Still drinking well. Confirms how Carignan can produce compelling wines with good richness and complexity at the same time. I would have preferred a slightly lower alcohol level, but this is still a nice wine. Drink over the next few years.
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Very interesting blend to taste. It almost comes across as a Zinfandel based wine. It has the same "vinosity", the over-ripe fruit and texture that you often find in those wines. It has aged quite nicely as it's well balanced. Perhaps a little light in complexity but still very pleasant. should drink well for anothr 3-5 years.
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Decanted an hour but was nice when opened. An hour helped Dark plum, slight leather, coffee, tobacco. Tannins still holding. Surprised by how much I like this wine. Medium body with nice long finish.
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Lifted nose dominated by beetroot, dried plums, blueberries, dried apples, quince, dark cherries, supported with spicy notes, slight leather, earthy and tobacco notes. Fine and soft chalky tannins. Very balanced and smooth in the mouth reflective of the nose. Medium to long lingering finish. Love to have more of this wine!!!
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Was properly stored in a temperature controlled wine storage since I purchased this bottle, but unfortunately this wine was not enjoyable to drink... even after extended decanting. Lots of gritty sediment and dark deposits all over the bottle. Doesn't appear corked, just way off balance, rough griping flavor, high acidity and unenjoyable aftertaste. Ended up dumping out half the bottle.
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From a magnum. Did not decant but left it for 6 hours open. Still quite tart but also elegant, lot of liquorice, black current, hints of leather and smoke, fresh, medium to long finish. Consistent over 30 hours, no hurry to drink, will last for many more years.
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Still quite tannic and forbidding even from half bottle, so I think this will come round and when the tannins recede (hope they will) benefit from the fruit that is undoubtedly there. Cassis, dark cherry, cedar, vanilla.
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Soft, dark, fruit with a streak of soft tannins and acidity. This is definitely a modern style wine, but I've always found this bottle interesting and there aren't exactly a lot of Carignan based wines around.
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Wine definitely requires decanting for 3-4 hours. While pop and pour immediately shows characteristics of dark chocolate, black cherries with nose slightly muted, it remained acidic and somewhat tannic. With each passing 20 minutes the wine improved to ultimately become a silky creamy balanced wonderful complex wine
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We decanted the wine for twenty minutes before we poured the first glass. It was dark ruby in colour and threw some sediment. The wine showed ripe and cooked fruits, blackberry, prune, black currant, cherry, spices, rosewater and chocolate on the nose. On the palate the wine showed cooked fruits, prune, raisins, cherry, blackberry, raspberry, spices, black pepper, liquorice, chocolate and roasted notes, paired with medium-plus acidity, medium-plus to high tannin and very good length. The wine was slightly bitter and tasted alcoholic. A full-bodied, concentrated wine that improved with air, though the alcohol remained out of balance. I would recommend decanting for at least one hour.
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Still a bit young but after a 2 hour decant the fruit and raisin caracters of this wine worked very well with one of my favourit recipes of Bill Granger. Check out the veal, pumpkin, balsamic and chili recipe! Try again in 2014.
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Dark purple to the rim with bold legs and tears. Nose of plum, prunes and figs. Hints of floral notes with dark cherries, some blood, leather and earth. Complex aromas with cream, vanilla and oak notes. Palate of prunes and figs, black berries and cherries, full mouth feel with good spice and acidity extending to a long spice finish. Great balance and tannins. Its youth is reflective in the spice and highly acidic finish with somewhat drying tannins. Somewhat tart and sour finish with an attempt at gripping tannins but yields to allot of acidity on the back of the palate specifically on the roof. Approachable now but should cellar nicely for 10-15 years.
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Rich, ripe and generous wine tasting of blueberries, artichokes and green olive, with enough acid to keep it interesting. A bit modern in style, but it should appeal to the Europhiles and Ameriphiles alike, so a good choice for your next dinner with those from both camps. Mild tannins, probably a few years ahead, but not a long lived wine.
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This is a pretty nose offering up rich with berry and cassis. Fine tannins and layers of sweet fruit on the palate, with raspberry, kirsch and blackberry with light spice and oak. It has some roasty, savory meat jus notes on the finish. Layered and nice!
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Dark crimson colour. I liked the nose which was quite intense and fruity. The palate is smooth and finishes with violet but some dry tannins at the end. Overall perhaps a little uninteresting and probably not worth the price.
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Bought a few bottles after tasting my first one. Nice, but not living up to my first impression. Well-balanced Italian blend for most occasions, but not special.
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Decanted through vinturi @ Aldo's. Beautiful aromas of sweet cherry and fresh flowers. Great balance, with flavors of blueberry, strawberry, and hints of smoke. Gamy, meaty characteristics as well. Velvety, soft tannins, medium-full body, very smooth finish. Great experience.
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Inky opaque crimson color--slightly cloudy with nice fading color (no fining or filtration); The nose reveals lovely deep cherry, and vibrant earthy blackberry with some hints of dried herbs, meat, and dusty(volcanic?) earthy; the mouth is voluptuous, svelt, with excellent extract and medium plus body; concentrated red fruits with dusty fine tannins and good acidity. This opens up wonderfully with loads of old world fruit.
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Gambero Rosso (Metropolitan Pavilion): The 2007 Barrua, showed burnt sugar, cotton candy and blackberry jam on the nose. On the palate, I found red wild berries and wood tones with a nice vibrant structure leading to a fresh finish. I enjoyed this wine a great deal on the palate but the rich, almost candied notes on the nose severely affected my opinion of it.
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Carignano 85%, Cabernet Sauvignon 10%, Merlot 5%. Old Carignano vines near Sulcis, 35-40 years old, use guyot and drip irrigation. Appealing perfumed flowers and sweet ripe fruit, with a touch of herbs and dried fruit. Fresh on the palate, intense black fruit and prunes, though I find tannins too woody and extracted for my taste. Tasted at Tenuta San Guido
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9/5/2023 - vagrantone Likes this wine: 90 Points
Still drinking well.
Confirms how Carignan can produce compelling wines with good richness and complexity at the same time.
I would have preferred a slightly lower alcohol level, but this is still a nice wine.
Drink over the next few years.
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11/13/2021 - vagrantone Likes this wine: 90 Points
Very interesting blend to taste. It almost comes across as a Zinfandel based wine. It has the same "vinosity", the over-ripe fruit and texture that you often find in those wines.
It has aged quite nicely as it's well balanced.
Perhaps a little light in complexity but still very pleasant.
should drink well for anothr 3-5 years.
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2/12/2021 - ClayAE Likes this wine: 92 Points
Decanted an hour but was nice when opened. An hour helped Dark plum, slight leather, coffee, tobacco. Tannins still holding. Surprised by how much I like this wine. Medium body with nice long finish.
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1/23/2021 - Liskit Likes this wine: 94 Points
Lifted nose dominated by beetroot, dried plums, blueberries, dried apples, quince, dark cherries, supported with spicy notes, slight leather, earthy and tobacco notes. Fine and soft chalky tannins. Very balanced and smooth in the mouth reflective of the nose. Medium to long lingering finish. Love to have more of this wine!!!
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3/11/2018 - folsomarndt wrote: 81 Points
Was properly stored in a temperature controlled wine storage since I purchased this bottle, but unfortunately this wine was not enjoyable to drink... even after extended decanting. Lots of gritty sediment and dark deposits all over the bottle. Doesn't appear corked, just way off balance, rough griping flavor, high acidity and unenjoyable aftertaste. Ended up dumping out half the bottle.
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2/11/2018 - amateur62 wrote: 91 Points
From a magnum. Did not decant but left it for 6 hours open. Still quite tart but also elegant, lot of liquorice, black current, hints of leather and smoke, fresh, medium to long finish. Consistent over 30 hours, no hurry to drink, will last for many more years.
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12/19/2017 - BillyT wrote: 92 Points
While previous notes apply this bottle was great immediately upon opening. Sorry at dinner with family. Great wine.
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3/4/2015 - mwanasheria Likes this wine: 90 Points
Still quite tannic and forbidding even from half bottle, so I think this will come round and when the tannins recede (hope they will) benefit from the fruit that is undoubtedly there. Cassis, dark cherry, cedar, vanilla.
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1/24/2015 - stevenjstein Likes this wine: 91 Points
Soft, dark, fruit with a streak of soft tannins and acidity. This is definitely a modern style wine, but I've always found this bottle interesting and there aren't exactly a lot of Carignan based wines around.
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12/31/2014 - BillyT wrote: 92 Points
Dinner at Terrace Italia, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Wine definitely requires decanting for 3-4 hours. While pop and pour immediately shows characteristics of dark chocolate, black cherries with nose slightly muted, it remained acidic and somewhat tannic. With each passing 20 minutes the wine improved to ultimately become a silky creamy balanced wonderful complex wine
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12/5/2014 - hongjiu Likes this wine: 93 Points
Decanted and returned to bottle 1.5 hrs. Started with light tannins and a petroleum nose, now chewy hints of tobacco with dried plum. Pleasingly dry.
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12/20/2013 - Rodolfo Moura wrote: 80 Points
“Vinho marcante, de cor vermelha rubi intensa, com bom corpo e estratos de frutas vermelhas e madeira, pronto para beber.”
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10/6/2013 - PSPatrick wrote: 89 Points
We decanted the wine for twenty minutes before we poured the first glass. It was dark ruby in colour and threw some sediment. The wine showed ripe and cooked fruits, blackberry, prune, black currant, cherry, spices, rosewater and chocolate on the nose. On the palate the wine showed cooked fruits, prune, raisins, cherry, blackberry, raspberry, spices, black pepper, liquorice, chocolate and roasted notes, paired with medium-plus acidity, medium-plus to high tannin and very good length. The wine was slightly bitter and tasted alcoholic. A full-bodied, concentrated wine that improved with air, though the alcohol remained out of balance. I would recommend decanting for at least one hour.
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8/23/2013 - jmht wrote: 85 Points
Plush, over ripe prune. Good for those with reflux as it is low acid...
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4/27/2013 - hongjiu wrote: 87 Points
Bright and slightly berry after the first hour, over-ripe prune by the third hour.
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11/18/2012 - mhenry wrote: 90 Points
Quite a bit of sediment in the bottle. Decanted 1/2 hour and paired with pasta. Delicious. I think this is ready to drink now.
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10/16/2012 - MGrange wrote: 91 Points
Still a bit young but after a 2 hour decant the fruit and raisin caracters of this wine worked very well with one of my favourit recipes of Bill Granger. Check out the veal, pumpkin, balsamic and chili recipe! Try again in 2014.
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5/26/2012 - BillyT wrote: 92 Points
Dark purple to the rim with bold legs and tears. Nose of plum, prunes and figs. Hints of floral notes with dark cherries, some blood, leather and earth. Complex aromas with cream, vanilla and oak notes. Palate of prunes and figs, black berries and cherries, full mouth feel with good spice and acidity extending to a long spice finish. Great balance and tannins. Its youth is reflective in the spice and highly acidic finish with somewhat drying tannins. Somewhat tart and sour finish with an attempt at gripping tannins but yields to allot of acidity on the back of the palate specifically on the roof. Approachable now but should cellar nicely for 10-15 years.
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2/13/2012 - acidqueen wrote: 87 Points
Rich, ripe and generous wine tasting of blueberries, artichokes and green olive, with enough acid to keep it interesting. A bit modern in style, but it should appeal to the Europhiles and Ameriphiles alike, so a good choice for your next dinner with those from both camps. Mild tannins, probably a few years ahead, but not a long lived wine.
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2/11/2012 - vegasoenophile wrote: 90 Points
This is a pretty nose offering up rich with berry and cassis. Fine tannins and layers of sweet fruit on the palate, with raspberry, kirsch and blackberry with light spice and oak. It has some roasty, savory meat jus notes on the finish. Layered and nice!
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2/4/2012 - il_diavolo wrote: 89 Points
Dark crimson colour. I liked the nose which was quite intense and fruity. The palate is smooth and finishes with violet but some dry tannins at the end. Overall perhaps a little uninteresting and probably not worth the price.
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1/11/2012 - toontune wrote: 89 Points
Spicy. Quite nice. Sardinia impressive with all wines i've tasted so far.
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12/3/2011 - KeithSurg wrote: 89 Points
Bought a few bottles after tasting my first one. Nice, but not living up to my first impression. Well-balanced Italian blend for most occasions, but not special.
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11/18/2011 - ptelgenh wrote: 86 Points
Smoke, meat, and hints of menthol. Slightly over acidic and the QPR isn't there for me
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9/27/2011 - KeithSurg wrote: 95 Points
Decanted through vinturi @ Aldo's. Beautiful aromas of sweet cherry and fresh flowers. Great balance, with flavors of blueberry, strawberry, and hints of smoke. Gamy, meaty characteristics as well. Velvety, soft tannins, medium-full body, very smooth finish. Great experience.
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6/28/2011 - peternelson wrote: 92 Points
Inky opaque crimson color--slightly cloudy with nice fading color (no fining or filtration); The nose reveals lovely deep cherry, and vibrant earthy blackberry with some hints of dried herbs, meat, and dusty(volcanic?) earthy; the mouth is voluptuous, svelt, with excellent extract and medium plus body; concentrated red fruits with dusty fine tannins and good acidity. This opens up wonderfully with loads of old world fruit.
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2/18/2011 - Eric Guido wrote: 88 Points
Gambero Rosso (Metropolitan Pavilion): The 2007 Barrua, showed burnt sugar, cotton candy and blackberry jam on the nose. On the palate, I found red wild berries and wood tones with a nice vibrant structure leading to a fresh finish. I enjoyed this wine a great deal on the palate but the rich, almost candied notes on the nose severely affected my opinion of it.
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10/5/2010 - EleonoraScholes wrote: 89 Points
Carignano 85%, Cabernet Sauvignon 10%, Merlot 5%. Old Carignano vines near Sulcis, 35-40 years old, use guyot and drip irrigation. Appealing perfumed flowers and sweet ripe fruit, with a touch of herbs and dried fruit. Fresh on the palate, intense black fruit and prunes, though I find tannins too woody and extracted for my taste. Tasted at Tenuta San Guido
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