One hour in the decanter. Fruit forward with some hints of dirt and old wood. Lite tannins remain to suggest a good 5-7 years left before this bottle's peak. Pepper and spice on the pallet. Long finish. Very enjoyable bottle of wine.
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medium deep purple, great nose, lip-smacking good right out of the bottle. Long finish. just delicious! Coravin'd the first half, may upgrade when I have the second half...
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in early years, inprevious bottles they were more robust, but this time it was full, flavorful but lighter. It was almost like the california cabernet had settled out, smoothed out, but the thrill was gone.
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Last of six bottles, and this was showing in top form. Rich and dense fruit that delivered dark plum, blackberry and cherry notes with chocolate, cigar and earth tones. Quality of the fruit always shines in these bottles.
Decant 30 mins and serve at this point. Alc may have shown a bit high, but overall excellent.
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So when I went back to my notes I couldn't find any specific descriptors for this wine. However, of the 3 couples eating together they agreed this was the wine of the evening out of a line up that also included the 2004 Ode To Picasso and the 2004 Red Wine both also by Behrens Family/Erna Schein. The wine was still drinking great and has a few more years in my opinion.
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I'm surprised this really hasn't changed much over the years. Still very rich and somewhat oaky. Maybe this will be longer lived than I thought. I am curious if it will turn into something more complex with age.
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This was a fabulous pour. Decanted and served at a party where everyone loved it. Bright cherry bouquet. Smooth on the palette, deep with rich dark cherry flavors. Clean, round finish that begs for the next sip. Wish I had more!
Nose: gorgeous cherry, graphite, flowers and wildberry. Palate: so dense on the palate with nice cherry and dusty mocha that has an underlying mineral note that reveals the quality fruit source. Refined at this point yet quite linear. Finish: sweet cherry that gets suddenly tart. Floral and tart blackberry with a nice spiced oak element.
Like blueberry pie in French Oak. Rich and totally delicious. Those who like French styled wine and nothing else would not like this, but I personally love it.
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Still fabulous. Nose: Plum. Kirsch, Blackberry and some smoky chocolate notes. Hints of florals are in there as well. Brighter red fruit emerges as it decants and cocoa/caramel notes show as well. Palate: Very hot on the open. Once decanted the wine gets a nice palate feel and seems to have a nice fruit/acid balance. Black and red fruit, licorice, cassis and minerality. Spices blend into the midpalate as well. Finish: Nice lingering fruit, mineral and turned earth. Touch of tobacco and flowers.
The Merlot/Cab (65% Merlot, 27% Cab, 8% Petit Verdot) blend in this is interesting because of the way the wine is put together. Very soft Cherry fruit merlot complements the tightly wound cassis driven cabernet component. The PV adds a certain depth and verve that I love. My favorite Erna Schein. 93-95
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Delivered all that I had expected; the additional time in the bottle, beneficial to it's integration and overall "completeness". Deep-purple color with great, great aromatics and a mouthfull of dark berries and mocha. To reiterate, this is both my favorite ES/B&H bottling, as well as proof-positive that they established their reputation, producing great examples of the varietal. Wonderful!
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Another expression of Les' genius ... if you like the ES no holds barred style, this will be right up your alley ... bold and powerful (Yes, it is a Merlot but for Cab drinkers) with just enough silkiness that is all comes together in good form ...
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Very nice showing. Red fruit in a structured and balanced wine with good mouthfeel and finish. I was expecting something more raw and clunky. This didn't even need decanting.
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GODZILLA-Merlot! Like all E.S./B&H wines, this example is full-throttle, in-your-face humongous! There's nothing shy or timid about this wine and so, for those who share my affinity for these that are made "right", we need to expose the under-experienced (and Merlot-averse) rookies who feel that Merlot is for sissies, to the likes of this stellar example. I sense a "sharp-ness" in younger versions of E.S.'s wines and would be inclined to deduce that this is a by-product of their hugely-extracted, often-sourced Mountain fruit. Is it acidity? "Over"-extended maceration? Too-lengthy exposure to the seeds & stems? Who knows but you've got to appreciate the style (and have a measured amount of patience), necessary to wait these out and allow them to fully-integrate. If this wine morphs into an elevated example of the '03 B&H Napa Merlot that we had just prior to, then you're sure to be justly rewarded!
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Nose: Black Cherry, Sweet Blackberry, Shaved Chocolate Palate: Entry is loaded with bright cherries, then dried red and black fruits. Midpalate is expansive and shows more fruits, but also some hints of sage and caramel. Finish: Glycerin thickness coats the palate and allows it to finish long and strong fanning out to show blue and red fruits accented by slight saline minerality.
This is awsome. I did some more digging and figured out why. The merlot component was sourced from David Abreu's Thorevilos vineyard ... explains a lot.
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From memory, cracked this bottle open last night and it was incredible. Still young, but drinkable. Powerful, sweet nose, fruits everywhere. Recommend decanting for an hour or so to let the heat evaporate. Probably better to lay it down for another year, but if you can't wait, still something to be reckoned with. Drinkward, Behrens know what they are doing.
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Very Well Done. All the flavors of the components are there but almost seamlessly woven together. It has strength and character you wouldn't expect at this age.
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3/17/2022 - Michael_D Likes this wine: 92 Points
One hour in the decanter. Fruit forward with some hints of dirt and old wood. Lite tannins remain to suggest a good 5-7 years left before this bottle's peak. Pepper and spice on the pallet. Long finish. Very enjoyable bottle of wine.
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10/23/2020 - redz wrote: 93 Points
medium deep purple, great nose, lip-smacking good right out of the bottle. Long finish. just delicious! Coravin'd the first half, may upgrade when I have the second half...
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1/13/2019 - Nishkabob Likes this wine: 91 Points
Delicious! Not past its prime.
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4/2/2016 - iawcc wrote: 89 Points
First back yard patio night, Erika and Brandon.
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1/25/2016 - Luvtwowine wrote: 90 Points
in early years, inprevious bottles they were more robust, but this time it was full, flavorful but lighter. It was almost like the california cabernet had settled out, smoothed out, but the thrill was gone.
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3/9/2015 - nfafoglia Likes this wine: 93 Points
Deep red fruit, spearmint, and Asian spice on the nose. Chocolate, mocha, and coffee on the palate. Nice balance with hint of heat on the finish.
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2/14/2015 - RockinCabs wrote: 94 Points
Last of six bottles, and this was showing in top form. Rich and dense fruit that delivered dark plum, blackberry and cherry notes with chocolate, cigar and earth tones. Quality of the fruit always shines in these bottles.
Decant 30 mins and serve at this point. Alc may have shown a bit high, but overall excellent.
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7/18/2014 - Mscruggs Likes this wine: 93 Points
So when I went back to my notes I couldn't find any specific descriptors for this wine. However, of the 3 couples eating together they agreed this was the wine of the evening out of a line up that also included the 2004 Ode To Picasso and the 2004 Red Wine both also by Behrens Family/Erna Schein. The wine was still drinking great and has a few more years in my opinion.
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1/30/2014 - johnwine wrote: flawed
Corked
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11/24/2013 - sdezutti wrote:
I'm surprised this really hasn't changed much over the years. Still very rich and somewhat oaky. Maybe this will be longer lived than I thought. I am curious if it will turn into something more complex with age.
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11/16/2013 - peterk Likes this wine: 93 Points
Cherries... Deep, dark, rich cherries and other berries. Creamy, velvety finish that keeps on going. Sadly my last bottle.
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8/28/2013 - Drankthewholebottle wrote: 93 Points
This could still use another year or two, but does well with an hour in the decanter. Blue and black fruit with minerals and spice notes.
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4/28/2013 - scbreeze wrote: 94 Points
This was a fabulous pour. Decanted and served at a party where everyone loved it. Bright cherry bouquet. Smooth on the palette, deep with rich dark cherry flavors. Clean, round finish that begs for the next sip. Wish I had more!
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4/5/2013 - RockinCabs wrote: 94 Points
Nose: gorgeous cherry, graphite, flowers and wildberry. Palate: so dense on the palate with nice cherry and dusty mocha that has an underlying mineral note that reveals the quality fruit source. Refined at this point yet quite linear. Finish: sweet cherry that gets suddenly tart. Floral and tart blackberry with a nice spiced oak element.
Killer. Glad I have one more.
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3/23/2012 - 1961Vintage wrote: 92 Points
Rich deep red chocolate like fruit...nicely layerd and a real treat
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2/4/2012 - sdezutti wrote: 95 Points
Like blueberry pie in French Oak. Rich and totally delicious. Those who like French styled wine and nothing else would not like this, but I personally love it.
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1/30/2012 - drycab wrote:
This needed open time and didn't get it. Too bad as it showed like crap but it's better than that!! Oh well.....Next time a decanter!
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11/15/2011 - RockinCabs wrote: 94 Points
Still fabulous. Nose: Plum. Kirsch, Blackberry and some smoky chocolate notes. Hints of florals are in there as well. Brighter red fruit emerges as it decants and cocoa/caramel notes show as well. Palate: Very hot on the open. Once decanted the wine gets a nice palate feel and seems to have a nice fruit/acid balance. Black and red fruit, licorice, cassis and minerality. Spices blend into the midpalate as well. Finish: Nice lingering fruit, mineral and turned earth. Touch of tobacco and flowers.
The Merlot/Cab (65% Merlot, 27% Cab, 8% Petit Verdot) blend in this is interesting because of the way the wine is put together. Very soft Cherry fruit merlot complements the tightly wound cassis driven cabernet component. The PV adds a certain depth and verve that I love. My favorite Erna Schein. 93-95
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9/5/2011 - golfwine wrote: 91 Points
Delivered all that I had expected; the additional time in the bottle, beneficial to it's integration and overall "completeness". Deep-purple color with great, great aromatics and a mouthfull of dark berries and mocha. To reiterate, this is both my favorite ES/B&H bottling, as well as proof-positive that they established their reputation, producing great examples of the varietal. Wonderful!
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3/12/2011 - Venezia wrote: 93 Points
Bold and full of complexity. Dark berry. A fantastic wine
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12/19/2010 - lv2tri wrote: 93 Points
Another expression of Les' genius ... if you like the ES no holds barred style, this will be right up your alley ... bold and powerful (Yes, it is a Merlot but for Cab drinkers) with just enough silkiness that is all comes together in good form ...
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8/22/2010 - patwjr wrote: 93 Points
Decanted for 1 hour. Delicious and ready to drink. Full bodied, yet soft and smooth.
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4/10/2010 - gmbdds wrote: 91 Points
Very nice showing. Red fruit in a structured and balanced wine with good mouthfeel and finish. I was expecting something more raw and clunky. This didn't even need decanting.
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9/5/2009 - gcubanl wrote: 91 Points
Yum
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7/30/2009 - RobertoM wrote: 85 Points
Yuck, nothing like any other B&H for like a french
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6/30/2009 - golfwine wrote: 92 Points
GODZILLA-Merlot! Like all E.S./B&H wines, this example is full-throttle, in-your-face humongous! There's nothing shy or timid about this wine and so, for those who share my affinity for these that are made "right", we need to expose the under-experienced (and Merlot-averse) rookies who feel that Merlot is for sissies, to the likes of this stellar example. I sense a "sharp-ness" in younger versions of E.S.'s wines and would be inclined to deduce that this is a by-product of their hugely-extracted, often-sourced Mountain fruit. Is it acidity? "Over"-extended maceration? Too-lengthy exposure to the seeds & stems? Who knows but you've got to appreciate the style (and have a measured amount of patience), necessary to wait these out and allow them to fully-integrate. If this wine morphs into an elevated example of the '03 B&H Napa Merlot that we had just prior to, then you're sure to be justly rewarded!
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6/14/2009 - RockinCabs wrote: 94 Points
Nose: Black Cherry, Sweet Blackberry, Shaved Chocolate Palate: Entry is loaded with bright cherries, then dried red and black fruits. Midpalate is expansive and shows more fruits, but also some hints of sage and caramel. Finish: Glycerin thickness coats the palate and allows it to finish long and strong fanning out to show blue and red fruits accented by slight saline minerality.
This is awsome. I did some more digging and figured out why. The merlot component was sourced from David Abreu's Thorevilos vineyard ... explains a lot.
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5/10/2009 - KHILL wrote: 96 Points
Decanted for about 2 hours. Drank silky, mildly tannic, awesome fruit, but subtle. Really enjoyed. Out of a magnum bottle.
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3/25/2009 - David J Cooper wrote:
Medium red. Pencil shavings, great red fruit, cassi and cherry. Bordeaux wieght and a very nice dry finish. Delicious.
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7/19/2008 - Terran23 wrote: 93 Points
From memory, cracked this bottle open last night and it was incredible. Still young, but drinkable. Powerful, sweet nose, fruits everywhere. Recommend decanting for an hour or so to let the heat evaporate. Probably better to lay it down for another year, but if you can't wait, still something to be reckoned with. Drinkward, Behrens know what they are doing.
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7/4/2008 - drycab wrote: 92 Points
Very Well Done. All the flavors of the components are there but almost seamlessly woven together. It has strength and character you wouldn't expect at this age.
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