First, that BOTTLE - may be the heaviest bottle (750ml) I have ever encountered! When this is the case you assume the winery is very proud of this wine. And it does not disappoint. What a beautiful, rustic, earthy delight. At 15 years old, still lots to say, and eloquently at that. This is fruity, spicey, earthy and exotic. Find some, serve it with something equally exotic. Paella perhaps? Just a whole plate of charcuterie...go for it!
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Really reluctant on the nose. Right out of the bottle, it showed a bit of smoky Syrah notes, but then slammed shut with a few minutes of air. This wine seems pretty out of balance, with the Carignan seemingly taking an outsized role and adding an overwhelming rusticity on the back end. Initially you get a quick burst of ripe cherry from the Grenache, but that is really fleeting. Surprisingly, it is a little thin through the mid-palate and then it pivots to ripe, burly, Carignan, with a wall of grainy, mouth coating, tannins and pronounced coffee and dark chocolate flavors that linger unpleasantly. This was really disjointed for me, maybe a long decant can help... a little.
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Just terrific. Deep garnet. Requires about 15-30 minutes for some mild volatility to blow away and to open up to reveal really sexy aromas of ripe, but not overripe, dark fruits with violet and spice. Rich wine, but not jammy, great spicy fruit with a little herbal earthiness to make it more interesting. Delicious, complex, great balance. Bonnie: "best wine ever". Me, not quite, but I love it and will definitely be looking for more from this producer, especially given Bonnie's enthusiasm. Held up well open for a day. (92-94)
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Decanted 1 hour. Nose of violets and blue fruits just less than overripe. Still tannic but medium bodied with nice minerality and blue fruits. 91 points
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I'm surprised, on the nose, how much this corresponds to a note I wrote in 2008. Like then - a tarry first impression, along with herbs and olive. On the palate, medium to medium heavy in body with many of the same flavors carrying through. Morphs nicely from midpalate to a long finish, showing a good deal of complexity. While not a huge wine in terms of mouth-feel, the flavors are bold with a distinct herbal / olive impression. Continues to evolve in the glass over several hours. Good QPR. In general, evokes an impression of modernistic (big) with a big nod toward tradition (flavors). For my tastes, relative to a reviewer, this reminds me of a CdR not so much (flavor-wise). I'm a poor blind taster, but I think I'd guess "Spanish" on this one even with the challenge of doing it blind.
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Delicious. Comparable to a wonderfully balanced CdR villages.....Oak has completely subsided and left a wonderfully balanced example of Grenache. Worth $40...hell no. Worth the $30 I picked it up for...maybe. It scratched an itch, and for that, I am happy.
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Popped and poured. Nose and tastes of leather, graphite, dust, smoke and dark fruit. Opened up as we drank it. A powerful wine, on a full decanting this score might be higher. I would say 91 to 93. Drank with cheese, but it would serve better with lamb or veal. An outstanding wine.
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Strong, intense wine, but tannins still quite harsh. Much better on day 2 after tannins had mellowed a bit. Lots of sediment as well, requiring care on pouring. Going to give remaining store another 3 years to see how it evolves.
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Deep red color. Muted bramble fruit on the nose, with chocolate and cranberry. When I tried this a few years ago I remember how the flavors exploded. Flavors have merged now with a little more alcoholic heat. Maybe just a bad phase?
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When I drank this on release, I decided to lay my other bottles down to see what happens. Big, but not as in-your-face as a few years ago. The oak has integrated quite well, though still is noticeable on the lingering finish. Nicely balanced. The tannins are present but in check. The flavor profile was reminiscent of a highish-end 2007 CDP. This is really drinking well now with a decant, and I don't see any reason to believe it doesn't have a good medium-term future.
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Carinena, Granacha, Syrah. Appearance: Clear, deep intensity purple, legs Nose: Clean, developing and medium+ intensity blackberries, blueberries, dark cherries, oak and a touch of smoke. Palate: Dry, moderate acidity, medium+ firm tannins, medium+ alcohol, full-bodied, pronounced ripe dark fruits, coffee, baking spice, smoke, and oak. Nice long finish. Outstanding. Ready to drink but can age. Cork closure. (D 8, F 6.5; DW, FW, MSW, PS)
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Decanted for two hours. Drank over the next two. Inky purple core fading to pink rim. On the nose there is stewed plum, blackberry, black cherry, raspberry, and leather. The palate is full of crushed blue and black fruit, predominately blackberry with a core of blueberry and plum. A fresh, vibrant, rich, and delicious wine that has more structure and depth than some of its neighbors. Will age, but near impossible to resist.
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Dinner @ Phil & Ena's (guess the wine) (Richmond, VA): Popped and poured, licorice, earth, someone mention aspault in the nose. Red plum, minerals earth on the palate. Long spicey finish, room for improvment. 91+
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very nice balance of minerality and earthy, fruit is subtle and less distinct but present. really enjoyed this wine with meat and cheeses. drank after a three hour decant.
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Intoxicating dark fruit, minerals and clay on the nose. Concentrated palate (cocoa) - not a fruit bomb, nice balance for a big wine. A tight grip on a long finish. Good quality wine. 92+
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Would recommend to others. My earlier rating of 93 stands. Decanted and let sit for about 1 hr... opened up and was wonderful to drink... When its on sale I will snatch this wine off the shelves.
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For my tastes, one of the better Spanish wines I've had. Dark fruit, smoky tar and earth on the nose. Medium to med-heavy body that's remarkably balanced and plush given its youth. Not as gamey / tomato as some from the region. On Day 2, this wine brightens up a little bit, with the "smoke" clearing. On the palate, I would mistake this for an elegantly styled Zinfandel in a blind tasting, though some earth on the nose might give it away.
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A big, bold wine that retains vitality. Not hot or syrupy. Cassis, chocolate, tree bark and a foxy funk. Strong finish with moderate, ripe tannin. Best in 3-4 years.
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Rich and kinky high-toned nose of plums, kirsch, chocolate and a bit of leather. 15% alcohol but this wine carries it very well. No impression of heat. Good fruit on the palate - excellent Spanish wine.
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Dark in color, this wine has aromas of chocolate, spices, vanilla and rasberry jam. Full bodied and smooth on the palet. Slightly bitter on the finish which I think will go away after some ageing. This wine was scored a 95 my Jay Milller and I could see it geting near there in with some age. - JD 92
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This was a good wine but not a great QPR at $40.00. Dominated by sour rasberry and mouth drying tannins. Will benefit with some age but I don't think that for my palate this will ever reach the 95 point score that Jay Miller gave it.
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11/13/2022 - Burgundy Al wrote: 89 Points
Rich and powerful with lots of black plum and currant, still vibrant and fresh. Very tasty in its modern style.
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3/26/2021 - Burgundy Al wrote: 90 Points
Modern styled, perhaps varietally non-distinct, but rich, fun and powerful with brightening acidity. Very good now.
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1/24/2021 - Burgundy Al wrote: 90 Points
Still wonderfully fresh, bright and rich. Lots here to enjoy, well balanced for a modern styled wine.
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7/30/2020 - TallMikeWine Likes this wine: 95 Points
First, that BOTTLE - may be the heaviest bottle (750ml) I have ever encountered! When this is the case you assume the winery is very proud of this wine. And it does not disappoint. What a beautiful, rustic, earthy delight. At 15 years old, still lots to say, and eloquently at that. This is fruity, spicey, earthy and exotic. Find some, serve it with something equally exotic. Paella perhaps? Just a whole plate of charcuterie...go for it!
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1/12/2019 - Ed in Inverness Likes this wine:
Loved it. Drunk at a friend's house so no detailed notes. Well aged, well priced, good secondary fruit and resolved tannins. Yum!
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8/11/2018 - GARDEN Likes this wine: 92 Points
Positive comments from all...
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12/30/2017 - mdvino63 Likes this wine:
Once, again, outstanding. Really drinking a point, right now.
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12/22/2017 - maderay wrote: 90 Points
Dark color, licorice, dark cherries
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10/20/2017 - Seafoam Manor wrote: 87 Points
Really reluctant on the nose. Right out of the bottle, it showed a bit of smoky Syrah notes, but then slammed shut with a few minutes of air. This wine seems pretty out of balance, with the Carignan seemingly taking an outsized role and adding an overwhelming rusticity on the back end. Initially you get a quick burst of ripe cherry from the Grenache, but that is really fleeting. Surprisingly, it is a little thin through the mid-palate and then it pivots to ripe, burly, Carignan, with a wall of grainy, mouth coating, tannins and pronounced coffee and dark chocolate flavors that linger unpleasantly. This was really disjointed for me, maybe a long decant can help... a little.
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11/5/2016 - mdvino63 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Just terrific. Deep garnet. Requires about 15-30 minutes for some mild volatility to blow away and to open up to reveal really sexy aromas of ripe, but not overripe, dark fruits with violet and spice. Rich wine, but not jammy, great spicy fruit with a little herbal earthiness to make it more interesting. Delicious, complex, great balance. Bonnie: "best wine ever". Me, not quite, but I love it and will definitely be looking for more from this producer, especially given Bonnie's enthusiasm. Held up well open for a day. (92-94)
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8/10/2015 - SMagowan Likes this wine:
I can't give this a score because I just don't remember -- I am doing some catch up on my inventory. I know I felt it was great.
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5/9/2015 - thalver wrote: flawed
CORKED!
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4/4/2015 - ljl203 wrote:
Peaking with a great berry core. Vibrant and delicious.
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4/5/2014 - sastewart wrote: 91 Points
Decanted 1 hour. Nose of violets and blue fruits just less than overripe. Still tannic but medium bodied with nice minerality and blue fruits. 91 points
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11/26/2013 - vanpe003 wrote: 91 Points
I'm surprised, on the nose, how much this corresponds to a note I wrote in 2008. Like then - a tarry first impression, along with herbs and olive. On the palate, medium to medium heavy in body with many of the same flavors carrying through. Morphs nicely from midpalate to a long finish, showing a good deal of complexity. While not a huge wine in terms of mouth-feel, the flavors are bold with a distinct herbal / olive impression. Continues to evolve in the glass over several hours. Good QPR. In general, evokes an impression of modernistic (big) with a big nod toward tradition (flavors). For my tastes, relative to a reviewer, this reminds me of a CdR not so much (flavor-wise). I'm a poor blind taster, but I think I'd guess "Spanish" on this one even with the challenge of doing it blind.
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8/28/2013 - dbay wrote: 90 Points
Aroma of spice, blackberries. Complex palette with black fruit up front and a finish of spice. Full mouthfeel, redolent of earth and cinnamon.
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8/11/2013 - ljl203 wrote: 91 Points
Intense berry and chocolate.
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4/30/2013 - bcc725 wrote:
Delicious. Comparable to a wonderfully balanced CdR villages.....Oak has completely subsided and left a wonderfully balanced example of Grenache. Worth $40...hell no. Worth the $30 I picked it up for...maybe. It scratched an itch, and for that, I am happy.
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11/14/2012 - SMagowan wrote: 91 Points
Popped and poured. Nose and tastes of leather, graphite, dust, smoke and dark fruit. Opened up as we drank it. A powerful wine, on a full decanting this score might be higher. I would say 91 to 93. Drank with cheese, but it would serve better with lamb or veal. An outstanding wine.
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12/23/2011 - bugdoced wrote: 89 Points
drink now or hold; terrific qpr blend
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12/9/2011 - Uglypinga wrote:
Flowery, raspberry nose. The palae is medium with raspberries, mild cinnamon and solid acid. A lot lighter than I remember. Good wine not great.
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9/21/2011 - tpspoon wrote: 90 Points
Strong, intense wine, but tannins still quite harsh. Much better on day 2 after tannins had mellowed a bit. Lots of sediment as well, requiring care on pouring. Going to give remaining store another 3 years to see how it evolves.
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2/18/2011 - paulevd wrote: 88 Points
Deep red color. Muted bramble fruit on the nose, with chocolate and cranberry. When I tried this a few years ago I remember how the flavors exploded. Flavors have merged now with a little more alcoholic heat. Maybe just a bad phase?
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1/23/2011 - thalver wrote:
When I drank this on release, I decided to lay my other bottles down to see what happens. Big, but not as in-your-face as a few years ago. The oak has integrated quite well, though still is noticeable on the lingering finish. Nicely balanced. The tannins are present but in check. The flavor profile was reminiscent of a highish-end 2007 CDP. This is really drinking well now with a decant, and I don't see any reason to believe it doesn't have a good medium-term future.
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1/9/2011 - Burgundy Al wrote: 90 Points
Meaty black fruit, very powerful start-to-finish, slightly too firm right now, better 2015 forward. Very good weight.
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11/8/2010 - nubbin wrote: 96 Points
Carinena, Granacha, Syrah.
Appearance: Clear, deep intensity purple, legs
Nose: Clean, developing and medium+ intensity blackberries, blueberries, dark cherries, oak and a touch of smoke.
Palate: Dry, moderate acidity, medium+ firm tannins, medium+ alcohol, full-bodied, pronounced ripe dark fruits, coffee, baking spice, smoke, and oak. Nice long finish.
Outstanding. Ready to drink but can age.
Cork closure. (D 8, F 6.5; DW, FW, MSW, PS)
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1/13/2010 - SevenDayMile wrote: 93 Points
Decanted for two hours. Drank over the next two. Inky purple core fading to pink rim. On the nose there is stewed plum, blackberry, black cherry, raspberry, and leather. The palate is full of crushed blue and black fruit, predominately blackberry with a core of blueberry and plum. A fresh, vibrant, rich, and delicious wine that has more structure and depth than some of its neighbors. Will age, but near impossible to resist.
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12/19/2009 - wineshaman wrote: 91 Points
Dinner @ Phil & Ena's (guess the wine) (Richmond, VA): Popped and poured, licorice, earth, someone mention aspault in the nose. Red plum, minerals earth on the palate. Long spicey finish, room for improvment. 91+
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12/9/2009 - sedation (yellowgas) wrote: 92 Points
very nice balance of minerality and earthy, fruit is subtle and less distinct but present. really enjoyed this wine with meat and cheeses. drank after a three hour decant.
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10/21/2009 - Arcturus wrote: 92 Points
Intoxicating dark fruit, minerals and clay on the nose. Concentrated palate (cocoa) - not a fruit bomb, nice balance for a big wine. A tight grip on a long finish. Good quality wine. 92+
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5/23/2009 - joshwoodward wrote: 89 Points
Stimmel's Market: The Last Temptation of Stimmel's (Bowling Green, OH): This seemed to be the crowd favorite of the night, but I thought it was just good. Earthy, corny and mousy nose, slightly jammy and medicinal. Big. Red fruit. Medium tannin, acid and body.
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3/8/2009 - markcvino wrote: 95 Points
Very impressive wine! Nose of asphalt. Thick bodied wine, with intense cassis.
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2/5/2009 - Tintin wrote: 91 Points
Lovely integration of fruit and minerals. Good mouth feel. The bottle looks strong enough to sink a ship.
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12/9/2008 - gdm1 wrote:
Would recommend to others. My earlier rating of 93 stands. Decanted and let sit for about 1 hr... opened up and was wonderful to drink... When its on sale I will snatch this wine off the shelves.
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11/10/2008 - vanpe003 wrote: 92 Points
For my tastes, one of the better Spanish wines I've had. Dark fruit, smoky tar and earth on the nose. Medium to med-heavy body that's remarkably balanced and plush given its youth. Not as gamey / tomato as some from the region. On Day 2, this wine brightens up a little bit, with the "smoke" clearing. On the palate, I would mistake this for an elegantly styled Zinfandel in a blind tasting, though some earth on the nose might give it away.
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11/9/2008 - pgordon62 wrote: 92 Points
A big, bold wine that retains vitality. Not hot or syrupy. Cassis, chocolate, tree bark and a foxy funk. Strong finish with moderate, ripe tannin. Best in 3-4 years.
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8/28/2008 - gdm1 wrote: 93 Points
Excellent Spanish wine.. will get better with time.
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8/20/2008 - lbosche wrote: 92 Points
Rich and kinky high-toned nose of plums, kirsch, chocolate and a bit of leather. 15% alcohol but this wine carries it very well. No impression of heat. Good fruit on the palate - excellent Spanish wine.
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5/25/2008 - John McCabe wrote: 93 Points
One of the most interesting wines I've had in a long time.
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4/12/2008 - InternationalWineReport wrote: 92 Points
Dark in color, this wine has aromas of chocolate, spices, vanilla and rasberry jam. Full bodied and smooth on the palet. Slightly bitter on the finish which I think will go away after some ageing. This wine was scored a 95 my Jay Milller and I could see it geting near there in with some age. - JD 92
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4/5/2008 - duffer8008 wrote: 90 Points
This was a good wine but not a great QPR at $40.00. Dominated by sour rasberry and mouth drying tannins. Will benefit with some age but I don't think that for my palate this will ever reach the 95 point score that Jay Miller gave it.
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2/22/2008 - snipes wrote:
Decent juice, but young and not giving up much. It was a bit simple tonight. Give it some time to see what happens
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