This was a nice easy wine to drink. I put it in a decanter while I made a weeknight meal of ravioli with white truffle sauce. After about 30 minutes, I had my first glass and had another with dinner. Although not a blockbuster, this wine aged well and was a great compliment to the meal. I have had many Anderson wines over the years and they have always been enjoyable.
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Part of a Bordeaux and Bordeaux-style wines with my wine group at a NYC restaurant. All the reds were opened, but not decanted, for over 45 minutes before pouring. Out of the 4 reds, it came in 1st. The wines we had in order, 2008 Leoville-Barton, 2009 Talbot, 2007 Anderson's Conn Valley Right Bank and 2011 Andrew Will Ciel du Cheval Vineyard. This wine has aged great, it was very high on the WOW factor! Long finish, great nose, it probably has years of life ahead of it. Although I'll probably drink my remaining 2 bottles in the next year or so. I should note, that the long cork broke in half when I opened it.
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In my cellar since release, this is a rather typical ACVV style. Ripe, heavily oaked, soft texture yet rich and medium to full bodied. The heavy complement of Merlot tames the tannin but overall a nice easy to drink wine, if not a supremely complex or memorable one for me.
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Deep dark center, red rim with some signs of age. Sweet briar, stewed plums, blueberries and black cherries, coffee and a touch of asparagus. Smooth and rounded, very ripe fruit - dark, underbrush, acidity and tannins still, pyrazine, well integrated oak, alcohol a little prominent, long finish of coffee grounds and crushed berries. Excellent CVV Right Bank, drinking very well now (eventually), the high alcohol (14.8) is a little distracting but the overall package is very good, 5+ years to go.
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Blueberry, cracked pepper, and tar but all fully integrated in a mellow, pleasurable way. Bottom 1/4 of the bottle under cork was drinking great the next evening, suggesting this may have been better night-one with a decant and also that there's no rush on these.
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This wine has aged very well. Well structured with balanced acidity and tannins. The nose expresses cocoa, peppercorns, cedar, blackberries and mint. Layers of blueberries, red figs, cassis, chocolate and toast.
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Compared to the 2009, this vintage lacks some of the nuances that I noticed on the later vintage. Still, a good wine but not sure I would wait on it. Drink up and enjoy
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Deep dark center, red rim with some signs of age. Sweet, smokey, redcurrant, plum, figs, some cassis. Smooth, grapes, cherry and plum compote, good acidity and tannin still, a little peppery, good length, slides into a somewhat bitter finish. Very good right bank blend - although it would be hard to confuse this with a St Emilion or Pomerol. Still needs time - 5 years.
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30 minute decant for (minimal) sediment. Deep purple/ruby color; very youthful appearance. Mostly blue and black fruit with some earth and cedar notes, but didn't start opening up until the end of our meal, when it was mostly gone. Not a lot of tannins remaining; more of an air than an age issue tonight. Give it a 90 minute decant next time.
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Surprisingly young bottle for a right bank blend from California. Based on my last bottle I thought this would be fully mature, but it was not. Still needs to soften some. A deep and dark, full bodied wine with classic berry and mineral notes.
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Decanted for 20 minutes. Aromas of leather, dried cherry, iron and raspberry. Flavors of dried cherry, currant, dried plum, herb and leather. Ends with a long persistent finish of 30+ seconds of dried cherry and dried plum. Starting to show secondary notes in there. Still has a long life ahead. Wish I had some more of these.
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60 merlot /40 cab franc. No decanter so we slow-ox’d for 5(?) hours and then drank over another few side by side with the ‘14 (74 cab franc / 26 Merlot) as we made and enjoyed med-rare New York strips with SLulkin’s killer dry rub. As superb on its own as with dinner.
Drinking beautifully right now. Completely smooth and integrated. Late summer blueberry, a hint of mellow tar ... spicy! I think the next seven years will be best. Maybe longer. Best - 2026
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As predicted, this wine has really gotten its act together in the last year. The color is medium ruby edging towards garnet. Nose is clean forest floor, tobacco and a mix of red and dark fruit. It tastes of plums, blackberries, a bit of mushroom and forest floor. The rough edges are gone. The texture is smooth tending towards silky. Very impressive
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Served at a wine tasting and surprisingly went minimally consumed. I enjoyed. Probably got 3-4 hours of air. Nice old world barnyard nose. Smooth and full-bodied, and a very nice blend of merlot and cabernet franc. Finish lingers.
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Decanted for an hour. Still very tight for a couple more hours. Finally started to become quite beautiful and bright fruit. Wait at least 5 years for other bottle!
After about 30 mins in the decanter it wasn't ready to open yet, but by glass #2 it was drinking nicely. The aging has done this wine justice, might look for a few more bottles.
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I liked this wine very much after 2 hours of generous air. Wonderful blend of california fruit - plums and blackberries supported by cedar and forest floor. There is still a bit of menthol and the tannins are a tad imposing. I know this wine was bought on release and stored at 52 degrees, so perhaps it has some more aging to do at 58 degrees. Wait 6 months before trying again. Rated 89 but may improve with time.
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N: Vanilla with berries underneath? Intensity lurking?
P: LM body; Rndish entry with NICE frt met by a firming structure which fairly seamlessly transitions into a LONG (albeit very, VERY slightly faint), balanced finish with an interesting juxtaposition of very slight bitter/swtness for the very, VERY fine tannins. Should go VERY well right now with food, yet with the potential of making its 15th. My EXC with the POSS of more 'fore it's done. 95+ pts WA
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It’s been nearly a three-year wait for this wine to fully come together and it is now there. This beauty retains its deep color and complex nose of spring herbs and black fruits. And there is now a welcomed bit of fresh forest floor as well. In the mouth, it is sweet, smooth, sumptuous and teaming with plum, cherry, sage, vanilla and a hint of meat juice flavors. The tannins have melted away and left a delicious wine ready for drinking. While the ACV Right Bank never rivals the Éloge or Cabernet Reserve, it is often excellent in it's own right. And that applies to this Right Bank vintage too. Drink now and over the next seven or so years. 92 points.
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2nd of 3 bottles. Unfortunately I don't have notes of the 1st, but this one was outstanding. Dark color. Deep, penetrating nose of dark fruits and spice, a wine that I enjoyed just taking in the bouquet. Full-bodied, still young but balanced at this point. I don't think this is at it's peak yet, but very enjoyable to drink.
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Cork broke halfway on extraction. Saved it. Decanted. 60 Percent Merlot, 40 Cabernet Sauvignon. Mid-garnet, brick edges; smokey cocoa and cassis nose; mid-body; rounding out; decent fruit; a little sour; long hot finish (14.8 alc.). A little clumsy.
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PnP. No detailed notes. Relatively unimpressive. Perhaps it needed more thoughtful treatment at this stage in its life (e.g. decant). Seemingly balanced, if not integrated. I don't see the components coming together in any particularly compelling way, at least in the near to mid-term.
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Decanted two hours. Could have used more time as the last glass was the best. General flavor profile of chocolate covered blue fruit. Glad I have one more. Stored at 60° since 2009.
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Decanted for 3 hours. Aromas of saddle leather, bell pepper, dried cherry and mint. Flavors of dried cherry, blackberry, game, dried plum and mint. Ends with a dried cherry infused finish of 40 seconds. This is still a bit tannic and drinking very young for 10 years old.
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Closed down and balanced to the tannic side, not sure if the fruit will remain long enough for the tannins to resolve. Had a glass then recorked and tried again the next evening
Lots of spice, a bit of tartness, really enjoyable. I think this still has lots of time left to develop so no need to be in a hurry. Over the course of an hour it opened up nicely, showing hints of tobacco, leather, and coffee. I'll let my last bottle go another 2-3 years before opening.
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Opaque rosewood color. Plush, sweet nose of dark fruit, with green and sweetly woody notes. The palate shows a bit of tart red fruit but is mostly restricted by the tight, astringent tannins that still hold this wine firmly in check. Whereas I have found most 2007 Napa Cabernets to be easily accessible early on, this wine demands at least five years of additional cellaring. Good intensity, complexity, and structure is on display nevertheless, hence the positive rating.
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Day 1 was a struggle. Thin earthy palate, with a finish of something floral, sugary, and tannic. Not a good combination. Will try again tomorrow. Day 2 Nose of creme brule, vanilla caramel, for the love of God. Overnight this wine has completely integrated. The palate reminds me of a 20 year old right bank from a great vintage.
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Group dinner of Anderson's Conn Valley wines, we had the (in order) the 2007 Right Bank, the 2009 Eloge and the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve. All three were popped and poured.
The Right Bank is a very tasty wine, although a bit lighter in mouth feel than the other two we had. For those in our group who like other reds than Cabernet Saugvignon, this was a big hit. Its drinking very well right now.
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the last bottle was corked a bit and not enjoyable. This one was excellent. A dead ringer for its name. Many right bank Bordelais would be proud to have made this.
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Gave this an all day decant, then back in the bottle and out to dinner. Ready to drink, but still young, primary, juicy, fruity. Don't usually drink our real right bank wines at 8 years so no fair comparison, but I don't see this really ending up an American St Emilion. Nor do I want it to. It's a well made wine, has years to go. If you want to drink now, let it breathe, if you can, and like what happens with age, I think it can go another 2 years or more before I open another.
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From a 3 L. Opened 2 hours before serving and then poured into decanter to serve. Smelled like a hay field which was amazing with red berries and earth. Taste of sour cherry, dark chocolate, herbs. By the end, absolutely seamless with a looong finish. Silky smooth, no bricking at all. Just a great wine. We poured this for 6 friends plus us and had one bottle of white and still had to open a 2007 eloge. What a great night by the lake.
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(Decanted for two hours.) This has a beautiful purple robe with a dark garnet meniscus. Though a blend of merlot and cabernet franc, there is a musky nose laced with almost Syrah-like dark fruits, rosemary and scorched meat. The fragrance is very buoyant and persistent. Medium-bodied, round and silky in the mouth. The vibrant flavors of tangy red berries and cherries, sweet black plums and herbs have good length and depth and are nicely framed by moderate tannins. Excellent balance overall and no decline in sight. As much "Rhône" as "Right Bank", this delicious California wine has really come a long way since last year. Perhaps this time around it was given enough air? 92+ points.
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great wine. the nose was very old world. More ox / age than i expected for an 8 yr old wine, but that was a good thing. Good the second night, but better the first night after about 3 hr open, which makes me feel like this may not be getting any better from here. Great wine to enjoy now.
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Very much a right bank old world wine. Drank with filet. Very dark purple. Musty nose but not up to old Bordeauxs. Pleasant fruit that works well with food. Has a bit of a burn at the end so probably could/should wait a few years - we decanted for about two hours. Nice finish.
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Firms up with air, hard to tell exactly what the potential is here. I'll be holding the rest for a few years to see ... but you can drink this now for some multi-dimensional fruit and excitement.
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Popped and poured. Deep purple/black cherry color at the middle with garnet at the edges. Sweet and somewhat musky with ripe plum and cherry aromas mixed with herbs and bitumen. Medium weight in the mouth, the flavors of sour cherry, plum and cassis are not very forthcoming. The wine tastes slightly coiled and unresolved. Also, the tannins are a bit quarrelsome. While essentially correct and even excellent with extended airing, I think another two or three years will help this wine come around. I have high hopes for it. Only 90+ points for now.
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From a 3L which slow oxed for 3 hours. I took a quick pop n pour taste and the tannins were aggressive, concerned this was still too tight. Fortunately it unfolds beautifully in the glass with a swirl. Deep purple color. Dark berries and tar nose. Dark plum and cassis flavors with very fine but firm tannins. Slightly green or bitter. Still packing a solid foundation which will age for 10 years easily, no rush. Medium plus finish.
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Deep red. Has blackberry , cedar, and vanilla, with a trace of menthol on the nose. Moderate complexity, tannins are softening,subtle tartness and dark fruit and a hint of plum. Decent finish. My third bottle, one more left. I have seen some bottle variation.
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Not loving this. Maybe it is in a dumb phase, but not sure that age is benefitting this wine. Was much better at 2-3 years old. Somewhat unappealing cherry notes and a short, tannic finish. Did not improve much over two hours. Will hold remaining two bottles for a few years and hope for the best.
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Beautiful Napa nose. In the mouth: Huge. Jammy. Bomb. Silly. Sugar plum stew. No nuance or subtlety whatsoever. Is this a port? Madeira? Am I sposed to drink this or use it for motor oil?
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Soft, ripe dark fruit with smooth tannins. Not as structured or complex as the 2007 ACV Cabernet, but still a nice wine from one of our favorite winemakers.
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Pop and pour - note after 2 hours. Red currant and plum on the nose. Plums and sour cherries on the palate. A good deal of tannins - I suspect this will improve with more time. Good wine but not earth shattering and a mediocre value at this point in its life.
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This is one of those wines that is great now, but will also last a while. It's nice that the price point hasn't moved too much in the past 2 years! I've drank three bottles of this so far, the latest with a NY strip with a mushroom/cognac sauce. The wine held up really will with the meal. The merlot gives it structure and the franc adds an amazing nose (at least, I think...) At any rate, this wine is smooth as silk.
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This was thanksgiving -Had with cheese tray, crudite before the turkey- still very young, needed more time to open but the group drank it down too quickly. Another 11 in the cellar - look forward to those but will wait a few years. I know its "Right Bank" but its California to us
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I'm a huge fan of Conn Valley Reserve Cabs, but have never tried the Right Bank (or the Eloge). Well, I guess Conn Valley is my favorite Napa winemaker because this 60% merlot 40% cabernet franc is delicious. Medium dark garnet in color with a nice loamy mushroom nose, sweet black cherry fruits, a little leather and nice grippy tannins. It is drinking very well now (albeit a bit forward) but it has some great years ahead of it too. A very interesting Merlot / Bordeaux blend. 14.8% abv.
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Another impressive showing for this wine. Notes ripe black fruits, licorice and truffle. Medium to full bodied, with layers of jammy fruit, a lush and round texture, and good delineation. From a QPR standpoint, it is hard to beat the '07 Right Bank in terms of a Napa Valley Bordeaux blend.
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Another impressive performance for the '07 Right Bank. Notes of blackberry, cassis, mocha and hints of vanilla bean. Medium to full bodied, with great concentration of fruit, a silky mouthfeel, and a plush and lengthy finish. Call me a believer!
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From a typical Right Bank blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, (hence the name) notes of chocoalte, spearmint, truffle and blackberry jam lead to a fat, sassy, plush, sweet, ripe wine that ends with a blast of cocoa and black cherry. This is showing great today.
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have had 3 bottles and all have been fairly consistent, drinking deep cherry and solid red fruit. wine has a great lasting finish and could probably hold for at least another 5 years, not sure after that.
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Similar to bottle tasted a few weeks ago. Notes of mocha and black fruit; a hint of licorice. Plenty of dark fruit on the palate, with very good concentration, grip and depth.
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This wine continues to impress, although I'm not sure how much it has evolved since I last tasted it in July of 2010. Still very exuberant and outgoing, with loads of dark fruit on the palate, great concentration, grip and depth, but may be a bit "savage" for those who prefer more complex / finess wines. Definitely improved over the course of the evening, so I tend to think that extended airing / decanting would benefit this youthful wine.
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Very nice, but didn't get a fair shake with a proper decant or further age - this wine had immense structure but was quite tight at this point. Big, dark fruit, drying on the finish with big tannin. Seems very well made and complex, but probably needs some time to really show it's stuff!
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takes 2-3 hours minimum decant to begin opening up. Fairly complex nose of chocolate, espresso, and some mineral/herbaceous notes intertwined with the fruit. Ripe, dense fruit dominating the palate. Pretty good stuff.
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Drank another of these. It was much better. Bigger fruit and better integration. Tannins in balance with acid. Surprised to see this level of bottle variation...
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big fruit with hints of mocha. some oak notes on the nose. Lacks structure and backbone to be a great wine, but overall enjoyable. A less profound wine than I had hoped for. Will try again.
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From gifted 125ml. Although an '07, this wine had a very complex nose of mocha, blackberries, and cherry spice. Sweet and dense, but balanced with good herbs and acidity. Palate had generous red ripe fruit, touch of oak, and some dust. Nice pepper notes with the Cab Franc really standing out here. Finish was very solid with a sour cherry blast.
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Poped and poured, sat in the glass 1hr then consumed over the next 3hrs. Initially quite closed, but eventually showing a complex nose of coffee, plum and other dark slightly roasted fruits with a little exotic spice. Palate is quite ripe, dense, and cencentrated, though closed as the concentration didn't really translate to complexity. Noticeable fine, soft tannins and strong acidity create a well structured wine. Plum flavors, cassis and and interesting herbal spice note that I assume comes from the Cab Franc, make up the palate. This leads into a lengthy fruit filled finish with coffee and tar. Some noticeable heat on the back end that I found distracting. Just wasn't fully together on this showing, maybe needs some time, but doesn't strike me as a wine I'll ever come to love. Not a good QPR. Improved and deepened on day 4 with the palate showing more depth to the fruit and a long complex finish, with the Cab franc more prominent than the merlot. Probably better than my initial taste.
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Less complex than I had anticipated. Good depth of fruit; this clearly needs some air. Quite tannic, but enough other stuff going on to stand up to it. Certainly not worth the price though.
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The 5 hour decant made all the difference in the world. This was consumed next to the 2007 Reserve Cab (which was popped and poured) and the Right Bank was simply better in every way. The black and blue fruits have an amazing intensity and the wine completely envelopes your mouth - full bodied and focused with a long life ahead of it. I'll try to let my last few bottles sleep for a few more years...
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A youthful and exuberant sort of wine, with a very outgoing personality. Aromas of ripe black fruits, a touch of vanilla, and a hint of spice. Medium to full bodied, with layers of flavor, a velvety texture, ripe tannins, and a powerful finish. Impressive!
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Rating due to my belief that this needs more ageing or additional time to decant. This seems a little tight right now - stiff aroma with more of the cab franc than the merlot coming out. While smooth to the lips, major oak flavor and rather tannic. Hint of licorice, with strong cherry tone. Too much heat going down - will let sit out overnight to see if it mellows. Second day - ok, I raised this rating up a notch given the overnight decant. This wine needs time to open - there still is a little sour, tang to it but was much better the second time.
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A very nice wine and a right bank style done to perfection. Big dark fruits with plum, black currant and tobacco. Had some velvety tannins too that made me believe you could drink this now or wait 10 years.
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14.8% ABV. Decanted this for about an hour before consuming. Translucent dark garnet in the glass. The nose brings to mind Bordeaux for me with aromas of mocha, old wood, mossy earth. Medium full bodied and somewhat closed down with black raspberry and tart currant fruit. Secondary suggestion of camphor. A little firm with slightly dusty tannin. Not sure exactly what to make of this. 91?
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Powerful nose redolent of sweet red cherry and red licorice, with suggestions of briar and strawberry. Heady sweet fruit on the silky palate, with a stunning finish that contains both deep and high-toned aspects. Gorgeous.
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Opened but not decanted for about 2 hours. Pretty tightly wound at this point, opened up slowly over the night. Enjoyable butprobably needs a few years for the tannins to balance out.
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Splash decanted, then right back into the bottle the night before bringing to the tasting. All in all, around 16 hours air exposure before uncorking again. Showed pretty much the same at the tasting as it did the night before, with everything a bit more integrated. Loads of red and black berries, tar, tobacco, pepper, and olives. Sooooo young, but sooooo tasty. That said I think I actually prefer the 06 Reserve Cabernet at this point for $10 less.
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Beautiful puple color. A very smooth mouthfeel for such a young wine. Big structure, lots of tannis, and execellent finish. Could be a serious 95 pointer with a long nap.
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Decanted for 5 hours in the cellar, and then funnelled back in the bottle for the night and all day the following day until dinner time. This wine needed every minute to provide its pleasure. Upon tasting before re-bottling for the night the wine just started to open up. Upon drinking today, the nose provides dark berries and ripe black cherry. I can literally smell the ripe fruits and it only took 18 hours to open with 5 of those in the decanter!! The palate offers an explosion of black currents, black cherries, and more dark perfectly ripe fruits. I mean the fruit is amazing on this wine. The oak is present but in perfect balance with this wine. The acidity is deftly balanced. The finish is 15 seconds in length with round tannins. This wine is so delicious now, and has the structure and balance for years and years to come. *Warning* do not drink this unless you can decant for 12 hours plus, the wine simply wouldn’t offer anything until that point. Excellent, glad I have 5 more bottles. 94+ points.
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This a whole lotta wine; nothing shy about this big boy! An opaque purple color, with notes of ripe blackberry, cherry and cassis. Medium to full-bodied, with fantastic concentration of fruit, good depth, nice acidity, great structure and a long finish. Nicely done!
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Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of tobacco, violets, black berries and black cheries. Flavors of currants, black berries and black cherries. Medium to bright acidity, medium to firm tannins, medium to full bodied. Hold into the medium term then drink over the medium to long term.
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Blind Tasting (Farpointe Cellar): The nose had blueberry, black currant, Ben-Gay, and some smoke at the end. the palate was big and juicy, with black currant, spice, smoke, and a finish that was a mix of blueberry and Ben-Gay.
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3 hour decant and it needed every minute - this wine is young and needs time. Still, the blue and black fruits are spectacular and the tannins are firm but juicy. Absolutely delicious and hedonistic...I just bought a few more bottles!
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This was a let down. I was expecting so much more. Brought to dinner and no one cared for it. Very green and tannic. Got a slight shot of sweetness from the merlot, but otherwise very austere. Won't be confusing this for Cheval Blanc. Really enjoyed the Eloge, wow what a difference.
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3/11/2024 - The Grape Escape Likes this wine: 91 Points
This was a nice easy wine to drink. I put it in a decanter while I made a weeknight meal of ravioli with white truffle sauce. After about 30 minutes, I had my first glass and had another with dinner. Although not a blockbuster, this wine aged well and was a great compliment to the meal. I have had many Anderson wines over the years and they have always been enjoyable.
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6/16/2023 - SMHalps Likes this wine: 95 Points
Part of a Bordeaux and Bordeaux-style wines with my wine group at a NYC restaurant. All the reds were opened, but not decanted, for over 45 minutes before pouring. Out of the 4 reds, it came in 1st. The wines we had in order, 2008 Leoville-Barton, 2009 Talbot, 2007 Anderson's Conn Valley Right Bank and 2011 Andrew Will Ciel du Cheval Vineyard. This wine has aged great, it was very high on the WOW factor! Long finish, great nose, it probably has years of life ahead of it. Although I'll probably drink my remaining 2 bottles in the next year or so. I should note, that the long cork broke in half when I opened it.
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12/11/2021 - oldwines Likes this wine: 91 Points
In my cellar since release, this is a rather typical ACVV style. Ripe, heavily oaked, soft texture yet rich and medium to full bodied. The heavy complement of Merlot tames the tannin but overall a nice easy to drink wine, if not a supremely complex or memorable one for me.
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10/1/2021 - dougie Likes this wine: 91 Points
Decanted for an hour. Closed down for first hour. Then, bright fruit for an hour. Then, filled out and very nice. Needs more time!
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8/14/2021 - pdadams66 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Deep dark center, red rim with some signs of age.
Sweet briar, stewed plums, blueberries and black cherries, coffee and a touch of asparagus.
Smooth and rounded, very ripe fruit - dark, underbrush, acidity and tannins still, pyrazine, well integrated oak, alcohol a little prominent, long finish of coffee grounds and crushed berries.
Excellent CVV Right Bank, drinking very well now (eventually), the high alcohol (14.8) is a little distracting but the overall package is very good, 5+ years to go.
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5/23/2021 - chuckos77 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Pop n pour, initial nose had a little funk, but really easy drinking with soft fruit. No reason to hold.
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4/3/2021 - Rollerball wrote:
Blueberry, cracked pepper, and tar but all fully integrated in a mellow, pleasurable way. Bottom 1/4 of the bottle under cork was drinking great the next evening, suggesting this may have been better night-one with a decant and also that there's no rush on these.
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2/13/2021 - christyspring Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drinking well now but still needs an hour of decant. Lovely layered and complex wine with a nice long finish.
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10/22/2020 - Snag One Likes this wine: 92 Points
This wine has aged very well. Well structured with balanced acidity and tannins. The nose expresses cocoa, peppercorns, cedar, blackberries and mint. Layers of blueberries, red figs, cassis, chocolate and toast.
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8/23/2020 - chuckos77 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Compared to the 2009, this vintage lacks some of the nuances that I noticed on the later vintage. Still, a good wine but not sure I would wait on it. Drink up and enjoy
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5/29/2020 - Snag One Likes this wine: 92 Points
A lot of life left with this wine. Supple tannins and expressive fruit.
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5/23/2020 - pdadams66 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Maturing well, but still better on day two.
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2/15/2020 - winelover1986 wrote:
This was fine, but may have drunk too young. Nothing stood out, and it was a bit one-note.
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2/7/2020 - BrunelloBob wrote: 89 Points
PnP, Pretty enough nose. Spice, pepper, cherry, plum (in that order). Decent length. A bit too much oak, a bit too much heat. 88-89. Not a re-buy.
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12/7/2019 - pdadams66 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Deep dark center, red rim with some signs of age.
Sweet, smokey, redcurrant, plum, figs, some cassis.
Smooth, grapes, cherry and plum compote, good acidity and tannin still, a little peppery, good length, slides into a somewhat bitter finish.
Very good right bank blend - although it would be hard to confuse this with a St Emilion or Pomerol. Still needs time - 5 years.
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11/30/2019 - stoneb Likes this wine: 90 Points
30 minute decant for (minimal) sediment. Deep purple/ruby color; very youthful appearance. Mostly blue and black fruit with some earth and cedar notes, but didn't start opening up until the end of our meal, when it was mostly gone. Not a lot of tannins remaining; more of an air than an age issue tonight. Give it a 90 minute decant next time.
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11/25/2019 - sdezutti wrote: 94 Points
Surprisingly young bottle for a right bank blend from California. Based on my last bottle I thought this would be fully mature, but it was not. Still needs to soften some. A deep and dark, full bodied wine with classic berry and mineral notes.
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9/21/2019 - slywka7 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Decanted for 20 minutes. Aromas of leather, dried cherry, iron and raspberry. Flavors of dried cherry, currant, dried plum, herb and leather. Ends with a long persistent finish of 30+ seconds of dried cherry and dried plum. Starting to show secondary notes in there. Still has a long life ahead. Wish I had some more of these.
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8/17/2019 - DrBad wrote: 88 Points
Disappointed with this bottle. Overly tannic and just never mellowed out even on day 2. Maybe this needed more time.
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7/28/2019 - Rollerball wrote: 95 Points
60 merlot /40 cab franc. No decanter so we slow-ox’d for 5(?) hours and then drank over another few side by side with the ‘14 (74 cab franc / 26 Merlot) as we made and enjoyed med-rare New York strips with SLulkin’s killer dry rub. As superb on its own as with dinner.
Drinking beautifully right now. Completely smooth and integrated. Late summer blueberry, a hint of mellow tar ... spicy! I think the next seven years will be best. Maybe longer. Best - 2026
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7/15/2019 - ifishtoo Likes this wine: 92 Points
Sadly, all gone.
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7/9/2019 - ogres3 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drinking well after a decant. Right bank style, smooth, pleasant dark fruit without the graphite.
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5/7/2019 - Gen NY Likes this wine: 91 Points
As predicted, this wine has really gotten its act together in the last year. The color is medium ruby edging towards garnet. Nose is clean forest floor, tobacco and a mix of red and dark fruit. It tastes of plums, blackberries, a bit of mushroom and forest floor. The rough edges are gone. The texture is smooth tending towards silky. Very impressive
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4/5/2019 - ogres3 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Served at a wine tasting and surprisingly went minimally consumed. I enjoyed. Probably got 3-4 hours of air. Nice old world barnyard nose. Smooth and full-bodied, and a very nice blend of merlot and cabernet franc. Finish lingers.
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2/26/2019 - SMHalps wrote: 92 Points
Opened, but not decanted, with my wine group. Very enjoyable, with a medium+ length finish.
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2/9/2019 - dougie Likes this wine: 92 Points
Decanted for an hour. Still very tight for a couple more hours. Finally started to become quite beautiful and bright fruit. Wait at least 5 years for other bottle!
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12/14/2018 - kfran24 Likes this wine: 93 Points
After about 30 mins in the decanter it wasn't ready to open yet, but by glass #2 it was drinking nicely. The aging has done this wine justice, might look for a few more bottles.
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11/26/2018 - Dvogt wrote: 96 Points
Great fruit, blue and black notes with truffle, cassis and blackberry. Balanced. Maybe the first signs of this wine starting to open up?
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7/9/2018 - rojoloco wrote:
sold
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6/30/2018 - thomastucker Likes this wine: 93 Points
Excellent, really enjoyed.
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5/28/2018 - Gen NY Likes this wine: 89 Points
I liked this wine very much after 2 hours of generous air. Wonderful blend of california fruit - plums and blackberries supported by cedar and forest floor. There is still a bit of menthol and the tannins are a tad imposing. I know this wine was bought on release and stored at 52 degrees, so perhaps it has some more aging to do at 58 degrees. Wait 6 months before trying again. Rated 89 but may improve with time.
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5/12/2018 - srh Likes this wine:
Winebar [4 Whts, 8 Reds, + 2 Shared Bottles] from 05/11/18 (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA): THANK you for sharing, José! :)
60% Merlot & 40% C.F.; 14.8% ABV
N: Vanilla with berries underneath? Intensity lurking?
P: LM body; Rndish entry with NICE frt met by a firming structure which fairly seamlessly transitions into a LONG (albeit very, VERY slightly faint), balanced finish with an interesting juxtaposition of very slight bitter/swtness for the very, VERY fine tannins. Should go VERY well right now with food, yet with the potential of making its 15th. My EXC with the POSS of more 'fore it's done. 95+ pts WA
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3/25/2018 - Wine Fool Likes this wine: 92 Points
It’s been nearly a three-year wait for this wine to fully come together and it is now there. This beauty retains its deep color and complex nose of spring herbs and black fruits. And there is now a welcomed bit of fresh forest floor as well. In the mouth, it is sweet, smooth, sumptuous and teaming with plum, cherry, sage, vanilla and a hint of meat juice flavors. The tannins have melted away and left a delicious wine ready for drinking. While the ACV Right Bank never rivals the Éloge or Cabernet Reserve, it is often excellent in it's own right. And that applies to this Right Bank vintage too. Drink now and over the next seven or so years. 92 points.
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3/25/2018 - bonedoc wrote: 91 Points
Solid but unspectacular. Drink over next 3 yrs
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3/3/2018 - sdezutti Likes this wine: 96 Points
2nd of 3 bottles. Unfortunately I don't have notes of the 1st, but this one was outstanding. Dark color. Deep, penetrating nose of dark fruits and spice, a wine that I enjoyed just taking in the bouquet. Full-bodied, still young but balanced at this point. I don't think this is at it's peak yet, but very enjoyable to drink.
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2/16/2018 - sdwineguru wrote: 89 Points
Cork broke halfway on extraction. Saved it. Decanted. 60 Percent Merlot, 40 Cabernet Sauvignon. Mid-garnet, brick edges; smokey cocoa and cassis nose; mid-body; rounding out; decent fruit; a little sour; long hot finish (14.8 alc.). A little clumsy.
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12/24/2017 - SonnyChiba wrote:
Same as before. Very enjoyable wine, nice St. Emilion taste with some Napa style.
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11/2/2017 - Winiac wrote: 89 Points
Spicy but not as focused as you would expect.
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10/18/2017 - vanpe003 wrote: 87 Points
PnP. No detailed notes. Relatively unimpressive. Perhaps it needed more thoughtful treatment at this stage in its life (e.g. decant). Seemingly balanced, if not integrated. I don't see the components coming together in any particularly compelling way, at least in the near to mid-term.
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10/1/2017 - erictayl wrote: 92 Points
Decanted two hours. Could have used more time as the last glass was the best. General flavor profile of chocolate covered blue fruit. Glad I have one more. Stored at 60° since 2009.
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6/25/2017 - Snag One Likes this wine: 92 Points
PnP very soft tannins and expressive layers of red ripe fruit.
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5/8/2017 - Bloms wrote: 93 Points
Still showing well. One of my all time favorite CVV wines.
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4/16/2017 - slywka7 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Decanted for 3 hours. Aromas of saddle leather, bell pepper, dried cherry and mint. Flavors of dried cherry, blackberry, game, dried plum and mint. Ends with a dried cherry infused finish of 40 seconds. This is still a bit tannic and drinking very young for 10 years old.
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2/24/2017 - 560 B&W Likes this wine: 92 Points
PnP. Big but balanced. Better on day two. Still has years ahead. 14.8%
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2/19/2017 - cabfrancair wrote: 88 Points
Closed down and balanced to the tannic side, not sure if the fruit will remain long enough for the tannins to resolve.
Had a glass then recorked and tried again the next evening
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1/13/2017 - msh305 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Lots of spice, a bit of tartness, really enjoyable. I think this still has lots of time left to develop so no need to be in a hurry. Over the course of an hour it opened up nicely, showing hints of tobacco, leather, and coffee. I'll let my last bottle go another 2-3 years before opening.
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10/28/2016 - NineteenEightyTwo Likes this wine: 90 Points
Opaque rosewood color. Plush, sweet nose of dark fruit, with green and sweetly woody notes. The palate shows a bit of tart red fruit but is mostly restricted by the tight, astringent tannins that still hold this wine firmly in check. Whereas I have found most 2007 Napa Cabernets to be easily accessible early on, this wine demands at least five years of additional cellaring. Good intensity, complexity, and structure is on display nevertheless, hence the positive rating.
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2/11/2016 - cawineaux wrote:
Day 1 was a struggle. Thin earthy palate, with a finish of something floral, sugary, and tannic. Not a good combination. Will try again tomorrow.
Day 2 Nose of creme brule, vanilla caramel, for the love of God. Overnight this wine has completely integrated. The palate reminds me of a 20 year old right bank from a great vintage.
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12/23/2015 - SMHalps Likes this wine: 92 Points
Group dinner of Anderson's Conn Valley wines, we had the (in order) the 2007 Right Bank, the 2009 Eloge and the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve. All three were popped and poured.
The Right Bank is a very tasty wine, although a bit lighter in mouth feel than the other two we had. For those in our group who like other reds than Cabernet Saugvignon, this was a big hit. Its drinking very well right now.
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12/14/2015 - ifishtoo Likes this wine: 92 Points
the last bottle was corked a bit and not enjoyable. This one was excellent. A dead ringer for its name. Many right bank Bordelais would be proud to have made this.
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12/14/2015 - ifishtoo wrote: flawed
corked.
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10/30/2015 - capacious Likes this wine: 90 Points
Gave this an all day decant, then back in the bottle and out to dinner. Ready to drink, but still young, primary, juicy, fruity. Don't usually drink our real right bank wines at 8 years so no fair comparison, but I don't see this really ending up an American St Emilion. Nor do I want it to. It's a well made wine, has years to go. If you want to drink now, let it breathe, if you can, and like what happens with age, I think it can go another 2 years or more before I open another.
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10/27/2015 - johnbhamrick wrote: 92 Points
Very nice bottle of wine for the money. Very pleasant taste and easy to drink.
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8/24/2015 - HOS Likes this wine: 95 Points
From a 3 L. Opened 2 hours before serving and then poured into decanter to serve. Smelled like a hay field which was amazing with red berries and earth. Taste of sour cherry, dark chocolate, herbs. By the end, absolutely seamless with a looong finish. Silky smooth, no bricking at all. Just a great wine. We poured this for 6 friends plus us and had one bottle of white and still had to open a 2007 eloge. What a great night by the lake.
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6/3/2015 - Wine Fool Likes this wine: 92 Points
(Decanted for two hours.) This has a beautiful purple robe with a dark garnet meniscus. Though a blend of merlot and cabernet franc, there is a musky nose laced with almost Syrah-like dark fruits, rosemary and scorched meat. The fragrance is very buoyant and persistent. Medium-bodied, round and silky in the mouth. The vibrant flavors of tangy red berries and cherries, sweet black plums and herbs have good length and depth and are nicely framed by moderate tannins. Excellent balance overall and no decline in sight. As much "Rhône" as "Right Bank", this delicious California wine has really come a long way since last year. Perhaps this time around it was given enough air? 92+ points.
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5/10/2015 - MattB72 wrote: 94 Points
great wine. the nose was very old world. More ox / age than i expected for an 8 yr old wine, but that was a good thing. Good the second night, but better the first night after about 3 hr open, which makes me feel like this may not be getting any better from here. Great wine to enjoy now.
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2/21/2015 - ogres3 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very much a right bank old world wine. Drank with filet. Very dark purple. Musty nose but not up to old Bordeauxs. Pleasant fruit that works well with food. Has a bit of a burn at the end so probably could/should wait a few years - we decanted for about two hours. Nice finish.
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12/20/2014 - Surfdoc wrote: 91 Points
Smooth and soft with dry fruit, but still some backbone for balance.
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10/17/2014 - dstraub wrote: 95 Points
Decanted for two hours and this one opened up and was just awesome.
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10/11/2014 - Rollerball wrote:
Firms up with air, hard to tell exactly what the potential is here. I'll be holding the rest for a few years to see ... but you can drink this now for some multi-dimensional fruit and excitement.
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7/31/2014 - Wine Fool Likes this wine: 90 Points
Popped and poured. Deep purple/black cherry color at the middle with garnet at the edges. Sweet and somewhat musky with ripe plum and cherry aromas mixed with herbs and bitumen. Medium weight in the mouth, the flavors of sour cherry, plum and cassis are not very forthcoming. The wine tastes slightly coiled and unresolved. Also, the tannins are a bit quarrelsome. While essentially correct and even excellent with extended airing, I think another two or three years will help this wine come around. I have high hopes for it. Only 90+ points for now.
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7/21/2014 - kingboo wrote: 92 Points
Tannins still prominent. Needs a good 2 hour decant, and you will be rewarded. Enjoy.
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6/28/2014 - George Lopez Likes this wine: 93 Points
Solid wine with a smooth finish. Tannins are still very present, suggesting that there's a lot of shelf life left in this wine.
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5/19/2014 - brigcampbell wrote: 92 Points
From a 3L which slow oxed for 3 hours. I took a quick pop n pour taste and the tannins were aggressive, concerned this was still too tight. Fortunately it unfolds beautifully in the glass with a swirl. Deep purple color. Dark berries and tar nose. Dark plum and cassis flavors with very fine but firm tannins. Slightly green or bitter. Still packing a solid foundation which will age for 10 years easily, no rush. Medium plus finish.
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3/20/2014 - wren460 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Good solid Bordeaux style of wine. Restrained fruit and definitely funk-ish nose ( not a lot). Medium bodied. Ok wine...
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3/16/2014 - rustyRudy Likes this wine: 87 Points
Deep red. Has blackberry , cedar, and vanilla, with a trace of menthol on the nose. Moderate complexity, tannins are softening,subtle tartness and dark fruit and a hint of plum. Decent finish. My third bottle, one more left. I have seen some bottle variation.
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2/22/2014 - The Wine Write Likes this wine: 90 Points
Popped and poured. Dense black and blue fruit, with notes of dark chocolate, tobacco and bell pepper. Nice Bordeaux blend.
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1/25/2014 - bonedoc wrote:
Old world style, restrained fruit (for a napa wine) and good acidity, not a blockbuster. This may get better w time. Drink 91-93+?
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12/23/2013 - Silveradoup wrote: 94 Points
This is in a great spot right now, we drank it with a 2 hour decant. It was awesome juice!
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12/3/2013 - sterin Likes this wine: 95 Points
Outstanding wine. I typically don't like the right bank style as much, but this was firing on all cylinders. Drinking well now.
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9/11/2013 - wdb001 wrote: 86 Points
Not loving this. Maybe it is in a dumb phase, but not sure that age is benefitting this wine. Was much better at 2-3 years old. Somewhat unappealing cherry notes and a short, tannic finish. Did not improve much over two hours. Will hold remaining two bottles for a few years and hope for the best.
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8/11/2013 - oropeza wrote: 84 Points
Beautiful Napa nose. In the mouth: Huge. Jammy. Bomb. Silly. Sugar plum stew. No nuance or subtlety whatsoever. Is this a port? Madeira? Am I sposed to drink this or use it for motor oil?
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7/23/2013 - Surfdoc wrote: 91 Points
Soft, ripe dark fruit with smooth tannins. Not as structured or complex as the 2007 ACV Cabernet, but still a nice wine from one of our favorite winemakers.
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6/16/2013 - cookie7 wrote: 90 Points
Pop and pour - note after 2 hours. Red currant and plum on the nose. Plums and sour cherries on the palate. A good deal of tannins - I suspect this will improve with more time. Good wine but not earth shattering and a mediocre value at this point in its life.
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6/7/2013 - Dabolts Likes this wine: 93 Points
This is one of those wines that is great now, but will also last a while. It's nice that the price point hasn't moved too much in the past 2 years! I've drank three bottles of this so far, the latest with a NY strip with a mushroom/cognac sauce. The wine held up really will with the meal. The merlot gives it structure and the franc adds an amazing nose (at least, I think...) At any rate, this wine is smooth as silk.
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5/12/2013 - ghood wrote: 91 Points
Juicy, rich, but good structure too. Not game-changing, but good.
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3/19/2013 - 560 B&W wrote: 92 Points
Big. Big.
Drinks fine now but will probably be better in a couple years
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11/22/2012 - capacious Likes this wine: 93 Points
This was thanksgiving -Had with cheese tray, crudite before the turkey- still very young, needed more time to open but the group drank it down too quickly. Another 11 in the cellar - look forward to those but will wait a few years. I know its "Right Bank" but its California to us
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10/23/2012 - dstraub wrote: 93 Points
Absolutely awesome again, but probably could still use a few more years of age.
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7/26/2012 - ralevine wrote: 93 Points
Delicious pop and pour. Tremendous value. Could drink every week
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4/23/2012 - StainedGlass wrote: 92 Points
I'm a huge fan of Conn Valley Reserve Cabs, but have never tried the Right Bank (or the Eloge). Well, I guess Conn Valley is my favorite Napa winemaker because this 60% merlot 40% cabernet franc is delicious. Medium dark garnet in color with a nice loamy mushroom nose, sweet black cherry fruits, a little leather and nice grippy tannins. It is drinking very well now (albeit a bit forward) but it has some great years ahead of it too. A very interesting Merlot / Bordeaux blend. 14.8% abv.
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4/14/2012 - tbabes wrote: 93 Points
Another impressive showing for this wine. Notes ripe black fruits, licorice and truffle. Medium to full bodied, with layers of jammy fruit, a lush and round texture, and good delineation. From a QPR standpoint, it is hard to beat the '07 Right Bank in terms of a Napa Valley Bordeaux blend.
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4/1/2012 - tbabes wrote: 94 Points
Another impressive performance for the '07 Right Bank. Notes of blackberry, cassis, mocha and hints of vanilla bean. Medium to full bodied, with great concentration of fruit, a silky mouthfeel, and a plush and lengthy finish. Call me a believer!
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3/31/2012 - Silveradoup wrote: 93 Points
Just beginning to enter its drinking window. This is great juice!
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3/7/2012 - Jeff Leve wrote: 94 Points
From a typical Right Bank blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, (hence the name) notes of chocoalte, spearmint, truffle and blackberry jam lead to a fat, sassy, plush, sweet, ripe wine that ends with a blast of cocoa and black cherry. This is showing great today.
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2/18/2012 - prettydeceextrap wrote: 90 Points
(B+)
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2/3/2012 - Mlyles wrote: 92 Points
Nice fruit evolves to mocha and smoothness. Big wine a little alcohol on nose but good!
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12/27/2011 - Nomadirish wrote: 88 Points
Enjoyed with some friends; very nice merlot blend though not very memorable.
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12/20/2011 - andrewdodd86 wrote: 93 Points
12/20/11 2007 Anderson's CVV Right Bank Good, took a min to open up, delicious, better than most Anderson's CVV
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12/5/2011 - cidiel wrote: 91 Points
have had 3 bottles and all have been fairly consistent, drinking deep cherry and solid red fruit. wine has a great lasting finish and could probably hold for at least another 5 years, not sure after that.
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11/30/2011 - atwkite wrote: flawed
Leakage on neck and under foil, wine was slightly oxidized
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11/17/2011 - tbabes wrote: 93 Points
Similar to bottle tasted a few weeks ago. Notes of mocha and black fruit; a hint of licorice. Plenty of dark fruit on the palate, with very good concentration, grip and depth.
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11/1/2011 - tbabes wrote: 94 Points
This wine continues to impress, although I'm not sure how much it has evolved since I last tasted it in July of 2010. Still very exuberant and outgoing, with loads of dark fruit on the palate, great concentration, grip and depth, but may be a bit "savage" for those who prefer more complex / finess wines. Definitely improved over the course of the evening, so I tend to think that extended airing / decanting would benefit this youthful wine.
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9/4/2011 - wirelesswine wrote: 91 Points
Very nice, but didn't get a fair shake with a proper decant or further age - this wine had immense structure but was quite tight at this point. Big, dark fruit, drying on the finish with big tannin. Seems very well made and complex, but probably needs some time to really show it's stuff!
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7/4/2011 - pc1981 wrote: 92 Points
takes 2-3 hours minimum decant to begin opening up. Fairly complex nose of chocolate, espresso, and some mineral/herbaceous notes intertwined with the fruit. Ripe, dense fruit dominating the palate. Pretty good stuff.
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5/15/2011 - pdemaio wrote: 92 Points
Drank another of these. It was much better. Bigger fruit and better integration. Tannins in balance with acid. Surprised to see this level of bottle variation...
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5/12/2011 - pdemaio wrote: 90 Points
big fruit with hints of mocha. some oak notes on the nose. Lacks structure and backbone to be a great wine, but overall enjoyable. A less profound wine than I had hoped for. Will try again.
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4/3/2011 - macker100 wrote: 91 Points
From gifted 125ml. Although an '07, this wine had a very complex nose of mocha, blackberries, and cherry spice. Sweet and dense, but balanced with good herbs and acidity. Palate had generous red ripe fruit, touch of oak, and some dust. Nice pepper notes with the Cab Franc really standing out here. Finish was very solid with a sour cherry blast.
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3/27/2011 - Nutty08 wrote: 89 Points
Poped and poured, sat in the glass 1hr then consumed over the next 3hrs. Initially quite closed, but eventually showing a complex nose of coffee, plum and other dark slightly roasted fruits with a little exotic spice. Palate is quite ripe, dense, and cencentrated, though closed as the concentration didn't really translate to complexity. Noticeable fine, soft tannins and strong acidity create a well structured wine. Plum flavors, cassis and and interesting herbal spice note that I assume comes from the Cab Franc, make up the palate. This leads into a lengthy fruit filled finish with coffee and tar. Some noticeable heat on the back end that I found distracting. Just wasn't fully together on this showing, maybe needs some time, but doesn't strike me as a wine I'll ever come to love. Not a good QPR.
Improved and deepened on day 4 with the palate showing more depth to the fruit and a long complex finish, with the Cab franc more prominent than the merlot. Probably better than my initial taste.
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2/5/2011 - nietzschephilosopher wrote: 88 Points
Less complex than I had anticipated. Good depth of fruit; this clearly needs some air. Quite tannic, but enough other stuff going on to stand up to it. Certainly not worth the price though.
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1/30/2011 - Wink wrote: 92 Points
Tasted at the winery. 60% Merlot. 40% Cab Franc. I recorded a score, but made no notes.
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12/12/2010 - Philly NQ King wrote: 94 Points
The 5 hour decant made all the difference in the world. This was consumed next to the 2007 Reserve Cab (which was popped and poured) and the Right Bank was simply better in every way. The black and blue fruits have an amazing intensity and the wine completely envelopes your mouth - full bodied and focused with a long life ahead of it. I'll try to let my last few bottles sleep for a few more years...
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12/7/2010 - dstraub wrote: 95 Points
With dinner at Bottega, it was impressive and long lasting. I'll cellar and decant in the future and I'm sure they'll be great.
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11/13/2010 - Nomadirish wrote: 88 Points
Still drinking well
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9/23/2010 - Zonk wrote: 92 Points
Dinner at Bouchon, 45 min decant. No formal notes, impressive balance, silky texture.
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9/15/2010 - BinVA wrote: 91 Points
Nice wine, drinking well now but will hold 2 other bottles for a couple more years
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7/4/2010 - tbabes wrote: 93 Points
A youthful and exuberant sort of wine, with a very outgoing personality. Aromas of ripe black fruits, a touch of vanilla, and a hint of spice. Medium to full bodied, with layers of flavor, a velvety texture, ripe tannins, and a powerful finish. Impressive!
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6/19/2010 - Nomadirish wrote: 88 Points
Rating due to my belief that this needs more ageing or additional time to decant. This seems a little tight right now - stiff aroma with more of the cab franc than the merlot coming out. While smooth to the lips, major oak flavor and rather tannic. Hint of licorice, with strong cherry tone. Too much heat going down - will let sit out overnight to see if it mellows.
Second day - ok, I raised this rating up a notch given the overnight decant. This wine needs time to open - there still is a little sour, tang to it but was much better the second time.
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5/19/2010 - slywka7 Likes this wine: 94 Points
A very nice wine and a right bank style done to perfection. Big dark fruits with plum, black currant and tobacco. Had some velvety tannins too that made me believe you could drink this now or wait 10 years.
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5/14/2010 - OneLastSyrah Likes this wine: 91 Points
14.8% ABV. Decanted this for about an hour before consuming. Translucent dark garnet in the glass. The nose brings to mind Bordeaux for me with aromas of mocha, old wood, mossy earth. Medium full bodied and somewhat closed down with black raspberry and tart currant fruit. Secondary suggestion of camphor. A little firm with slightly dusty tannin. Not sure exactly what to make of this. 91?
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5/10/2010 - will2wine wrote: 94 Points
Powerful nose redolent of sweet red cherry and red licorice, with suggestions of briar and strawberry. Heady sweet fruit on the silky palate, with a stunning finish that contains both deep and high-toned aspects. Gorgeous.
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5/2/2010 - SLOPPYdeCHAO wrote: 91 Points
Opened but not decanted for about 2 hours. Pretty tightly wound at this point, opened up slowly over the night. Enjoyable butprobably needs a few years for the tannins to balance out.
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3/27/2010 - jhannah27 Likes this wine:
Splash decanted, then right back into the bottle the night before bringing to the tasting. All in all, around 16 hours air exposure before uncorking again. Showed pretty much the same at the tasting as it did the night before, with everything a bit more integrated. Loads of red and black berries, tar, tobacco, pepper, and olives. Sooooo young, but sooooo tasty. That said I think I actually prefer the 06 Reserve Cabernet at this point for $10 less.
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3/27/2010 - brigcampbell Likes this wine: 92 Points
Poker VI - We're Drinking F$#! Merlot (WCC): this is an awesome wine and WAY to young right now to drink but Jeremy wanted to pull the trigger and we were all glad he did.
Beautiful puple color. A very smooth mouthfeel for such a young wine. Big structure, lots of tannis, and execellent finish. Could be a serious 95 pointer with a long nap.
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3/27/2010 - Cellar Fiend wrote: 94 Points
Decanted for 5 hours in the cellar, and then funnelled back in the bottle for the night and all day the following day until dinner time. This wine needed every minute to provide its pleasure. Upon tasting before re-bottling for the night the wine just started to open up. Upon drinking today, the nose provides dark berries and ripe black cherry. I can literally smell the ripe fruits and it only took 18 hours to open with 5 of those in the decanter!! The palate offers an explosion of black currents, black cherries, and more dark perfectly ripe fruits. I mean the fruit is amazing on this wine. The oak is present but in perfect balance with this wine. The acidity is deftly balanced. The finish is 15 seconds in length with round tannins. This wine is so delicious now, and has the structure and balance for years and years to come. *Warning* do not drink this unless you can decant for 12 hours plus, the wine simply wouldn’t offer anything until that point. Excellent, glad I have 5 more bottles. 94+ points.
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3/7/2010 - tbabes wrote: 94 Points
This a whole lotta wine; nothing shy about this big boy! An opaque purple color, with notes of ripe blackberry, cherry and cassis. Medium to full-bodied, with fantastic concentration of fruit, good depth, nice acidity, great structure and a long finish. Nicely done!
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2/6/2010 - wineismylife wrote: 92 Points
WIML92
Tasted at a retail tasting.
Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of tobacco, violets, black berries and black cheries. Flavors of currants, black berries and black cherries. Medium to bright acidity, medium to firm tannins, medium to full bodied. Hold into the medium term then drink over the medium to long term.
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2/6/2010 - mmurry wrote: 93 Points
Blind Tasting (Farpointe Cellar): The nose had blueberry, black currant, Ben-Gay, and some smoke at the end. the palate was big and juicy, with black currant, spice, smoke, and a finish that was a mix of blueberry and Ben-Gay.
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1/24/2010 - Philly NQ King wrote: 94 Points
3 hour decant and it needed every minute - this wine is young and needs time. Still, the blue and black fruits are spectacular and the tannins are firm but juicy. Absolutely delicious and hedonistic...I just bought a few more bottles!
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1/23/2010 - JJL wrote: 89 Points
This was a let down. I was expecting so much more. Brought to dinner and no one cared for it. Very green and tannic. Got a slight shot of sweetness from the merlot, but otherwise very austere. Won't be confusing this for Cheval Blanc. Really enjoyed the Eloge, wow what a difference.
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