3 Bordeaux Diploma Tasting: Deep ruby appearance. Medium + intensity on the nose. Aromas of blackcurrant, black plum, smoke, vanilla, leather, tobacco. Dry palate with medium+ acid. Medium + tannin and high alcohol. Medium + body, medium intensity of flavour, and medium + finish. I originally rated this as good quality and it was initially outclassed by the other 2 wines in this flight, but it definitely improved over time. In fact, drank over 3 days and I would say it got better every day developing more complexity. A bargain - very good.
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Another bottle since a year ago. Wine had developed and elements started to integrate further, but still youthful and fruits forward.
Dark red with pink rim. Cassis, plum, blackberry, dried strawberry, capsicum, cedar, tobacco and herbs. Balanced and long finish.
I served this blind to 5 guests. Most guests thought it were a Cabernet Franc due to the distinct capsicum, green pepper notes. We were all surprised to find out that there was no cabernet franc in the blend. Cabernet Sauvignon 72 %, Merlot 23 %, Petit Verdot 5 %.
Most guests also thought this bottle would cost over $200. They were shocked to learn market price was about $20+ at time of drinking.
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Thought I would put in a another review of this such, such tremendously good value wine.
It is an labeled as an Haut Médoc, but I have learned it was formerly labeled as a “Pauillac” up until the late 80s. Given its characteristics, that makes sense to me. This bottle was probably my 30th in the past two years. I’ve bought 5 cases. It really has every aspect of a $50 or $60 wine, but it is only $25 at my local wine store (sometimes it is $19.99 when they have a sale!).
It can be had right out the bottle, but it shows its true colours after about six hours of decanting. Classic left bank nose and taste with a decent finish. Plenty of life left in this wine. Most likely another ten years. I initially scored this wine 90 points, but after trying some similar competing crus bourgeois Médocs in the same price point, it is clear Peyrabon is head and shoulders above the rest. It’s a solid 93 points for me.
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I had high hopes for this 12 year old Bordeaux from a good vintage: it didn’t quite hit the mark but did start a good conversation about one of those perennial wine debates: decanting.
On the nose there’s blackberry and of course blackcurrant from this Cabernet-driven Haut-Médoc, although the fruit is a bit flat next to the toasty oak and persistent note of tobacco. It’s a similar story on the palate, with some plum alongside those blackcurrants but the fruit is muted and you’re left with something that feels a bit lifeless.
Overall, it was nice enough with some roast beef but everything felt quite quite dialled back: we were hoping some something richer, fuller and more generous- more fruit character and spark of acidity. There’s a chance that it may have shown better after some decanting time but we suspect it’s a little over the hill, and time in the decanter probably wouldn’t bring it back to life.
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First of twelve from the second of two cases purchased at retail in 2021.
There was a lot of bottle variation in the first case. Only ten bottles were worth writing notes about, and only seven of those fell into the “very good” category. None hit the heights of my initial test bottle or the first bottle from the first case. This bottle bodes well for this case, but I still think this wine is simply getting too old to offer any positive consistency at this point. We’ll see.
Decanted upon PnP and served. Cork stained only on the end. Strong black and red fruits on the nose and palate, along with beautiful notes of truffle oil and some decaying leaves. A little dark chocolate covered cherry emerged with time in the decanter. Excellent mouthfeel, with ripe, resolving tannins and excellent energy and all around balance.
As much of a sucker as I am for the sort of truffle oil and chocolate covered cherry notes this bottle showed, there remained something a bit simple about it that barred it from a higher score. It was really a very nice wine, though. Full marks for satisfaction if not for excitement. You really can’t ask for more from a thirteen-year-old $23 USD Cru Bourgeois. 14% ABV (very good; above average; distinguished; compelling/***/16/91)
Fabulous QPR for $25 a bottle. Much more approachable than the 2010. Needs a good decant (4-5 hours) and is really very good! One of the best wines I have ever had for the price!
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This is drinking so very nicely now! A testament that an left bank 88 point Bordeaux can come out of the gate harsh and tannic and then one day the butterfly emerges. At its peak, don't think it can get any better.
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A few months had passed since I drank the last bottle. Tannin had started to soften and tasted less bitter. Still plenty of dark fruits and sucrose on the palate, medium acidity and good structure. Blackcurrant and cassis inside a dry forest. It needed another 6 to 12 months for the tannin and sugar to integrate further.
Addendum: I left about 1/3 of the bottle in the fridge for 2 days. The wine got even better than the first evening because the fruits and tannins had mellowed out, allowing the tertiary aromas like cedar wood to take the center stage, and yet the wine was still perfectly balanced. An upgrade from 92 to 93 points.
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BTG at a country club for $18. Great selection by the somms here. Drank next to a Napa Bordeaux blend, this stands apart with its cigar box aromas that are in balance with the gentle red and black fruit. My only complaint is the palate feels a tad watery.
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Twelfth of twelve. A solid bottle. Upon opening, I decanted off the sediment and immediately vacuum sealed half the bottle in a 375, which I put in the fridge. The wine was nice enough at this stage, showing some aging dark fruit and generic undergrowth, but it was unremarkable, seemed a little thin, and the alcohol balance was walking a tightrope. I didn’t get back to the half I saved until day four, and believe it or not, it was much better. The score is for that day.
By day four the wine had gained some needed weight and become very cohesive, with good balance, a nice mouthfeel, and a really nice medium-mature palate of sophisticated undergrowth and sweet, dark plums. 14% ABV (very good; above average; distinguished; compelling/***/16/91)
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Drinks richly of the all too typical cassis and dark cherry notes which predominate in this unidinensional wine. Then again, I think I may be coming down with Covid. Picking up on some licorice with the cherry and cream with the cassis. Drinks elegantly despite the slightly syrupy side.
Crushing this in France just before the flight home.
White pepper? Ash? Some wood notes way in the background.
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Eleventh of twelve. Opened on the spur of the moment three days ago, and after pouring one glass, I vacuum sealed it and put it in the fridge. Surprisingly, this is shining on day three. It has lost a half a step, perhaps, but it’s still very cohesive and balanced—better than day one in fact—with soft tannins, a good concentration of aging, plummy fruit and cassis, and a little undergrowth. There has been a lot of bottle variation in this case, but this is exactly what I wanted from this wine when I bought it. Very nice. 14% AVB. (Very good; above average; distinguished/***/15.5/90)
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Tenth of twelve from a case purchased at retail. A strong-ish bottle. Showing the garnet overtones of age. Aging black cherry, plum, leather, and some toast on the nose and palate. The acidity was a little low and the finish a little sour. As I’ve said, there has been great bottle variation in this case. Hopefully, my second case shows better. 14% ABV. (adequate; average; simple/**/14.5/87)
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It’s all about black currant and elderberry here (both nose and palate), so dominant and expressive, it almost doesn’t let any other scents and tastes come through. Cedar and leather on the nose. Blackberry and a litte bit of cherry on the palate. Lots of enjoyable and integrated oak, silky dried tannins, great overall balance. This is my 7th bottle in 12 months and it delivers the goods at a $20-25 price point. I don’t recall a single off bottle. At peak, fully mature. One hour decant is sufficient.
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Compelling nose of leather, smoke, warth with notes of pepper and red fruits. Noteable alcohol in the nose but balanced wnd elegant and n the mouth. Not long or profiund it is enjoyable in the moment with good acid and residual tannin.
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Agree with other tasters that there is bottle variation but overall this is excellent value Bordeaux 09. At worst, it’s somewhat generic red wine (which is still ok) but when good (which I’d say half the bottle pain my case were), it’s a bargain. Gives you a taste of The best elements of Bordeaux and the 09 vintage for around USD$25? On the nose - Cassis, cedar, dark plum. Ripe and round on the palate. I don’t think it has the structure to improve from here but a joy drinking Bordeaux that’s right in the window. There’s so much meh wine at this price point so if you can pick up a case cheaply, do it.
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Ninth of twelve and back in very good form—very much like the excellent bottle that led me to buy two cases of the stuff last year!
Here we have robust black currants and some red currants, green tobacco, and cedar making up the nose and the same on the palate. No tertiary stuff to speak of, but it was softened and had a nice mouthfeel with highly resolved tannins. Good QPR at the modest price of $22.50 USD/bottle paid.
Some of the bottles from this case have been out of balance. Other bottles have been faded and/or old before their time. The excellent showing of this bottle not withstanding, I will look to consume my stocks in the near term. Once again, this is a nice wine, but I’ve probably over scored it in the past. 14% ABV (Good; distinguished; above average/***/15/89)
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Nose: All leather and tart black cherries. Palate: mildly tart blackberries, oak grain, polished tannins coat the mouth (gums and cheeks), a souring orange zest on the finish; also, there's an oxidized grape flavor that's hard to exactly place...almost like an unsweetened raisin. This tasting was part of a vertical with the 2006 and 2016. In comparison, I found the 2009 to be the most balanced with the fruit, wood and tannins all playing nicely off each other, although the citrusy component on the finish, while unique, was a bit off-putting.
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This was found on the shelf of a Nicolas near Radio France a couple of months ago. Cork in excellent shape. Good deep ruby colour, and this is certainly fresh... but there is some disjunction between the age and a level of surprisingly sweet/primary, almost soupy red fruit that I struggle to reconcile. Finishes a touch short. Does it need more time or was it always a touch too ripe? Or just a bad bottle?
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Decanted 4 hours. Initial nose of graphite & leather w/strong legs. Round full flavor of ripe plums & soft leather. Excellent balanced full finish. As the wine continued to open in the glass the aroma provided hints of truffles & dark currant. The finish continued to present very well. Appetizer: Parmigiana Reggiano & figs. Entree: Filet w/sautéed vegetables
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Seventh of twelve. With a crumbly cork and looking a little older than one might expect, this showed aging cassis as well as undergrowth on the nose and the palate on PnP. Although initially quite nice, with air the fruit was clearly fading, it was a bit thin, and it showed too much acidity.
It looks like this wine is getting a bit dodgy now. I think I may have bought in on this one a little too late. Such is life! 14% ABV (**/14/86)
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Lovely cru. Hitting its stride as a mature claret. Cassis, oak, leather and dark chocolate come through with round tannins providing a very balanced medium body. Medium intensity of flavour which keeps this from a higher rating. Very enjoyable
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This was pleasantly surprised, the tannins were mild no decanting needed. The fruit was balance typical Bordeaux style, full to medium bodied with some mild smoke and good taste of wild berries, black berries. If you have some give a try before it goes.
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(1/03/22) Fifth of twelve. A nice nose of cassis, with a little undergrowth and toast on PnP, but it was thin and unbalanced on the palate, running hot with the bitterness of alcohol in the finish. Powdery tannins.
After an hour, it filled out and came into balance, with cassis, undergrowth, and toast on the nose and palate. After about 2.5 hours, the tannins all but disappeared, and the wine began to fade. 14% ABV (***/15/89)
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Beau Bordeaux à point. Nez intéressant sur le tertiaire cuir/tabac, de cerises noirs et une pointe de végétal. On y retrouve les même saveurs en bouche. Belle matière fondu, acidité soutenu et une pointe d'astringence en finale. Belle longueur. Vaut le prix demandé.
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Deep blackish red. Classic claret nose, dusty and lead shavings, with black fruit interwoven. Had not planned to open but earlier bottle left something to be desired - this was much better, much closer to what I wanted with the meal. Did not find this tannic or hot as others have noted, thought it was in a nice spot, well integrated, good balance of smooth palate vs a little structure still. With roast lamb.
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(11/16/21) Third of twelve. Blended using 71.5% cabernet sauvignon, 25% merlot, and 3.5% petit verdot. On PnP, this bottle showed a deep nose full of cassis, pencil shavings, and leather, and it had a palate that was balanced and concentrated, with cassis, red fruits, low acidity, and highly resolved tannins. With about an hour of air, the wine began displaying some cinnamon and then menthol on the nose before seeming to fade a bit. 14% ABV (***/15/90)
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(11/12/21) Second of twelve. On PnP, this was not nearly as good as the first bottle from this case. Green leafy flavors were at the fore on the nose and palate, and it seemed a little thin and hot. Two days under vacuum seal in the fridge helped bring it together and allowed the cassis and tobacco to emerge on the nose and palate, but it remained unbalanced. 14% abv (**/14.5/88)
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Wine is youthful, dense and tannic. After 3 hours of opening, taste of Black currants, blackberries, violets, dark chocolate filled out the mouth, and a long crushed petal finish. Good acidity. Will age very well for another two decades.
Can enjoy now as a young, tannic claret. Otherwise, it can benefit from at least another 5 years of cellaring.
A vintage that makes a cru bourgeois into a grand cru.
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(11/3/21) First of twelve. This bottle had a crumbly cork and showed much more development than the bottle that led me to buy two cases. Nevertheless, this was in a great place, with loads of cassis, black cherry, tobacco, and forest floor on the nose and the same on the palate. The concentration and balance were quite good, and the tannins were like talcum powder. After a couple hours in the decanter, the nose and palate were both showing truffle notes. The wine was still excellent on day two—better in some ways—and was oozing with truffle oil. 14% abv (***+/16.5/93)
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From the highly acclaimed 2009 vintage, this is shockingly good, especially under $50. Medium intensity ruby showing only modest sign of age.
Powerful, complex and harmonious on the nose. Oak influence is clearly present - vanilla, milk chocolate, menthol and tobacco - meet earth, plum and blackberry.
Palate shows fine, softened tannins and refreshing acidity. Alcohol remains hot and unintegrated.
Flavours add black cherry, currant and spicy at black pepper.
Long finish.
At peak. Drink to 2025
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(10/12/21) This wine showed very, very well from PnP, with a blast of tobacco leaf–infused cassis on the nose and the same on the concentrated, soft, well-balanced palate. Although the alcohol was higher than I like, there was more than enough juice here to cover it. This was a dead ringer for an ‘09 Cantemerle. It finished medium long. A beauty for the $25 USD price of admission. To sum this experience up: I immediately went out and bought two cases. 14% abv (***+/16/92)
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Excellent claret. Needs to be decanted to open up fully (1+ hr). Very balanced. Leather, cedar, blackberry, violets, tobacco, forest floor. Classical Bordeaux profile. No rush to drink up, can easily last another 5-7 years. Great QPR.
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Beautiful, smooth and well balanced claret. Lots of lovely fresh fruit, cassis dominant, some menthol and licorice. Definitiely around peak drinking now. Great VFM.
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This really impressed me. Based on the notes below, I guess this wine has improved considerably and is now in a great stage of its life. Beautiful, mature nose. Loads of vanilla, cedar, tobacco and dark fruits. Elegant and rich mouthfeel with great texture. Excellent development on the palette and complexity is better than expected for the price. Great finish too. Lasted 3 days open with no problem. This is just a very, very solid and great value wine.
Needs a proper decant to get past some initial sharpness, but once it gets going, this is in a great place. Initial bramble and cherry flavours, quite prominent cedar, olive, cocoa and earthiness, plum and clove on the finish. Quite surprised by the complexity given the price. It’s nicely focussed with vivid flavours and the richness of a properly aged claret.
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Second bottle didn't have the same degree of meat as the first, though it might have aired out more before drinking. Still quite solid and tasty though.
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Very noticeable brett, with a meaty aftertaste some minutes long, but this very serviceable mature Bordeaux is strong enough to wear it well, it adds rather than detracts. Strong ashy - almost burnt - note which tentpoles the flavour profile under that cloak of brett, a hint of blackcurrant which isn't very noticeable after it's warmed up, a suggestion of mint, mild cedar / oak, medium acid and mild, slightly green tannins. There's not a lot of tension but it's not flabby or harsh. It's surprisingly complex for the price; I suspect age has been kind to it.
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Classic dark Bordeaux red in glass, medium-full bodied. Nice deep bramble, tobacco nose. Quite sharp on initial tasting but then softened later and became more enjoyable. Flavours dark berry fruit, fagashy, cherry and bramble. Earth. Slight petrol undertone. 14% (I gave a 4+ hour decant. It needs some time to open up and soften).
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30m air. Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (71.5%) with 25% Merlot and 3.5% Petit Verdot. Deep ruby color. Boldly aromatic with dark cherry, blackberry, clay pot, leather, green olive and just ah int of white pepper. Medium-Full body, velvety texture, silky tannins. Dark berries and hints of spice on the palate. Opulent, polished.
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Interesting Left Bank Bordeaux. Parabins pretty evident upon opening, mellowing out as it aured. Lots of red and black fruit, along with cedar, tobacco and some vanilla. Decent acid and medium to medium+ tannin. Spicy finish.
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Bordeaux Reds (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA): “71.5% C.S., 25% Merlot, & 3.5% P.V.” grown in sand, clay, gravel, & limestone soils; Typically, vinified in temp controlled s/s vats, malolactic occurring in tank, then aged ~ 14 mos in FR oak barrels (50% new) prior to bottling. Ave production is ~ 35,000 cs.
N: Choc, earth, poss spice, atop berries; Although init rich & LOVELY, *poss* a BIT lacking in stamina??
P: LM, poss Med, body; NICE frt met by an astringent pucker which seems to hold into at least the init part of the LONG, balanced finish, the astringency finally subsiding. Certainly "lean" cf'd to CA, this may well improve through '17, then drink nicely for several yrs thereafter. 15 & 16/20 Jancis Robinson + numerous other scores/medals on wine-searcher's Tasting Notes pg. [As of early Mar '20, wine-searcher still shows 1 source @ $30.20].
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Nice Bordeaux that Baron Slick sums it up well. Open and accessible, , this struck me as being quite polished and modern in style, with a structured core of forward and ripe dark fruits and a hint of spicy vanilla on the finish. A good deal at $19.99 from K&L.
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Typical Haut-Medoc character. Red and black fruit, earth, and new leather aromas. Mid bodied, focused, and taut on the plummy palate. It picks up a spicy note on the lingering, red fruit finish. Vivid, racy, and still evolving. Solid.
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Not bad for the money. Day 1: plum, blackberry, a bit grapes, some earthy minerals, soft velvety tannins, not a lot of acid, blueberries on the finish. Day 2: fruit largely gone and some tobacco and cedar, but not really an improvement.
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4 hour decant. Subtle nose with creamy berries. Palate is a touch youthful perhaps, the finish has power. The wine has a nice extraction and a good density of fruit. There is a lot packed into one of these half-bottles. Good value.
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From a 375ml. Five hour decant. Creamy fruits of the forest on the nose. Simple fruit palate with similar flavours on the finish. This has power, balance, structure, flavour, good raw materials, but it needs a bit more time to develop. It drinks younger than a lot of 2009's. The texture of the wine is currently a bit simple or generic compared with slightly older vintages of Peyrabon with their usual excellent 'motor-oil' texture. Also, I found the flavours on the finish or the aftertaste slightly astringent or 'green'. 86-87 points for now, but a 90 pointer at peak.
notes from day2 nose - earth mouth - violets, cornucopia of red and dark fruit, juicy, very lush. nice bordeaux for $20 that can improve with bottle age
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A full-bodied, powerful wine that was hard to drink out of the bottle. After two hours in a decanter it seemed more well-rounded. Initially the fruit and tannins were overwhelming: I came up with cassis and either cedar or tobacco. I suspect it could use a couple more years to soften the rough edges.
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Needs to grow. Sharp edges with a rapid mouthfeel, leaving an impression of something great. Plan on bottle aging a couple for a year or two just for kicks.
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I think this drinks pretty well , for its youth. Definitely a bargain , and will definitely be better in just a few years. I'd take this over a similarly priced CA cab , any day, just for the character.
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A little young yet, but shows promise. Can use at least a couple more years in the bottle. Took some time to develop after uncorking and would benefit from decanting. Nice fruit and soft mouthfeel.
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10/23/2023 - OmiyaDrinker wrote: 90 Points
3 Bordeaux Diploma Tasting: Deep ruby appearance. Medium + intensity on the nose. Aromas of blackcurrant, black plum, smoke, vanilla, leather, tobacco. Dry palate with medium+ acid. Medium + tannin and high alcohol. Medium + body, medium intensity of flavour, and medium + finish. I originally rated this as good quality and it was initially outclassed by the other 2 wines in this flight, but it definitely improved over time. In fact, drank over 3 days and I would say it got better every day developing more complexity. A bargain - very good.
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10/15/2023 - Ali MacLeod Likes this wine:
Delightful - a pleasant surprise.
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10/3/2023 - Allthistalking wrote: 91 Points
Really nice savory qualities, but good fruit and earth balance here. Last of 3 bottles of it and definitely it’s best showing
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9/16/2023 - GuanYu Likes this wine: 93 Points
Another bottle since a year ago. Wine had developed and elements started to integrate further, but still youthful and fruits forward.
Dark red with pink rim. Cassis, plum, blackberry, dried strawberry, capsicum, cedar, tobacco and herbs. Balanced and long finish.
I served this blind to 5 guests. Most guests thought it were a Cabernet Franc due to the distinct capsicum, green pepper notes. We were all surprised to find out that there was no cabernet franc in the blend. Cabernet Sauvignon 72 %, Merlot 23 %, Petit Verdot 5 %.
Most guests also thought this bottle would cost over $200. They were shocked to learn market price was about $20+ at time of drinking.
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1/6/2023 - Oliverl1 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Thought I would put in a another review of this such, such tremendously good value wine.
It is an labeled as an Haut Médoc, but I have learned it was formerly labeled as a “Pauillac” up until the late 80s. Given its characteristics, that makes sense to me. This bottle was probably my 30th in the past two years. I’ve bought 5 cases. It really has every aspect of a $50 or $60 wine, but it is only $25 at my local wine store (sometimes it is $19.99 when they have a sale!).
It can be had right out the bottle, but it shows its true colours after about six hours of decanting. Classic left bank nose and taste with a decent finish. Plenty of life left in this wine. Most likely another ten years. I initially scored this wine 90 points, but after trying some similar competing crus bourgeois Médocs in the same price point, it is clear Peyrabon is head and shoulders above the rest. It’s a solid 93 points for me.
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11/16/2022 - Joshvoulters wrote: 86 Points
I had high hopes for this 12 year old Bordeaux from a good vintage: it didn’t quite hit the mark but did start a good conversation about one of those perennial wine debates: decanting.
On the nose there’s blackberry and of course blackcurrant from this Cabernet-driven Haut-Médoc, although the fruit is a bit flat next to the toasty oak and persistent note of tobacco. It’s a similar story on the palate, with some plum alongside those blackcurrants but the fruit is muted and you’re left with something that feels a bit lifeless.
Overall, it was nice enough with some roast beef but everything felt quite quite dialled back: we were hoping some something richer, fuller and more generous- more fruit character and spark of acidity. There’s a chance that it may have shown better after some decanting time but we suspect it’s a little over the hill, and time in the decanter probably wouldn’t bring it back to life.
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10/27/2022 - Jake Barnes Likes this wine: 91 Points
First of twelve from the second of two cases purchased at retail in 2021.
There was a lot of bottle variation in the first case. Only ten bottles were worth writing notes about, and only seven of those fell into the “very good” category. None hit the heights of my initial test bottle or the first bottle from the first case. This bottle bodes well for this case, but I still think this wine is simply getting too old to offer any positive consistency at this point. We’ll see.
Decanted upon PnP and served. Cork stained only on the end. Strong black and red fruits on the nose and palate, along with beautiful notes of truffle oil and some decaying leaves. A little dark chocolate covered cherry emerged with time in the decanter. Excellent mouthfeel, with ripe, resolving tannins and excellent energy and all around balance.
As much of a sucker as I am for the sort of truffle oil and chocolate covered cherry notes this bottle showed, there remained something a bit simple about it that barred it from a higher score. It was really a very nice wine, though. Full marks for satisfaction if not for excitement. You really can’t ask for more from a thirteen-year-old $23 USD Cru Bourgeois. 14% ABV (very good; above average; distinguished; compelling/***/16/91)
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10/14/2022 - Oliverl1 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Fabulous QPR for $25 a bottle. Much more approachable than the 2010. Needs a good decant (4-5 hours) and is really very good! One of the best wines I have ever had for the price!
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10/4/2022 - classicalspin Likes this wine: 90 Points
This is drinking so very nicely now! A testament that an left bank 88 point Bordeaux can come out of the gate harsh and tannic and then one day the butterfly emerges. At its peak, don't think it can get any better.
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9/23/2022 - GuanYu Likes this wine: 93 Points
A few months had passed since I drank the last bottle. Tannin had started to soften and tasted less bitter. Still plenty of dark fruits and sucrose on the palate, medium acidity and good structure. Blackcurrant and cassis inside a dry forest. It needed another 6 to 12 months for the tannin and sugar to integrate further.
Addendum: I left about 1/3 of the bottle in the fridge for 2 days. The wine got even better than the first evening because the fruits and tannins had mellowed out, allowing the tertiary aromas like cedar wood to take the center stage, and yet the wine was still perfectly balanced. An upgrade from 92 to 93 points.
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8/18/2022 - evjoh Likes this wine:
BTG at a country club for $18. Great selection by the somms here. Drank next to a Napa Bordeaux blend, this stands apart with its cigar box aromas that are in balance with the gentle red and black fruit. My only complaint is the palate feels a tad watery.
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7/16/2022 - Jake Barnes Likes this wine: 91 Points
Twelfth of twelve. A solid bottle. Upon opening, I decanted off the sediment and immediately vacuum sealed half the bottle in a 375, which I put in the fridge. The wine was nice enough at this stage, showing some aging dark fruit and generic undergrowth, but it was unremarkable, seemed a little thin, and the alcohol balance was walking a tightrope. I didn’t get back to the half I saved until day four, and believe it or not, it was much better. The score is for that day.
By day four the wine had gained some needed weight and become very cohesive, with good balance, a nice mouthfeel, and a really nice medium-mature palate of sophisticated undergrowth and sweet, dark plums. 14% ABV (very good; above average; distinguished; compelling/***/16/91)
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7/15/2022 - winoman1 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Drinks richly of the all too typical cassis and dark cherry notes which predominate in this unidinensional wine. Then again, I think I may be coming down with Covid. Picking up on some licorice with the cherry and cream with the cassis. Drinks elegantly despite the slightly syrupy side.
Crushing this in France just before the flight home.
White pepper? Ash? Some wood notes way in the background.
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6/24/2022 - benjamin96 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Rien de grand, bien evolue, se boit tres bien, un bordeau classique de base.
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5/30/2022 - arthurogus Likes this wine: 86 Points
This wine was dark and mature tasting. Fairly rich, but with a slightly watery feel. A pleasant drink, but not joyful.
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5/22/2022 - Jake Barnes Likes this wine: 90 Points
Eleventh of twelve. Opened on the spur of the moment three days ago, and after pouring one glass, I vacuum sealed it and put it in the fridge. Surprisingly, this is shining on day three. It has lost a half a step, perhaps, but it’s still very cohesive and balanced—better than day one in fact—with soft tannins, a good concentration of aging, plummy fruit and cassis, and a little undergrowth. There has been a lot of bottle variation in this case, but this is exactly what I wanted from this wine when I bought it. Very nice. 14% AVB. (Very good; above average; distinguished/***/15.5/90)
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5/21/2022 - drfischer wrote: 91 Points
Perfect to drink now
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5/18/2022 - Jake Barnes wrote: 87 Points
Tenth of twelve from a case purchased at retail. A strong-ish bottle. Showing the garnet overtones of age. Aging black cherry, plum, leather, and some toast on the nose and palate. The acidity was a little low and the finish a little sour. As I’ve said, there has been great bottle variation in this case. Hopefully, my second case shows better. 14% ABV. (adequate; average; simple/**/14.5/87)
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5/8/2022 - Cheesybee Likes this wine: 88 Points
Blackcurrant and bramble, earthy, nice balance, well integrated, easy to enjoy. Slightly smoother with a shorter decant (couple of hours) a year on.
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5/7/2022 - JoeMe Likes this wine: 91 Points
It’s all about black currant and elderberry here (both nose and palate), so dominant and expressive, it almost doesn’t let any other scents and tastes come through. Cedar and leather on the nose. Blackberry and a litte bit of cherry on the palate. Lots of enjoyable and integrated oak, silky dried tannins, great overall balance. This is my 7th bottle in 12 months and it delivers the goods at a $20-25 price point. I don’t recall a single off bottle. At peak, fully mature. One hour decant is sufficient.
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4/23/2022 - larrybbaldwin Likes this wine: 90 Points
Compelling nose of leather, smoke, warth with notes of pepper and red fruits. Noteable alcohol in the nose but balanced wnd elegant and n the mouth. Not long or profiund it is enjoyable in the moment with good acid and residual tannin.
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4/16/2022 - auldalliance Likes this wine:
Decent mature claret with typical tertiary notes of leather, some wood, some earthiness, but still some discreet fruit. Tannins not obtrusive.
Day 2 the fruit was now dried, the leather had been polished, and the wood more evident. Harder work.
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4/16/2022 - OmiyaDrinker wrote: 90 Points
Agree with other tasters that there is bottle variation but overall this is excellent value Bordeaux 09. At worst, it’s somewhat generic red wine (which is still ok) but when good (which I’d say half the bottle pain my case were), it’s a bargain. Gives you a taste of The best elements of Bordeaux and the 09 vintage for around USD$25? On the nose - Cassis, cedar, dark plum. Ripe and round on the palate. I don’t think it has the structure to improve from here but a joy drinking Bordeaux that’s right in the window. There’s so much meh wine at this price point so if you can pick up a case cheaply, do it.
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4/13/2022 - Jake Barnes Likes this wine: 89 Points
Ninth of twelve and back in very good form—very much like the excellent bottle that led me to buy two cases of the stuff last year!
Here we have robust black currants and some red currants, green tobacco, and cedar making up the nose and the same on the palate. No tertiary stuff to speak of, but it was softened and had a nice mouthfeel with highly resolved tannins. Good QPR at the modest price of $22.50 USD/bottle paid.
Some of the bottles from this case have been out of balance. Other bottles have been faded and/or old before their time. The excellent showing of this bottle not withstanding, I will look to consume my stocks in the near term. Once again, this is a nice wine, but I’ve probably over scored it in the past. 14% ABV (Good; distinguished; above average/***/15/89)
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3/13/2022 - stamperb Likes this wine: 88 Points
Nose: All leather and tart black cherries. Palate: mildly tart blackberries, oak grain, polished tannins coat the mouth (gums and cheeks), a souring orange zest on the finish; also, there's an oxidized grape flavor that's hard to exactly place...almost like an unsweetened raisin. This tasting was part of a vertical with the 2006 and 2016. In comparison, I found the 2009 to be the most balanced with the fruit, wood and tannins all playing nicely off each other, although the citrusy component on the finish, while unique, was a bit off-putting.
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3/11/2022 - sjw_11 wrote: 87 Points
This was found on the shelf of a Nicolas near Radio France a couple of months ago. Cork in excellent shape. Good deep ruby colour, and this is certainly fresh... but there is some disjunction between the age and a level of surprisingly sweet/primary, almost soupy red fruit that I struggle to reconcile. Finishes a touch short. Does it need more time or was it always a touch too ripe? Or just a bad bottle?
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3/5/2022 - casaallora Likes this wine: 92 Points
Decanted 4 hours. Initial nose of graphite & leather w/strong legs. Round full flavor of ripe plums & soft leather. Excellent balanced full finish. As the wine continued to open in the glass the aroma provided hints of truffles & dark currant. The finish continued to present very well. Appetizer: Parmigiana Reggiano & figs. Entree: Filet w/sautéed vegetables
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2/22/2022 - Jake Barnes wrote: 86 Points
Seventh of twelve. With a crumbly cork and looking a little older than one might expect, this showed aging cassis as well as undergrowth on the nose and the palate on PnP. Although initially quite nice, with air the fruit was clearly fading, it was a bit thin, and it showed too much acidity.
It looks like this wine is getting a bit dodgy now. I think I may have bought in on this one a little too late. Such is life! 14% ABV (**/14/86)
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1/23/2022 - WineSauvy wrote: 87 Points
Lovely cru. Hitting its stride as a mature claret. Cassis, oak, leather and dark chocolate come through with round tannins providing a very balanced medium body. Medium intensity of flavour which keeps this from a higher rating. Very enjoyable
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1/17/2022 - Lord Marc Likes this wine: 89 Points
This was pleasantly surprised, the tannins were mild no decanting needed. The fruit was balance typical Bordeaux style, full to medium bodied with some mild smoke and good taste of wild berries, black berries. If you have some give a try before it goes.
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1/9/2022 - Dave Dewar Likes this wine:
Much better day 2. Hold or give a very long decant.
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1/8/2022 - Jake Barnes Likes this wine: 91 Points
Sixth of twelve. Another very strong, youthful bottle, showing gobs of cassis, as well as toast and powdery tannins. 14% ABV (***/16/91)
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1/3/2022 - Jake Barnes Likes this wine: 89 Points
(1/03/22) Fifth of twelve. A nice nose of cassis, with a little undergrowth and toast on PnP, but it was thin and unbalanced on the palate, running hot with the bitterness of alcohol in the finish. Powdery tannins.
After an hour, it filled out and came into balance, with cassis, undergrowth, and toast on the nose and palate. After about 2.5 hours, the tannins all but disappeared, and the wine began to fade. 14% ABV (***/15/89)
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12/12/2021 - Thefatbastard Likes this wine:
Beau Bordeaux à point. Nez intéressant sur le tertiaire cuir/tabac, de cerises noirs et une pointe de végétal.
On y retrouve les même saveurs en bouche. Belle matière fondu, acidité soutenu et une pointe d'astringence en finale. Belle longueur. Vaut le prix demandé.
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11/27/2021 - oenanthe Likes this wine: 88 Points
Deep blackish red. Classic claret nose, dusty and lead shavings, with black fruit interwoven. Had not planned to open but earlier bottle left something to be desired - this was much better, much closer to what I wanted with the meal. Did not find this tannic or hot as others have noted, thought it was in a nice spot, well integrated, good balance of smooth palate vs a little structure still. With roast lamb.
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11/26/2021 - sem106 Likes this wine: 90 Points
A nice claret, lacks some concentration and complexity but perfectly nice. I suspect it will not last too much longer
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11/16/2021 - Jake Barnes Likes this wine: 90 Points
(11/16/21) Third of twelve. Blended using 71.5% cabernet sauvignon, 25% merlot, and 3.5% petit verdot. On PnP, this bottle showed a deep nose full of cassis, pencil shavings, and leather, and it had a palate that was balanced and concentrated, with cassis, red fruits, low acidity, and highly resolved tannins. With about an hour of air, the wine began displaying some cinnamon and then menthol on the nose before seeming to fade a bit. 14% ABV (***/15/90)
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11/12/2021 - Jake Barnes wrote: 88 Points
(11/12/21) Second of twelve. On PnP, this was not nearly as good as the first bottle from this case. Green leafy flavors were at the fore on the nose and palate, and it seemed a little thin and hot. Two days under vacuum seal in the fridge helped bring it together and allowed the cassis and tobacco to emerge on the nose and palate, but it remained unbalanced. 14% abv (**/14.5/88)
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11/9/2021 - GuanYu Likes this wine: 92 Points
Wine is youthful, dense and tannic. After 3 hours of opening, taste of Black currants, blackberries, violets, dark chocolate filled out the mouth, and a long crushed petal finish. Good acidity. Will age very well for another two decades.
Can enjoy now as a young, tannic claret. Otherwise, it can benefit from at least another 5 years of cellaring.
A vintage that makes a cru bourgeois into a grand cru.
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11/3/2021 - Jake Barnes Likes this wine: 93 Points
(11/3/21) First of twelve. This bottle had a crumbly cork and showed much more development than the bottle that led me to buy two cases. Nevertheless, this was in a great place, with loads of cassis, black cherry, tobacco, and forest floor on the nose and the same on the palate. The concentration and balance were quite good, and the tannins were like talcum powder. After a couple hours in the decanter, the nose and palate were both showing truffle notes. The wine was still excellent on day two—better in some ways—and was oozing with truffle oil. 14% abv (***+/16.5/93)
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11/3/2021 - MS86 Likes this wine: 93 Points
From the highly acclaimed 2009 vintage, this is shockingly good, especially under $50. Medium intensity ruby showing only modest sign of age.
Powerful, complex and harmonious on the nose. Oak influence is clearly present - vanilla, milk chocolate, menthol and tobacco - meet earth, plum and blackberry.
Palate shows fine, softened tannins and refreshing acidity. Alcohol remains hot and unintegrated.
Flavours add black cherry, currant and spicy at black pepper.
Long finish.
At peak. Drink to 2025
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10/19/2021 - classicalspin wrote:
Drinking very nicely now. No flaws. Wonderful everyday claret.
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10/12/2021 - Jake Barnes Likes this wine: 92 Points
(10/12/21) This wine showed very, very well from PnP, with a blast of tobacco leaf–infused cassis on the nose and the same on the concentrated, soft, well-balanced palate. Although the alcohol was higher than I like, there was more than enough juice here to cover it. This was a dead ringer for an ‘09 Cantemerle. It finished medium long. A beauty for the $25 USD price of admission. To sum this experience up: I immediately went out and bought two cases. 14% abv (***+/16/92)
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9/23/2021 - probraided Likes this wine: 92 Points
Excellent claret. Needs to be decanted to open up fully (1+ hr). Very balanced. Leather, cedar, blackberry, violets, tobacco, forest floor. Classical Bordeaux profile. No rush to drink up, can easily last another 5-7 years. Great QPR.
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8/14/2021 - mike410 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Very nice wine. Well balanced and very smooth. Should drink well for the next 3-4 years.
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7/24/2021 - CME67 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Beautiful, smooth and well balanced claret. Lots of lovely fresh fruit, cassis dominant, some menthol and licorice. Definitiely around peak drinking now. Great VFM.
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7/2/2021 - 99tollap wrote: 91 Points
This really impressed me. Based on the notes below, I guess this wine has improved considerably and is now in a great stage of its life. Beautiful, mature nose. Loads of vanilla, cedar, tobacco and dark fruits. Elegant and rich mouthfeel with great texture. Excellent development on the palette and complexity is better than expected for the price. Great finish too. Lasted 3 days open with no problem. This is just a very, very solid and great value wine.
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6/19/2021 - iamkimdaye wrote: 83 Points
Haut medoc, quite leafy, piment
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4/17/2021 - Jaymnik Likes this wine: 90 Points
Needs a proper decant to get past some initial sharpness, but once it gets going, this is in a great place. Initial bramble and cherry flavours, quite prominent cedar, olive, cocoa and earthiness, plum and clove on the finish. Quite surprised by the complexity given the price. It’s nicely focussed with vivid flavours and the richness of a properly aged claret.
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4/4/2021 - barrkel wrote: 90 Points
Second bottle didn't have the same degree of meat as the first, though it might have aired out more before drinking. Still quite solid and tasty though.
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3/7/2021 - dfusina wrote: 89 Points
Much better than last year.
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1/28/2021 - barrkel Likes this wine: 91 Points
Very noticeable brett, with a meaty aftertaste some minutes long, but this very serviceable mature Bordeaux is strong enough to wear it well, it adds rather than detracts. Strong ashy - almost burnt - note which tentpoles the flavour profile under that cloak of brett, a hint of blackcurrant which isn't very noticeable after it's warmed up, a suggestion of mint, mild cedar / oak, medium acid and mild, slightly green tannins. There's not a lot of tension but it's not flabby or harsh. It's surprisingly complex for the price; I suspect age has been kind to it.
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1/8/2021 - Cheesybee Likes this wine: 87 Points
Classic dark Bordeaux red in glass, medium-full bodied. Nice deep bramble, tobacco nose. Quite sharp on initial tasting but then softened later and became more enjoyable. Flavours dark berry fruit, fagashy, cherry and bramble. Earth. Slight petrol undertone. 14% (I gave a 4+ hour decant. It needs some time to open up and soften).
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12/13/2020 - Renzloh Likes this wine: 88 Points
Nice enough.
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1/12/2020 - dfusina wrote: 87 Points
Not much fruit. Oppressive.
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12/8/2019 - eadsaaron Likes this wine: 89 Points
Fruit-forward, enjoyable, but not a lot beyond that. I guess slight cedar and bay leaf.
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11/27/2019 - Risky Likes this wine: 90 Points
Classic Bordeaux, earthy, dark berry
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8/28/2019 - daveyk39 wrote: 88 Points
30m air. Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (71.5%) with 25% Merlot and 3.5% Petit Verdot. Deep ruby color. Boldly aromatic with dark cherry, blackberry, clay pot, leather, green olive and just ah int of white pepper. Medium-Full body, velvety texture, silky tannins. Dark berries and hints of spice on the palate. Opulent, polished.
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5/23/2019 - MTC2 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Interesting Left Bank Bordeaux. Parabins pretty evident upon opening, mellowing out as it aured. Lots of red and black fruit, along with cedar, tobacco and some vanilla. Decent acid and medium to medium+ tannin. Spicy finish.
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3/6/2017 - BillLowney Likes this wine: 88 Points
Young, primary and generic on Day 1. More weight, more presence and more raison d'être on Day 3.
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2/25/2017 - srh Likes this wine:
Bordeaux Reds (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA): “71.5% C.S., 25% Merlot, & 3.5% P.V.” grown in sand, clay, gravel, & limestone soils; Typically, vinified in temp controlled s/s vats, malolactic occurring in tank, then aged ~ 14 mos in FR oak barrels (50% new) prior to bottling. Ave production is ~ 35,000 cs.
N: Choc, earth, poss spice, atop berries; Although init rich & LOVELY, *poss* a BIT lacking in stamina??
P: LM, poss Med, body; NICE frt met by an astringent pucker which seems to hold into at least the init part of the LONG, balanced finish, the astringency finally subsiding. Certainly "lean" cf'd to CA, this may well improve through '17, then drink nicely for several yrs thereafter. 15 & 16/20 Jancis Robinson + numerous other scores/medals on wine-searcher's Tasting Notes pg. [As of early Mar '20, wine-searcher still shows 1 source @ $30.20].
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2/14/2017 - bergkamp10 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Nice Bordeaux that Baron Slick sums it up well. Open and accessible, , this struck me as being quite polished and modern in style, with a structured core of forward and ripe dark fruits and a hint of spicy vanilla on the finish. A good deal at $19.99 from K&L.
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11/18/2016 - Baron Slick wrote: 89 Points
Typical Haut-Medoc character. Red and black fruit, earth, and new leather aromas. Mid bodied, focused, and taut on the plummy palate. It picks up a spicy note on the lingering, red fruit finish. Vivid, racy, and still evolving. Solid.
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8/18/2016 - ohne_musik wrote: 87 Points
Not bad for the money. Day 1: plum, blackberry, a bit grapes, some earthy minerals, soft velvety tannins, not a lot of acid, blueberries on the finish. Day 2: fruit largely gone and some tobacco and cedar, but not really an improvement.
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6/2/2016 - BillLowney Likes this wine: 88 Points
4 hour decant. Subtle nose with creamy berries. Palate is a touch youthful perhaps, the finish has power. The wine has a nice extraction and a good density of fruit. There is a lot packed into one of these half-bottles. Good value.
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3/14/2016 - BillLowney Likes this wine:
From a 375ml. Five hour decant. Creamy fruits of the forest on the nose. Simple fruit palate with similar flavours on the finish. This has power, balance, structure, flavour, good raw materials, but it needs a bit more time to develop. It drinks younger than a lot of 2009's. The texture of the wine is currently a bit simple or generic compared with slightly older vintages of Peyrabon with their usual excellent 'motor-oil' texture. Also, I found the flavours on the finish or the aftertaste slightly astringent or 'green'. 86-87 points for now, but a 90 pointer at peak.
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1/25/2016 - Ryan.Vento Likes this wine: 88 Points
An approachable Bordeaux with lively red fruits and notes of moist tobacco and earth. This is definitely and easy-drinker and is a pretty good value.
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1/23/2016 - soyhead wrote:
notes from day2
nose - earth
mouth - violets, cornucopia of red and dark fruit, juicy, very lush.
nice bordeaux for $20 that can improve with bottle age
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3/4/2015 - ahcarc Likes this wine: 86 Points
Sharp, smoothes with 2 hours breathing, should have held longer in the cellar.
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12/14/2014 - Mr. Korsakov wrote: 89 Points
- Brick color.
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5/29/2014 - gordongarlic wrote: 91 Points
Day 1 - good
Day 2 - excellent
Day 4 - excellent and still evolving
I may not touch the rest of the stash for 3-4 years
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5/6/2014 - usherenb wrote: 88 Points
Big wine but needs time to mature. Will hold on to the second bottle.
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2/8/2014 - Joe the Critic wrote: 87 Points
A full-bodied, powerful wine that was hard to drink out of the bottle. After two hours in a decanter it seemed more well-rounded. Initially the fruit and tannins were overwhelming: I came up with cassis and either cedar or tobacco. I suspect it could use a couple more years to soften the rough edges.
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12/23/2013 - ls3pilot Likes this wine: 89 Points
Strong typical Medoc wine. May be stored for another 2 - 4 years, but already showing up its potential
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11/13/2013 - Tom Myers Likes this wine: 89 Points
Opened up after about 45 minutes in decanter. Had with a grass-fed tenderloin. Nice wine for the money.
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9/10/2013 - Two Ton Anchor wrote: 84 Points
Needs to grow. Sharp edges with a rapid mouthfeel, leaving an impression of something great. Plan on bottle aging a couple for a year or two just for kicks.
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3/18/2013 - FarmerKeith LA/VA Likes this wine: 90 Points
I think this drinks pretty well , for its youth. Definitely a bargain , and will definitely be better in just a few years. I'd take this over a similarly priced CA cab , any day, just for the character.
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12/8/2011 - SABRCW wrote: 89 Points
A little young yet, but shows promise. Can use at least a couple more years in the bottle. Took some time to develop after uncorking and would benefit from decanting. Nice fruit and soft mouthfeel.
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6/13/2011 - mz1917 wrote: 87 Points
- Brick color - Test
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