92 for this easily, improved steadily over the course of 1.5 hours of air, peaked at 1.5 hours. Great showing, balance of still nice black fruits in the forefront, but with some good earthiness, smoke, and tobacco framing the notes. Some lightening at the rim, but it could go another 5y I think. Good+ to very good value.
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Double decanted an hour before drinking. Great mature claret, not especially notable but tasty.
Ruby with pink bricked edges.
Nose is old Bordeaux, with black cherry; plum; leather; cigar box; green Virginia tobacco; dirt; pencil; mocha/coffee bean; library book vanilla. Tiny bit barnyard but receded.
Palate has mid body; high mid minus acidity; mid tannin; mid-long finish. More fruit coming through, bit plummy, bit cherry liqueur; bit blackberry; leather/dirt; cigar; general old Bordeaux flavors.
Best about 3 hours after opening, indeed put on a great deal of weight, so decant for a while.
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I took a punt on a couple of bottles at auction recently because the price was low (30€) and I'm glad that I did.
Quite a fresh nose of dark cherry, strawberry and blackcurrant, then a medium-bodied mouthful of spicy blackcurrant and slightly jammy cherry, joined midpalate by notes of wild strawberry and finishing with a flourish of plums and cherries. Much more youthful than expected and really rather good.
Five years ago I thought this was on the wane, which just shows how much I know. In its youth, this was rather over-exuberant, with very forward, sherbet-like fruit, but it has settled down remarkably well.
Not a great wine by any means, but very enjoyable on its own or with food. I didn't decant, but next time I will because it did loosen up somewhat after several hours.
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From small capped bottle. Big bold bdx. Spicy woody black cherry, some menthol or camphor? Spicy and dark fruit on the palate. Finish is a little bitter but quite good for the level. Nose - 5/6, Palate - 4.5/6, Finish - 5/6, Je ne Sais Quoi - 1/2 = 15.5/20.
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Drinking beautifully. Brick red with spice & tobacco nose Well integrated and in complete balance. Current and still some deep plum. Spice, pepper, cedar and tobacco. Long finish. Elegant. This showed a remarkable change for the better from 3 years ago. What an aged Bordeaux should be.
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This was a decent bordeaux drinking close to peak. It was much thinner and more acidic than younger vintages I have had recently (2003,2005,2008) and I missed the brown sugar mixed with Christmas fruit and spice that they had. This wine had a lovely nose, very plummy, but on the palate more cherry, graphite and earth. Almost a sour cherry due to the acid. Better with food and enjoyable either way, but not up to my expectations.
This is a pleasant wine, but there is nothing remarkable about it. A lot of sour cherry on the palate with tame tannins and just a touch too much acidity for my liking. Not a lot of secondary flavors or complexity here either.
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It needs drinking, but this is still a very good wine. Slightly brown edges to the colour, with a nose edging towards forest fruits and leaves, but a fulsome, appealing, jammy fruit blend that evokes wild strawberry.
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Fully mature, the wine is round open and ready for prime time drinking, thanks to its easily accessible, licorice, black cherry, chocolate, earthy character and lushly textured finish. There is no reason to hold this for further evolution.
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This was lovely in its youth, it was a modern St-Emilion. Now it has aromas of leather, earth, raspberries, plums, blueberries, cloves and minerals. Its medium bodied delineated palate has excellent density, some elegance, a lovely plush and meaty middle and ends longish, aromatic and fresh. Needs 2-3 hrs aeration.
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Needs several hours in the decanter - quite mute on opening, but eventually opens out into a classic cedar and dark fruit combination, with a hint of meaty and savoury flavours.
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Deep ruby-purple color; nose is deep and dark black fruit, slight graphite, hard to delineate; palate is full bodied, rich ripe black and red fruit, integrated tannin, pronounced fresh acidity throughout, slight bit of heat in the midpalate; finish is short-medium. Based on my last note from 2011, the tannins have fully integrated and it is ready to go. A nice balanced modern-styled plush right bank bordeaux whose main shortcoming is that it isn't distinctive in any way. Good value when purchased at $26, now overpriced at $45 on winesearcher. After trying the 98, 00, and 03, this chateau seems well made overall but not impressive. 88-90 Update: improves with 1 hour of air. More integrated throughout, showing more interesting black cherry on the nose, really much more complexity on the nose, a step up from when first opened. Probably has a few years left. 90
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Decanted an hour before drinking, medium to full bodied, inky purple color, subdued nose but complex medley of flavors evolved throughout the evening - predominate black fruits, layer of graphite with tones of cedar, mushroom and leather with hints of anise and mocha. After ninety minutes a slightly funky barnyard tone set in but eventually burned off leaving a pleasant, complex but polished tone with nicely integrated firm tannins on the moderate finish.
Drank for Mom's 63rd. I generally do not like Bordeaux wine. Granted, I've never tried a first growth, or other "great". So when I say this one made me smile, it really means something. Tannic, yes (probably too much-so). But wonderful complexity of lead, cedar, blackberry, tobacco and a slight hint of plum. Maybe I drank my other bottles way too early. It's a shame this is my last bottle, because if I had drank Bordeaux this enjoyable earlier in my life, I would not have "written it off" like I did. Outstanding
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Great red fruits on the nose; palate is still showing a hint too much tannin but very approachable and enjoyable, juicy red fruits. Overall very balanced, maybe 6 months-1 year too young but very close to peak and will drink well for a while to come. Very enjoyable. 90-91
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Aromas of barnyardy plum, sharply focused cherry, tobacco leaf and a little anise. Medium-bodied with a slight roundness to the black fruit and dried leafiness around the edges. A rather severe finish with high acids and coarse leafiness. There is some moderate complexity and it did add a little leathery interest at the bottom of the bottle. The fruit was just not ripe enough.
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Smoked black plum & black currant fruit aromas. Soft fruit flavors & a bit astringent on the finish. Has lots of structure & sweet fruit that are not quite balanced.
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I decided to decant the bottles - Lots of Berry immediatey, and complexity started to come in later. We had it with hare - great combination; it ould easily hold up against the strong meat
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Initially a bit sour and just not very rich after 30 minutes in decanter and glass. By the end of the meal opening up and adding weight and richness. Final score in the 88-89 range. No complexity at this point and perfectly pleasant but not inspired
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No detailed notes - dinner with the Quicks. Nose was off for a few minutes, then blew clear to a decent smell. Wine is maturing nicely, with lots of bright fruit still present. Finish medium in length and good. I really enjoyed this bottle, best I can remember for this wine and vintage. Early / mid maturity, plenty of time still to enjoy this. Tannins still present, but smooth and resolving nicely. Many '98 right banks disappointed early, but are now coming on strong.
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Deep garnet; enticing, come hither nose, toffeed, expansive; soft , verging on lush, yet has backbone, quintessentially drinkable. At peak, drink now & next 5 years.
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Very nice young Bordeaux. Nose of graphite, cedar, and turned soil. Medium complexity on the palate with a strong, lengthy finish. Should improve some in the next couple years.
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Double decanted 24hrs ahead. An interesting nose of green tobacco, cherry sherbet, blackcurrant licorice and little horse stable. Medium bodied and a little coarse on the palate. Flavors of tobacco, green bell pepper, coffee and very little fruit. A harsh finish full of citrusy acids and tannins. I think this could improve slightly with a few more years but the rewards will be minor.
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I'm witholding a score, as I do not enjoy Bordeaux and don't want to disrupt the average. Decanted through an aerating funnel for one hour. This was throwing a lot of sediment. A lot was caught in the funnel screen, but a lot made it past. Notes of cedar and tobacco, firm tannins. Not much fruit, very faint blackberry. I don't have experience with Bordeaux, but I can't see how what remaining fruit will outlast the tannins (unless the fruit is just sleeping now). Who knows? I have 1 bottle left, I'll hold for 5+ years as an experiment to see what happens. 84-86 points.
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Just a bad weekend for wine I guess. Purchased for $20 on release. Decanted for 1 hour and drank over the next two. Nothing... almost aroma- and flavorless. A slight hint of leather and burnt wood. Maybe a little mineral on the palate with a hint of red fruit... but basically nothing. The tannins didn't seem to harsh, and the acidity was nice. I don't know if this has the stuffing for the fruit to come around, but I guess I'll hold on the my others for at least another two years (a heack of a wait for a $20 bottle). 85-87 points.
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Two mistakes in opening this wine tonight --- (a) too early and (b) no decant. Oh well ... live and learn.
Color was dark ruby to purple with an austere and lean nose. Some faint blackberry and mineral aromas. Palate is better --- medium body featuring more black fruits, tobacco and stony minerals. Finish is medium lengthed but a bit thin. This needs another 12-18 months or a significant decant.
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Full red color. Medium aroma of tight black fruit with dusty mineral earth notes. Nice round red raspberry fruit with a sweet note on the finish. Nice and balanced, easy to drink. 4/06
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Not decanted but left to breath for 1 hr. Very dark color and a beautiful nose of dark fruits. Smooth in the mouth and stil lalittle primary, but with some air it comes around. It has a smooth finish and the wine is in balance. Should develop secondary smokey flavors as it ages. I would think that it has 10-15 years of life ahead.
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Lots of sex-appeal for the $...on the nose - expressive hints of leather, coffee, chocolate, Kirsch. Flavor profile dominated by raspberry and chewy black fruits. Nicely delineated tannins, very rich mouthfeel, and commendably long finish complete the package. Good stuff...wish I had more.
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Really starting to sing now. Gorgeous, lush nose full of dark fruit, espresso, and minerals. Full and round on the palate, with a long, complete finish. Great balance and strucutre. Fantastic value for St. Émilion. Should drink well for at least ten more years, and perhaps even improve.
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Starts a little on the thin side. Floral, cherry dominated aromas. Two days in the fridge added weight, with a darker, anise driven nose. It developed a fatter, medium bodied mouthfeel. I suspect that this will be best between '07 and '10, but is a significant step below the better '98 St. Emilions.
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Much too young & really was a bit of a disappointment, with it being very austere & with little secondary complexity, but plenty of structure. My fault for opening it too soon, rather than fault of the wine. Hold this if you have any.
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This was disappointing - thin and lacking any seamlessness. The fruit is still present though, and I'd give this wine a couple more years before trying.
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($25) Blind 1998 Bordeaux ar Rouge: 8- Deep color, sweet oak nose. Dried red fruit. Nice concentration but a bit monolithic. Espresso. This was a "zero" for Howard…huh? I think this could get better.
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($25) Decanted about half the bottle. Very deeply colored with no evidence of clearing. Fragrant bitter cocoa, flowers, old wood pencils. Soft and fairly supple with lush, mouthfilling red fruit and velvety tannins on the tongue. Some lemony flavors. Hint of funky undergrowth and mint. At times this wine seems medium-bodied and at others medium-full bodied. 13% alcohol. Nice little Bordeaux.
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1/21/2024 - parkline_wine Likes this wine: 92 Points
92 for this easily, improved steadily over the course of 1.5 hours of air, peaked at 1.5 hours. Great showing, balance of still nice black fruits in the forefront, but with some good earthiness, smoke, and tobacco framing the notes. Some lightening at the rim, but it could go another 5y I think. Good+ to very good value.
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4/15/2023 - jdp89 Likes this wine:
Double decanted an hour before drinking. Great mature claret, not especially notable but tasty.
Ruby with pink bricked edges.
Nose is old Bordeaux, with black cherry; plum; leather; cigar box; green Virginia tobacco; dirt; pencil; mocha/coffee bean; library book vanilla. Tiny bit barnyard but receded.
Palate has mid body; high mid minus acidity; mid tannin; mid-long finish. More fruit coming through, bit plummy, bit cherry liqueur; bit blackberry; leather/dirt; cigar; general old Bordeaux flavors.
Best about 3 hours after opening, indeed put on a great deal of weight, so decant for a while.
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3/10/2023 - empire80 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Best bottle yet. Quite muscular and structured, still some black fruit, cedar, graphite and a hint of meat.
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2/18/2023 - Julian Marshall Likes this wine: 92 Points
I took a punt on a couple of bottles at auction recently because the price was low (30€) and I'm glad that I did.
Quite a fresh nose of dark cherry, strawberry and blackcurrant, then a medium-bodied mouthful of spicy blackcurrant and slightly jammy cherry, joined midpalate by notes of wild strawberry and finishing with a flourish of plums and cherries. Much more youthful than expected and really rather good.
Five years ago I thought this was on the wane, which just shows how much I know. In its youth, this was rather over-exuberant, with very forward, sherbet-like fruit, but it has settled down remarkably well.
Not a great wine by any means, but very enjoyable on its own or with food. I didn't decant, but next time I will because it did loosen up somewhat after several hours.
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4/21/2022 - Seth Rosenberg wrote: 91 Points
From small capped bottle. Big bold bdx. Spicy woody black cherry, some menthol or camphor? Spicy and dark fruit on the palate. Finish is a little bitter but quite good for the level. Nose - 5/6, Palate - 4.5/6, Finish - 5/6, Je ne Sais Quoi - 1/2 = 15.5/20.
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1/30/2021 - JS1056 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drinking beautifully. Brick red with spice & tobacco nose
Well integrated and in complete balance. Current and still some deep plum. Spice, pepper, cedar and tobacco. Long finish. Elegant.
This showed a remarkable change for the better from 3 years ago.
What an aged Bordeaux should be.
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9/27/2020 - Decanting Queen Likes this wine: 90 Points
This was a decent bordeaux drinking close to peak. It was much thinner and more acidic than younger vintages I have had recently (2003,2005,2008) and I missed the brown sugar mixed with Christmas fruit and spice that they had. This wine had a lovely nose, very plummy, but on the palate more cherry, graphite and earth. Almost a sour cherry due to the acid. Better with food and enjoyable either way, but not up to my expectations.
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7/19/2019 - empire80 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Some cedar, graphite and muted blackberry fruit, a hint of tertiary flavours but less developed than expected for 21 years.
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6/17/2018 - JS1056 wrote: 87 Points
This is a pleasant wine, but there is nothing remarkable about it. A lot of sour cherry on the palate with tame tannins and just a touch too much acidity for my liking. Not a lot of secondary flavors or complexity here either.
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4/2/2018 - Julian Marshall Likes this wine: 91 Points
It needs drinking, but this is still a very good wine. Slightly brown edges to the colour, with a nose edging towards forest fruits and leaves, but a fulsome, appealing, jammy fruit blend that evokes wild strawberry.
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2/20/2018 - Jeff Leve wrote: 90 Points
Fully mature, the wine is round open and ready for prime time drinking, thanks to its easily accessible, licorice, black cherry, chocolate, earthy character and lushly textured finish. There is no reason to hold this for further evolution.
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1/18/2018 - empire80 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Similar to my previous notes
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1/7/2017 - macaujames Likes this wine: 91 Points
This was lovely in its youth, it was a modern St-Emilion. Now it has aromas of leather, earth, raspberries, plums, blueberries, cloves and minerals. Its medium bodied delineated palate has excellent density, some elegance, a lovely plush and meaty middle and ends longish, aromatic and fresh. Needs 2-3 hrs aeration.
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3/19/2016 - empire80 Likes this wine: 91 Points
After a few hours in the decanter this opened up - nothing sensational but enjoyable mature claret drinking well now.
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11/16/2014 - empire80 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Needs several hours in the decanter - quite mute on opening, but eventually opens out into a classic cedar and dark fruit combination, with a hint of meaty and savoury flavours.
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6/22/2014 - aagrawal wrote: 90 Points
Deep ruby-purple color; nose is deep and dark black fruit, slight graphite, hard to delineate; palate is full bodied, rich ripe black and red fruit, integrated tannin, pronounced fresh acidity throughout, slight bit of heat in the midpalate; finish is short-medium. Based on my last note from 2011, the tannins have fully integrated and it is ready to go. A nice balanced modern-styled plush right bank bordeaux whose main shortcoming is that it isn't distinctive in any way. Good value when purchased at $26, now overpriced at $45 on winesearcher. After trying the 98, 00, and 03, this chateau seems well made overall but not impressive. 88-90
Update: improves with 1 hour of air. More integrated throughout, showing more interesting black cherry on the nose, really much more complexity on the nose, a step up from when first opened. Probably has a few years left. 90
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2/16/2014 - KSWinegeek wrote: 90 Points
Tobacco nose, reduced tannins, nice finish. Will drink the remainder soon.
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2/1/2014 - Spl232 wrote: 91 Points
Great year for the right bank
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1/26/2013 - rmcnees wrote: 88 Points
Decanted an hour before drinking, medium to full bodied, inky purple color, subdued nose but complex medley of flavors evolved throughout the evening - predominate black fruits, layer of graphite with tones of cedar, mushroom and leather with hints of anise and mocha. After ninety minutes a slightly funky barnyard tone set in but eventually burned off leaving a pleasant, complex but polished tone with nicely integrated firm tannins on the moderate finish.
http://unwindwine.blogspot.com/2013/01/soaring-red-flight-silverado-solo.html
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8/15/2012 - JOsgood wrote:
Classic old school tasting BDX. Nose of pencil lead and smoke. Earthy and alive on the palate. Really tasting now.
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7/31/2012 - mwagner7700 wrote:
Drank for Mom's 63rd. I generally do not like Bordeaux wine. Granted, I've never tried a first growth, or other "great". So when I say this one made me smile, it really means something. Tannic, yes (probably too much-so). But wonderful complexity of lead, cedar, blackberry, tobacco and a slight hint of plum. Maybe I drank my other bottles way too early. It's a shame this is my last bottle, because if I had drank Bordeaux this enjoyable earlier in my life, I would not have "written it off" like I did. Outstanding
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1/22/2012 - empire80 wrote: 90 Points
Decent concentration of black fruit and cedar, balanced by firm tannin. Drinking very well now but plenty of life ahead.
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11/29/2011 - bobbubbabs wrote: 87 Points
Modest nose. A bit dry and vegetal in the mouth. Tannin outliving fruit? Remember this being better a few year's back.....
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8/20/2011 - aagrawal wrote: 90 Points
Great red fruits on the nose; palate is still showing a hint too much tannin but very approachable and enjoyable, juicy red fruits. Overall very balanced, maybe 6 months-1 year too young but very close to peak and will drink well for a while to come. Very enjoyable. 90-91
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7/18/2011 - KSWinegeek wrote: 91 Points
Tobacco, berry with lengthy, endearing finish. Recommend two hours of opening. Lots of sediment.
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6/12/2011 - KSWinegeek wrote: 91 Points
Cedar, tobacco and flavorful. Good bottle of wine, very approachable right now. Loads of sentiment.
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3/13/2011 - KSWinegeek wrote: 90 Points
Drinking very nicely right now. Slight tobacco, tart fruit.
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12/8/2010 - pgordon62 wrote: 86 Points
Aromas of barnyardy plum, sharply focused cherry, tobacco leaf and a little anise. Medium-bodied with a slight roundness to the black fruit and dried leafiness around the edges. A rather severe finish with high acids and coarse leafiness. There is some moderate complexity and it did add a little leathery interest at the bottom of the bottle. The fruit was just not ripe enough.
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3/2/2010 - ed-d wrote: 90 Points
Smoked black plum & black currant fruit aromas. Soft fruit flavors & a bit astringent on the finish. Has lots of structure & sweet fruit that are not quite balanced.
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10/17/2009 - BartsBIN wrote: 90 Points
I decided to decant the bottles - Lots of Berry immediatey, and complexity started to come in later. We had it with hare - great combination; it ould easily hold up against the strong meat
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10/14/2009 - Mr T wrote:
Initially a bit sour and just not very rich after 30 minutes in decanter and glass. By the end of the meal opening up and adding weight and richness. Final score in the 88-89 range. No complexity at this point and perfectly pleasant but not inspired
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3/15/2009 - Spencer wrote: 91 Points
At peak now. Drinking beautifully.
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3/11/2009 - Niagara wrote: 85 Points
Nice bottle of wine, copious and straightforward blackcurrant and cedar, maybe a little green around the edges.
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2/25/2009 - Diane (LI) wrote:
It tasted so young. Huge fruit, but low acidity, making it a little pruney with some bitter cherries on the end. Great start, but weak finish.
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2/17/2009 - WaltH wrote: 90 Points
No detailed notes - dinner with the Quicks. Nose was off for a few minutes, then blew clear to a decent smell. Wine is maturing nicely, with lots of bright fruit still present. Finish medium in length and good. I really enjoyed this bottle, best I can remember for this wine and vintage. Early / mid maturity, plenty of time still to enjoy this. Tannins still present, but smooth and resolving nicely. Many '98 right banks disappointed early, but are now coming on strong.
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2/11/2009 - chbeaumont wrote: 91 Points
Deep garnet; enticing, come hither nose, toffeed, expansive; soft , verging on lush, yet has backbone, quintessentially drinkable. At peak, drink now & next 5 years.
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12/24/2008 - DUSTOFF wrote: 91 Points
Very nice young Bordeaux. Nose of graphite, cedar, and turned soil. Medium complexity on the palate with a strong, lengthy finish. Should improve some in the next couple years.
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5/1/2008 - pgordon62 wrote: 86 Points
Double decanted 24hrs ahead. An interesting nose of green tobacco, cherry sherbet, blackcurrant licorice and little horse stable. Medium bodied and a little coarse on the palate. Flavors of tobacco, green bell pepper, coffee and very little fruit. A harsh finish full of citrusy acids and tannins. I think this could improve slightly with a few more years but the rewards will be minor.
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4/20/2008 - khmark7 wrote: 86 Points
Popped and poured. Drank over 1-2 hours. Very smooth with subdued fruit and a nice finish. A bit disappointing. Appears past it's prime.
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1/6/2008 - mwagner7700 wrote:
I'm witholding a score, as I do not enjoy Bordeaux and don't want to disrupt the average. Decanted through an aerating funnel for one hour. This was throwing a lot of sediment. A lot was caught in the funnel screen, but a lot made it past. Notes of cedar and tobacco, firm tannins. Not much fruit, very faint blackberry. I don't have experience with Bordeaux, but I can't see how what remaining fruit will outlast the tannins (unless the fruit is just sleeping now). Who knows? I have 1 bottle left, I'll hold for 5+ years as an experiment to see what happens. 84-86 points.
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7/28/2007 - jakob.krummenacher@gmail.com wrote: 89 Points
Nice everyday St Emilion but nothing special. It's a bit weak and high in acidity. Drink now.
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7/9/2007 - Spencer wrote: 90 Points
Mature, and drinking beautifully now. A very nice example of '98 St. Emilion, and a great value to boot.
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6/9/2007 - Harry Cantrell wrote: 93 Points
Drinking beautifully. Nose and mouth is what I want with a Right Bank Merlot (mix) Drinking 'a pointe' now and I don't see it getting better.
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10/21/2006 - mwagner7700 wrote: 86 Points
Just a bad weekend for wine I guess. Purchased for $20 on release. Decanted for 1 hour and drank over the next two. Nothing... almost aroma- and flavorless. A slight hint of leather and burnt wood. Maybe a little mineral on the palate with a hint of red fruit... but basically nothing. The tannins didn't seem to harsh, and the acidity was nice. I don't know if this has the stuffing for the fruit to come around, but I guess I'll hold on the my others for at least another two years (a heack of a wait for a $20 bottle). 85-87 points.
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10/14/2006 - Employee500 wrote: 88 Points
Pleasant, but a bit thin.
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10/3/2006 - Nanda wrote: 88 Points
Two mistakes in opening this wine tonight --- (a) too early and (b) no decant. Oh well ... live and learn.
Color was dark ruby to purple with an austere and lean nose. Some faint blackberry and mineral aromas. Palate is better --- medium body featuring more black fruits, tobacco and stony minerals. Finish is medium lengthed but a bit thin. This needs another 12-18 months or a significant decant.
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8/21/2006 - OneLastSyrah wrote:
($25) Nice chocolatey nose. Rich dense black fruit, but the tannins are still thick and cottony. Not unpleasant, but tough to miss. Good.
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8/4/2006 - LoireFan wrote: 92 Points
A very nice wine with rich flavors. Still quite young. Will have to buy some if I can find any. A great value!
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4/1/2006 - winefool wrote: 91 Points
Full red color. Medium aroma of tight black fruit with dusty mineral earth notes. Nice round red raspberry fruit with a sweet note on the finish. Nice and balanced, easy to drink. 4/06
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3/5/2006 - repoper wrote: 90 Points
Not decanted but left to breath for 1 hr. Very dark color and a beautiful nose of dark fruits. Smooth in the mouth and stil lalittle primary, but with some air it comes around. It has a smooth finish and the wine is in balance. Should develop secondary smokey flavors as it ages. I would think that it has 10-15 years of life ahead.
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11/18/2005 - ERoss wrote: 93 Points
Lots of sex-appeal for the $...on the nose - expressive hints of leather, coffee, chocolate, Kirsch. Flavor profile dominated by raspberry and chewy black fruits. Nicely delineated tannins, very rich mouthfeel, and commendably long finish complete the package. Good stuff...wish I had more.
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11/4/2005 - Spencer wrote: 92 Points
Really starting to sing now. Gorgeous, lush nose full of dark fruit, espresso, and minerals. Full and round on the palate, with a long, complete finish. Great balance and strucutre. Fantastic value for St. Émilion. Should drink well for at least ten more years, and perhaps even improve.
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10/12/2005 - pgordon62 wrote: 88 Points
Starts a little on the thin side. Floral, cherry dominated aromas. Two days in the fridge added weight, with a darker, anise driven nose. It developed a fatter, medium bodied mouthfeel. I suspect that this will be best between '07 and '10, but is a significant step below the better '98 St. Emilions.
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3/25/2005 - Ian S wrote:
Much too young & really was a bit of a disappointment, with it being very austere & with little secondary complexity, but plenty of structure. My fault for opening it too soon, rather than fault of the wine. Hold this if you have any.
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12/24/2004 - cigar52 wrote: 88 Points
has aged nicely... has that love level mustyness
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11/1/2004 - WaltH wrote: 80 Points
This was disappointing - thin and lacking any seamlessness. The fruit is still present though, and I'd give this wine a couple more years before trying.
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9/3/2003 - OneLastSyrah wrote:
($25) Blind 1998 Bordeaux ar Rouge: 8- Deep color, sweet oak nose. Dried red fruit. Nice concentration but a bit monolithic. Espresso. This was a "zero" for Howard…huh? I think this could get better.
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7/3/2003 - OneLastSyrah wrote:
($25) Decanted about half the bottle. Very deeply colored with no evidence of clearing. Fragrant bitter cocoa, flowers, old wood pencils. Soft and fairly supple with lush, mouthfilling red fruit and velvety tannins on the tongue. Some lemony flavors. Hint of funky undergrowth and mint. At times this wine seems medium-bodied and at others medium-full bodied. 13% alcohol. Nice little Bordeaux.
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4/5/2003 - chbeaumont wrote: 90 Points
Saturated colour, mauve tinged; modern style, merlot led nose, asian spices; ripe tannins, purity of flavour, savoury claret; poised. 16
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1/14/2003 - cigar52 wrote: 85 Points
not as good as 1st bottle...just in from vacation yesterday when opened and chilled wine today (no completely fair rating).
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8/16/2002 - cigar52 wrote: 89 Points
good merlot, lingers nicely
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