from start to finish. Well done.
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Youthful, opaque. A bit hot. Black fruit and charred wood. Soft tannins. Pretty approachable out of the bottle. Quite dense. Ripe black fruit, but tends to dryness. Wood spices and a bit of oak/wood showing up as well. Rich. Freshness provided by the acidity coming out at the finish. Good length. Nice wine, but nicer with a steak or hearty stew. Probably has some upside potential with age, but good to go now.
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🇪🇸 Mi segunda etiqueta de esta interesante línea de vinos de edición especial de Xavier Vignon que trae imágenes de cartas del tarot en sus rótulos. Un coupage de 5 añadas y 4 uvas, mayoritariamente Garnacha (85%), con crianza en roble francés y austriaco y en tanques de hormigón. Presenta una fragante y sabrosa mezcla de frutos negros, especias y torrefactos, con todo bien calibrado, buena estructura y 15 grados de alcohol integrados.
🇧🇷🇵🇹 Degustação on line com amigos, tema: sul do Rhône.
⭐️ 4.1
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Good, interesting Grenache blend of multiple vintages. Lots of fruit but also high tannins and acid. Good candidate for aging but drinkable now with a healthy decant. Also a great QPR!
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Too slick and polished for my tastes as the moment, this has lively acidity and some good freshness but I think 3 more years will even this out. Wears its alcohol (15%!!) ok but not sure why this couldn’t have been a little more restrained.
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Make sure to decant this at least 1 hour before enjoying. I made the mistake to decant and drink just after, which made the experience quite muted. I had to search for the notes. An hour into the decant the wine opens up, so beautifully.
The nose: I get chocolate, tobacco, vanilla and herbs, with a leather finish. The fruit is dark red and very rich. There's also a slight feeling of mint.
The palate: The palate is pretty similar to the nose. A lot of dark red fruit and a very fresh expression. Chocolate & vanilla in a perfect combination, ends up with a dark coffee/tobacco finish.
Full bodied Tannin - high Acidity - medium+
Although the wine is full bodied, it does have a silky and creamy texture upon the freshness. I really feel like i'm tasting a young and mature wine from Rhone. The best of both worlds.
91P - and make sure do decant it.
Well done to the price.
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Dark purple-red. Lovely black fruit aroma that increases with time in the decanter. Flavour of blackberry, whiff of leather, serious and savoury. Very fine.
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Farve: mørk rød. 5/5 Duft: Modne mørke bær. Krydderi, et snert af peber. Dufter af varm aften i Provence. 12/15 Smag' Mørke modne bær, medium tanniner, lidt syre som giver friskhed. Halvtung alkohol. Peber i eftersmagen som varer laaaang tid. 17/20 Overall: God for sig selv, kunne nok dekanteres længere. 7/10
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Deep ruby. Pronounced blackberry, pepper, cinnamon, smoke nose/ palate. Medium+ tannin/acid. Full bodied, well balanced wine. Interesting that it’s non-vintage, I gather there are 5 different vintages in this blend. 15% alcohol. This is very good wine and gives the impression that it should continue drinking well for 5-10 years.
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From Moore Bros. $27. Excellent QPR and has lovely mix of aromatic features of southern rhone, more like a Chateuneuf du Pape, of course, but has some features that are Gigondas-like also. Even better mouthfeel and on the palate with loads of dark fruits and spice. Good balance. Has great density and grip and a nice medium long finish (15-20 seconds) so should age well for a decade or more and evolve and likely improve with a bit of time in the cellar but outstanding now and doesn't need much air to enjoy. Will probably give it an hour next time, I was too impatient this time and drank it pretty quickly out of the Coravin taste. I suspect will pair with a variety of foods, foul, red meat, strong cheeses. Love the label and the name also. Very well made and unique wine if you like all the qualities of a good southern rhone wine. Unique. 93+
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Blackberry, garrigue, earth, tobacco and some spice. Full body, smooth and layered. Balanced with rounded tannins. One hour half bottle decant. Delicious. Paired well with charred shrimp and pesto buddha bowls. Killer QPR at $20. Shoulda bought a case.
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Really tasting good right now !! Perfect cork easily removed from the bottle. Consumed over three days. This wine started a little tight, but opened up and showed better the next day. On day three the fruit was still fresh and acid still firm; this balanced wine had softened to reveal increased depth, texture, and integrated complexity. Dark red color with no to no oxidation, and clarity medium. Aromas of black cherry, and vanilla. Silky flavors of cherry, raspberry, glycerin, and leather. This no-vintaged blend has a soft medium finish. This age worthy wine has many more years of life left. A great fruit source and a good winemaking effort from Xavier Vignon. Great with Charcuterie and Olive Tapenade.
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Fascinating wine.... Drinkable right off the bat. Fresh red berries backed by smooth, integrated tannins. Not what I expected from the typical Grenache wines that I have had. It is a wonderful table wine that will pair well with most foods. I paired it with lobster mac & cheese and it was a nice accompaniment.
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Tart blackberry, wild herb and lavender. A real mineral core to this wine, the notes of crushed rock and peppery saline finish gives this a savoury personality. I was expecting it to be fruit laden, slightly sweet and Chateauneuf like but it is anything but. There is plenty of structure for aging and, though I don’t think it will last for decades, I suspect 5 more years may add some welcome complexity. 89
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Decanted half an hour before supper. Deep purple crimson color. Dark fruit, licorice and raspberry notes. Sweet, ripe dark fruit and herbal elements. Finishes with hints of peppery spice.
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3/10/2024 - caspernick Likes this wine: 93 Points
Deep purple colored with slight staining and high viscosity (15% ABV). The nose has medium intensity aromas of black raspberry, black olives, licorice, blackberry ganache, black cherry, granite and petrichor. The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, full body and medium tannins. The flavors are quite pronounced- black raspberry, black cherry, blackberry, licorice, charred cedar, olives and that mineral granite note. The finish is long and silky with the tannins slinking away to reveal loads of dark raspberry and cherry notes. The slight oak nuance is nice, as is the earthy minerality. I like this $26 wine- 93 points worth, making it a 5 star effort. I would pair it with hearty stews, game meat or meatloaf. It’s drinking beautifully now and will do so for quite a few years. Mostly Grenache, there’s other Rhone varietals from different vintages thrown in for good measure. Look out for this wine. It’s yummy.
https://caspernick.com/2024/02/21/xavier-vignon-arcane-le-fou-nv-rhone-france/
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2/20/2024 - gquigs Likes this wine: 91 Points
Consistent with prior tasting. Cherries, lavender, cherry liquor and spices on the nose. Black cherries and loads of fruit. Very smooth and silky.
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2/3/2024 - contextwine Likes this wine: 91 Points
A concentrated and brooding wine. Deep blueberries and blackberries, almost in jam form, really dominated the glass. The nose was not as expressive as the palate. Really velvety tannins with a little bit of air, I didn’t find it that hot for being a 15% wine. Really enjoyed this wine.
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2/1/2024 - mazik Likes this wine: 90 Points
Excellent unpretentious cote de rhone. As before, it's very herbal but it's integrated with the red fruits and chocolate and forest floor. There are bad bottles, we had one or two, but for the most part the wine does not disappoint.
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1/28/2024 - Scherzoso Does not like this wine:
Nasty. Undrinkable.
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1/26/2024 - KWBahamas wrote:
$42
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1/17/2024 - cavedivr wrote: 88 Points
Entry level French Grenache, nothing more. Unexciting, daily driver kind of bottle. There's decent value at under $20.
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1/7/2024 - garlicgrapes Likes this wine:
I liked this a lot more than my previous bottles. Full of garrigue and deep dark fruits. Really started to show after open for an hour. The last bits had an almost overwhelming licorice thing going on. This is a very interesting wine but there seems to be some major bottle variation going on here.
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12/7/2023 - VinoHunter wrote: 86 Points
Drank over two night, not getting what others are getting…
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11/23/2023 - raydiakor wrote: 96 Points
Vin Chicago
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11/13/2023 - OenophilistMN Likes this wine: 90 Points
This time one-hour decant through a screened and aerating funnel. Otherwise, profile in line with my note of 9-30-2021. Excellent pairing with grilled duck.
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11/11/2023 - Franche-Comte wrote: 88 Points
Seems like it can be great. Needs to breath quite a bit to open up but then has turned by day 2. Puzzled by this wine. But I can see myself enjoying it
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10/13/2023 - Brian3086 wrote: 88 Points
Suggestion - should have read these notes prior to drinking :-)
Decant - Open it - air it out - etc. I drank it immediately after opening the bottle and found it a little harsh. Lots of tannin, good depth of flavors but a bit rough around the edges. I have half a case so I'll have ample opportunity to experiment. There were lots of high ratings online which influenced by purchase decision, but to be fair, it seems to ned time to calm down before drinking. I'll write another review after a second experience where I've decanted it.
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9/24/2023 - VinoHunter wrote: 87 Points
3 of 6 bottles. Again underwhelming. Decanted for over 2 hours and still got the same result. Thin and unfulfilling.
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9/16/2023 - patprovost@ymail.com Likes this wine: 91 Points
Much better with 2 hrs of air
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9/9/2023 - _Al_Gore_Rhythm_ wrote: 91 Points
Decanted 90 minutes before pouring the first glass. Somewhat deep garnet in color and lighter around the edges. Lots of dark fruit and some savory herbal edge on the nose.
On the palate, this is nearing full-bodied with ample acidity and medium-high tannic presence. Flavors come into clearer focus with each new glass, specifically showing dark plum, raspberry, menthol, dark chocolate and black pepper. Great persistence.
I can't say I agree with some of the more neutral reviews of this wine, as I love it. Extremely concentrated and powerful, I'd say this has the bones for aging, but damn it's good now too.
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8/14/2023 - Goofienewfy Likes this wine: 90 Points
Great value wine. Earthy but with licorice notes. Some black fruit. This gets better with some time after opening.
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7/3/2023 - Goofienewfy Likes this wine: 89 Points
Tobacco leaf, leather, earth and dark fruit. A bit on the light side and lacking in finish but the value shines.
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6/23/2023 - Goofienewfy Likes this wine: 87 Points
This a good QPR Rhône varietal. Gets better with a couple days in the fridge after opening.
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6/20/2023 - VinoHunter wrote: 87 Points
Not sure how Jeb gives this a 96. “I promise you there’s nothing bigger or better than this.” Again Jeb, what are you talking about? 4 more bottles to go, maybe one of those will give me something close to Jeb’s experience.
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6/9/2023 - Goofienewfy Likes this wine: 85 Points
Fig, earth and minerals. Lighter wine without any staying power. Still good QPR so no complaining.
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5/27/2023 - VinoHunter Likes this wine: 88 Points
Not much going on, middle of the road.
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4/9/2023 - DougU Likes this wine: 91 Points
Enoyed with raclette for Easter dinner. On the nose, bold, stewed fruit, plum, wet wood, some spice. Very rich aroma. In the palate it’s full flavored Rhone. Like a baby CDP. Plum and blackberry, notes of cedar and baking spice. Stewed fruit gives way to grippy but well structured tannins that provide a satisfying finish without being overly aggressive Could probably have let this sit a few more years but I was too interested to wait. Would definitely buy again.
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3/25/2023 - Mmoellern Likes this wine: 90 Points
Enjoyable Rhône red. Winter 2023
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3/21/2023 - Pedroel Likes this wine: 93 Points
Rich and New World style, with outstanding Grenache characteristics.
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3/10/2023 - mazik wrote:
Lovely stuff! As before, it's very herbal but it's integrated with the red fruits and chocolate and forest floor. Closed first bottle seems to have been an exception.
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3/3/2023 - weirdwine Likes this wine: 90 Points
This is an interesting wine. Sort of like a French person has had wine in Napa and decided to try to make that style in France (rather than the reverse). Big, bold, and fruity. Nice nose, pretty strong and seemed to be good with food but better on it's own. Not my everyday purchase, but definitely an interesting one. A little too alcoholic unfortunately (15%!).
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2/19/2023 - yzalexis wrote: 82 Points
Red blend consisting of 85% Grenache and 5% each of Mourvèdre, Syrah, and Caladoc from multiple terroirs in and around Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
Beautiful deep ruby color. The nose was subtle but was able to pick up on strawberry, blueberry, and a mushroom note. On the palate was strawberry jam, raspberry, and a slight cinnamon.
Can't say I would purchase this again, but it was good enough.
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2/10/2023 - joesi16 wrote:
OK but not a rebuy
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12/30/2022 - gquigs Likes this wine: 91 Points
Very enjoyable. Cherries, lavender, cherry liquor and spices on the nose. Black cherries and loads of fruit. Very smooth and silky.
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12/9/2022 - buffyst wrote:
Agree with Mazik.
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11/26/2022 - mazik Likes this wine:
Drunk with farfalle/pesto genovese. As before, lots of garrigue but now integrated with the rest of the palate, dark red berry fruit with aniseseed and chocolate. Better than I remember from last time, perhaps bottle variation but more likely that the wine has settled down after its journey.
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10/30/2022 - daveste Likes this wine: 91 Points
PNP first impression is a bit undeveloped but has acid and tannin to go with compelling fruit. Recorked half-empty and finished 2 days later -- smooth and compelling, very enjoyable. Should keep.
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10/19/2022 - mr21cbs Likes this wine: 88 Points
Needs air. Pretty much an old world French red in nose and character.
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10/11/2022 - mazik wrote:
Popped and poured. I got a whole lot of garrigue on the nose and kirsch on the palate, and it seemed a very simple cote de rhone. The 96 point rating seems seriously overhyped. Possibly a bit of time and air will change my mind.
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10/4/2022 - DDicaprio Likes this wine: 89 Points
Still a bit too rustic at this point, but good. Hold for a bit.
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9/27/2022 - Ikel73 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Nice wine with good fruit and structure. Great value
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9/16/2022 - DDicaprio Likes this wine: 90 Points
An hour decant. Nice structure, bone dry with short finish, but a great value. Just as good on day two.
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9/10/2022 - slulkin wrote: 91 Points
Finished last 1/2 bottle after being opened, with air pumped out, after five days. So much better than when initially opened. Dark red fruits, licorice, dried herbs, espresso and kirsch on the nose. Palate was full bodied, mouth filling yet silky with the alcohol noticeable but not necessarily detracting. Balanced finish though not particularly long.
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8/15/2022 - DDicaprio Likes this wine: 90 Points
Silky and full bodied with a big finish.
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5/24/2022 - rougeamore wrote: 89 Points
Nice value wine for when you want something good to drink as an everyday wine. Also a good choice for large events like weddings or reunions where you want something good that won't break the bank. High alcohol but otherwise medium bodied and medium intensity aromas and flavors of red and black fruit with some minerality.
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4/30/2022 - Stufts wrote: 90 Points
Xavier again proves a master blender of Rhone varieties. This is indeed reminiscent of a baby CdP, with lots of red and blue fruits on the nose and palate playing alongside a hint of cocoa and savory herbs. Full bodied, medium plus tannins, medium acid, high alcohol. Not shy, this is a bold weeknight food wine boasting excellent QPR.
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4/3/2022 - autumn_child Likes this wine: 90 Points
Nose of blueberries and perfectly ripe plum was strong upon opening the bottle but palate was overwhelmed by heat from the alcohol. Astringent.
A two-hour decant later, blueberries and plum remain on the nose with a hint of dates. Palate of dark chocolate, blueberry and blackberry.
11/20/22 - Last time the bottle seemed disjointed on opening but today the alcohol and tannins were smooth and integrated right from the open. Previously mentioned dark and blue fruits remain but are not as intense. Dark chocolate still very present. Additionally, tasted cherry and herbs. Acid much more noticeable and higher than before.
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3/20/2022 - ziavino wrote: 91 Points
2 hour decant, and eventually revealing notes of dark chocolate, blackberry, and black licorice. A sanguine note weaves in late, commingling with hints of tar on the mildly tannic finish. There's a touch of heat here throughout that distracts from an otherwise terrific wine.
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3/3/2022 - Simoncino wrote: 92 Points
For the price, this drank like a baby CdP, perhaps because it’s mostly from vines in that area. Surprised one can still find wines like these at this price point. Good balance and concentration.
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3/3/2022 - Boblen wrote: 87 Points
Modne brombær, boysenbær, krydderurter, rosmarin, lakrids, lidt kaffe og chokolade, medium tannin, høj fylde, medium syre, varm i udtrykket, mangler lidt friskhed.
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2/25/2022 - slulkin wrote: 90 Points
Dark ruby in the glass. Nose of dried herbs, raspberry, dark fruits and hint of licorice. Palate is full bodied with loads of fruit, herbs and minerality. Some tannin in the finish but minimal acid. Overall very enjoyable, drank over two nights and enjoyed night two a bit more than night one. At $20 this was a great QPR.
Agree with and took TOB100's recommendation of decanting first.
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2/1/2022 - tob100 Likes this wine: 96 Points
I'm gonna raise my score from 91 to 96
First of all you need to decant this wine for like and hour ot two and try to keep it on a minimum temperature like 14-15 degrees.
The nose:
Chocolate, vanilla, oak. Blueberry, blackberry, blackcurrant. A little cherry.
The palate:
Vanilla is a big player next to the chocolate. Dark berries overall. Creamy, mineral, fleshy. Very delicious.
First time i tried this wine, it was a bit odd. Maybe because it was a blend of several vintages. I do think that you'll have to trie a couple of bottles, so you really do know to get this wine.
It doesn't feel like a Rhone at first, but it will.
I am so in love with this and i'm getting more.
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1/8/2022 - N777 wrote: 88 Points
Medium(+) dark purple/ruby colored. No gas or sediment
Nose: medium/medium(+) aromas of lilac and ripe black plum with notes of toast and pepper
Palate: full bodied, medium acid, dry (but with some RS), medium(+)/high tannins, smooth and rich texture. Medium flavors of blackberry and black plum with hints of lavender. Average complexity and balance with a medium-length juicy and earthy dark fruit finish.
A more powerful wine with ripe dark fruit. Would go well with red meat dishes.
Bottle ID: LR 2030 3/09; 15:50:38
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12/12/2021 - pmk wrote: 90 Points
last two. silky, fruit forward, resolved tannins, great mouthfeel, not as complex as it could be but a very food friendly quaff. PNP
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11/1/2021 - YuriyG Likes this wine: 91 Points
Smooth, dynamic and lingering. Nice fruit backed by substance. Can only imagine this will get better with time. Happy to have 5 bottles to open over the years
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10/29/2021 - YackAttack213 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Oct 2021 👃 Maraschino cherry, garrigue, black licorice. 👅 Still a ton of grippy tannin, very acidic, a little sweet cherries, lots of fresh blackberry and I guess cassis - just that initial taste and sensation you get when eating blackberries, vanilla, oak. Definitely not a fruit forward wine at first, that comes out after an hour decant. Fairly light bodied. Maybe this is what a terroir driven wine is. It is very good, like a less sweet CdP.
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9/30/2021 - OenophilistMN Likes this wine: 90 Points
One-hour splash decant. No sediment and wine was fairly numb during decant. Wine was clear with a translucent ruby color throughout the bowl to the rim. No bricking and a small clear halo. Lovely nose of blueberry, blackberry, quartz and fines herbs. The nose was remarkably deep. In the mouth, blue and black fruits, some tarragon and slate. To say there was purity of fruit in the wine seems an understatement. Moderate finish and the wine did not have a lot of acid (which seems to be a characteristic of Xavier's wines). Lovely match with a smoked and charred pork chop. Fantastic QPR!
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8/21/2021 - whitejones Likes this wine: 89 Points
Needs more time. At this time, mid-2021, must decant, but that won't make up for the aging that ought to happen. Dark fruit forward, particularly blackberry, but also strong on herbs and minerals, with a strongly peppery finish. In a couple/few years I expect my rating to go up significantly.
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8/15/2021 - bobthebuilder Likes this wine: 91 Points
Pretty good fruit. Some tannin. Improved with air. I would say drink up with seasoned rib eye.
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7/13/2021 - Baron Slick wrote: 93 Points
Black and blue fruit, pastille, and spices lead the way. Sultry, full bodied, and structured, the palate is layered with a melted texture, clever complexity, generosity of fruit, and a seamless finish. Beautiful from start to finish. Well done.
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7/13/2021 - Wino133 Likes this wine: 90 Points
maybe my memory is off but seems a bit regressed against previously tasted
I think someone put it best - this is a really good table wine.
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7/10/2021 - ThomasAgathon wrote: 90 Points
89-91 TA
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6/17/2021 - winesteward Likes this wine: 87 Points
Youthful, opaque. A bit hot. Black fruit and charred wood.
Soft tannins. Pretty approachable out of the bottle. Quite dense. Ripe black fruit, but tends to dryness. Wood spices and a bit of oak/wood showing up as well. Rich. Freshness provided by the acidity coming out at the finish. Good length. Nice wine, but nicer with a steak or hearty stew. Probably has some upside potential with age, but good to go now.
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6/10/2021 - fredfta wrote: 91 Points
🇪🇸 Mi segunda etiqueta de esta interesante línea de vinos de edición especial de Xavier Vignon que trae imágenes de cartas del tarot en sus rótulos. Un coupage de 5 añadas y 4 uvas, mayoritariamente Garnacha (85%), con crianza en roble francés y austriaco y en tanques de hormigón. Presenta una fragante y sabrosa mezcla de frutos negros, especias y torrefactos, con todo bien calibrado, buena estructura y 15 grados de alcohol integrados.
🇧🇷🇵🇹 Degustação on line com amigos, tema: sul do Rhône.
⭐️ 4.1
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5/14/2021 - ThomasAgathon Likes this wine: 91 Points
90-92
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5/13/2021 - stradivariusgrizz wrote: 90 Points
Good, interesting Grenache blend of multiple vintages. Lots of fruit but also high tannins and acid. Good candidate for aging but drinkable now with a healthy decant. Also a great QPR!
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5/8/2021 - joshimi Does not like this wine: 93 Points
Beau potentiel de garde, mais encore jeune. Aération de 3h insuffisante. S'ouvre un peu le lendemain
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5/7/2021 - Dj6544 wrote: 88 Points
Too slick and polished for my tastes as the moment, this has lively acidity and some good freshness but I think 3 more years will even this out. Wears its alcohol (15%!!) ok but not sure why this couldn’t have been a little more restrained.
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5/5/2021 - mayakacz Does not like this wine:
Light intensity aroma and flavour. Slightly bitter. Tobacco, vanilla. Very little depth here.
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5/5/2021 - tob100 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Make sure to decant this at least 1 hour before enjoying.
I made the mistake to decant and drink just after, which made the experience quite muted. I had to search for the notes.
An hour into the decant the wine opens up, so beautifully.
The nose:
I get chocolate, tobacco, vanilla and herbs, with a leather finish. The fruit is dark red and very rich. There's also a slight feeling of mint.
The palate:
The palate is pretty similar to the nose. A lot of dark red fruit and a very fresh expression. Chocolate & vanilla in a perfect combination, ends up with a dark coffee/tobacco finish.
Full bodied
Tannin - high
Acidity - medium+
Although the wine is full bodied, it does have a silky and creamy texture upon the freshness. I really feel like i'm tasting a young and mature wine from Rhone. The best of both worlds.
91P - and make sure do decant it.
Well done to the price.
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5/1/2021 - SixHedgehogs Likes this wine: 90 Points
Dark purple-red. Lovely black fruit aroma that increases with time in the decanter. Flavour of blackberry, whiff of leather, serious and savoury. Very fine.
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4/10/2021 - Boblen wrote: 91 Points
Farve: mørk rød. 5/5
Duft: Modne mørke bær. Krydderi, et snert af peber. Dufter af varm aften i Provence. 12/15
Smag' Mørke modne bær, medium tanniner, lidt syre som giver friskhed. Halvtung alkohol. Peber i eftersmagen som varer laaaang tid. 17/20
Overall: God for sig selv, kunne nok dekanteres længere. 7/10
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4/4/2021 - nnektarios Likes this wine: 94 Points
Deep Purple, Garnet hues. Blackberries, Blueberries, Rose.
Unbelievable intense and elegant nose. Full Body. Strong but rounded, silky tannins. Medium acidity. Spices. Pepper. Long, intense finish
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3/28/2021 - cody.flatt wrote: 91 Points
Loved this.
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3/22/2021 - foyfrcs Likes this wine: 90 Points
Deep ruby.
Pronounced blackberry, pepper, cinnamon, smoke nose/ palate.
Medium+ tannin/acid. Full bodied, well balanced wine.
Interesting that it’s non-vintage, I gather there are 5 different vintages in this blend.
15% alcohol.
This is very good wine and gives the impression that it should continue drinking well for 5-10 years.
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3/6/2021 - Soultrain wrote: 90 Points
Better after 24 hrs decanting.
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2/27/2021 - Wino133 Likes this wine: 92 Points
I adore this wine from a QPR perspective. Will definitely be picking up more.
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2/22/2021 - drmarc61 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Just a solid wine that is a great value for its cost.
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2/11/2021 - daveste Likes this wine: 90 Points
Big crude Grenache style, but promising some years of development. Acid + fruit + tannin but clumsy now. I am buying some to keep.
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1/30/2021 - Triforwine Likes this wine: 93 Points
From Moore Bros. $27. Excellent QPR and has lovely mix of aromatic features of southern rhone, more like a Chateuneuf du Pape, of course, but has some features that are Gigondas-like also. Even better mouthfeel and on the palate with loads of dark fruits and spice. Good balance. Has great density and grip and a nice medium long finish (15-20 seconds) so should age well for a decade or more and evolve and likely improve with a bit of time in the cellar but outstanding now and doesn't need much air to enjoy. Will probably give it an hour next time, I was too impatient this time and drank it pretty quickly out of the Coravin taste. I suspect will pair with a variety of foods, foul, red meat, strong cheeses. Love the label and the name also. Very well made and unique wine if you like all the qualities of a good southern rhone wine. Unique. 93+
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1/21/2021 - mvande21 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Blackberry, garrigue, earth, tobacco and some spice. Full body, smooth and layered. Balanced with rounded tannins. One hour half bottle decant. Delicious. Paired well with charred shrimp and pesto buddha bowls. Killer QPR at $20. Shoulda bought a case.
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1/14/2021 - Wino133 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Opened for an hour before drinking. This is really nice - its got a great body and depth to it for the price.
Highly recommended. I'm ghoping to get my hands on more.
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1/12/2021 - drmarc61 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Great PPQ . Clean right out of the bottle. May grab another two cases . Great table wine that pairs well with a large taste spectrum.
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1/11/2021 - pmk wrote: 92 Points
ready now - layered and complex, delightful fruit on day one with toast and sopice to follow. Over three days fruit receded, but remained a treat.
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1/9/2021 - bdhanna Likes this wine: 91 Points
Really tasting good right now !! Perfect cork easily removed from the bottle. Consumed over three days. This wine started a little tight, but opened up and showed better the next day. On day three the fruit was still fresh and acid still firm; this balanced wine had softened to reveal increased depth, texture, and integrated complexity. Dark red color with no to no oxidation, and clarity medium. Aromas of black cherry, and vanilla. Silky flavors of cherry, raspberry, glycerin, and leather. This no-vintaged blend has a soft medium finish. This age worthy wine has many more years of life left. A great fruit source and a good winemaking effort from Xavier Vignon. Great with Charcuterie and Olive Tapenade.
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1/4/2021 - BlueBean wrote:
Very smooth- easy to drink
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1/3/2021 - drmarc61 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Fascinating wine.... Drinkable right off the bat. Fresh red berries backed by smooth, integrated tannins. Not what I expected from the typical Grenache wines that I have had. It is a wonderful table wine that will pair well with most foods. I paired it with lobster mac & cheese and it was a nice accompaniment.
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12/13/2020 - Dj6544 wrote: 89 Points
Tart blackberry, wild herb and lavender. A real mineral core to this wine, the notes of crushed rock and peppery saline finish gives this a savoury personality. I was expecting it to be fruit laden, slightly sweet and Chateauneuf like but it is anything but. There is plenty of structure for aging and, though I don’t think it will last for decades, I suspect 5 more years may add some welcome complexity. 89
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11/22/2020 - cmr wrote: 86 Points
Still needs some time.
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10/2/2020 - AllRed wrote: 89 Points
Decanted half an hour before supper. Deep purple crimson color. Dark fruit, licorice and raspberry notes. Sweet, ripe dark fruit and herbal elements. Finishes with hints of peppery spice.
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9/15/2020 - Aaronsinger Likes this wine: 94 Points
Smooth, dark rich and very lush fruit. Full body yet still food friendly.
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8/3/2020 - rougeamore Likes this wine: 88 Points
Very solid wine, particularly at this price point. Medium bodies, displays dark cherry, raspberry flavors.
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