This, our last bottle, has aged quite gracefully. Smooth and balanced, the fruit is still there, and there is plenty of backbone. It does California proud.
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Really good -- velvety smooth but with good acidity to carry out the back end. Wish I had more. (Perhaps more to the point, wish Phelps still made this wine!!)
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Nose with rotten wood and licorice scents. Palate of stewed meat, licorice and a little kirsch. Probably would be interesting in 10 years. Good, but funky.
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Fairly expressive aromas of blackberries and raspberries. Some acidity present, and after a day, the oak became much more prevalent, which made it more interesting in this case. Definitely was better on day two.
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Opened this one randomly, no special reason, but turned out to be good choice. Dark color, nose is a bit muted, almost creamy black fruit palate. Tannins are not present to any significant extent. Smooth finish. I'd drink this one up.
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We sampled this wine in a blind vertical tasting between the 2001, 2002 and 2003 vintages of Le Mistral with the 2001 being the group favorite. The particulars:
The 2001 had an aroma of fruit when decanted and was the mellowest of the group in regards to flavor. Again it was the tasting group's favorite. ----- 2002 blend: 56% Syrah, 32% Grenache, 7% Carignane, 3% Petite Sirah & 2% Alicante Bouschet.
The 2002 was spicy one in the group. Also the driest. Initially we guessed it was the youngest also and were surprised to find it was not. ----- 2003 blend: 57% Syrah, 36% Grenache, 5% Petite Sirah & 2% Alicante Bouschet.
The 2003 also has an aroma of fruit when decanted which was also present in the flavor more than in the 2001 and 2002. -----
All three wines were decanted for over an hour prior to tasting. The largest flaw in the tasting was the decanters were not of identical shape so the aeration was not quite the same in each wine when the tasting began. The sampling glasses were the same and it was noted that as the evening went on the vintages did start to taste more the same. Surprisingly the 2002 was in a decanter that would have given it the most exposure to air however it retained the strongest flavor.
Overall all three were very good. The 2001 was given a slightly higher score by being the unanimous tasting group favorite.
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I think this wine has been generally underrated on CellarTracker. It's a serious, reasonably priced wine. It has the rich iodine earthiness of a good Rhone blend, with wonderful balance and texture.
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Was an attempt at CDP. Okay, with tobacco and cigar box on the nose and palate, smokey meat, berry, and ceder. Finish was moderate. Pretty good, but not a true CDP.
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Showing much better than when I tried it at the winery a year ago. Great nose of red berries, vanilla and some white peper undertone. On the mouth it coats your palate with an opulent structure, very sweet tannins, lot's of fruit. Very good balance and good finish. Perfect pairing with a simple roasted filet mignon.
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Rich blackberry, pepper and spicy notes, a little cedar and cola in the mid palette. Had with elk steaks at a friend's and it was a perfect pairing. A rich, complex wine with a weak finish being the only flaw.
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On the nose, pepper, plum and blackberries. On the palate, medium-bodied with lots of raspberries, blackberries vanilla and black cherry, with a medium length, spicy finish. Nice wine, but simpler and not quite up to the level of the last couple of vintages though.
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This wine was a deep ruby and had a medium thickness. The nose was filled with berries, forest floor aromas, vanilla, and oak. In the mouth were the tastes of sweet berries, and earth. The tannins were soft and the finish was long.
This was my third favorite wine in the tasting I attended.
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Opened and allowed to sit about 45 mins. Only had one glass of this but in recollection it didn't strike me as anything special. Had some bitter flavors above spice and pepper and dark fruits.
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Opaque purple. Ripe zingy jammy black fruit and blueberry aroma with just a hint of bacon. Nice blueberry ripe fruit on the palate with a firm tannic frame.
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4/7/2014 - Tony Poli Likes this wine: 91 Points
This, our last bottle, has aged quite gracefully. Smooth and balanced, the fruit is still there, and there is plenty of backbone. It does California proud.
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8/3/2012 - kmforster wrote: 89 Points
Really good -- velvety smooth but with good acidity to carry out the back end. Wish I had more. (Perhaps more to the point, wish Phelps still made this wine!!)
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11/18/2010 - wineward Likes this wine: 87 Points
Nose with rotten wood and licorice scents. Palate of stewed meat, licorice and a little kirsch. Probably would be interesting in 10 years. Good, but funky.
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11/28/2009 - Syrogr wrote: 88 Points
One-dimensional, strawberries and ginger, too sweet. No tannins whatsoever.
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11/10/2009 - win wrote: 88 Points
Fairly expressive aromas of blackberries and raspberries. Some acidity present, and after a day, the oak became much more prevalent, which made it more interesting in this case. Definitely was better on day two.
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8/30/2009 - jimkay21 wrote: 91 Points
Opened this one randomly, no special reason, but turned out to be good choice. Dark color, nose is a bit muted, almost creamy black fruit palate. Tannins are not present to any significant extent. Smooth finish. I'd drink this one up.
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3/21/2009 - joshwoodward wrote: 87 Points
Stimmel's Market: Great Whites (Bowling Green, OH): Pencil lead nose, with black berries. Medium body, red fruit, medium tannin and acid. Simple. Cracked pepper. Fresh, dusty.
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10/10/2008 - ancientvines wrote: 93 Points
wow. This was a suprise. This wine is drinking quite nicely. Glad I've got a few left. Wonder how long it will hold.
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7/15/2008 - Syrogr wrote: 92 Points
Bouquet of cinnamon and cloves, explosive first impression, then complex, fruity, dark, salty and alive with black licorice and sweet spice.
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12/28/2007 - TEDL wrote: 87 Points
We sampled this wine in a blind vertical tasting between the
2001, 2002 and 2003 vintages of Le Mistral with the 2001 being
the group favorite. The particulars:
-----
2001 blend: 56% Syrah, 34% Grenache, 3% Carignane, 3% Petite Sirah, 2% Alicante Bouschet & 2% Mourvèdre.
The 2001 had an aroma of fruit when decanted and was the mellowest of the group in regards to flavor. Again it was the tasting group's favorite.
-----
2002 blend: 56% Syrah, 32% Grenache, 7% Carignane, 3% Petite Sirah & 2% Alicante Bouschet.
The 2002 was spicy one in the group. Also the driest. Initially we guessed it was the youngest also and were surprised to find it was not.
-----
2003 blend: 57% Syrah, 36% Grenache, 5% Petite Sirah & 2% Alicante Bouschet.
The 2003 also has an aroma of fruit when decanted which was also present in the flavor more than in the 2001 and 2002.
-----
All three wines were decanted for over an hour prior to tasting. The largest flaw in the tasting was the decanters were not of identical shape so the aeration was not quite the same in each wine when the tasting began. The sampling glasses were the same and it was noted that as the evening went on the vintages did start to taste more the same. Surprisingly the 2002 was in a decanter that would have given it the most exposure to air however it retained the strongest flavor.
Overall all three were very good. The 2001 was given a slightly higher score by being the unanimous tasting group favorite.
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12/21/2007 - Kryn13 wrote:
Very Nice. A-
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12/15/2007 - jackarmando wrote: 92 Points
I think this wine has been generally underrated on CellarTracker. It's a serious, reasonably priced wine. It has the rich iodine earthiness of a good Rhone blend, with wonderful balance and texture.
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11/11/2007 - madeiradog wrote: 88 Points
Spicy and very delicious, the Mistral is a fun drink. Definitely can pick up the oak signature but not too overwhelming. For $24 a great qpr wine.
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10/19/2007 - CMCLR wrote: 87 Points
Interesting but a little coarse.
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6/4/2007 - mmyette wrote: 87 Points
Was an attempt at CDP. Okay, with tobacco and cigar box on the nose and palate, smokey meat, berry, and ceder. Finish was moderate. Pretty good, but not a true CDP.
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3/25/2007 - cousteau wrote: 91 Points
Showing much better than when I tried it at the winery a year ago. Great nose of red berries, vanilla and some white peper undertone. On the mouth it coats your palate with an opulent structure, very sweet tannins, lot's of fruit. Very good balance and good finish. Perfect pairing with a simple roasted filet mignon.
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2/5/2007 - snaff wrote: 91 Points
Rich blackberry, pepper and spicy notes, a little cedar and cola in the mid palette. Had with elk steaks at a friend's and it was a perfect pairing. A rich, complex wine with a weak finish being the only flaw.
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1/19/2007 - Texas R Aggie wrote: 89 Points
Good ruby color. Fruit aroma, including blueberry and spice. Flavor had cherry and chewy chocolate. Finish was smooth, but nothing special.
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11/4/2006 - SacredCow wrote: 89 Points
On the nose, pepper, plum and blackberries. On the palate, medium-bodied with lots of raspberries, blackberries vanilla and black cherry, with a medium length, spicy finish. Nice wine, but simpler and not quite up to the level of the last couple of vintages though.
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7/17/2006 - cmr wrote: 89 Points
Fruit seemed a bit subdued but had excellant structure.
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3/1/2006 - mmyette wrote: 88 Points
Nice, fruit forward rhone blend. It was forward on the black cherry, red currant, and light vanilla. Nice wine.
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1/29/2006 - CMCLR wrote: 85 Points
Too Rustic compared to other vintages
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1/7/2006 - mmurry wrote:
This wine was a deep ruby and had a medium thickness. The nose was filled with berries, forest floor aromas, vanilla, and oak. In the mouth were the tastes of sweet berries, and earth. The tannins were soft and the finish was long.
This was my third favorite wine in the tasting I attended.
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11/25/2005 - davidandrose wrote: 88 Points
Opened and allowed to sit about 45 mins. Only had one glass of this but in recollection it didn't strike me as anything special. Had some bitter flavors above spice and pepper and dark fruits.
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11/12/2005 - winefool wrote: 91 Points
Opaque purple. Ripe zingy jammy black fruit and blueberry aroma with just a hint of bacon. Nice blueberry ripe fruit on the palate with a firm tannic frame.
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