Last bottle in the case. Phenomenal nose of ripe raspberries, lush blackberries, and a smooth, luscious, round palate with a perfect soy sauce savory streak. Short finish, but the nose and dark fruit made up for it. What a great steal this wine was!
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Solid, single-block Carneros Merlot drinking at peak right now. Paired with sausage pasta marinara and salad. Takes up to an hour to fully open up on the P&P, and once it does, you get lovely black cherries, olives, and raspberries on the nose. The palate is medium-full and brings nice blackberries, herbs, leather, spices, and even some cigar box into the finish. Classically structured with suave tannins, this has been a nice QPR gem. Drink now.
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Tasted in a group with the 04 and 07. The 04 was boldest, and got the most positive response. The 06 was a bit thin / bland, and the 07 seemed the most balanced. All were good, and I suppose it comes down to preference.
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Still lot's of chocolate, hints of mocha, red and black fruit, cinnamon, and even a touch of olives. I was expecting this to be a lot more developed and did not decant, based on my prior taste from November + previous reviews, but I found this still quite dusty on the finish. Will decant next time. Went well with baked BBQ chicken.
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Slight funk on opening to pop and pour. Blew off after half a glass. This is a fruit forward, chocolaty and cinnamon spiced merlot. Smooth textured with a rich and flavorful finish. Not sure how much time is left with this one, but is drinking really well right now.
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Two hour open. Red plums, rhubarb and cinnamon spice with a nice hint of toasty oak. Nicely balanced with a smooth mouthfeel through the lengthy finish. Very nice.
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Opaque, dark brick core, mature rim. Red fruit and iron nose. Mid-bodied, juicy, and long with notes of cooked cherries, red plums, red currants, black olives, gardenias, tobacco and eucalyptus. Closes on a beam of fierce acidity and graphite minerality. Chocolate gains traction with air. Smooth, opulent, and sexy.
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7/22/2018 - jkingpa wrote: 85 Points
It needed time to open up
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4/21/2015 - jlhkiss Likes this wine: 90 Points
Last bottle in the case. Phenomenal nose of ripe raspberries, lush blackberries, and a smooth, luscious, round palate with a perfect soy sauce savory streak. Short finish, but the nose and dark fruit made up for it. What a great steal this wine was!
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2/19/2015 - jlhkiss Likes this wine: 92 Points
Solid, single-block Carneros Merlot drinking at peak right now. Paired with sausage pasta marinara and salad. Takes up to an hour to fully open up on the P&P, and once it does, you get lovely black cherries, olives, and raspberries on the nose. The palate is medium-full and brings nice blackberries, herbs, leather, spices, and even some cigar box into the finish. Classically structured with suave tannins, this has been a nice QPR gem. Drink now.
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9/6/2014 - jlhkiss Likes this wine: 88 Points
Bottle seemed a little off. The finish seemed short and flat.
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7/2/2014 - jlhkiss Likes this wine: 91 Points
Drinking very nicely right now. Went great with lasagna and Italian fare.
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5/10/2014 - Castle Peak wrote: 90 Points
A nice merlot.
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5/4/2014 - jjlobi wrote: 88 Points
This was a great deal. Live to do this deal again
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3/28/2014 - Jack667 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Tasted in a group with the 04 and 07. The 04 was boldest, and got the most positive response. The 06 was a bit thin / bland, and the 07 seemed the most balanced. All were good, and I suppose it comes down to preference.
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3/21/2014 - jlhkiss Likes this wine: 90 Points
Smooth. Great with a burger.
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3/3/2014 - jlhkiss Likes this wine: 91 Points
Not super complex, but nice and velvety smooth. Drink now, probably near or at peak.
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2/22/2014 - Castle Peak wrote: 90 Points
Very good.
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2/20/2014 - jjlobi wrote: 88 Points
Probably peaked, but still very nice. A smooth drinker.
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1/30/2014 - jlhkiss Likes this wine: 90 Points
Still lot's of chocolate, hints of mocha, red and black fruit, cinnamon, and even a touch of olives. I was expecting this to be a lot more developed and did not decant, based on my prior taste from November + previous reviews, but I found this still quite dusty on the finish. Will decant next time. Went well with baked BBQ chicken.
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1/19/2014 - Castle Peak wrote: 91 Points
Very good but showing its age. Loads of fruit, chocolate, licorice and oak. Quite nice.
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11/27/2013 - jlhkiss Likes this wine: 91 Points
Velvet smooth, chocolate, mocha, raspberries, and cherries.
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11/26/2013 - Castle Peak wrote: 92 Points
Slight funk on opening to pop and pour. Blew off after half a glass. This is a fruit forward, chocolaty and cinnamon spiced merlot. Smooth textured with a rich and flavorful finish. Not sure how much time is left with this one, but is drinking really well right now.
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11/6/2013 - Castle Peak wrote: 91 Points
Two hour open. Red plums, rhubarb and cinnamon spice with a nice hint of toasty oak. Nicely balanced with a smooth mouthfeel through the lengthy finish. Very nice.
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7/18/2013 - Wine78613 wrote: 92 Points
Deep purple, inky color ... Full fruit at the front ... Cherry nose ... Smooth and silky mouth feel.
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6/5/2013 - Baron Slick wrote: 90 Points
Opaque, dark brick core, mature rim. Red fruit and iron nose. Mid-bodied, juicy, and long with notes of cooked cherries, red plums, red currants, black olives, gardenias, tobacco and eucalyptus. Closes on a beam of fierce acidity and graphite minerality. Chocolate gains traction with air. Smooth, opulent, and sexy.
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12/8/2012 - pkbackman Likes this wine: 91 Points
This was an excellent Merlot. Briary dark fruit and smooth tannins. Touch of dark chocolate. Really enjoyed it
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8/20/2011 - j.morello wrote:
Excellent. Showed what a ca merlot can be when done right.
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