Forgot that I had this. I'm into night two with this bottle. Crazy alc. level, but despite being sensitive to that, the alcohol does not stand out on the palate. Pale ruby in the glass. Totally red fruit dominate; it's kind of a tasty,fun drink if consumed in measured doses.
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medium bodied, smooth from start to finish. Dark ruby/garnet color with good legs. dark fruit on the nose, with a blended flavor of black currant, licorice, and cherry. The wine has silky texture. The wine finishes medium. The wine has medium acidity. This was my last bottle, but I believe it will be good for a few more years.
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When I first had this, five years ago upon its release by the now-defunct Grateful Palate, I was properly incensed, and would have given this an 80 or less; the wine seemed the incarnation of the kind of thing that undid Australia: another unbalanced jug o' rocket fuel with stratospheric ABV. I was amazed that the company represented the thing as a dinner wine, rather than a freakish post-prandial oddity of sorts.
I promptly both forgot the rest of the bottles in the cellar and began the acceptance process -- no more illusions harbored about what this wine is. So with that said? At this late date I'd say that while this is definitively not my kind of thing, it isn't quite unbalanced, either -- even with its insane alcohol levels. The color is gorgeous -- light and cranberrytastic. Some menthol/medicinal qualities on the back end. Not at all port-like or gloppy anymore. This is an after-dinner drink, and not something to serve with food.
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As most other reviews note, Grenache is different...it was worth trying but not my favourite. Taste was almost medicinal or like a cough syrup. One other review noted the taste was like a drier port and i would agree with that assessment. The wine is a very light red and doesn't have much body.
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Wines on A Saturday Afternoon (Charlie's): This is different and so not for everyone. 17.7%Alc. Cherries and raisins on the nose. Black cherries on the palate. No heat anywhere on the wine, but it is a bit raisined. Almost port like but dry. Interesting. A small taste was enjoyable but plenty.
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I thought it was fairly impressive out of the bottle. Had some typical Grenache character plus a little tobacco taste in the front. All in all a very drinkable wine.
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Almost undrinkable. Translucent to the eye, gives you the sense that it's more rose/dessert wine like. Tastes like a Marsala wine, very sweet. Never drank a wine with such high alcohol, 17.7%. Poured remaining half down the drain. Sorry I bought 6 bottles based on previous ratings on CT.
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There is grenache in this, but wow is it oaked. Vanilla syrup, cedar, Scotch whisky, dark caramel and grenache astringency. Some dark red jam. Poorly integrated. Oily.
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Enjoyable wine. Lighter in color than expected. It improved over the 2 hrs it was open. Popped and poured and I think I would open earlier next time or decant. Very soft and silky tannins and lots of red fruit. At 17.7% alc. make sure you share the bottle. I wouldn't have guessed it to be that high. A good wine for the money imho.
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3/7/2019 - djs Likes this wine: 91 Points
Forgot that I had this. I'm into night two with this bottle. Crazy alc. level, but despite being sensitive to that, the alcohol does not stand out on the palate. Pale ruby in the glass. Totally red fruit dominate; it's kind of a tasty,fun drink if consumed in measured doses.
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8/14/2015 - jjlobi wrote: 70 Points
Way past it's prime. More like an ugly desert wine.
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6/18/2015 - wineserg Likes this wine: 90 Points
medium bodied, smooth from start to finish. Dark ruby/garnet color with good legs. dark fruit on the nose, with a blended flavor of black currant, licorice, and cherry. The wine has silky texture. The wine finishes medium. The wine has medium acidity. This was my last bottle, but I believe it will be good for a few more years.
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8/19/2014 - wormfarmer wrote: 86 Points
When I first had this, five years ago upon its release by the now-defunct Grateful Palate, I was properly incensed, and would have given this an 80 or less; the wine seemed the incarnation of the kind of thing that undid Australia: another unbalanced jug o' rocket fuel with stratospheric ABV. I was amazed that the company represented the thing as a dinner wine, rather than a freakish post-prandial oddity of sorts.
I promptly both forgot the rest of the bottles in the cellar and began the acceptance process -- no more illusions harbored about what this wine is. So with that said? At this late date I'd say that while this is definitively not my kind of thing, it isn't quite unbalanced, either -- even with its insane alcohol levels. The color is gorgeous -- light and cranberrytastic. Some menthol/medicinal qualities on the back end. Not at all port-like or gloppy anymore. This is an after-dinner drink, and not something to serve with food.
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7/7/2014 - jjlobi wrote: 74 Points
It's cough syrup ugh!
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2/2/2014 - rbfoote wrote: 83 Points
As most other reviews note, Grenache is different...it was worth trying but not my favourite. Taste was almost medicinal or like a cough syrup. One other review noted the taste was like a drier port and i would agree with that assessment. The wine is a very light red and doesn't have much body.
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11/10/2013 - Loren Sonkin wrote: 90 Points
Wines on A Saturday Afternoon (Charlie's): This is different and so not for everyone. 17.7%Alc. Cherries and raisins on the nose. Black cherries on the palate. No heat anywhere on the wine, but it is a bit raisined. Almost port like but dry. Interesting. A small taste was enjoyable but plenty.
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3/25/2013 - jwhisler Likes this wine: 89 Points
Who could ever believe a Grenache would score so high? Fruity and full bodied with a great finish. I love it!
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3/2/2013 - jwhisler wrote: 88 Points
It is a Grenache, after all. Great nose but immediate earthy taste on the pallet. For a Grenache it is great. For the price it is a good Grenache.
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2/20/2013 - The Wheleri's wrote: 88 Points
I thought it was fairly impressive out of the bottle. Had some typical Grenache character plus a little tobacco taste in the front. All in all a very drinkable wine.
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2/20/2013 - jjlobi wrote: 78 Points
Almost undrinkable. Translucent to the eye, gives you the sense that it's more rose/dessert wine like. Tastes like a Marsala wine, very sweet. Never drank a wine with such high alcohol, 17.7%. Poured remaining half down the drain. Sorry I bought 6 bottles based on previous ratings on CT.
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12/25/2011 - crux wrote: 88 Points
There is grenache in this, but wow is it oaked. Vanilla syrup, cedar, Scotch whisky, dark caramel and grenache astringency. Some dark red jam. Poorly integrated. Oily.
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9/12/2010 - LC17SMP wrote: 91 Points
Enjoyable wine. Lighter in color than expected. It improved over the 2 hrs it was open. Popped and poured and I think I would open earlier next time or decant. Very soft and silky tannins and lots of red fruit. At 17.7% alc. make sure you share the bottle. I wouldn't have guessed it to be that high. A good wine for the money imho.
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