Was very surprised with how this wine has matured. It is very smooth/silky/textured with nice balance. Tannins are there, but very well integrated. Dark fruit with smoke, toast, and spice. Would last a couple more years, but this is in a wonderful place right now.
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This was further integrated than when I made my comments 18 months ago. Greater balance and a lingering, velvety finish. Otherwise, similar comments to then.
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Rich dark fruits and berries dominate this well-aged Bordeaux blend beauty. Served with steak and it didn't disappoint. Long silky finish and smooth tannins made this a triple treat.
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Tight and closed on opening. After an hour started giving off aromas of spice and dark fruit. After two hours I tasted mocha and dark fruit. Well balanced and smooth. Could have definitely used a decant....
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Great bottle that is drinking well right now. Pnp. Instantly huge mocha, spices and floral aromas on the nose lead to a well rounded core of dark fruits and well integrated oak on the midpalate. Medium finish. A little hot initially, it could have used a decant but was still great out of the bottle.
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I really don't know why I bought these wines in the first place. This winery has continued to disappoint me. All by Girard wines have been relegated to the "for unappreciative guest " box. I don't drink wine every night and I have a harder time working off the calories as I get older so I suffer these wines less and less.
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This bottle is more conservative than the first. By that I mean NOT as fruit forward and expressing more cab franc than the first. Additionally is is more balanced and seductive than t he first bottle. This assesment may be biased because the intent was to drink it last night but I had to leave and then left it in the bottle over night. Today (day 2) it is a little muted on the nose, strong purple color to the rim with a good rid brick rim, strong legs, nose of camphor, menthol, mocha, black fruit. Beautiful mouth feel with velvity tannins and dark black fruit, currants, cassis, good spice and acidity. Wonderful wine at a great price point and in its drinking window.
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Dark ruby red with aromas of red plum, kirsch, raspberry and some baking spice such as nutmeg. Firm texture on the palate with flavors of chocolate covered cherries, blackberry and currants. Nicely integrated tannins lead to a complex and lasting finish.
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Well done cali bordeaux style but unfortunately there was too much fruit forwardness to my liking. However, well balanced in all other respects and a good wine.
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Excellent nose of black cherry with traces of coffee, smooth throughout. Enjoyed it with a peppercorn crusted pork loin and roasted fingerling potatoes.
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Popped and poured. A bit tanic for the first hour, got better over time. Great wine as others have mentioned. This was my only bottle (will buy more), but I wished I would have waited a few more years. Aging will really round this wine out. IMO - wait at least until the fall of 2012 to drink.
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I love this wine, one of my favorites at the price range and again was wonderful. Full of pepper and cedar and cassis Was a little hot because we just popped it and drank it and could probably use more time, but I will always continue to buy wine from this vineyard
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A medium-bodied Cab blend with very good balance -- the cab provides currant and structure and the merlot adds richness, but without the "muddiness" of some blends. For the price, this is a very strong contender and ready to enjoy after an hour in the decanter.
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Tasted blind by a Robert Craig Mt. Veeder and a Bookwalter Foreshadow Cabernet (both 2006). This wine was comparatively lighter with more forward red fruits, tobacco and chocolate with comparable less tannin. At first the finish was short and lacked focus, but a couple hours of air helped bring it together. Overall a good wine to have in the cellar to drink short term while the really good stuff is sleeping. Reminds me a lot of a Trilogy though the fruit profile is a little brighter, and this is probably a better buy. Oak is well balanced.
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Served at 58 degrees without decanting. Reddish black in color, opaque. Nose of dark cherry, cedar and cinnamon. Very fruit forward with good tannic support that balances quite well. Flavors of black cherry and expresso to include just a touch of bitterness. May improve over time but drinking well now. Still excellent on day two.
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Big, rich nose of dark red currant and plum with a good bit of seductive wood spice. Very fruit forward on the palate with great balance. Fine tannin with great length. Delicious.
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Beautiful wine. Drank best after 1 hour decant. Big fruit. Good acidity. Big Tannins that will probably smooth with more bottle time. One of my favorite wines under $40.
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Pop the cork and you can smell this wine across the room. Nice fruit, berry and anise explosion on the front to mid and smooth tannins on the finish. Still could use a couple years, but very interesting now.
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What a long finish, wow! still a bit tight, but opened up nicely in the decanter after 1 hour+. Rich berry fruit. Seems like this is just warming up to get better in a few years.
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Delicious. Tannins very subtle. Fruit was complex, but not over-present. Very nicely paired with a strip steak seared in a crust of cumin, garlic, chili, sel gris, and pepper.
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A rich, voluptuous wine with incredible complexity - just layers upon layers of flavor. Dark ruby red color with lots of legs indicating thickness and bigness in alcohol. The body is full with flavors of raspberry, plum, green tea and kirsch. The tannins are tame considering this young vintage. It can be enjoyed now until 2019.
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I have the same tasting notes as kstoddard, except I don't find anything unpleasant or burnt about the finish. This is a thick, tannic wine with a full mouthfeel but surprisingly little complexity beyond basic fruit and oak.
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4/10/2020 - BeStewarts wrote:
Good
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5/21/2019 - web_creator Likes this wine: 88 Points
Drink remaining bottle fairly soon
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6/5/2018 - papabluez wrote: 92 Points
Was very surprised with how this wine has matured. It is very smooth/silky/textured with nice balance. Tannins are there, but very well integrated. Dark fruit with smoke, toast, and spice. Would last a couple more years, but this is in a wonderful place right now.
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3/11/2017 - Ceo wrote: 92 Points
This was smooth and balanced!
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7/2/2015 - gew71walsh wrote: 92 Points
This was further integrated than when I made my comments 18 months ago. Greater balance and a lingering, velvety finish. Otherwise, similar comments to then.
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3/11/2015 - monk1019 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Rich dark fruits and berries dominate this well-aged Bordeaux blend beauty. Served with steak and it didn't disappoint. Long silky finish and smooth tannins made this a triple treat.
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12/29/2013 - mdmerle wrote: 91 Points
Maui at Home
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11/21/2013 - gew71walsh wrote: 91 Points
Needed half hour in glass. Garnet in color, muted on nose, red fruits on the palate. Nice subtle finish. Paired nicely with veal scallopine.
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3/24/2013 - JuliannaD Likes this wine: 89 Points
Tight and closed on opening. After an hour started giving off aromas of spice and dark fruit. After two hours I tasted mocha and dark fruit. Well balanced and smooth. Could have definitely used a decant....
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12/25/2012 - Wineandsports Likes this wine: 89 Points
Very nice blend. Smooth, with plenty of fruit and a nice balanced finish. Very good value
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10/20/2012 - Isdaddy wrote: 92 Points
Great wine. Well balanced, smooth and delicious. Wished I would have bought more.
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9/22/2012 - Ceo wrote: 92 Points
Drinking very good know. Smooth after decant with a littlle fruit on opening. Have one left hold another year.
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8/18/2012 - Tri Wine wrote: 91 Points
Great bottle that is drinking well right now. Pnp. Instantly huge mocha, spices and floral aromas on the nose lead to a well rounded core of dark fruits and well integrated oak on the midpalate. Medium finish. A little hot initially, it could have used a decant but was still great out of the bottle.
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7/30/2012 - Rhagan wrote: 85 Points
I really don't know why I bought these wines in the first place. This winery has continued to disappoint me. All by Girard wines have been relegated to the "for unappreciative guest " box. I don't drink wine every night and I have a harder time working off the calories as I get older so I suffer these wines less and less.
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5/11/2012 - nlassow wrote:
Solid Napa blend. Heavy notes of creamy coconut. Delicious
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4/21/2012 - dankrems wrote: 90 Points
A very nice wine. Balance of fruit and spice, well rounded but nothing very unique or complex going on
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4/23/2011 - GrapeApe808 wrote:
Good.
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4/3/2011 - BillyT wrote:
This bottle is more conservative than the first. By that I mean NOT as fruit forward and expressing more cab franc than the first. Additionally is is more balanced and seductive than t he first bottle. This assesment may be biased because the intent was to drink it last night but I had to leave and then left it in the bottle over night. Today (day 2) it is a little muted on the nose, strong purple color to the rim with a good rid brick rim, strong legs, nose of camphor, menthol, mocha, black fruit. Beautiful mouth feel with velvity tannins and dark black fruit, currants, cassis, good spice and acidity. Wonderful wine at a great price point and in its drinking window.
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2/19/2011 - air guitar & pinot noir wrote: 91 Points
Dark ruby red with aromas of red plum, kirsch, raspberry and some baking spice such as nutmeg. Firm texture on the palate with flavors of chocolate covered cherries, blackberry and currants. Nicely integrated tannins lead to a complex and lasting finish.
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12/11/2010 - BillyT wrote: 88 Points
Well done cali bordeaux style but unfortunately there was too much fruit forwardness to my liking. However, well balanced in all other respects and a good wine.
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10/3/2010 - silentavalanche wrote: 91 Points
Excellent nose of black cherry with traces of coffee, smooth throughout. Enjoyed it with a peppercorn crusted pork loin and roasted fingerling potatoes.
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8/14/2010 - brewmanc wrote: 90 Points
nice structure, a little smoky, not a bad value
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7/22/2010 - CooGAR wrote: 89 Points
Popped and poured. A bit tanic for the first hour, got better over time. Great wine as others have mentioned. This was my only bottle (will buy more), but I wished I would have waited a few more years. Aging will really round this wine out. IMO - wait at least until the fall of 2012 to drink.
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6/7/2010 - sdatl wrote: 90 Points
Well-integrated, rich, yet not overwhelming, silky tannins, and a nice richness from the blending grapes
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5/28/2010 - Masterskink wrote: 92 Points
I love this wine, one of my favorites at the price range and again was wonderful. Full of pepper and cedar and cassis Was a little hot because we just popped it and drank it and could probably use more time, but I will always continue to buy wine from this vineyard
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5/23/2010 - Brown#5 wrote: 88 Points
Young wine so it had a alcohol taste on the front, but it's a good basic wine.
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4/6/2010 - sdatl wrote: 90 Points
A medium-bodied Cab blend with very good balance -- the cab provides currant and structure and the merlot adds richness, but without the "muddiness" of some blends. For the price, this is a very strong contender and ready to enjoy after an hour in the decanter.
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2/21/2010 - oostexan wrote: 89 Points
Tasted blind by a Robert Craig Mt. Veeder and a Bookwalter Foreshadow Cabernet (both 2006). This wine was comparatively lighter with more forward red fruits, tobacco and chocolate with comparable less tannin. At first the finish was short and lacked focus, but a couple hours of air helped bring it together. Overall a good wine to have in the cellar to drink short term while the really good stuff is sleeping. Reminds me a lot of a Trilogy though the fruit profile is a little brighter, and this is probably a better buy. Oak is well balanced.
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1/17/2010 - Markshawphotos wrote: 88 Points
Paired nicely with the beouf Bourg. Not sure I would consider it again at $35.
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1/5/2010 - snaff wrote: 91 Points
Delicious red and black cherry, mocha and spice. Well rounded and powerful.
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12/28/2009 - tantotinto wrote: 90 Points
Served at 58 degrees without decanting. Reddish black in color, opaque. Nose of dark cherry, cedar and cinnamon. Very fruit forward with good tannic support that balances quite well. Flavors of black cherry and expresso to include just a touch of bitterness. May improve over time but drinking well now. Still excellent on day two.
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12/8/2009 - MatthewF wrote:
Big, rich nose of dark red currant and plum with a good bit of seductive wood spice. Very fruit forward on the palate with great balance. Fine tannin with great length. Delicious.
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12/5/2009 - carcoach wrote: 90 Points
Beautiful wine. Drank best after 1 hour decant. Big fruit. Good acidity. Big Tannins that will probably smooth with more bottle time. One of my favorite wines under $40.
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11/30/2009 - bin905 wrote: 92 Points
Deep ruby red color. Rich, dark berry, cedar and spice scent. Ripe berry, currant, coffee and chocolate taste with ample smooth tannins.
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11/24/2009 - Drink&Trade wrote: 91 Points
Pop the cork and you can smell this wine across the room. Nice fruit, berry and anise explosion on the front to mid and smooth tannins on the finish. Still could use a couple years, but very interesting now.
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11/8/2009 - MindMuse wrote: 90 Points
"Reserve" wines (Toulouse Restaurant, Atlanta): I found this more appealing than when I had about six months ago. Flavors of blueberry and tobacco.
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10/30/2009 - Drink&Trade wrote: 90 Points
What a long finish, wow! still a bit tight, but opened up nicely in the decanter after 1 hour+. Rich berry fruit. Seems like this is just warming up to get better in a few years.
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10/18/2009 - mercer22 wrote: 91 Points
Great. Everything you would expect from a Napa Claret.
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10/10/2009 - PrinceLightfoot wrote: 91 Points
Delicious. Tannins very subtle. Fruit was complex, but not over-present. Very nicely paired with a strip steak seared in a crust of cumin, garlic, chili, sel gris, and pepper.
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9/6/2009 - Life At Your Leisure 🍷 Likes this wine: 92 Points
A rich, voluptuous wine with incredible complexity - just layers upon layers of flavor. Dark ruby red color with lots of legs indicating thickness and bigness in alcohol. The body is full with flavors of raspberry, plum, green tea and kirsch. The tannins are tame considering this young vintage. It can be enjoyed now until 2019.
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8/27/2009 - rmalloy wrote: 88 Points
I have the same tasting notes as kstoddard, except I don't find anything unpleasant or burnt about the finish. This is a thick, tannic wine with a full mouthfeel but surprisingly little complexity beyond basic fruit and oak.
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8/2/2009 - kstoddard wrote: 85 Points
Vanilla oak nose. Tastes of cherry, blackberry and leather. The finish is dominated with vanilla charred oak. Overdone.
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