brought this bottle to dinner for a family celebration. We opened 6 different bottles through the evening and this was a favorite. It was smooth, med bodied with great complexity, earthy with the fruit undertones. This is the second bottle I've had and both were terrific!
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PnP, needs decant. Drank over 2 days. Second day the best. Color is dark red/purple. Nose of earth, black currant. The palate is quite powerful. Dark cherries, oak, tannin's. Medium finish.
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Monthly Tasting Group HWS #093; Italy: Gaja. (By CvR): Beautiful and expressive bouquet with cherries, luxurious oak, sweet spices and nutmeg. On the palate a rustic and firm wine with dark forest fruits and plums, a touch of sweetness, mild acidity and round tannin and bitterness. Good length. A mouth full. Early maturity now and certainly nice until 2019+.
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Loads of kirsch, red cherries, wood (oak) spices and earth present. On the palate cherries, vanilla, sweet fruit and sour berries mixed together. Good acidity. Good everyday wine, but not a big wine, by Gaja standards. (85 - 87)
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I love this wine, great for the price given the cost of other Gaja offerings. This bottle didn't disappoint. An old standby for me and a crowd pleaser for sure.
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dark red intense earthy-dusty-fruity aroma full bodied, fruity, powerful, lot of tannins, good acidity, well balanced yet rustic, stronger on the palate than aroma, needed time to appreciate its quality. can easily age for many more years.
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Dark purple, almost black in color with a very dense nose of earth, leather, black currant, and cassis. The palate is very bold and expressive with flavors of dark cherry, black tea, forest floor, cola, dark chocolate, oregano, and spice. Finishes with gripping tannins that add bight and character. This is a very structured drink that can be consumed now until 2023.
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4th Saturday Group brown bagger (Rich & Dana's): Garnet color. Initially a bit reticent, this took some time in the glass to open. Herbal, with green bell pepper overtones and hints of black fruit and cigar box underneath. Medium-bodied and nicely balanced featuring black fruit, cherry and currants. Medium+ finish. I thought this was Cabernet that was just a bit underripe, but I did not think old world.
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I had this wine on my radar, recently having researched some more affordable super Tuscans. The aromatics had that dusty, smokiness not unlike a Rutherford cab blend. Solid evidence that Italian wines are built for food, as it paired impeccably with the braised Rabbit on fried Gnocci, for which it was chosen; somewhat losing its intrigue, after I had finished the course and had a few sips remaining. Maybe a little generous on the score but reflective of the total experience.
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Zwart fruit, bloemen, peper,leer, stal in de neus. Het fruit uit de neus keert terug in de smaak, tikje abrikoos. Sappig met ronde tannines. In de afdronk blijft het fruit lang rondzingen met wat kruiden en laurier.
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Dark ruby color, faint bouquet of heather, spice and blackberry. Light to medium bodied with a lot more heather, cigar-box and dark fruit. Still tannic, but not obtrusively. Would have liked it a lot more if the bouquet hadn't been so faint.
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Pleasant enough but not sure what to make of this wine as it lacks varietal identity. If tasted blind i could guess a youn new world pinot given the combination of juicyness with fruit, spice and some tannic grip. Cedar-infused oak on the finish with herbal notes is coming from a different place, however.
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This wine is always a nice way to start out an Italian meal, before bringing out the big guns (usually a Brunello or Barolo or Nobile). Goes well with citrus-y salad dressing or cheese plate. Last night was no different, and the '07 is drinking as nicely as the '06 if I remember correctly. Almost has a pinot-noir quality to it but it's mostly Merlot with Sangiovese, I believe.
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Juicy, hot, and tart, with dark cherry and cranberry predominating. A simple, earthy wine with acidic structure to spare. The 2005 was better because it had a little more complexity. This one demands food; we had it with some salami and crackers, but it may have performed better with a real meal. It's not bad at $30, but any more than that would be overpriced.
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Dark cranberry fruit. Lots of spice. Medium bodied, slightly tart palate with a new world lushness but an Italian sensibility. Some rustic notes and earth driven components. Nice.
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Deep brick color. Funky nose of earth, smoke & forest with a talc element. Lean, medium entry of dusty, herbal infused red cherry flavors. Finishes structured, although a little soft. I would have liked more fruit in the nose.
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Kersen, bloemen, kruiden en vuursteen in de neus. Smaak: Vol, prikkelend, kersen, kruiden en laurier.fluweelzachte tannines en fijne zuren. Doet in de verte denken aan een CH9DP.
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Saturdays at One - Volume 32: Tasted non blind. Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of talc, plum, white pepper and wet stones. Flavors of black berries, black cherries and bitters. Medium to bright acidity, medium to firm tannins, medium body. Drink or hold.
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Anything Goes (Farpointe Cellar): The nose had cherry and dirt, spice and raspberry, and a little vanilla. The palate had lots of sour cherry mixed with earth, some spice and raspberry, and slightly oaky finish.
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The 2007 needs some time on the shelf. It is very young and tight. I am afraid that this vintage will not be as good as the 2006 which is the opposite of what I have read and heard.
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Boring and one dimensional. Don't enjoy how it seemed almost "fakely" rustic. Some enjoyable qualities in the nose, but the palate falls short. Most of the score rests on the price of this bottle. Move along sir, nothing special here.
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9/24/2016 - smileBD wrote: 91 Points
brought this bottle to dinner for a family celebration. We opened 6 different bottles through the evening and this was a favorite. It was smooth, med bodied with great complexity, earthy with the fruit undertones. This is the second bottle I've had and both were terrific!
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6/19/2015 - Buick455 wrote: 90 Points
PnP, needs decant. Drank over 2 days. Second day the best. Color is dark red/purple. Nose of earth, black currant. The palate is quite powerful. Dark cherries, oak, tannin's. Medium finish.
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5/8/2015 - Vaughanwallace wrote: 90 Points
Oaky big Cabernet and Sangiovese taste. Perhaps a bit flabby and past its best.
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2/28/2015 - Bellissimo Likes this wine:
No detailed notes. Smoky, dark cherry; good bit of earthiness; nice spicebox moreso on the nose. Good length; tannins are smooth. Drinking nicely.
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1/10/2015 - Vaughanwallace wrote: 93 Points
Smoky tabacco brilliant
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11/26/2014 - MWiking wrote: 88 Points
gott vin men vet inte om jag tycker det vinner så mycket på att lagras, drack 2011 samtidigt och gillade nog den mer då frukten var tydligare.
88-89
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11/12/2014 - Zweder wrote: 90 Points
Monthly Tasting Group HWS #093; Italy: Gaja. (By CvR): Beautiful and expressive bouquet with cherries, luxurious oak, sweet spices and nutmeg. On the palate a rustic and firm wine with dark forest fruits and plums, a touch of sweetness, mild acidity and round tannin and bitterness. Good length. A mouth full. Early maturity now and certainly nice until 2019+.
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8/16/2014 - Ramberg wrote: 86 Points
Loads of kirsch, red cherries, wood (oak) spices and earth present.
On the palate cherries, vanilla, sweet fruit and sour berries mixed together.
Good acidity.
Good everyday wine, but not a big wine, by Gaja standards.
(85 - 87)
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7/6/2014 - Vaughanwallace wrote: 90 Points
Cabernet dominant. Smokey but smooth. Very good
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5/31/2014 - Vaughanwallace wrote: 90 Points
Cabernet based oaky starting to fade a little. Good with beef
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5/25/2013 - mkotlarz wrote: 93 Points
I love this wine, great for the price given the cost of other Gaja offerings. This bottle didn't disappoint. An old standby for me and a crowd pleaser for sure.
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3/24/2013 - Yagil wrote: 90 Points
dark red
intense earthy-dusty-fruity aroma
full bodied, fruity, powerful, lot of tannins, good acidity, well balanced yet rustic, stronger on the palate than aroma, needed time to appreciate its quality. can easily age for many more years.
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1/22/2013 - JumpAroundOnGrapes wrote: 89 Points
hint of eucalyptus, green olive, paired quite well with caprese salad. Opened 1.5 hours early, not decanted.
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1/20/2013 - Life At Your Leisure 🍷 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Dark purple, almost black in color with a very dense nose of earth, leather, black currant, and cassis. The palate is very bold and expressive with flavors of dark cherry, black tea, forest floor, cola, dark chocolate, oregano, and spice. Finishes with gripping tannins that add bight and character. This is a very structured drink that can be consumed now until 2023.
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7/28/2012 - AllRed wrote: 91 Points
4th Saturday Group brown bagger (Rich & Dana's): Garnet color. Initially a bit reticent, this took some time in the glass to open. Herbal, with green bell pepper overtones and hints of black fruit and cigar box underneath. Medium-bodied and nicely balanced featuring black fruit, cherry and currants. Medium+ finish. I thought this was Cabernet that was just a bit underripe, but I did not think old world.
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3/17/2012 - golfwine wrote: 90 Points
I had this wine on my radar, recently having researched some more affordable super Tuscans. The aromatics had that dusty, smokiness not unlike a Rutherford cab blend. Solid evidence that Italian wines are built for food, as it paired impeccably with the braised Rabbit on fried Gnocci, for which it was chosen; somewhat losing its intrigue, after I had finished the course and had a few sips remaining. Maybe a little generous on the score but reflective of the total experience.
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3/10/2012 - theoakkermans wrote: 91 Points
Zwart fruit, bloemen, peper,leer, stal in de neus.
Het fruit uit de neus keert terug in de smaak, tikje abrikoos. Sappig met ronde tannines. In de afdronk blijft het fruit lang rondzingen met wat kruiden en laurier.
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2/14/2012 - subir wrote:
Dark ruby color, faint bouquet of heather, spice and blackberry. Light to medium bodied with a lot more heather, cigar-box and dark fruit. Still tannic, but not obtrusively. Would have liked it a lot more if the bouquet hadn't been so faint.
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1/15/2012 - rogerr wrote: 91 Points
Very smooth and well integrated.
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1/12/2012 - vinoveritas wrote: 91 Points
Awesome
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11/20/2011 - MJTed wrote: 89 Points
Pleasant enough but not sure what to make of this wine as it lacks varietal identity. If tasted blind i could guess a youn new world pinot given the combination of juicyness with fruit, spice and some tannic grip. Cedar-infused oak on the finish with herbal notes is coming from a different place, however.
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8/22/2011 - vinoballo wrote: 90 Points
This wine is always a nice way to start out an Italian meal, before bringing out the big guns (usually a Brunello or Barolo or Nobile). Goes well with citrus-y salad dressing or cheese plate. Last night was no different, and the '07 is drinking as nicely as the '06 if I remember correctly. Almost has a pinot-noir quality to it but it's mostly Merlot with Sangiovese, I believe.
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7/17/2011 - pdh9 wrote: 92 Points
Delicious--chocolate early, soft tannins lingering finish.
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4/26/2011 - The Q wrote: 95 Points
Great super Tuscan bold big solid tannins
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3/17/2011 - RobinHeimdahl wrote: 87 Points
Good, but way too young now.
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2/28/2011 - tonifad wrote:
Light on the nose, berries, cherry, a hint of cigar box. Spicy ending, easy drinking wine.
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2/23/2011 - Stephan O wrote: 88 Points
Juicy, hot, and tart, with dark cherry and cranberry predominating. A simple, earthy wine with acidic structure to spare. The 2005 was better because it had a little more complexity. This one demands food; we had it with some salami and crackers, but it may have performed better with a real meal. It's not bad at $30, but any more than that would be overpriced.
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1/8/2011 - Strikermax wrote: 90 Points
Donkerrood/paarse wijn met kersen, bessen, aarde, kruiden en rook. Zachte tannines, mediumlange afdronk.
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12/30/2010 - psmith wrote:
Dark cranberry fruit. Lots of spice. Medium bodied, slightly tart palate with a new world lushness but an Italian sensibility. Some rustic notes and earth driven components. Nice.
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11/12/2010 - ed-d wrote: 89 Points
Deep brick color. Funky nose of earth, smoke & forest with a talc element. Lean, medium entry of dusty, herbal infused red cherry flavors. Finishes structured, although a little soft. I would have liked more fruit in the nose.
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10/8/2010 - donald71_1 wrote: 91 Points
Splendid vintage.
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10/5/2010 - vinoveritas wrote: 90 Points
A good super tuscan
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10/2/2010 - theoakkermans wrote: 90 Points
Kersen, bloemen, kruiden en vuursteen in de neus.
Smaak: Vol, prikkelend, kersen, kruiden en laurier.fluweelzachte tannines en fijne zuren.
Doet in de verte denken aan een CH9DP.
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8/21/2010 - wineismylife wrote: 90 Points
Saturdays at One - Volume 32: Tasted non blind. Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of talc, plum, white pepper and wet stones. Flavors of black berries, black cherries and bitters. Medium to bright acidity, medium to firm tannins, medium body. Drink or hold.
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8/21/2010 - mmurry Likes this wine: 88 Points
Anything Goes (Farpointe Cellar): The nose had cherry and dirt, spice and raspberry, and a little vanilla. The palate had lots of sour cherry mixed with earth, some spice and raspberry, and slightly oaky finish.
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6/25/2010 - S&SErnst wrote: 88 Points
The 2007 needs some time on the shelf. It is very young and tight. I am afraid that this vintage will not be as good as the 2006 which is the opposite of what I have read and heard.
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4/16/2010 - beezer6 wrote: 87 Points
Boring and one dimensional. Don't enjoy how it seemed almost "fakely" rustic. Some enjoyable qualities in the nose, but the palate falls short.
Most of the score rests on the price of this bottle. Move along sir, nothing special here.
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3/12/2010 - 100pp Does not like this wine: 87 Points
astringent and not enough body. a disappointment.
cherries, kirsch, leather
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12/12/2009 - le Noble wrote: 90 Points
Mix of Merlot, Shiraz and San Giovese. Spicy, young, but low on tanins. Perfect match with venison with five spices crust @ Ivy Rotterdam.
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