Last bottle. Still drinking great. Very aromatic. Medium-heavy bodied. Very smooth, elegant, fresh. Lots of dark fruit and berries on the nose and palate. Additional flavors of chocolate, mineral, espresso on a nice long finish. Drink within the next 3-5 years.
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Youthful, fruity, smooth. Dry, medium-heavy weight, notes of mineral, truffle, blueberries. Very flavorful, long finish. In a great spot, but lots of life left. Great with our Ribeyes and roasted red potatoes.
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Deep, dark garnet with no signs of clearing at the edges. Full, forward & attractive nose of ripe fruit aromas of dark cherries, blackberries & cassis with overtones of floral, spices & dusty/earthy notes, herbs, tobacco, some cocoa & a hint of vanilla/oak in the background. Full bodied with a very good concentration of well balanced & smooth textured, ripe fruit flavors of dark cherries, blackberries & cassis with spices, herbs, mocha, minerals & a touch of vanilla/oak. Long lingering finish. Drinks quite well at present with decanting & airing, At 14 years of age, it is at or approaching its peak of development. Although it could continue aging, any further development would be minimal. A blend of 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 8% Malbec & 4% Cabernet Franc from the Pepper Bridge Vineyard.
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The popular favorite of three bordeaux style blends over an '05 Faugeres (Bordeaux) and an '04 Marciliano (Tuscany), when served with a Tunisian lamb and eggplant stew. This '06 Apogee was richest and broadest without sacrificing balance. It just offered a little more of everything. Drinking great right now with a four-hour audouze and a quick double decant before dinner.
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Stored in deep storage since release. Medium to lighter bodied but still packed with flavor. Ready to go and doesn't need much time to open. Sweet red berry, creamy vanilla, cola, Cuban tobacco, and cherry Chapstick. Should go srong for 5 more years.
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The nose on this thing is wonderful. So much fruit for a 9 year old wine, without being sweet and in your face. On the palate, followed through with blackcurrant, graphite, blueberry, vanilla. Seems well integrated, still lively though. A tiny bit of heat on the finish. I'd wager this will last as long as any 2006 bdx. Great wine.
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We opened and let breathe for about an hour before we poured. It seemed a bit flat at first, but then opened up nicely after about another hour. I recommend decanting before pouring. It is tasting very nice right now.
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PnP - this is drinking really well. Nice dark cherry colour, not showing much age on the rim. Nose is an interesting mix of black fruit, subdued oak and dark licourice. Smooth, supple but full bodied on the palate, dry tannins and juicy acidity frame the blackcurrant and cherry fruit. Maybe some leather, anise on the decent finish. Very tasty wine. Drinking about peak - no reason to keep.
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Soft well balanced wine that is very easy to drink. Has notes of cherry, raspberry, basil, anise black jam. Medium body with soft tannins. Medium length finish
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New World Blind Tasting Group $25+ (Bin 75): 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 8% Malbec, 6% Cabernet Franc. Dark core, cloudy to dull garnet rim; leather, sweat, red currant, dill, American oak?; red currant, plum, mint, licorice, some grainy tannin, alcohol, glycerin, smoother aged texture; good now.
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The nose shows a nice balance of rich dark fruits and graphite/earthy character. The palate is medium - full bodied, rich and ripe with a great level of smoothness. The tannins and acidity are perfectly integrated, with a bit of minerality on the finish. This wine is drinking really well now, and will probably hold up well for another couple of years.
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Day one score. Dark fruits, a touch of vanilla, some baking spice, very smooth. Kind of falling apart day 2. In a good spot, I'd drink up (and maybe in one evening).
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Really showing well now. Nose of anise, black fruit and cacao. Dense fruit on the palate, with hints of espresso and baking spices, finishes with a hint of raisin. Still plenty of acidity to last several more years.
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Pop & pour at an "End of the World" party. This was still pretty tight at first, so we set it aside for an hour or so. It opened to reveal nice cassis and tobacco flavors, with some cherry pie and vanilla on the finish. Nice acidity here, considering the vintage.
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Dark ruby color. Nose of plum and currant. Full body with good intensity bringing out the plum, coffee, berry tinged notes. The fruit is slightly underripe and the finish a bit harsh. Perhaps more cellar time will change my mind. In a blind tasting, I would have guessed Bdx.
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Pauillac on steroids. Rich perfume and layered mouth feel. Dark fruit, earth, leather, tobacco, and cassis. The alcohol is a bit out of balance, but the wine is well made and lovely.
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Nothing but Northwest (Farpointe Cellar): The nose had graphite and black currant, spice, and a bit of raspberry. The palate had lots of spice and pencil lead, and a nice dose of dark fruit. The finish was a bit tannic.
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Earthy with dark berry fruit and red cherry that almost tasted like a red tootsie-roll pop on the finish. Tannins were assertive but not overbearing. We really enjoyed it.
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(14.3%) 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 8% Malbec, 4% Cabernet Franc – A Bordeaux blend with an aromatic nose showing pipe tobacco and spice notes. This one has a tremendous backbone from the outset showing contained ripe fruit on a big, structured acidic body. The finish is leathery, loaded with minerals and dry, tart tannins. This one stays tight throughout; you might try decanting for a few hours.
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A bordeaux blend, cab and merlot in even parts with some malbec and CF. Color is a shade darker than the other L'Ecole No. 41 reds, and this darkness shows on the nose as well. Ripe fruits that are slightly deeper and more profound than the previous reds in the range, with some oak, some herbal elements and a bit of slate, adding up to a nose that is quite appealing overall. The flavors show some herbal, slight vegetal character that I like, together with juicy cherry and plum fruit. I prefer this by quite a bit over the Perigee. Quite good, and not that tannic - I think it will age in the middle term and is enjoyable now. 91+
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taste: full bodied with big tannins backed up by an elegant feel of dark red fruits, currants, spice tones and dark red cherries. Excellent depth on the palate to boot, but the tannins are holding it back a bit
overall: brutally young. The tannins are nearly overwhelming, this will certainly need a few more years to get itself together, but has the ability to turn into a real good one
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Consistantly reliable vintage to vintage. Nice blackberry fruit with leather, tabaco... Gently handled thru crush process. Lovely. Needs some decanting to enjoy its best flavor profile.
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11/11/2023 - wine4ever Likes this wine: 93 Points
Last bottle. Still drinking great. Very aromatic. Medium-heavy bodied. Very smooth, elegant, fresh. Lots of dark fruit and berries on the nose and palate. Additional flavors of chocolate, mineral, espresso on a nice long finish. Drink within the next 3-5 years.
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3/3/2023 - TwoSmoochies wrote: 91 Points
What a difference a few years makes! Really well balanced now
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5/9/2022 - dsimmons Likes this wine: 93 Points
Last of these drunk with friends. Delicious. Mature with plenty of fruit. PnP and drunk with barbeque baby back ribs. At peak.
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6/19/2020 - wine4ever Likes this wine:
Youthful, fruity, smooth. Dry, medium-heavy weight, notes of mineral, truffle, blueberries. Very flavorful, long finish. In a great spot, but lots of life left. Great with our Ribeyes and roasted red potatoes.
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1/13/2020 - Vinnut Likes this wine: 93 Points
Deep, dark garnet with no signs of clearing at the edges. Full, forward & attractive nose of ripe fruit aromas of dark cherries, blackberries & cassis with overtones of floral, spices & dusty/earthy notes, herbs, tobacco, some cocoa & a hint of vanilla/oak in the background. Full bodied with a very good concentration of well balanced & smooth textured, ripe fruit flavors of dark cherries, blackberries & cassis with spices, herbs, mocha, minerals & a touch of vanilla/oak. Long lingering finish. Drinks quite well at present with decanting & airing, At 14 years of age, it is at or approaching its peak of development. Although it could continue aging, any further development would be minimal. A blend of 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 8% Malbec & 4% Cabernet Franc from the Pepper Bridge Vineyard.
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9/14/2019 - 560 B&W wrote: 88 Points
PnP with steak. A very strong hand with the oak, even 13 years later. Some good fruit but really not my style. 14.3%
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12/26/2017 - WAstateToDC Likes this wine: 90 Points
Still tastes young even after decanting for one hour. Very drinkable.
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8/1/2017 - dsimmons Likes this wine: 93 Points
First of this bottling. Drinking very well. Good balance, some complexity. Still plenty of fruit.
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5/30/2017 - Winiac wrote: 91 Points
Very spicy with good structure and balance. Medium length and pleasant on finish.
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11/20/2016 - Rollerball wrote: 92 Points
The popular favorite of three bordeaux style blends over an '05 Faugeres (Bordeaux) and an '04 Marciliano (Tuscany), when served with a Tunisian lamb and eggplant stew. This '06 Apogee was richest and broadest without sacrificing balance. It just offered a little more of everything. Drinking great right now with a four-hour audouze and a quick double decant before dinner.
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9/3/2016 - maderay wrote: 92 Points
VG*. Dark berries, liqueur
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7/30/2016 - MAXIMUM SATISFACTION wrote: 93 Points
Stored in deep storage since release. Medium to lighter bodied but still packed with flavor. Ready to go and doesn't need much time to open. Sweet red berry, creamy vanilla, cola, Cuban tobacco, and cherry Chapstick. Should go srong for 5 more years.
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9/12/2015 - jeffreylubowski Likes this wine: 92 Points
The nose on this thing is wonderful. So much fruit for a 9 year old wine, without being sweet and in your face. On the palate, followed through with blackcurrant, graphite, blueberry, vanilla. Seems well integrated, still lively though. A tiny bit of heat on the finish. I'd wager this will last as long as any 2006 bdx. Great wine.
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8/30/2014 - WAWINEFAN Likes this wine: 91 Points
We opened and let breathe for about an hour before we poured. It seemed a bit flat at first, but then opened up nicely after about another hour. I recommend decanting before pouring. It is tasting very nice right now.
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8/13/2014 - thebonnydooner wrote: 91 Points
PnP - this is drinking really well. Nice dark cherry colour, not showing much age on the rim. Nose is an interesting mix of black fruit, subdued oak and dark licourice. Smooth, supple but full bodied on the palate, dry tannins and juicy acidity frame the blackcurrant and cherry fruit. Maybe some leather, anise on the decent finish. Very tasty wine. Drinking about peak - no reason to keep.
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6/10/2014 - jfarley3 wrote: 90 Points
Soft well balanced wine that is very easy to drink. Has notes of cherry, raspberry, basil, anise black jam. Medium body with soft tannins. Medium length finish
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5/10/2014 - Rezy13 wrote:
New World Blind Tasting Group $25+ (Bin 75): 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 8% Malbec, 6% Cabernet Franc. Dark core, cloudy to dull garnet rim; leather, sweat, red currant, dill, American oak?; red currant, plum, mint, licorice, some grainy tannin, alcohol, glycerin, smoother aged texture; good now.
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4/14/2014 - themki wrote: 94 Points
Great tannins and mineral finish to this rich blend of dark fruit and forest floor. At it's peak now.
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4/11/2014 - davidga75 wrote:
The nose shows a nice balance of rich dark fruits and graphite/earthy character. The palate is medium - full bodied, rich and ripe with a great level of smoothness. The tannins and acidity are perfectly integrated, with a bit of minerality on the finish. This wine is drinking really well now, and will probably hold up well for another couple of years.
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4/14/2013 - kickdog wrote: 92 Points
Wine has evolved nicely since I 1st tried it 2 years ago. Vey nice.
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2/20/2013 - domco wrote: 91 Points
Day one score. Dark fruits, a touch of vanilla, some baking spice, very smooth. Kind of falling apart day 2. In a good spot, I'd drink up (and maybe in one evening).
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2/9/2013 - GA_Seattle Likes this wine: 91 Points
Really showing well now. Nose of anise, black fruit and cacao. Dense fruit on the palate, with hints of espresso and baking spices, finishes with a hint of raisin. Still plenty of acidity to last several more years.
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12/21/2012 - RPerro Likes this wine: 90 Points
Pop & pour at an "End of the World" party. This was still pretty tight at first, so we set it aside for an hour or so. It opened to reveal nice cassis and tobacco flavors, with some cherry pie and vanilla on the finish. Nice acidity here, considering the vintage.
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11/22/2012 - BigToe Likes this wine: 90 Points
Very nice wine and thought that it was showing nicely. Not sure I would keep for much longer.
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11/19/2012 - Leejgreen wrote: 92 Points
Drinking nicely right now. Very nice wine.
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12/31/2011 - WDK wrote: 88 Points
Dark ruby color. Nose of plum and currant. Full body with good intensity bringing out the plum, coffee, berry tinged notes. The fruit is slightly underripe and the finish a bit harsh. Perhaps more cellar time will change my mind. In a blind tasting, I would have guessed Bdx.
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12/20/2011 - TwoSmoochies wrote: 86 Points
Poorly integrated fLavors with a metallic aftertastef
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4/16/2011 - enjoyvino wrote: 92 Points
Nice currants and what might have been roasted meat on the nose. Pretty earthy, smokey but pretty smooth on palate. Like it alot.
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1/16/2011 - KC Bloodlines wrote: 90 Points
Lots of grip on this one. Was a bit more fleshed out the next day. I won't be drinking the others for several years.
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12/18/2010 - guitonit wrote: 90 Points
The best bottle of Washington State wine I have had.
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8/20/2010 - gkjrs wrote: 90 Points
Pepper nose. Tobacco and dry like the leaf in your mouth. Dark fruit and hint if vanilla. Great structure and tannins not barking at me.
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8/14/2010 - pian0_player wrote: 93 Points
Pauillac on steroids. Rich perfume and layered mouth feel. Dark fruit, earth, leather, tobacco, and cassis. The alcohol is a bit out of balance, but the wine is well made and lovely.
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6/26/2010 - mmurry Likes this wine: 89 Points
Nothing but Northwest (Farpointe Cellar): The nose had graphite and black currant, spice, and a bit of raspberry. The palate had lots of spice and pencil lead, and a nice dose of dark fruit. The finish was a bit tannic.
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5/15/2010 - mreinitz wrote: 90 Points
Earthy with dark berry fruit and red cherry that almost tasted like a red tootsie-roll pop on the finish. Tannins were assertive but not overbearing. We really enjoyed it.
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4/17/2010 - SGates wrote: 90 Points
United Way Auction Dinner (Palisades Restaurant, Seattle): Dinner at Palisades
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3/31/2010 - Jason Rzutkiewicz Likes this wine: 87 Points
(14.3%) 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 8% Malbec, 4% Cabernet Franc – A Bordeaux blend with an aromatic nose showing pipe tobacco and spice notes. This one has a tremendous backbone from the outset showing contained ripe fruit on a big, structured acidic body. The finish is leathery, loaded with minerals and dry, tart tannins. This one stays tight throughout; you might try decanting for a few hours.
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2/2/2010 - amateurwino wrote: 91 Points
A bordeaux blend, cab and merlot in even parts with some malbec and CF. Color is a shade darker than the other L'Ecole No. 41 reds, and this darkness shows on the nose as well. Ripe fruits that are slightly deeper and more profound than the previous reds in the range, with some oak, some herbal elements and a bit of slate, adding up to a nose that is quite appealing overall. The flavors show some herbal, slight vegetal character that I like, together with juicy cherry and plum fruit. I prefer this by quite a bit over the Perigee. Quite good, and not that tannic - I think it will age in the middle term and is enjoyable now. 91+
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1/13/2010 - MoreWinePlease wrote: 90 Points
Dark chocolate,black fruits,somewhat tannic finish. Will get better w/time.
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11/23/2009 - Mxterrane wrote: 90 Points
Drank together with 06 Perigee. Medium bodied. dark berry, menthol nose; tart, smooth, lingering finish
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9/14/2009 - KeithAkers wrote: 91 Points
Washington Wine Commision tasting (Rooftop Terrace, Millenium Park, Chicago IL): nose: tight, but really good nose of dark red fruits, black fruits, spice tones and dark red cherries. Really good depth and purity on the fruit, but tightly wound right now and a bit unforgiving
taste: full bodied with big tannins backed up by an elegant feel of dark red fruits, currants, spice tones and dark red cherries. Excellent depth on the palate to boot, but the tannins are holding it back a bit
overall: brutally young. The tannins are nearly overwhelming, this will certainly need a few more years to get itself together, but has the ability to turn into a real good one
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9/6/2009 - Black Mikan wrote: 91 Points
Consistantly reliable vintage to vintage. Nice blackberry fruit with leather, tabaco... Gently handled thru crush process. Lovely. Needs some decanting to enjoy its best flavor profile.
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