Given the heritage and reputation of the producers, I thought I had found a steal for under $15/bottle...that is, until I read the few downbeat CT notes. So after lamenting the purchase for a year, I decanted a bottle and left it alone for a couple of hours before a nice steak dinner. Don't know if it was a function of low expectations, some time in the cellar and decanter, or small sample size for the CT rating but this wine provided a nice surprise and quality experience. Color and aroma were impressive (deep, inviting and sweeter on the nose than anticipated) with medium plus body and a very interesting palate of flavors with some I don't even typically enjoy (light mint and licorice) folded in well with richer tones. All said, very glad I purchased and will seek more...
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Dark garnet with purplish tinge, it started off with a pungent nose but an hour+ of decanting help revealed aromas of blackcurrant, cherry, smoke and mocha. Medium bodied and soft on the palate, with smoky fruits, blackcurrant and spice. Short to medium finish with hints of dark chocolate. Soft and drying tannins. I do not feel that it worth the money I paid for.
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Strong tannin, heavy bitterness without decant, thin bodied, should be better with food, softer after decant but not quite balanced, worth half of the price tag, not a re-buy, saved half bottle for cooking
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It's pretty floral on the nose. Might also be some cherries present. In total it's not to terribly complex on this front. Medium body that's almost thin -- even after giving it almost half an hour to open up. It certainly drinks smoothly and won't disappoint on the palate as long as you're on the same page with the wine, i.e., it's subtle. Some taste of honey on the finish and a bit woody/graphite. Good for the price and feels like it might actually do well to have another year or two to do its thing before drinking.
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In the glass the colour is intense ruby with fine brilliance and orange nuances. When I smelled the wine it was bursting at the nosewith fruit : black cherry and blackcurrant (Cabernet), strawberry (Malbec), raspberry (Syrah), plum light mint and black pepper (Carmenère). The oak was not too strong and the fruit contributes delicious aromas of tobacco, cinnamon, and crème brûlée. The rich taste is fresh and very intense, well structured and finishes with a fruit intensity of raspberries and cherries accompanied by a touch of liquorice and walnut skin. Good effort and it is still young.
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Perhaps not one of the better vintages. Nice enough nose of nothing in particular. Taste of cherries but bit of nail polish. Finish fairly nondescript but has some length. Thin wine but good enough to have with a nice meal. Prefer the Diablo for this year.
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10/11/2018 - owr Likes this wine: 87 Points
Still harsh with leather and smoke but with decanting it smooths out and even adds a little dried fruit into the mix.
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4/15/2011 - Ashokli wrote: 83 Points
I expected better from this label. It's an ok wine, but not deep and heavy enough to go with a nice steak.
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3/6/2011 - sirswami wrote: 89 Points
Given the heritage and reputation of the producers, I thought I had found a steal for under $15/bottle...that is, until I read the few downbeat CT notes. So after lamenting the purchase for a year, I decanted a bottle and left it alone for a couple of hours before a nice steak dinner. Don't know if it was a function of low expectations, some time in the cellar and decanter, or small sample size for the CT rating but this wine provided a nice surprise and quality experience. Color and aroma were impressive (deep, inviting and sweeter on the nose than anticipated) with medium plus body and a very interesting palate of flavors with some I don't even typically enjoy (light mint and licorice) folded in well with richer tones. All said, very glad I purchased and will seek more...
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11/10/2010 - hkm520240 wrote: 87 Points
Dark garnet with purplish tinge, it started off with a pungent nose but an hour+ of decanting help revealed aromas of blackcurrant, cherry, smoke and mocha. Medium bodied and soft on the palate, with smoky fruits, blackcurrant and spice. Short to medium finish with hints of dark chocolate. Soft and drying tannins. I do not feel that it worth the money I paid for.
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7/11/2009 - burgburgburg wrote: 80 Points
Strong tannin, heavy bitterness without decant, thin bodied, should be better with food, softer after decant but not quite balanced, worth half of the price tag, not a re-buy, saved half bottle for cooking
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4/12/2009 - Ashokli wrote:
Dont know when this went
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4/12/2009 - Ashokli wrote:
Dont know when it went
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3/25/2009 - Internate wrote: 83 Points
It's pretty floral on the nose. Might also be some cherries present. In total it's not to terribly complex on this front.
Medium body that's almost thin -- even after giving it almost half an hour to open up. It certainly drinks smoothly and won't disappoint on the palate as long as you're on the same page with the wine, i.e., it's subtle. Some taste of honey on the finish and a bit woody/graphite.
Good for the price and feels like it might actually do well to have another year or two to do its thing before drinking.
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9/6/2008 - stayhappy7 wrote: 90 Points
In the glass the colour is intense ruby with fine brilliance and orange nuances. When I smelled the wine it was bursting at the nosewith fruit : black cherry and blackcurrant (Cabernet), strawberry (Malbec), raspberry (Syrah), plum light mint and black pepper (Carmenère). The oak was not too strong and the fruit contributes delicious aromas of tobacco, cinnamon, and crème brûlée. The rich taste is fresh and very intense, well structured and finishes with a fruit intensity of raspberries and cherries accompanied by a touch of liquorice and walnut skin. Good effort and it is still young.
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6/17/2008 - tenorselbow wrote: 78 Points
Perhaps not one of the better vintages. Nice enough nose of nothing in particular. Taste of cherries but bit of nail polish. Finish fairly nondescript but has some length. Thin wine but good enough to have with a nice meal. Prefer the Diablo for this year.
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