This was nice on the pop. Lots of oak, but considering it's age, not bad at all. Cassis, oak, vanilla flavors with nice acidity, but nonexistent tannin.
Day 2 it was a hot mess and was poured down the drain. Past prime for sure, but still serviceable if you finish the bottle in one sitting. Party wine? Drink yesterday.
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Perfectly aged and ready to be consumed sooner than later for sure. Delightful last night, and pretty consistent with "thesternowl's" last note. Blue, black, and dark red fruits with herbs and secondary notes of leather and dried spices. Killer QPR for what we got these through Last Bottle for.
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Didn't take formal notes, but this has held up well and is drinking great now, with a nice blend of fruit and aged characteristics. I'll have another soon with more detailed notes.
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Popped and poured. As I near the end of this case, I'm reflecting on the delight it has brought over the last several years. It has always delivered, well above what its tariff might suggest. It's fully mature now; showing secondary characteristics of soft leather and something like garrigue intermixed with ripe brambles and baking spices. Firm body. Delicious, tongue smacking finish. What's most striking is how remarkably consistent and linear this wine's development has been. It was ready to drink four years ago and its balance and structure have helped it age gracefully, never missing a step. Almost predictable but far from boring. Rather fascinating to experience, actually. It has never been closed for business. Its balance will likely allow it to last a few more years with ease...but I would drink whatever you have sooner than later. It would be a shame to miss out on all the good that it's giving out right now. My two remaining bottles will be consumed in the near term.
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Kudos to these folks for making a solid wine with little bottle variation. The nose on this one opens up beautifully over a three hour window with rich honeyed cassis, slight olive tapenade, and bittersweet chocolate intertwined. It's a nice quaff on the front, with black cherries and some iodine, and a nicely expanding midpalate. It's blossomed with grace since the first bottle from the lot and the flavor and depth bode well for this wine's next few years. Great QPR indeed.
Best of the three bottles that have been opened. More balanced fruit, with some decent dark fruits from the merlot and a sweet, somewhat piney nose of cassis and tar. Drink this bottling up soon if you have any.
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Fairly deep ruby through to the edges. Nose of soil, green pepper, mineral, and dark fruit. Full bodied on the palate, with red and dark fruits, mineral, and oak spice flavors. There's a bit of oak and heat on the pop, but smoothes out w/ a bit of air. Medium+ finish. New world crowd pleaser. Good w/ balsamic marinated steak. 88-89
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Popped and poured on day 1. Great fruit, nicely structured, yet a tad soft with air. Day 2 showed it's age, become quite soft, but with tasty fruit. Drink now.
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Popped at the office with Dane and Dominic. Wow, this is a surprising wine! Very rich and full-bodied, with ample tannins lingering. 80% Merlot, 20% Cab Sauv. The Merlot stands out of course, but the large portion of Cab is what really makes this a nice blend. Plum and blackberry fruit, a hint of currant, tobacco, with a sweet, chocolatey finish.
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11/9/2018 - twain Likes this wine: 92 Points
gracefully faded, really enjoyed from the secret fridge at FLX Wienery
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7/15/2017 - RPerro Likes this wine: 87 Points
Consistent with notes from recent bottle. Slightly past prime but still hanging in there.
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6/17/2017 - RPerro wrote: 86 Points
This was nice on the pop. Lots of oak, but considering it's age, not bad at all. Cassis, oak, vanilla flavors with nice acidity, but nonexistent tannin.
Day 2 it was a hot mess and was poured down the drain. Past prime for sure, but still serviceable if you finish the bottle in one sitting. Party wine? Drink yesterday.
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5/5/2017 - studleytrey Likes this wine: 91 Points
Perfectly aged and ready to be consumed sooner than later for sure. Delightful last night, and pretty consistent with "thesternowl's" last note. Blue, black, and dark red fruits with herbs and secondary notes of leather and dried spices. Killer QPR for what we got these through Last Bottle for.
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5/23/2015 - studleytrey Likes this wine:
Didn't take formal notes, but this has held up well and is drinking great now, with a nice blend of fruit and aged characteristics. I'll have another soon with more detailed notes.
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10/13/2014 - Mac-and-Meryl wrote: 88 Points
Good. Perhaps a bit past it's prime. Gave it an hour or so to open up. Lots of cocoa and blackberry on the nose. Taste was a bit flat in comparison.
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7/29/2014 - thesternowl Likes this wine: 92 Points
Popped and poured. As I near the end of this case, I'm reflecting on the delight it has brought over the last several years. It has always delivered, well above what its tariff might suggest. It's fully mature now; showing secondary characteristics of soft leather and something like garrigue intermixed with ripe brambles and baking spices. Firm body. Delicious, tongue smacking finish. What's most striking is how remarkably consistent and linear this wine's development has been. It was ready to drink four years ago and its balance and structure have helped it age gracefully, never missing a step. Almost predictable but far from boring. Rather fascinating to experience, actually. It has never been closed for business. Its balance will likely allow it to last a few more years with ease...but I would drink whatever you have sooner than later. It would be a shame to miss out on all the good that it's giving out right now. My two remaining bottles will be consumed in the near term.
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4/5/2014 - jjlobi wrote: 88 Points
Nice and smooth. Medium body.
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12/23/2013 - thesternowl Likes this wine:
No formal notes but I'm pleased to report that it's still holding strong. Outstanding balance.
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8/2/2013 - Mr.Overhill wrote: 89 Points
Kudos to these folks for making a solid wine with little bottle variation. The nose on this one opens up beautifully over a three hour window with rich honeyed cassis, slight olive tapenade, and bittersweet chocolate intertwined. It's a nice quaff on the front, with black cherries and some iodine, and a nicely expanding midpalate. It's blossomed with grace since the first bottle from the lot and the flavor and depth bode well for this wine's next few years. Great QPR indeed.
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4/25/2013 - Mr.Overhill wrote: 88 Points
Best of the three bottles that have been opened. More balanced fruit, with some decent dark fruits from the merlot and a sweet, somewhat piney nose of cassis and tar. Drink this bottling up soon if you have any.
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1/22/2013 - mmd wrote: 90 Points
Dark fruits and Oak initially. After about 2 hours notes of Licorice... Great Wine!
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1/18/2013 - mr21cbs wrote: 88 Points
Needs air
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7/15/2012 - RPerro wrote: 90 Points
Drinking awesome right now on pop & pour. Smooth and fruity, with great mouthfeel.
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6/29/2012 - RPerro wrote: 89 Points
Consistent with prior notes. Good wine, great fruit. Valerie took remaining 1/3 bottle home.
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6/10/2012 - studleytrey wrote: 88 Points
Fairly deep ruby through to the edges. Nose of soil, green pepper, mineral, and dark fruit. Full bodied on the palate, with red and dark fruits, mineral, and oak spice flavors. There's a bit of oak and heat on the pop, but smoothes out w/ a bit of air. Medium+ finish. New world crowd pleaser. Good w/ balsamic marinated steak. 88-89
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6/5/2012 - RPerro wrote: 89 Points
Popped and poured on day 1. Great fruit, nicely structured, yet a tad soft with air. Day 2 showed it's age, become quite soft, but with tasty fruit. Drink now.
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5/30/2012 - RPerro wrote: 90 Points
Popped at the office with Dane and Dominic. Wow, this is a surprising wine! Very rich and full-bodied, with ample tannins lingering. 80% Merlot, 20% Cab Sauv. The Merlot stands out of course, but the large portion of Cab is what really makes this a nice blend. Plum and blackberry fruit, a hint of currant, tobacco, with a sweet, chocolatey finish.
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