At age 14 this wine has really hit its stride. Spectacular aromas of cassis, blackberry, and currants greet your nose well above the glass. With time and a bit of swirling these notes are joined by earth and hints of vanilla. The body is medium + and all of the tannin and acidity has reached that point where they perfectly match the fruit and have integrated into one seamless whole creating a texture that is rich and smooth. Flavours of black cherry, blackberry and cedar come through with intensity and complexity and stay on the palate for a long, savory finish. Extraordinary. www.advinetures.ca
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Brilliant wine. Smell of overripe plums - ripened in the sun of the Maldives. Juniper berries. Long finish - baked car tire from the side of an Arizona highway - maybe old Route 66. Mouthfeel like Willy Wonka's chocolate river. Smooth tannins. Structured. Ancient and wise - can give relationship advice for no extra charge. Opens up nicely over an hour
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You wait, and wait, and wait, for these wines to come around. And while you're waiting you have other wines. Some are older, some are newer. Some cheaper, some not. But when a wine like this, at the right time, is opened, you pause. You enjoy. And I think I caught this one at the precise moment of "not too young, not too old" - a goldilox moment. Though for my tastes it was a little soft. So maybe a year ago it would have been more interesting to me. But that's just me. Today. If you have some, I"d tell you to drink it. You'll enjoy it.
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I'v eopened two magnums of this recently. One was outstanding. The other was okay but seemed a bit tired and with a slight bit of oxidation; but it opened up and improved some.
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From a cellar-stored magnum. Sitting in a pretty good place right now. Double decanted it about 8 hours before trying it. At first is was still a bit rough, but with more time in the air and glass, it started to show itself nicely. Still showing excellent and somewhat youthful color, despite its 11+ year age. Classic black current on the nose with a bit of a rustic quality due to its age. On the palate, it's a well structured effort with full-bodied dark fruits and a lengthy finish. Starting to develop secondary characteristics of a well aged Cabernet. Drinking well now with a good decant. Nice.
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Opened to show one of WA's best with Ron Freed, who was unfamiliar. Unfortunately, this one is a bit young and alcoholic, and next to a couple delicate 95's (Spain and Bdx) it was overly bullish. Needs another 3-5 years and/or a piece of red meat to be appreciated.
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(originally 89.99) Strawberry preserves in the nose; deep inky color. Taste is sweet upon entry, rich & chewy with soft tannins. Slightly mushroomy, but not offensive. Very tasty and full.
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(marked down from $90) Wow! delicious. Fruit jumps out of the glass. Mouth follows with expansive cassis, plums, vanilla flavors. A real mouthful, but with tannins and acid in balance.
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Delicious! The color is dark red to purple and complex aromas of cherry, dark berry fruit, leather and smoke develop in the glass. Flavors of ripe black cherries, red and black berry fruit, and cassis married with spicy new oak and vanilla coat the mouth. The texture is round, soft and silky yet there are mature integrated tannins in the rich, long finish. With proper storage, it should age for 10-15 years easily.
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8/14/2016 - Stirling Likes this wine: 96 Points
At age 14 this wine has really hit its stride. Spectacular aromas of cassis, blackberry, and currants greet your nose well above the glass. With time and a bit of swirling these notes are joined by earth and hints of vanilla. The body is medium + and all of the tannin and acidity has reached that point where they perfectly match the fruit and have integrated into one seamless whole creating a texture that is rich and smooth. Flavours of black cherry, blackberry and cedar come through with intensity and complexity and stay on the palate for a long, savory finish. Extraordinary. www.advinetures.ca
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8/30/2015 - rhialto wrote: 94 Points
Brilliant wine. Smell of overripe plums - ripened in the sun of the Maldives. Juniper berries. Long finish - baked car tire from the side of an Arizona highway - maybe old Route 66. Mouthfeel like Willy Wonka's chocolate river. Smooth tannins. Structured. Ancient and wise - can give relationship advice for no extra charge. Opens up nicely over an hour
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6/2/2015 - TallMikeWine Likes this wine: 91 Points
You wait, and wait, and wait, for these wines to come around. And while you're waiting you have other wines. Some are older, some are newer. Some cheaper, some not. But when a wine like this, at the right time, is opened, you pause. You enjoy. And I think I caught this one at the precise moment of "not too young, not too old" - a goldilox moment. Though for my tastes it was a little soft. So maybe a year ago it would have been more interesting to me. But that's just me. Today. If you have some, I"d tell you to drink it. You'll enjoy it.
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2/14/2015 - Sebacca Likes this wine: 93 Points
Valentines day with tenderloin steaks and watching the Steven Hawkings movie
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9/21/2014 - Redteeth wrote:
I'v eopened two magnums of this recently. One was outstanding. The other was okay but seemed a bit tired and with a slight bit of oxidation; but it opened up and improved some.
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8/23/2014 - Redteeth wrote:
Drank form a magnum in a slow pop and pour scenario. It was outstanding as it opened up.
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3/23/2014 - ewsds wrote: 91 Points
From a cellar-stored magnum. Sitting in a pretty good place right now. Double decanted it about 8 hours before trying it. At first is was still a bit rough, but with more time in the air and glass, it started to show itself nicely. Still showing excellent and somewhat youthful color, despite its 11+ year age. Classic black current on the nose with a bit of a rustic quality due to its age. On the palate, it's a well structured effort with full-bodied dark fruits and a lengthy finish. Starting to develop secondary characteristics of a well aged Cabernet. Drinking well now with a good decant. Nice.
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1/24/2014 - golfhawk Likes this wine: 91 Points
A little better than the '02 Leonetti but it also should be drank as the Tannins are starting to take over.
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10/31/2013 - Neecies Likes this wine: 90 Points
Opened to show one of WA's best with Ron Freed, who was unfamiliar. Unfortunately, this one is a bit young and alcoholic, and next to a couple delicate 95's (Spain and Bdx) it was overly bullish. Needs another 3-5 years and/or a piece of red meat to be appreciated.
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1/11/2013 - RogerG wrote:
(originally 89.99) Strawberry preserves in the nose; deep inky color. Taste is sweet upon entry, rich & chewy with soft tannins. Slightly mushroomy, but not offensive. Very tasty and full.
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10/7/2012 - blackcat38 wrote: 92 Points
full, balanced and delightful
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3/4/2012 - shwhiting wrote: 92 Points
delicious! tannins are soft. very full flavor. still has good fruit.
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5/9/2010 - RogerG wrote:
(marked down from $90) Wow! delicious. Fruit jumps out of the glass. Mouth follows with expansive cassis, plums, vanilla flavors. A real mouthful, but with tannins and acid in balance.
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3/23/2010 - KristyBPharmD Likes this wine: 92 Points
Delicious! The color is dark red to purple and complex aromas of cherry, dark berry fruit, leather and smoke develop in the glass. Flavors of ripe black cherries, red and black berry fruit, and cassis married with spicy new oak and vanilla coat the mouth. The texture is round, soft and silky yet there are mature integrated tannins in the rich, long finish. With proper storage, it should age for 10-15 years easily.
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12/30/2008 - johnnyo wrote: 93 Points
Delicious wine! Well balanced black currant, dark cherry, pencil lead and soft tannins.
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