I bought 7 bottles of this and am just drinking the last Aug 2019. Still wonderful. Wish I had another 7 for the next decade to see what happens. Notes: Tasting in store, intense cherries in a gentle spice box sold me; 2nd to last Jan 2018, as I remember, intense black cherry with broader balanced flavors, really a special wine, glad it still has this character 11 years on that drove me to buy it, one bottle left. Opened last Aug 7, 2019. Still strong black cherry, and underlying earthy cedar box and garrigue. I rate this 93+. This wine stands out in my wine memory. I compare other black cherry and spicy wines that I like to it mentally all the time.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very nice with a NY strip. Not quite monotonic on the palate. The first presentation to the olfactory organ triggered visions of blackberries and raisined grapes cascading from the glass to the floor--Ah! A New World style! But further probing with the proboscis revealed an undertone of spice and floral elements, perhaps violets or, weirdly, the aroma of an orchid wafting through the oppressive humidity of your cabana in the evening; an aroma that promises and denies all in a single susperation.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted 2 hours prior to pairing with bbq'd boneless pork loin. A very dark purple, with a straightforward nose of blackberries. Full-bodied palate with ripe blackberries and fairly pronounced alcohol heat. Quite monolithic and lacking any spice. Very good, though lacking the complexity and integration to merit a higher score. Should last for 5+ more years, which is a good thing.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Nice dark garrigue element with black and blueberry fruit; distinct steely mineral element in the nose as well; mouth of soft, medium body, a bit hot, but chewy and earthy black cherry choncetrate; good balance even with the heat, very solid finish. Good CdR. Maybe 90
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
more Aussie like in character than southern rhone. unctous, thick body; high fruit extract and alcohol content (15%). somewhat reminiscent of ch. de la negly's la falaise in style. deep flavors of casis, dark fruit, plum.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Well-aired bottle, more than 1 hr. Nose of nail polish and hint of floral and earth/herb. In the mouth pleasantly chewy and savory, slightly metallic deep plummy blackberry and strawberry fruit with hints of mineral. Swishing in the mouth releases more aromas back into the nose. Short to medium finish that includes some bitter leather. Body medium, acid medium, tannin medium. Dry.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Faboulous Côtes du Rhône that would rival many a Châteauneuf-du-Pape. A marriage of old style garrigue flavors with a modern style cencentrated "fruit bomb". 15% alchohol to boot, but manages to carry it effortlessly. Mouthfilling and dense. A great match for roasted lamb or (come summer) for a barbeque. Must get more of these wines.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
8/7/2019 - JCWmedia Likes this wine: 93 Points
I bought 7 bottles of this and am just drinking the last Aug 2019. Still wonderful. Wish I had another 7 for the next decade to see what happens. Notes: Tasting in store, intense cherries in a gentle spice box sold me; 2nd to last Jan 2018, as I remember, intense black cherry with broader balanced flavors, really a special wine, glad it still has this character 11 years on that drove me to buy it, one bottle left. Opened last Aug 7, 2019. Still strong black cherry, and underlying earthy cedar box and garrigue. I rate this 93+. This wine stands out in my wine memory. I compare other black cherry and spicy wines that I like to it mentally all the time.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/23/2014 - onewineheaven wrote: 90 Points
Very nice with a NY strip. Not quite monotonic on the palate. The first presentation to the olfactory organ triggered visions of blackberries and raisined grapes cascading from the glass to the floor--Ah! A New World style! But further probing with the proboscis revealed an undertone of spice and floral elements, perhaps violets or, weirdly, the aroma of an orchid wafting through the oppressive humidity of your cabana in the evening; an aroma that promises and denies all in a single susperation.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/25/2014 - KendraPM wrote: 91 Points
Aged well. Aroma of smoky pepper. Thick sediment at the end.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/24/2012 - wicozani wrote: 88 Points
Decanted 2 hours prior to pairing with bbq'd boneless pork loin. A very dark purple, with a straightforward nose of blackberries. Full-bodied palate with ripe blackberries and fairly pronounced alcohol heat. Quite monolithic and lacking any spice. Very good, though lacking the complexity and integration to merit a higher score. Should last for 5+ more years, which is a good thing.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/1/2011 - peternelson wrote: 89 Points
Nice dark garrigue element with black and blueberry fruit; distinct steely mineral element in the nose as well; mouth of soft, medium body, a bit hot, but chewy and earthy black cherry choncetrate; good balance even with the heat, very solid finish. Good CdR. Maybe 90
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/2/2011 - cmlee7 wrote:
more Aussie like in character than southern rhone. unctous, thick body; high fruit extract and alcohol content (15%). somewhat reminiscent of ch. de la negly's la falaise in style. deep flavors of casis, dark fruit, plum.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/10/2010 - dynowine wrote: 90 Points
Well-aired bottle, more than 1 hr. Nose of nail polish and hint of floral and earth/herb. In the mouth pleasantly chewy and savory, slightly metallic deep plummy blackberry and strawberry fruit with hints of mineral. Swishing in the mouth releases more aromas back into the nose. Short to medium finish that includes some bitter leather. Body medium, acid medium, tannin medium. Dry.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/3/2010 - KristianT wrote: 91 Points
Faboulous Côtes du Rhône that would rival many a Châteauneuf-du-Pape. A marriage of old style garrigue flavors with a modern style cencentrated "fruit bomb". 15% alchohol to boot, but manages to carry it effortlessly. Mouthfilling and dense. A great match for roasted lamb or (come summer) for a barbeque. Must get more of these wines.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment