Fabulous! Perfectly balanced. Loads of dark, rich fruit. Prunes and compote. A touch of licorice. It was decanted and continued to soften and flavors merged over 2 hours.
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What a difference two years makes. Coming out of whatever that closed period was, the structure has eased and the earth and earthy fruit is more forward. Still a bit closed but could go for years more I think.
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Still very solid, and really open. Every time I try a wine that's made with Melville family grapes I thank mother earth for what she gives and the growers for their expertise and for sharing these wonderful vines with people like us. This one will be even better in 2020.
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Really coming into its own. No decanting this time, so it took 15-20 minutes in glass to open, then continued to evolve through the night. Dark berries and subdued pepper (compared) mingling together quite nicely. Tannins are present but not overpowering. Really liking this at this time.
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Another strong effort from a "somewhat" under-the radar producer. Year in and year out Ojai wines always seem to border on outstanding. Good QPR for the high quality.
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Medium bodied. Well balanced at 14.5%. Restrained dark fruit. This wine needs food to shine. Something with some fat content seems to bring out the fruit more. Not much on the nose and moderately tannic. Drink now to preserve what fruit is still coming through. I did not find this wine to be over the top at all.
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Big wine, still tight and not as showy (or as tasty and delicious!) as the 2005 Presidio from last night. Okay nose, nice length, sinewy in the mouth, but a bit hollow there as well. Needs some time.
Try next in 2014...
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This is a big wine, that's for sure. It was over-the-top right out of the bottle: the nose smelled blue, red and black, and on the palate, along with dense fruit there was pronounced coffee flavors and a cough syrup, medicinal note on the back end. I think it just needs time or plenty of air. Lots of stuff there... given Ojai's track record, it probably will. Rating deferred.
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I like this a lot, but it is a powerful, dark fruit syrah. Ready to drink, but seems to have a good number of years left. Consistent over several bottles. Comparable: Torii Hunter.
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I'm very pleased with the consistency of this bottling, no signs at all of bottle variation and each one I've had is more rewarding than the previous. This sampling was the deepest in terms of the complexity of the syrah - with some really noticable tertiary components of minerals and smokiness to go along with the black pepper and dark cherry flavors of the syrah. If one's a firm believer in the powers of terroir, then this wine rewards those who want an experience that validates their beliefs. And it's got a looong life ahead of it, definitely one to put down for 10+ years and enjoy the evolvement process to come.
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This is fantastic wine, and it's drinking really well right now. Round, mouth-filling flavor with fruit and some fat/leather undertones for complexity. I'm becoming a huge fan of Ojai, and I'm glad I have a few more of these.
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Dark, nearly black to the rim; not showing it's six years of age. Huge, almost pungent nose of blackfruits, a bit of alcohol and with air, tar. On the palate it is thick, viscous and very full bodied. Boysenberry pie at first yield s to more complexity and balance after an hour in the glass. Same weight as a big Barossa Shiraz but there is enough else going on to keep it in balance and not over-the-top. IMO, just entering its drinking window and likely to improve over the next decade. The "+" sign in my rating indicates my impression of the wine today, which is likely to improve over the next few years. Very, very good. 92+
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Enjoyed with the Christie's while eating Michael's smoked ribs and chili. Held up well with its peppery overtones and smooth mouthfeel. Enjoyed by all.
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An interesting syrah, with some n. rhone characteristics in the flavor profile (black pepper and some flinty stones) and good viscosity in the mid palate. Was decanted for an hour, but at that time was still tight and tart, with more blackberry fruit profile and less of the pepper showing through. On day two it had softened nicely, which is where the midpalate added some velvety plushness and the appreciated viscosity. Good dark fruit finish and lingering smooth tannins on the tongue. It's still very young, would suggest cellaring for at least another year.
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Deep ruby in the glass. Cherry mentho's and other dark berries on the nose. Ever changing taste over two glasses and two nights, but strong peppery spices always present. Heavy mouthfeel and a long satisfying finish. Better on night 2 with a spicy ny strip.
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Deep tanzanite color leads to a nose of tar, blackberry, and leather. Medium full body has loads of smoked meat, blackberry, cinnamon, and vanilla. Finish lasts 35 seconds. Decanted 2 hrs prior to tasting. Blind I would have guessed this to be from Northern Rhone Valley. This continued to improve in glass over course of evening. I suspect this will continue to improved for at least another 5 years. Great value for $30. Will definately buy again.
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10/19/2020 - hmannoe Likes this wine: 95 Points
Fabulous! Perfectly balanced. Loads of dark, rich fruit. Prunes and compote. A touch of licorice. It was decanted and continued to soften and flavors merged over 2 hours.
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7/28/2019 - jbaron wrote: 94 Points
Last bottle. Full of fruit and structure and all that is good. Wish I had another.
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12/19/2017 - jbaron wrote: 93 Points
What a difference two years makes. Coming out of whatever that closed period was, the structure has eased and the earth and earthy fruit is more forward. Still a bit closed but could go for years more I think.
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10/28/2017 - carlsport Likes this wine: 89 Points
Aging nicely. Well integrated tannins, though the fruit is fading.
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12/8/2015 - carlsport Likes this wine: 89 Points
Dusty and dirty, but still enough fruit poking through to keep this interesting. Drink sooner than later.
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12/3/2015 - Blcmdpa@gmail.com wrote: 89 Points
Fruit & nose are gone..... Earth mother now, tannin heavy
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5/15/2015 - jbaron wrote: 91 Points
Here we are in 2015. Lots of dirt and earth, little fruit. Still structured, will it pass... Ever?
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10/4/2014 - Mr.Overhill wrote: 92 Points
Still very solid, and really open. Every time I try a wine that's made with Melville family grapes I thank mother earth for what she gives and the growers for their expertise and for sharing these wonderful vines with people like us. This one will be even better in 2020.
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2/3/2014 - carlsport Likes this wine: 93 Points
Really coming into its own. No decanting this time, so it took 15-20 minutes in glass to open, then continued to evolve through the night. Dark berries and subdued pepper (compared) mingling together quite nicely. Tannins are present but not overpowering. Really liking this at this time.
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9/21/2013 - jbaron Likes this wine: 92 Points
Still dark and brooding. Opens some with air, but only enough to let some fruit sneak in over the underlying dirt. Structured, nice.
Try again in, say, 2015...?
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5/25/2013 - Macky4710 Likes this wine: 85 Points
drinking well
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3/23/2013 - fredman wrote: 92 Points
Another strong effort from a "somewhat" under-the radar producer. Year in and year out Ojai wines always seem to border on outstanding. Good QPR for the high quality.
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12/23/2012 - WineCPA Likes this wine: 89 Points
Medium bodied. Well balanced at 14.5%. Restrained dark fruit. This wine needs food to shine. Something with some fat content seems to bring out the fruit more. Not much on the nose and moderately tannic. Drink now to preserve what fruit is still coming through. I did not find this wine to be over the top at all.
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9/23/2012 - jbaron wrote: 91 Points
Big wine, still tight and not as showy (or as tasty and delicious!) as the 2005 Presidio from last night. Okay nose, nice length, sinewy in the mouth, but a bit hollow there as well. Needs some time.
Try next in 2014...
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9/5/2012 - TheOtherPoster wrote:
This is a big wine, that's for sure. It was over-the-top right out of the bottle: the nose smelled blue, red and black, and on the palate, along with dense fruit there was pronounced coffee flavors and a cough syrup, medicinal note on the back end. I think it just needs time or plenty of air. Lots of stuff there... given Ojai's track record, it probably will. Rating deferred.
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12/17/2011 - BklynNeophyte wrote: 92 Points
I like this a lot, but it is a powerful, dark fruit syrah. Ready to drink, but seems to have a good number of years left. Consistent over several bottles. Comparable: Torii Hunter.
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12/14/2011 - Mr.Overhill wrote: 93 Points
I'm very pleased with the consistency of this bottling, no signs at all of bottle variation and each one I've had is more rewarding than the previous. This sampling was the deepest in terms of the complexity of the syrah - with some really noticable tertiary components of minerals and smokiness to go along with the black pepper and dark cherry flavors of the syrah. If one's a firm believer in the powers of terroir, then this wine rewards those who want an experience that validates their beliefs. And it's got a looong life ahead of it, definitely one to put down for 10+ years and enjoy the evolvement process to come.
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9/26/2011 - TexasBob wrote: 87 Points
A bit too contrived in its taste profile for me. I bet Robert Parker LOVED this 'hedonistic' wine, though.
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8/25/2011 - carlsport wrote: 92 Points
Continuing to improve. This hit the spot when paired with Santa Maria tri-tip. Thick red berries and a nice finish.
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8/2/2011 - TomATL wrote: 94 Points
This is fantastic wine, and it's drinking really well right now. Round, mouth-filling flavor with fruit and some fat/leather undertones for complexity. I'm becoming a huge fan of Ojai, and I'm glad I have a few more of these.
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5/7/2011 - Stirling wrote: 92 Points
Dark, nearly black to the rim; not showing it's six years of age. Huge, almost pungent nose of blackfruits, a bit of alcohol and with air, tar. On the palate it is thick, viscous and very full bodied. Boysenberry pie at first yield s to more complexity and balance after an hour in the glass. Same weight as a big Barossa Shiraz but there is enough else going on to keep it in balance and not over-the-top. IMO, just entering its drinking window and likely to improve over the next decade. The "+" sign in my rating indicates my impression of the wine today, which is likely to improve over the next few years. Very, very good. 92+
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3/13/2011 - carlsport wrote: 91 Points
Enjoyed with the Christie's while eating Michael's smoked ribs and chili. Held up well with its peppery overtones and smooth mouthfeel. Enjoyed by all.
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3/13/2011 - Mootsie wrote: 92 Points
Meaty, dense, dark, nice spice and fruit, a little oak. Well balanced. Drinking very nice right now. May have to buy a few more of these.
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3/1/2011 - Mr.Overhill wrote: 92 Points
Adding more spice nuances to this latest bottle (1st tried two months ago) and a more fleshy finish. Overall, its future bodes well.
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2/20/2011 - carlsport wrote: 91 Points
Coming together nicely...enjoyed with some spicy thai food. A nice thick and hearty syrah.
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11/23/2010 - Mr.Overhill wrote: 92 Points
An interesting syrah, with some n. rhone characteristics in the flavor profile (black pepper and some flinty stones) and good viscosity in the mid palate. Was decanted for an hour, but at that time was still tight and tart, with more blackberry fruit profile and less of the pepper showing through. On day two it had softened nicely, which is where the midpalate added some velvety plushness and the appreciated viscosity. Good dark fruit finish and lingering smooth tannins on the tongue. It's still very young, would suggest cellaring for at least another year.
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11/21/2010 - carlsport wrote: 89 Points
Deep ruby in the glass. Cherry mentho's and other dark berries on the nose. Ever changing taste over two glasses and two nights, but strong peppery spices always present. Heavy mouthfeel and a long satisfying finish. Better on night 2 with a spicy ny strip.
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10/27/2010 - flashvictor Likes this wine: 92 Points
Deep tanzanite color leads to a nose of tar, blackberry, and leather. Medium full body has loads of smoked meat, blackberry, cinnamon, and vanilla. Finish lasts 35 seconds. Decanted 2 hrs prior to tasting. Blind I would have guessed this to be from Northern Rhone Valley. This continued to improve in glass over course of evening. I suspect this will continue to improved for at least another 5 years. Great value for $30. Will definately buy again.
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2/7/2010 - pgruber wrote: 92 Points
Still primary, but delicious
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