Darkest red, black core, transparent --- Nose sweet and flowery, very nice, some nutty notes, chestnut, some unripe plum, cherries, some dust and some cardboard --- Palate fruity, acidic, somewhat aggressive, watery, cherries, plums, nice tart tone, elegant wood notes, some underbrush and some smoke, a lot of attractive dark notes, red currant coming through, some marzipan, overall vivid and tasty --- Finishes on licorice notes, creamy, nice sweetness. Wonderful vine, tasty and captivating. Great QPR.
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Just delicious uncomplicated Bordeaux very much in the mold of the rich 2009 vintage. Firm, masculine structure with plenty of fruit. Lovely. If all bottles of wine have the same QPR as this, the (wine) world would be a much better place!
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The initial entry was dry and savoury, with notes of cedar and lead pencils, underpinned with blackcurrant and black cherry fruit. Spicy and tannic, the tannins melted away to leave a residual flavour of mocha. With a more than passable length of finish this still retained freshness and a firm structure. CHP 91pts
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Sterling condition, virtually no ullage, cork in great condition. Wine was superb, fully integrated tannins and ideal balance of fruit and secondary mature characteristics. A delightful claret and remarkable qpr. Down to last few bottles which should be drunk over next 2-3 years.
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Darkest red, showing maturity, blackish core --- Nose fresh, salty, green herbs, some mahogany, buttery aspects --- Palate fresh, watery, nice acidity, so vivid, cherries, redcurrant, some lilac, nice tartness, black tea aspects, basil, some plum, some elder, saline mouthfeel --- Finishes pretty long on its fresh and fruity aspects, tartness always present, mouth watering. I like it a lot, tasty and classy. Needs ten minutes in the glass to really open up, really nice.
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blackcurrant and red berries, some spice, harmonious oak, mid weight, balanced acid, great length and mouthfeel. Tremendous value especially today. Enjoyed this very much.
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PnP. Black fruit, hints of vanilla and cedar on the nose, with some spice. On the palate, strawberry and red berries flavours, still quite tannic and dry, but it resolves into something quite creamy. Long, long finish - it keeps on going. Still strong at 14 years' old. Excellent QPR.
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Coravin fun - St Estephe and randoms (My place, Kent Street): From Coravin. Slightly baked blackcurrant fruit, a little cedar, pyrazine, touch of salinity, alcohol prickle, cream, toast and a little biscuit. Juicy, slightly baked black fruit on the palate; the pyrazine resolves to a little tomato leaf, plenty of cedary, slightly grainy mid palate grip. Creamy notes and alcohol warmth on the finish. Hmm
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Beautifully integrated, this showed off a beguiling and heady mix of cassis, leather, plums, and spice overlying supple tannins and enriched by cream and mocha. Savoury yet sweet-fruited the bitter chocolate finish makes for a totally satisfying farewell kiss. For the price I paid en primeur this really overperforms. Superb. CHP 93 pts
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From 75cl, very good cork, decanted 1 hour. Can this really be Médoc? It has a deep purple-red colour with no fading, or even thinning to the rim. It doesn't smell of cedar or cassis, but something much darker, perhaps ripe Merlot? The entry is thick-textured, heavy and almost without nuances of complexity, brightness, minerality, or indeed anything else to lighten up the oliy-heavy, dark red fruited entry. Mid-palate confirms the fruit is very concentrated, blackberry-like, monolithic, sweet with little acid showing through, and weighs heavy in the mouth; the finish seems longer than it is because the sheer weight of this wine with so few balancing aspects, just makes it tiring. 88P(to 89P if it lightens up with bottle age?) Phélan-Ségur can have this dark monolithic character in ripe years, but generally has so much balance or at least interest at all stages of maturity it's not a fair comparison.
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Deep. Touch burnt but there is refreshing Bordeaux acidity.
In some ways it seems rustic, but it’s also clearly well made. A rustic sophisticate?
It’s St Estephe definitely, quite different from, say, Margaux. They say St Estephe does particularly well in hot vintages. I don’t know but this isn’t obviously 2009, it doesn’t have the opulence seen in some Pauillacs for instance. Though there is a touch of syrup about it.
From Coravin. Surprisingly youthful in colour and flavour. Probably needs about an hour to open up (a little less in our case since I used an aerator too when pouring to the glasses). I think this would easily last another 3-5 years if stored properly. My bottle was in professional storage until 3 years ago and in the flat the last 3 years (room temp - coolest spot/storage are). Thankfully, the cork was in good shape.
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Adriana's birthday party (80) and dinner and 'her' Frans opened some nice bottles: friendly earthy, a bit shy bouquet, but it developes in the glass (black fruit), a firm body with spices underneath, good balance.
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Very consistent with my previous notes. After an hour in the decanter there's plenty of blackcurrant fruit balanced with some acidity and tannic structure. Good value and very food friendly.
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Dark garnet. Leafy, cherry bouquet. Palate is slow to build - cassis with some wood notes darting in and out on the medium final. Tannins fully resolved.
A wee bit hollow in the middle as I've noted before but apart from being somewhat emptier than I'd like, this is nevertheless enjoyable.
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Forgot to post tasting note when I opened this bottle. While it did not appear to be "corked", it tasted dreadful at PnP and a couple of hours later. Literally like a $1 cab sav that had been left in the bright sun for 4 hours. Based on other reviews, it seems likely my bottle was indeed off.
This turned out to be a gem! Fully mature, with the opulence you expect from 2009, the wine is medium-bodied, round, and packed with ripe, red berries and spice. Drink from 2022-2026.
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90 - With forerib. Brambles and autumn leaves, fresh, some pencil shavings, some mint, medium length, decent balance. Drink over next year but not much longer
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Upfront flavours burst through with notes of blackcurrant pastilles and menthol underscored with smoke, cedar and a whack of leather. The firm tannins melt away to reveal cream and rich dark chocolate and the finish is impressive too. It has a lovely structure: powerful yet soft; rich yet structured. Bang on the money. CHP 93 pts
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PnP. Drank over two days. Woody on the first pour, earth, some tar, medium acidity. Similar on day two but acidity more pronounced. I think there is better wine for $50/750mL (current price).
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Dark red with a blue shimmer --- Nose fruity, red current, some plums, flowers, overall fresh and stimulating, nice wood tone. Palate fresh, nice cabernet fruit, some bark that adds an elegant and tasty bitter tone, some flowery aspects. Finishes on its fruity aspects, some tar, some wood aspects coming through. Very nice vine, in excellent condition now, so tasty and captivating.
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60 CS; 28 Merlot; 12 CF. Deep to opaque garnet. The bouquet offers gorgeous dark chocolate, mocha and coffee notes alongside brown spices, minerals, and black fruit. Full-bodied, the texture is thick and dense and supported with wonderful dark fruit, cinnamon, nutmeg and clove. Plenty of black plum, blackcurrant and herbal brambly notes to fill the core are swathed in cocoa powder and finished with thick powdery chocolate-covered tannins ad a granitic grip. Tertiary notes add leather and tar, whilst the oak is nicely integrated to give complexity and massive appeal. A classy wine that is drinking well with a long farewell, probably hedonistic in its more youthful days!
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60 CS; 28 Merlot; 12 CF. Deep to opaque garnet. The bouquet offers gorgeous dark chocolate, mocha and coffee notes, brown spices, minerals, and black fruit. Full-bodied, the texture is thick, dense, and supported with excellent dark fruit, cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove. Plenty of black plum, blackcurrant and herbal brambly notes that fill the core and are swathed in cocoa powder and finished with thick powdery chocolate-covered tannins ad a granitic grip. Tertiary notes add leather and tar, whilst the oak is nicely integrated to give a certain complexity but also massive appeal. A classy wine that is drinking well with a long farewell, probably hedonistic in its more youthful days!
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This is the first half bottle (out of about 10 tasted over the last 5 years) that tasted ready. The inky awkwardness has gone and a balanced St Estephe is revealing itself. Out of bottle it may well need a few more years to get to its drinking window. In half bottles I think this will improve for at least another 10 years.
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Probably the best bottle I've had, this was back on form. Showing that rich opulence from October 2020, but with just more integration and maturity. There was a real depth and intensity to the fruit, but it was more open, fragrant, and inviting. Secondary characteristics are present, but perhaps not singing quite as beautifully as they could. While these could age further, I question the reliability based on the case I've finished.
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Black ink with a hint of red ink. Very garagiste. The oak has already disappeared leaving unbalanced acidity. One of those Jancis Robertson recommendations en primeur that she has probably hoped to get forgotten…. fair play, she can’t get everything right.
Not my style at all!! Heavy, juicy, licking with liquor, strong and heavy. Probably this has been due to the 09 vintage but now I know I can donate all my 09 bottles.
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Deep ruby red. Classic bouquet of cedarwood, graphite, mineral gentle paprika spice and rosemary joins by tinned black cherries, dried blackcurrant and bilberry. Full-bodied, the sweet entry shows plenty of dark black fruit, dark chocolate (70%) and sweet spices, especially nutmeg and star anise. Powdery textured, with a lively acidity, the mid-palate is linear, quite a hot pumice rock (mineral quality). This lead to a dense granular tannin that sometimes felt a little wearing on the palate. However, as the wine opened, one was rewarded with briny black olives, dried plum, almost damson and good depth of flavour. A big, powerful wine, very much St. Estephe, the wine ticked along nicely to a long finish. Still relatively youthful.
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Definitely on the opulent side with this bottle - enormous black fruits, black forest gateau, earth, coffee grounds, and baking spice. Round and broad on the palate, perhaps chunky if not given enough air. Lovely full structure on the finish with everything in balance.
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Had for NYE. Quite a development since the last bottle (although this was from a different case). Wine appeared pretty fully mature, with tannins fully resolved. I found that at this stage of its development it didn't appear to new worldly in character at all, in fact quite feminine and lovely. A delicious drop.
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Slight reduction at first but upon more time in glass that blew off and showed red fruits, mineral, coffee grounds and chocolate with a spicy edge. Thick, powdery tannins with a warming, spiky alcohol going to a long finish. A tiny dried herb note on the finish. Well built solid structure wine this is classic claret that is good for a wet spring day! Perhaps not as showy as my previous bottle?
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This was a fabulous bottle. Still retaining that rich opulence on my last bottle, but with a bit more grip and discipline. Very ripe blackcurrant core, verging on cassis, with a cooked plum roundness. Some chocolate richness, but balanced by woodsy spice and minty tobacco. There is a dark core to this that was actually quite profound at times, with fine charcoal like tannins. Finish was lovely, but perhaps where this didn't exceed expectations. All around a great value though.
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Decanted 1hr. Rich nose with plenty of ripe blackcurrants and attractive pencil shavings. Black fruits palate with great freshness and ripe tannins which are gently integrating. Really starting to drink well but no rush at all. Very good and great value. Drink now-2028.
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Brooding nose of dark fruits. Lovely and smooth in the mouth - more of those dark, somewhat savoury fruits, but with just a hint of sweetness to balance it out. Good length and concentration. Still some grip on the finish. Definitely has some of that St Estephe rusticity, but still a pleasure to drink. Well and truly open for business but has the structure to last for a good few years yet.
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A great example of well priced 2009 - rich black fruit, a hint of cedar, still some structure. Drinking very well now and will do so for a few years from here.
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Deep garnet red. Classic bouquet of turned earth, cassis, graphite, baked plum and bitter (99%) Lindt chocolate Fresh acidity and vibrant fruit on entry with plenty of baked blackcurrant, mocha chocolate, black forest gateau and dark chocolate swirls. All of this is framed by firm, dense tannins that almost take over but manage to keep it balanced as the wine unfolds in the decanter. There is a real depth of flavour, and enough engaging fruits with a sweetness from the alcohol to keep it all together. Whilst not that complex and more a traditional claret, this is a smart wine for the price.
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Dark and savoury, good concentration but quite hard work. The quality is undeniable but just not much fun. Reminds me in that respect of Leoville Barton - almost determined to be stern and old fashioned. The Professor Yaffle of 2009.
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Decanted 90 minutes (Ch). Ripe intense nose full of pencil shavings, ripe blackcurrants and gentle rosemary. Delightful. Palate is intense with plenty of ripe fine tannins and lots of acidity; light black fruit notes with masses of herbs - thyme. Does lack a little persistence, being a little fussy. Drinking very well now but has potential to age and develop further from here. Decant 2 hours+. Excellent, true value for money claret. Drink now-2024.
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Really lovely. Very much reflective of the vintage. A powerful but still elegant wine with plenty of cassis, cedar, tobacco and just the barest hint of menthol. Drinkable now but will obviously improve.
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Ruby colour with maturing brown hints. Black currant, blue berries with vanilla smoky notes on palate. A little astringent in a beginning but it calms down with some time.
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Opulent for a St Estephe, but this is 2009 we're talking about. Ripe black fruits with a figgy cocoa halo around them. Quite intense and extracted, but balanced by some earthy grit and nice structure. There's a bit of creamy/fleshy youth here. Certainly has lots of life, but the tannins are surprisingly soft all things considered. Wonderful value.
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Not a real tasting note here because it was the final wine at a rather heavy Friday night dinner party. First bottle of a case. My very first bordeaux of the much hyped 2009 vintage. PnP, which was probably a mistake, but obviously there wasn't much on the nose (probably my senses were somewhat limited by that stage anyway). The palate however told me that this was a very youthful wine just entering its proper drinking window. Plenty of tannin, good forward fruit. A touch new worldy, but expected that. Will report again once I try the next bottle but will likely leave things for a year or so.
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A very good Bordeaux for a very good price point. At a good point of its maturity showing the rich plump fruit of 2009 making this less classic St Estephe but rather classic 09 Bdx. This medium bodied wine shows some good development of dark chocolate on the palate and nuances of leather, earth on the nose. For people in search of a good value Bordeaux experience a good choice!
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Day 1: Muted, okay but not quite delivering. Day 2: Comes together as an easy-drinking merlot-esque soft and smooth crowd-pleaser. Overnight decant recommended. Still a bit early to be drinking too many of these.
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I bought 5 cases of this wine back in 2014 and am currently drinking the last bottle. It’s been a pleasure to enjoy over the last few years, great blackcurrant fruit balanced with good acidity. Think I preferred it a couple of years ago with a bit more fruit and tannin on show but still very enjoyable now. PS only 1 bottle out of 60 was faulty (Brett). Have just stocked up on the ‘16....
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Perfectly mature and sophisticated, if not particularly grand, claret, with ripe fruit, plenty of complexity, authentic terroir, and no new-fangled humbug. I'd buy more , if I could get it, now that my two cases are finished. It's got a couple of years' life left, for sure.
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Définitivement prêt à boire. Tannins et boisé bien intégrés. Le nez est surtout sur le fruit avec une légere touche de jujubes aux fraises. La bouche est soyeuse et équilibrée. Pas très complexe, mais beaucoup de plaisir dans le verre.
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Still quite primary, but ripe cassis and black fruit make this easy to drink now. Some sweet oak, just a bit dry and disjointed on the finish, but I think this might smooth out over a few more years.
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Very dark opaque purple. Classic blackberry and cassis nose. Textbook St Estephe with ripe dark savoury fruit, well integrated tannins, herbs and cedar. Slightly austere on first opening, this really rounded out with a three hour decant. Another great '09 and excellent value.
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This bottle didn't require much air, quick half hour decant was sufficient. Nice nose of blueberry, plum, oak and a whiff of tobacco. Pretty much the same in the mouth with additional herbal character and dark chocolate. Tannins are fully integrated and polished thought tertiary aromas are not yet developed in any meaningful way. Give it a few years.
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Notes from 3rd day. Dark garnet. Cassis nose with a hint of alcohol. Builds quickly to a pleasant cassis mid-palate which is harmonious but falls away a bit prematurely and has a touch of heat. Tannins are fine but still grippy.
This feels pleasant enough and is good value. That said, at the moment it is a bit disjointed and hollow in the middle. I'd give these another 3 years and hope they fill out a bit more.
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Du même propriétaire que Calon-Ségur, ce vin serait en pleine renaissance depuis quelques années (investissement, réduction de rendements, nouvelle philosophie, etc.) Le nez propose encore du fruit, en mélangeant cassis, tabac et notes torréfiées. La bouche est marquée par la structure et un fruit légèrement en retrait: texture un peu crémeuse,/veloutée mais finale très tannique, quoiqu'en finesse et bien appuyée par une bonne acidité. Contrairement à d'autres 2009 (surtout en rive droite), on est loin d'une bombe fruité et alcoolisée Cependant la structure est telle qu'elle évoque presque un barolo. Je pense que ce vin mérite encore au bon 2-3 ans pour se fondre. Mais je crains une certaine austérité si le fruit diminue encore plus. On verra bien avec les 2 bouteilles restantes. 90+
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This was excellent, still felt young on the first day and then more mature and laid back on the second. Very good QPR, should have gotten more of this.
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opened the night before and let slow ox. Pleasant cherry up front. Had a bit an astringent finish. It's pretty good but still a little young, i think. I hope.
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Decanted 90 minutes. Deep intense red colour. Clear blackcurrant and pencil nose - good freshness. Slight rosemary. Palate quite tight with medium++ acid and fine, but clear, tannins - slight need to still resolve fully. Quite austere. Subtle blackcurrant fruit on palate with a little fresh herb. Entering drinking window with a few years ahead. Drink now-2023.
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Still a baby but drinking surprisingly well right now. Dark purple with a beautiful rustic St Estephe nose. Blackberry, cassis, bay leaf and mineral with firm but caressing tannins. Lovely old school St Estephe.
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Decanted 60 mins. An open and attractive nose. Light sweet spice and leather with ripe bramble and blackcurrant. Palate also ripe with delightful ripe, fine, medium tannins & light acid. Great black fruit notes and excellent balance. Drinking superbly now to 2021. Very enjoyable.
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My Grade: EX-. This has really come on song on since the last bottle I opened 3 years back and is definitely in its drinking window now, but should reward patience over the next couple of years. Everything is much smoother and very well-integrated. Silky mouth feel, plush tannins and there is still plenty of luscious fruit. It's no blockbuster, but I found its svelte elegance beguiling. If you have any, it's time to think about opening some of this super bargain from a super-vintage (see my profile for grades).
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[From Coravin, poured directly to glass] Takes 30-45 min to wake up, lovely with food in the next 45 min. Having said this, I wouldn't pull the cork before 2019 if you have the patience - it will be rewarded. Expect it to peak in 2021. Great value from this Chateau.
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Decent but slightly muted or disengaged on both Day 1 and Day 2. (89 points). The palate finally gets a good connection on Day 3. (90 points). This struggles to find the sweet spot. Smooth, high quality and good value if you can get it for $20.
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Fullbodied, but without much thrill (neither much fruit nor BX-like typicity) and the finish is mediocre and almost diluted. I´m afraid this won´t develop nicely. Drink soon.
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First bottle out of the case. Only given an hour of air in the bottle. Deep colour and lovely aroma - classic Saint-Estephe. Dark fruit flavours with a hint of spice. Developed more on day two so this should last a few years longer but altogether, pretty damn good at this price right now.
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Decanted and served. Quite rich and with a good amount of oak still, sweet oak. Forward and definitely benefits from the 2009 vintage. Lacks a bit elegance and complexity at this young age but its in no way offensive or austere. Made in a new world style and drinks very well now. 86-87
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Linear, taut cassis with hint of blue fruit, some minerals, good fruit but more lean than fleshy. Seems to be only at the very start of its drinking window- good qpr
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Quite ripe and oaky, but this did improve over a couple hours; appears to have the stuffing and balance to age well, but the question remains if enough oak will melt away --- I think it will, and at $25, it won't be expensive to find out.
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Ripe strawberry and cassis. Nice aromatics and floral on the palate as well. Hint of mineral and spices too. Rounded tannins. A bit astringent on the finish. Very good QPR.
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It's so hard to be objective about wine. A celebratory lunch in London where this was available by the carafe meaning I could taste and decide whether to broach my own cases of the wine. Good colour without being opaque; rich nose (alcohol?) with a spectrum of smells from cedar to nutmeg but none in an overpowering sense. An elegant wine, balanced, English in it's reticence but without the brash forwardness one might anticipate were it so. What one might call a polite wine- correct- self effacing- charming - but lacking greatness in its flavour . It won't grab your tongue and gullet with a sensory blockbuster but everything is there in a ladylike kind of way. Excellent but a liberal thinker- can't make up it's mind to go for it so it sits on the fence. Good though.
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Very nice. I agree this is the front end of the drinking window. There is more development here, but worth a sneak if you have several bottles. Every bit of the experience was better day two. So, a decant day one would be a good choice. Looking forward to how this integrates more.
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Decanted 60 mins. Deep crimson red. Medium intense nose with clear cedar, tobacco - strong blackcurrants. Palate medium+ with medium acid, medium firm tannins - not fully integrated as yet. Light black fruit notes. Lacking some depth and quite a short aftertaste at the moment. Feels like there's more to go for on this but drinking well, especially with food. Now-2022.
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Fun tastischer wein . Schöne cassisnoten mit vanille und dezenten tanninen . Rundes paket. Aber : am ersten abend am besten , noch in fruchtphase. Danach eindimensionaler und etwas hitze im abgang.also : aufmachen und trinken!
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Other tasters have it spot on. This is very young, right at the start of its drinking window in my view BUT all the same worth drinking now to see how it develops. Double decant and leave a while to get best from it right now. Come back in year or two.
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A trial balloon: First bottle of the case. Great St Estephe; harsh at first but accessible with lamb after 2 hours of decanting (even better on the second day: a third was stored in a small bottle with little air exposure apart from the pouring process). Agree with SJG415: It actually improves in the second evening. Lovely now. Probably needs another 4 years before it enters the peak drinking window. Astonishing value for the price, but patience will be rewarded.
even this young, this has all the hallmarks I like to see to in good claret. Cassis, cedar, tannins firm but already approachable. This is delicious now but is destined to get better.
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Westchester Wine School: Haut Medoc - Terrior & Vintage: Drank at WWS tasting. Least favorite of the 4 2009s in this flight. Nose fairly reticent. Not a lot of fruit showing here, quite austere with a sense of bitterness. This wine is in the mineral family, as opposed to fruit. A savory quality here, some dust too. Not for me
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2 hour decant and poured using a vinturri. Has developed a bit from my last taste of 2 years ago. Dark purple/garnet in colour; nose of black cherries, cassis, and some licorice with a hint of mint; the black cherries really stand out on the nose. Black cherry liquor, cassis, and some green and black olives on the palate with a touch of plums; dry tannins. Two years from my last tasting note, this is slowly coming along; will try again in a couple of years.
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Nose - rich, dark fruit, caramel, oaky Mouth - low acid, smooth mouthfeel, cocoa, dark cherry, very modern in style, with suave and round tannins; if I didn't know better might guess new world merlot. Perhaps will improve with time. Fans of a round mouthfeel wine will like this, but in my opinion it lacks verve.
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Black cherry, licorice, leaf and black raspberry notes, along with scents of espresso bean open this blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc. Medium bodied, with slightly dusty tannins and a fresh, black cherry finish are found in this wine. It's aready fun to drink.
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Grade: VG-. A little disappointing given the high scores here, but after a 2 hour decant this was still showing a bit young and should improve over the next 3-4 years. Deep purple, reticent nose of cassis, licorice and black pepper, light-medium bodied, fairly flat palate with blackberries, noticable but well integrated oak, some residual sugar on the mid-palate, firm and slightly bitter tannins, medium, dry finish, well balanced acidity. Good food Bdx, just not very exciting.
My Grades: EXX-Exceptional, EX-Excellent, VG-Very Good, G-Good, O-Ordinary, P-Poor, U-Ungraded
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Really dark in colour. Sweet cassis fruit, spicy with smoky oak, forest notes. Young and expressive on the palate, slightly spicy, not overly sweet. The tannins are a little drying, there are some bitter notes, mineral, quite savoury. Medium length, should be very nice in a couple of years and even quite approachable now. 88-90+
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Rich, vibrant, fruit driven nose. Full bodied, and really good value stuff. Tobacco, and slightly charred oak. Drinkable now, but can do with a bit of patience too. Hints of St. estephe panache. Suprisingly good qpr. Mucho bueno.
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This is 32$ in from LCBO. Pricey for style, but as the last few reviews suggest is a pretty high scoring vino, and i guess i would agree, esp with last note. Yes this is a concentrated, yet restrained wine. Nose is plumy with subtle earth/oak note. Palate is again full bodied, round and concentrated with plum like fruit with a little oak on the med+ finish. Has a decent structure and nice pairing with food. To pricey for me to buy again, given style and what i can access for around the 20$ price point in MB.
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Poured to a decanter using a vinturi and 3 hours later served using through the same vinturi. Dark garnet-purple; black fruits, earth, licorice, and a touch of ash on the nose. I'd describe the palate as herby black cherry with liquorice covered black olives. Medium bodied with a medium finish along with its fine grained tannins. Can probably benefit from a few more years in the cellar, but can be drank now if given enough time in the decanter.
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Deep purple/black - cassis and menthol on the nose. Tight and dense on the palate, a thin to moderate mouthfeel - not at all fleshy or blowsy. Good fruit, slightly heavy on the oak when first opened, smooth tannins, classy stuff.
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anfangs suesser Cassis in der Nase und am Gaumen mit schoener Mineralitaet. Gut ausbalanciert. Im Abgang klasse Tannine , die aber gut eingebunden sind. Gutes Preis -Leistung!
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Drank over three days, most of which I was affected by a mild cold, so although I had a chance to taste this on several occasions and track its evolution, my sensory capacities are probably not at their best. Nonetheless, this is a pleasing young Bordeaux (my second taste of the vintage, along with Fleur-Morange Mathilde). A dark saturated ruby with a nose of cassis, underbrush, and black cherry. Rich plum and currant flavors with hints of olive and black pepper. Smooth but firm tannins on the back end with a finish of decent length. On the softer side for a St-Estephe, but possessing good body and potential for mid-term aging.
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5/5/2024 - mhensel wrote: 93 Points
Darkest red, black core, transparent --- Nose sweet and flowery, very nice, some nutty notes, chestnut, some unripe plum, cherries, some dust and some cardboard --- Palate fruity, acidic, somewhat aggressive, watery, cherries, plums, nice tart tone, elegant wood notes, some underbrush and some smoke, a lot of attractive dark notes, red currant coming through, some marzipan, overall vivid and tasty --- Finishes on licorice notes, creamy, nice sweetness. Wonderful vine, tasty and captivating. Great QPR.
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4/6/2024 - Butch1970 wrote: 90 Points
Just delicious uncomplicated Bordeaux very much in the mold of the rich 2009 vintage. Firm, masculine structure with plenty of fruit. Lovely. If all bottles of wine have the same QPR as this, the (wine) world would be a much better place!
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1/5/2024 - platpeeps Likes this wine: 91 Points
The initial entry was dry and savoury, with notes of cedar and lead pencils, underpinned with blackcurrant and black cherry fruit. Spicy and tannic, the tannins melted away to leave a residual flavour of mocha. With a more than passable length of finish this still retained freshness and a firm structure. CHP 91pts
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11/16/2023 - pinkhouse Likes this wine: 91 Points
Sterling condition, virtually no ullage, cork in great condition. Wine was superb, fully integrated tannins and ideal balance of fruit and secondary mature characteristics. A delightful claret and remarkable qpr. Down to last few bottles which should be drunk over next 2-3 years.
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11/11/2023 - mhensel wrote: 92 Points
Darkest red, showing maturity, blackish core --- Nose fresh, salty, green herbs, some mahogany, buttery aspects --- Palate fresh, watery, nice acidity, so vivid, cherries, redcurrant, some lilac, nice tartness, black tea aspects, basil, some plum, some elder, saline mouthfeel --- Finishes pretty long on its fresh and fruity aspects, tartness always present, mouth watering. I like it a lot, tasty and classy. Needs ten minutes in the glass to really open up, really nice.
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11/3/2023 - wineian Likes this wine: 92 Points
blackcurrant and red berries, some spice, harmonious oak, mid weight, balanced acid, great length and mouthfeel. Tremendous value especially today. Enjoyed this very much.
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9/25/2023 - bmagic wrote: 90 Points
PnP. Black fruit, hints of vanilla and cedar on the nose, with some spice. On the palate, strawberry and red berries flavours, still quite tannic and dry, but it resolves into something quite creamy. Long, long finish - it keeps on going. Still strong at 14 years' old. Excellent QPR.
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7/27/2023 - chatters wrote:
Coravin fun - St Estephe and randoms (My place, Kent Street): From Coravin. Slightly baked blackcurrant fruit, a little cedar, pyrazine, touch of salinity, alcohol prickle, cream, toast and a little biscuit. Juicy, slightly baked black fruit on the palate; the pyrazine resolves to a little tomato leaf, plenty of cedary, slightly grainy mid palate grip. Creamy notes and alcohol warmth on the finish. Hmm
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7/16/2023 - David Meddings wrote: 90 Points
Consistent with previous notes.
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7/7/2023 - platpeeps Likes this wine: 93 Points
Beautifully integrated, this showed off a beguiling and heady mix of cassis, leather, plums, and spice overlying supple tannins and enriched by cream and mocha. Savoury yet sweet-fruited the bitter chocolate finish makes for a totally satisfying farewell kiss. For the price I paid en primeur this really overperforms. Superb. CHP 93 pts
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6/25/2023 - NickM wrote: 89 Points
My last bottle from a case. Good rather than exceptional St Estephe. Ticks the boxes but does not thrill.
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4/16/2023 - honest bob wrote: 88 Points
From 75cl, very good cork, decanted 1 hour. Can this really be Médoc? It has a deep purple-red colour with no fading, or even thinning to the rim. It doesn't smell of cedar or cassis, but something much darker, perhaps ripe Merlot? The entry is thick-textured, heavy and almost without nuances of complexity, brightness, minerality, or indeed anything else to lighten up the oliy-heavy, dark red fruited entry. Mid-palate confirms the fruit is very concentrated, blackberry-like, monolithic, sweet with little acid showing through, and weighs heavy in the mouth; the finish seems longer than it is because the sheer weight of this wine with so few balancing aspects, just makes it tiring. 88P(to 89P if it lightens up with bottle age?) Phélan-Ségur can have this dark monolithic character in ripe years, but generally has so much balance or at least interest at all stages of maturity it's not a fair comparison.
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4/8/2023 - ProfByron Likes this wine: 92 Points
Deep. Touch burnt but there is refreshing Bordeaux acidity.
In some ways it seems rustic, but it’s also clearly well made. A rustic sophisticate?
It’s St Estephe definitely, quite different from, say, Margaux. They say St Estephe does particularly well in hot vintages. I don’t know but this isn’t obviously 2009, it doesn’t have the opulence seen in some Pauillacs for instance. Though there is a touch of syrup about it.
Still youthful. Dark. Strong.
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3/29/2023 - platpeeps Likes this wine: 92 Points
A fully mature wine with a long life ahead. Integrated oak and black fruits meld with silky tannins and black chocolate. A super claret. CHP 92 pts
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1/18/2023 - Herschel Krustofski Likes this wine: 91 Points
From Coravin.
Surprisingly youthful in colour and flavour.
Probably needs about an hour to open up (a little less in our case since I used an aerator too when pouring to the glasses).
I think this would easily last another 3-5 years if stored properly.
My bottle was in professional storage until 3 years ago and in the flat the last 3 years (room temp - coolest spot/storage are). Thankfully, the cork was in good shape.
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1/8/2023 - FransS wrote: 90 Points
Adriana's birthday party (80) and dinner and 'her' Frans opened some nice bottles: friendly earthy, a bit shy bouquet, but it developes in the glass (black fruit), a firm body with spices underneath, good balance.
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12/30/2022 - empire80 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Very consistent with my previous notes. After an hour in the decanter there's plenty of blackcurrant fruit balanced with some acidity and tannic structure. Good value and very food friendly.
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12/20/2022 - David Meddings wrote: 90 Points
Dark garnet. Leafy, cherry bouquet. Palate is slow to build - cassis with some wood notes darting in and out on the medium final. Tannins fully resolved.
A wee bit hollow in the middle as I've noted before but apart from being somewhat emptier than I'd like, this is nevertheless enjoyable.
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11/24/2022 - citizen1 Does not like this wine: 70 Points
Forgot to post tasting note when I opened this bottle. While it did not appear to be "corked", it tasted dreadful at PnP and a couple of hours later. Literally like a $1 cab sav that had been left in the bright sun for 4 hours. Based on other reviews, it seems likely my bottle was indeed off.
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11/1/2022 - Jeff Leve wrote: 91 Points
This turned out to be a gem! Fully mature, with the opulence you expect from 2009, the wine is medium-bodied, round, and packed with ripe, red berries and spice. Drink from 2022-2026.
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10/23/2022 - Estournel Likes this wine: 90 Points
90 - With forerib. Brambles and autumn leaves, fresh, some pencil shavings, some mint, medium length, decent balance. Drink over next year but not much longer
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9/25/2022 - platpeeps Likes this wine: 93 Points
Upfront flavours burst through with notes of blackcurrant pastilles and menthol underscored with smoke, cedar and a whack of leather. The firm tannins melt away to reveal cream and rich dark chocolate and the finish is impressive too. It has a lovely structure: powerful yet soft; rich yet structured. Bang on the money. CHP 93 pts
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9/25/2022 - ChristoBretts wrote: 89 Points
PnP. Drank over two days. Woody on the first pour, earth, some tar, medium acidity. Similar on day two but acidity more pronounced. I think there is better wine for $50/750mL (current price).
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7/24/2022 - mhensel wrote: 92 Points
Dark red with a blue shimmer --- Nose fruity, red current, some plums, flowers, overall fresh and stimulating, nice wood tone. Palate fresh, nice cabernet fruit, some bark that adds an elegant and tasty bitter tone, some flowery aspects. Finishes on its fruity aspects, some tar, some wood aspects coming through. Very nice vine, in excellent condition now, so tasty and captivating.
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5/15/2022 - empire80 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Lovely claret from a warm year, a bargain St Estephe. At its peak now but no rush. Some cassis, almost Coonawarra but with a bit more restraint.
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4/29/2022 - rikipedia Likes this wine: 92 Points
60 CS; 28 Merlot; 12 CF. Deep to opaque garnet. The bouquet offers gorgeous dark chocolate, mocha and coffee notes alongside brown spices, minerals, and black fruit.
Full-bodied, the texture is thick and dense and supported with wonderful dark fruit, cinnamon, nutmeg and clove. Plenty of black plum, blackcurrant and herbal brambly notes to fill the core are swathed in cocoa powder and finished with thick powdery chocolate-covered tannins ad a granitic grip. Tertiary notes add leather and tar, whilst the oak is nicely integrated to give complexity and massive appeal. A classy wine that is drinking well with a long farewell, probably hedonistic in its more youthful days!
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4/29/2022 - rikipedia Likes this wine: 91 Points
60 CS; 28 Merlot; 12 CF. Deep to opaque garnet. The bouquet offers gorgeous dark chocolate, mocha and coffee notes, brown spices, minerals, and black fruit.
Full-bodied, the texture is thick, dense, and supported with excellent dark fruit, cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove. Plenty of black plum, blackcurrant and herbal brambly notes that fill the core and are swathed in cocoa powder and finished with thick powdery chocolate-covered tannins ad a granitic grip. Tertiary notes add leather and tar, whilst the oak is nicely integrated to give a certain complexity but also massive appeal. A classy wine that is drinking well with a long farewell, probably hedonistic in its more youthful days!
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4/3/2022 - jc01 Likes this wine: 93 Points
This is the first half bottle (out of about 10 tasted over the last 5 years) that tasted ready. The inky awkwardness has gone and a balanced St Estephe is revealing itself. Out of bottle it may well need a few more years to get to its drinking window. In half bottles I think this will improve for at least another 10 years.
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2/24/2022 - ProfByron wrote: 86 Points
Ok that wasn’t anything like the last bottle 🧐
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1/31/2022 - NickM Likes this wine: 90 Points
A good bottle of this. Dark colour, a slight burnt note, lovely blackcurrant fruit. My last from a case, it’s been fun!
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1/4/2022 - depechemoroder Likes this wine: 92 Points
Probably the best bottle I've had, this was back on form. Showing that rich opulence from October 2020, but with just more integration and maturity. There was a real depth and intensity to the fruit, but it was more open, fragrant, and inviting. Secondary characteristics are present, but perhaps not singing quite as beautifully as they could. While these could age further, I question the reliability based on the case I've finished.
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12/31/2021 - Goldstone wrote: 85 Points
Black ink with a hint of red ink. Very garagiste. The oak has already disappeared leaving unbalanced acidity. One of those Jancis Robertson recommendations en primeur that she has probably hoped to get forgotten…. fair play, she can’t get everything right.
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11/5/2021 - NickM Does not like this wine: 85 Points
Disappointing bottle. Came 6th out of 6 in our tasting. Bit of a metallic tinge. A bad bottle?
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10/11/2021 - james05500 wrote: 89 Points
Not my style at all!! Heavy, juicy, licking with liquor, strong and heavy. Probably this has been due to the 09 vintage but now I know I can donate all my 09 bottles.
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7/4/2021 - ProfByron Likes this wine: 90 Points
Reminded me of Coonawarra Cabernet, glossy minty, with lots of oak.
13.5%, cork.
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6/4/2021 - rikipedia Likes this wine: 91 Points
Deep ruby red. Classic bouquet of cedarwood, graphite, mineral gentle paprika spice and rosemary joins by tinned black cherries, dried blackcurrant and bilberry.
Full-bodied, the sweet entry shows plenty of dark black fruit, dark chocolate (70%) and sweet spices, especially nutmeg and star anise. Powdery textured, with a lively acidity, the mid-palate is linear, quite a hot pumice rock (mineral quality). This lead to a dense granular tannin that sometimes felt a little wearing on the palate. However, as the wine opened, one was rewarded with briny black olives, dried plum, almost damson and good depth of flavour. A big, powerful wine, very much St. Estephe, the wine ticked along nicely to a long finish.
Still relatively youthful.
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6/2/2021 - depechemoroder Likes this wine: 91 Points
Definitely on the opulent side with this bottle - enormous black fruits, black forest gateau, earth, coffee grounds, and baking spice. Round and broad on the palate, perhaps chunky if not given enough air. Lovely full structure on the finish with everything in balance.
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5/14/2021 - flod wrote: 91 Points
Black fruits on nose, some herbs, good acidity and complexity. Tannnins resolve after 1.5 hours. Nice length. Great with steak. 90+
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4/5/2021 - pgb67 wrote: 90 Points
A good value and I'm glad I hung on to it for almost 10 years. Black currants with hints of chocolate on a mature, but lively palate.
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2/5/2021 - JayP Likes this wine: 89 Points
Drinking beautifully, need to cf with a 2010. Quite forward and 'bright'. Got to be a bargain VFM (I paid £14/bott)
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1/2/2021 - dunroaming wrote: 90 Points
Offers a lot of easy pleasure. Not complex but not heavy, and with a lovely fruit.
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12/31/2020 - Butch1970 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Had for NYE. Quite a development since the last bottle (although this was from a different case). Wine appeared pretty fully mature, with tannins fully resolved. I found that at this stage of its development it didn't appear to new worldly in character at all, in fact quite feminine and lovely. A delicious drop.
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11/1/2020 - rikipedia Likes this wine: 89 Points
Slight reduction at first but upon more time in glass that blew off and showed red fruits, mineral, coffee grounds and chocolate with a spicy edge. Thick, powdery tannins with a warming, spiky alcohol going to a long finish. A tiny dried herb note on the finish. Well built solid structure wine this is classic claret that is good for a wet spring day! Perhaps not as showy as my previous bottle?
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10/23/2020 - scheune Likes this wine: 92 Points
noch kaum Alterungsnoten. Für mindestens weitere 5 Jahre gut.
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10/12/2020 - depechemoroder Likes this wine: 92 Points
This was a fabulous bottle. Still retaining that rich opulence on my last bottle, but with a bit more grip and discipline. Very ripe blackcurrant core, verging on cassis, with a cooked plum roundness. Some chocolate richness, but balanced by woodsy spice and minty tobacco. There is a dark core to this that was actually quite profound at times, with fine charcoal like tannins. Finish was lovely, but perhaps where this didn't exceed expectations. All around a great value though.
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9/26/2020 - GNBB wrote: 90 Points
Decanted 1hr. Rich nose with plenty of ripe blackcurrants and attractive pencil shavings. Black fruits palate with great freshness and ripe tannins which are gently integrating. Really starting to drink well but no rush at all. Very good and great value. Drink now-2028.
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9/20/2020 - JayP Likes this wine: 88 Points
Delicious, mid-weight Bordeaux from fab vintage. VGVFM. I'd drink over next 2 years, no massive rush but certainly drinking v well now
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9/4/2020 - Nostromo99 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Brooding nose of dark fruits. Lovely and smooth in the mouth - more of those dark, somewhat savoury fruits, but with just a hint of sweetness to balance it out. Good length and concentration. Still some grip on the finish. Definitely has some of that St Estephe rusticity, but still a pleasure to drink. Well and truly open for business but has the structure to last for a good few years yet.
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7/11/2020 - empire80 Likes this wine: 91 Points
A great example of well priced 2009 - rich black fruit, a hint of cedar, still some structure. Drinking very well now and will do so for a few years from here.
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7/3/2020 - rikipedia Likes this wine: 91 Points
Deep garnet red.
Classic bouquet of turned earth, cassis, graphite, baked plum and bitter (99%) Lindt chocolate
Fresh acidity and vibrant fruit on entry with plenty of baked blackcurrant, mocha chocolate, black forest gateau and dark chocolate swirls.
All of this is framed by firm, dense tannins that almost take over but manage to keep it balanced as the wine unfolds in the decanter. There is a real depth of flavour, and enough engaging fruits with a sweetness from the alcohol to keep it all together. Whilst not that complex and more a traditional claret, this is a smart wine for the price.
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4/26/2020 - JayP Likes this wine: 89 Points
Very 'typical' and very nice. AND Very Good VFM. Enjoy 2020 - 2023 but dont delay too much
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4/11/2020 - BillLowney Likes this wine: 91 Points
Needs 24 hour decant. Beautiful wine. Perfection. Everyone loved this. This blew Langoa Barton 2000 away! Needs 24 hour decant though.
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3/17/2020 - gouldcampbell77 Likes this wine:
Dark and savoury, good concentration but quite hard work. The quality is undeniable but just not much fun. Reminds me in that respect of Leoville Barton - almost determined to be stern and old fashioned. The Professor Yaffle of 2009.
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2/18/2020 - elyaz wrote:
Juicy but balanced with structure, tannin, acid. Meat?
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12/27/2019 - quaffnov Likes this wine: 91 Points
No formal note, this is a great value wine, with cedar and pencil lead well expressed along with dark fruit, plum in the lead.
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12/27/2019 - GNBB wrote: 90 Points
Decanted 90 minutes (Ch). Ripe intense nose full of pencil shavings, ripe blackcurrants and gentle rosemary. Delightful. Palate is intense with plenty of ripe fine tannins and lots of acidity; light black fruit notes with masses of herbs - thyme. Does lack a little persistence, being a little fussy. Drinking very well now but has potential to age and develop further from here. Decant 2 hours+. Excellent, true value for money claret. Drink now-2024.
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10/14/2019 - JBIRCH wrote: 92 Points
Really lovely. Very much reflective of the vintage. A powerful but still elegant wine with plenty of cassis, cedar, tobacco and just the barest hint of menthol. Drinkable now but will obviously improve.
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9/28/2019 - kampa wrote: 89 Points
Ruby colour with maturing brown hints. Black currant, blue berries with vanilla smoky notes on palate. A little astringent in a beginning but it calms down with some time.
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9/15/2019 - depechemoroder Likes this wine: 91 Points
Opulent for a St Estephe, but this is 2009 we're talking about. Ripe black fruits with a figgy cocoa halo around them. Quite intense and extracted, but balanced by some earthy grit and nice structure. There's a bit of creamy/fleshy youth here. Certainly has lots of life, but the tannins are surprisingly soft all things considered. Wonderful value.
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9/13/2019 - Butch1970 wrote:
Not a real tasting note here because it was the final wine at a rather heavy Friday night dinner party. First bottle of a case. My very first bordeaux of the much hyped 2009 vintage. PnP, which was probably a mistake, but obviously there wasn't much on the nose (probably my senses were somewhat limited by that stage anyway). The palate however told me that this was a very youthful wine just entering its proper drinking window. Plenty of tannin, good forward fruit. A touch new worldy, but expected that. Will report again once I try the next bottle but will likely leave things for a year or so.
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7/6/2019 - BenBlu Likes this wine: 90 Points
A very good Bordeaux for a very good price point. At a good point of its maturity showing the rich plump fruit of 2009 making this less classic St Estephe but rather classic 09 Bdx. This medium bodied wine shows some good development of dark chocolate on the palate and nuances of leather, earth on the nose. For people in search of a good value Bordeaux experience a good choice!
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6/2/2019 - chatters wrote:
Wine Ark lunch…semi-St.Estephe (McLeay Street Bistro, Potts Point): Blackcurrant cream with time cassis sweet spice and plums. More of the same on the palate, silky, though slightly drying, tannins, still very primary for me. Medium plus length. Jolly nice.
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3/30/2019 - empire80 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Rich cassis, still some freshness, very good value. Good now and for next 5 years at least.
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3/27/2019 - Roger Davison Likes this wine: 90 Points
A good value St. Estephe which is quite tasty now, but I think will improve a bit with another 3+ years.
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2/4/2019 - BillLowney Likes this wine: 89 Points
Day 1: Muted, okay but not quite delivering. Day 2: Comes together as an easy-drinking merlot-esque soft and smooth crowd-pleaser. Overnight decant recommended. Still a bit early to be drinking too many of these.
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1/27/2019 - porkandsalmon Likes this wine:
I bought 5 cases of this wine back in 2014 and am currently drinking the last bottle. It’s been a pleasure to enjoy over the last few years, great blackcurrant fruit balanced with good acidity. Think I preferred it a couple of years ago with a bit more fruit and tannin on show but still very enjoyable now. PS only 1 bottle out of 60 was faulty (Brett). Have just stocked up on the ‘16....
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1/18/2019 - wine&roses Likes this wine: 92 Points
Perfectly mature and sophisticated, if not particularly grand, claret, with ripe fruit, plenty of complexity, authentic terroir, and no new-fangled humbug. I'd buy more , if I could get it, now that my two cases are finished. It's got a couple of years' life left, for sure.
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12/28/2018 - DFBW Likes this wine: 90 Points
Bags of deep dark smoky fruit. Drinking great.
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11/16/2018 - Goodjob! Likes this wine: 91 Points
Définitivement prêt à boire. Tannins et boisé bien intégrés. Le nez est surtout sur le fruit avec une légere touche de jujubes aux fraises. La bouche est soyeuse et équilibrée. Pas très complexe, mais beaucoup de plaisir dans le verre.
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11/16/2018 - empire80 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Still quite primary, but ripe cassis and black fruit make this easy to drink now. Some sweet oak, just a bit dry and disjointed on the finish, but I think this might smooth out over a few more years.
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10/7/2018 - gouldcampbell77 wrote: 90 Points
Very dark opaque purple. Classic blackberry and cassis nose. Textbook St Estephe with ripe dark savoury fruit, well integrated tannins, herbs and cedar. Slightly austere on first opening, this really rounded out with a three hour decant. Another great '09 and excellent value.
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9/29/2018 - winenoob101 Likes this wine: 90 Points
This bottle didn't require much air, quick half hour decant was sufficient.
Nice nose of blueberry, plum, oak and a whiff of tobacco.
Pretty much the same in the mouth with additional herbal character and dark chocolate.
Tannins are fully integrated and polished thought tertiary aromas are not yet developed in any meaningful way. Give it a few years.
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7/25/2018 - David Meddings wrote: 88 Points
Notes from 3rd day. Dark garnet. Cassis nose with a hint of alcohol. Builds quickly to a pleasant cassis mid-palate which is harmonious but falls away a bit prematurely and has a touch of heat. Tannins are fine but still grippy.
This feels pleasant enough and is good value. That said, at the moment it is a bit disjointed and hollow in the middle. I'd give these another 3 years and hope they fill out a bit more.
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7/19/2018 - Villon wrote: 90 Points
Du même propriétaire que Calon-Ségur, ce vin serait en pleine renaissance depuis quelques années (investissement, réduction de rendements, nouvelle philosophie, etc.) Le nez propose encore du fruit, en mélangeant cassis, tabac et notes torréfiées. La bouche est marquée par la structure et un fruit légèrement en retrait: texture un peu crémeuse,/veloutée mais finale très tannique, quoiqu'en finesse et bien appuyée par une bonne acidité. Contrairement à d'autres 2009 (surtout en rive droite), on est loin d'une bombe fruité et alcoolisée Cependant la structure est telle qu'elle évoque presque un barolo. Je pense que ce vin mérite encore au bon 2-3 ans pour se fondre. Mais je crains une certaine austérité si le fruit diminue encore plus. On verra bien avec les 2 bouteilles restantes. 90+
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6/3/2018 - fozzibaer Likes this wine: 92 Points
This was excellent, still felt young on the first day and then more mature and laid back on the second. Very good QPR, should have gotten more of this.
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4/8/2018 - gjv115 Likes this wine:
opened the night before and let slow ox. Pleasant cherry up front. Had a bit an astringent finish. It's pretty good but still a little young, i think. I hope.
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3/20/2018 - GNBB wrote: 90 Points
Decanted 90 minutes. Deep intense red colour. Clear blackcurrant and pencil nose - good freshness. Slight rosemary. Palate quite tight with medium++ acid and fine, but clear, tannins - slight need to still resolve fully. Quite austere. Subtle blackcurrant fruit on palate with a little fresh herb. Entering drinking window with a few years ahead. Drink now-2023.
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2/17/2018 - jmc167@me.com Likes this wine: 91 Points
What a great QPR, I should have purchased many more, sadly, I only have the one bottle!
On the nose spice, smoke, plum, dark cherry and leather.
On the palate, pepper black cherry, hints of strawberry. Long finish, super enjoyable, paired great with some creamy blue.
A sigh for the final swallow...
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2/2/2018 - andreel Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drinking very well now
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1/27/2018 - GrapeScott wrote: 91 Points
Still a baby but drinking surprisingly well right now. Dark purple with a beautiful rustic St Estephe nose. Blackberry, cassis, bay leaf and mineral with firm but caressing tannins. Lovely old school St Estephe.
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11/26/2017 - GNBB wrote: 90 Points
Decanted 60 mins. An open and attractive nose. Light sweet spice and leather with ripe bramble and blackcurrant. Palate also ripe with delightful ripe, fine, medium tannins & light acid. Great black fruit notes and excellent balance. Drinking superbly now to 2021. Very enjoyable.
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11/21/2017 - Joesap wrote:
My Grade: EX-. This has really come on song on since the last bottle I opened 3 years back and is definitely in its drinking window now, but should reward patience over the next couple of years. Everything is much smoother and very well-integrated. Silky mouth feel, plush tannins and there is still plenty of luscious fruit. It's no blockbuster, but I found its svelte elegance beguiling. If you have any, it's time to think about opening some of this super bargain from a super-vintage (see my profile for grades).
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10/30/2017 - Dancing with bottles Likes this wine: 89 Points
Best bottle up to now.
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10/14/2017 - winelover 2016 Likes this wine: 92 Points
rounded and rich after 45 minutes, rfd
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9/15/2017 - Herschel Krustofski Likes this wine: 92 Points
[From Coravin, poured directly to glass] Takes 30-45 min to wake up, lovely with food in the next 45 min. Having said this, I wouldn't pull the cork before 2019 if you have the patience - it will be rewarded. Expect it to peak in 2021. Great value from this Chateau.
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8/22/2017 - BillLowney Likes this wine: 90 Points
Decent but slightly muted or disengaged on both Day 1 and Day 2. (89 points). The palate finally gets a good connection on Day 3. (90 points). This struggles to find the sweet spot. Smooth, high quality and good value if you can get it for $20.
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3/25/2017 - Dancing with bottles wrote: 88 Points
Fullbodied, but without much thrill (neither much fruit nor BX-like typicity) and the finish is mediocre and almost diluted.
I´m afraid this won´t develop nicely. Drink soon.
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3/13/2017 - DFBW Likes this wine: 90 Points
First bottle out of the case. Only given an hour of air in the bottle. Deep colour and lovely aroma - classic Saint-Estephe. Dark fruit flavours with a hint of spice. Developed more on day two so this should last a few years longer but altogether, pretty damn good at this price right now.
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2/10/2017 - CManthei wrote: 94 Points
Delicious, excellent value. Perfect touch of oak on great-quality fruit. The ripe vintage shines in this wine
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2/5/2017 - JayP Likes this wine: 88 Points
Still a bit young I would say but but lovely Bordeaux sophistication already.
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1/1/2017 - Papies wrote: 87 Points
Decanted and served. Quite rich and with a good amount of oak still, sweet oak. Forward and definitely benefits from the 2009 vintage. Lacks a bit elegance and complexity at this young age but its in no way offensive or austere. Made in a new world style and drinks very well now. 86-87
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12/27/2016 - wineian wrote: 90 Points
Linear, taut cassis with hint of blue fruit, some minerals, good fruit but more lean than fleshy. Seems to be only at the very start of its drinking window- good qpr
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10/15/2016 - grafstrb wrote:
-- Decanted immediately before tasting --
Quite ripe and oaky, but this did improve over a couple hours; appears to have the stuffing and balance to age well, but the question remains if enough oak will melt away --- I think it will, and at $25, it won't be expensive to find out.
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8/7/2016 - Eye Drink Reds Likes this wine: 90 Points
Ripe strawberry and cassis. Nice aromatics and floral on the palate as well. Hint of mineral and spices too. Rounded tannins. A bit astringent on the finish. Very good QPR.
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6/17/2016 - mswift@aquarius-trading.co.uk Likes this wine: 90 Points
It's so hard to be objective about wine.
A celebratory lunch in London where this was available by the carafe meaning I could taste and decide whether to broach my own cases of the wine.
Good colour without being opaque; rich nose (alcohol?) with a spectrum of smells from cedar to nutmeg but none in an overpowering sense. An elegant wine, balanced, English in it's reticence but without the brash forwardness one might anticipate were it so. What one might call a polite wine- correct- self effacing- charming - but lacking greatness in its flavour . It won't grab your tongue and gullet with a sensory blockbuster but everything is there in a ladylike kind of way. Excellent but a liberal thinker- can't make up it's mind to go for it so it sits on the fence. Good though.
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3/20/2016 - Skibank114 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Very nice. I agree this is the front end of the drinking window. There is more development here, but worth a sneak if you have several bottles. Every bit of the experience was better day two. So, a decant day one would be a good choice. Looking forward to how this integrates more.
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2/6/2016 - GNBB wrote: 88 Points
Decanted 60 mins. Deep crimson red. Medium intense nose with clear cedar, tobacco - strong blackcurrants. Palate medium+ with medium acid, medium firm tannins - not fully integrated as yet. Light black fruit notes. Lacking some depth and quite a short aftertaste at the moment. Feels like there's more to go for on this but drinking well, especially with food. Now-2022.
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1/29/2016 - scheune Likes this wine: 92 Points
Fun tastischer wein . Schöne cassisnoten mit vanille und dezenten tanninen . Rundes paket. Aber : am ersten abend am besten , noch in fruchtphase. Danach eindimensionaler und etwas hitze im abgang.also : aufmachen und trinken!
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1/17/2016 - Neecies Likes this wine:
From the menu at Restaurant Marche, Bainbridge Island. Great nose, plummy, black-red fruit, nicely evolved, drinking perfectly right now.
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10/25/2015 - steveo3456 wrote: 92 Points
Had to drink a second bottle.superb!
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10/12/2015 - JayP Likes this wine: 89 Points
Other tasters have it spot on. This is very young, right at the start of its drinking window in my view BUT all the same worth drinking now to see how it develops. Double decant and leave a while to get best from it right now. Come back in year or two.
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7/7/2015 - Dancing with bottles Likes this wine: 89 Points
(From Memory). Lush and soft. Medium to good length. A bit boring IMHO. Lacking freshness and complexity.
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6/29/2015 - Herschel Krustofski Likes this wine: 92 Points
A trial balloon: First bottle of the case.
Great St Estephe; harsh at first but accessible with lamb after 2 hours of decanting (even better on the second day: a third was stored in a small bottle with little air exposure apart from the pouring process).
Agree with SJG415: It actually improves in the second evening.
Lovely now. Probably needs another 4 years before it enters the peak drinking window. Astonishing value for the price, but patience will be rewarded.
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3/22/2015 - empire80 Likes this wine: 91 Points
even this young, this has all the hallmarks I like to see to in good claret. Cassis, cedar, tannins firm but already approachable. This is delicious now but is destined to get better.
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2/1/2015 - wineian Likes this wine: 91 Points
I agree with AMC Eagle. A great value drop
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1/27/2015 - cephomer wrote: 87 Points
Westchester Wine School: Haut Medoc - Terrior & Vintage: Drank at WWS tasting. Least favorite of the 4 2009s in this flight. Nose fairly reticent. Not a lot of fruit showing here, quite austere with a sense of bitterness. This wine is in the mineral family, as opposed to fruit. A savory quality here, some dust too. Not for me
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1/19/2015 - AMC Eagle wrote: 91 Points
2 hour decant and poured using a vinturri. Has developed a bit from my last taste of 2 years ago. Dark purple/garnet in colour; nose of black cherries, cassis, and some licorice with a hint of mint; the black cherries really stand out on the nose. Black cherry liquor, cassis, and some green and black olives on the palate with a touch of plums; dry tannins. Two years from my last tasting note, this is slowly coming along; will try again in a couple of years.
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1/4/2015 - Atreyu wrote: 93 Points
Huge concentration with plush crystallic fruit. Incredible value.
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11/15/2014 - rossi.wine wrote: 89 Points
Sweet, seductive nose, quite open and approachable. Good length. Well made and good value. 88-91
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10/10/2014 - soyhead wrote:
Nose - rich, dark fruit, caramel, oaky
Mouth - low acid, smooth mouthfeel, cocoa, dark cherry, very modern in style, with suave and round tannins; if I didn't know better might guess new world merlot. Perhaps will improve with time. Fans of a round mouthfeel wine will like this, but in my opinion it lacks verve.
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8/3/2014 - Jeff Leve wrote: 89 Points
Black cherry, licorice, leaf and black raspberry notes, along with scents of espresso bean open this blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc. Medium bodied, with slightly dusty tannins and a fresh, black cherry finish are found in this wine. It's aready fun to drink.
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6/17/2014 - thewineoceros wrote: 91 Points
Punchy, weighty and full of St.Estephe. Trying to save these but prooving difficult. Great tobacco box finish. Tasty
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5/31/2014 - Joesap wrote:
Grade: VG-. A little disappointing given the high scores here, but after a 2 hour decant this was still showing a bit young and should improve over the next 3-4 years. Deep purple, reticent nose of cassis, licorice and black pepper, light-medium bodied, fairly flat palate with blackberries, noticable but well integrated oak, some residual sugar on the mid-palate, firm and slightly bitter tannins, medium, dry finish, well balanced acidity. Good food Bdx, just not very exciting.
My Grades: EXX-Exceptional, EX-Excellent, VG-Very Good, G-Good, O-Ordinary, P-Poor, U-Ungraded
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3/31/2014 - rossi.wine wrote: 89 Points
Really dark in colour. Sweet cassis fruit, spicy with smoky oak, forest notes. Young and expressive on the palate, slightly spicy, not overly sweet. The tannins are a little drying, there are some bitter notes, mineral, quite savoury. Medium length, should be very nice in a couple of years and even quite approachable now. 88-90+
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12/17/2013 - sjg415 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Definitely needs some air. If you open it, taste a little with some aeration and save the rest for the next day.
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10/28/2013 - thewineoceros wrote: 91 Points
Rich, vibrant, fruit driven nose. Full bodied, and really good value stuff. Tobacco, and slightly charred oak. Drinkable now, but can do with a bit of patience too. Hints of St. estephe panache. Suprisingly good qpr. Mucho bueno.
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10/24/2013 - Malibu wino wrote: 91 Points
Delicious after about an hour of air. A very solid value.
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9/25/2013 - YWG Wine Guy Likes this wine:
This is 32$ in from LCBO. Pricey for style, but as the last few reviews suggest is a pretty high scoring vino, and i guess i would agree, esp with last note. Yes this is a concentrated, yet restrained wine. Nose is plumy with subtle earth/oak note. Palate is again full bodied, round and concentrated with plum like fruit with a little oak on the med+ finish. Has a decent structure and nice pairing with food. To pricey for me to buy again, given style and what i can access for around the 20$ price point in MB.
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9/20/2013 - BarrySci wrote: 92 Points
Wonderful concentration of fruit, particular plum. Great mouth feel with lingering dryness. Very easy drinking. Remarkable value at under $25
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1/19/2013 - Baggio Likes this wine: 92 Points
There's a whole lot of substance here. Give this a couple of years and it should be great. Very impressive.
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1/12/2013 - AMC Eagle wrote: 91 Points
Poured to a decanter using a vinturi and 3 hours later served using through the same vinturi. Dark garnet-purple; black fruits, earth, licorice, and a touch of ash on the nose. I'd describe the palate as herby black cherry with liquorice covered black olives. Medium bodied with a medium finish along with its fine grained tannins. Can probably benefit from a few more years in the cellar, but can be drank now if given enough time in the decanter.
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8/24/2012 - Jasper May Likes this wine: 90 Points
Deep purple/black - cassis and menthol on the nose. Tight and dense on the palate, a thin to moderate mouthfeel - not at all fleshy or blowsy. Good fruit, slightly heavy on the oak when first opened, smooth tannins, classy stuff.
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6/26/2012 - scheune wrote: 91 Points
anfangs suesser Cassis in der Nase und am Gaumen mit schoener Mineralitaet. Gut ausbalanciert. Im Abgang klasse Tannine , die aber gut eingebunden sind. Gutes Preis -Leistung!
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3/1/2012 - GrapeScott wrote: 90 Points
Drank over three days, most of which I was affected by a mild cold, so although I had a chance to taste this on several occasions and track its evolution, my sensory capacities are probably not at their best. Nonetheless, this is a pleasing young Bordeaux (my second taste of the vintage, along with Fleur-Morange Mathilde). A dark saturated ruby with a nose of cassis, underbrush, and black cherry. Rich plum and currant flavors with hints of olive and black pepper. Smooth but firm tannins on the back end with a finish of decent length. On the softer side for a St-Estephe, but possessing good body and potential for mid-term aging.
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