Colour: Garnet Aroma: wild strawberries, candied cherry, caramel, liquorice, eucalyptus, pinch of black pepper, hint of leather, dry forest floor Taste: after decant tannins were quite sharp. Within 30 mins the wine opened up and balanced this, with fruit emerging. Quite sweet, displaying much of the character of the aroma. Perhaps a tad candied, but incredibly pleasant and good accompaniment to roast beef. Would have been excellent with venison or duck as well. Needed time in decanter for heat of alcohol to soften too. Enjoyably rich and complex. Finish slightly short, stopping this from being outstanding. Drink now.
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First sip quite sweet, a hint of candied cherry. After some air, a mix of red fruit, raspberry, eucalyptus, in a somewhat sweet viscous surround. Doesn't feel like it has enough tannins or acid in particular to stand up to the sweetness or fruit. The longer it's open, the more a ragged green tannic note in the tail makes itself felt, and does more for balance.
Overall impression is uncomfortably towards dessert wine, it's kind of hard to like.
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My '07 Clarendon's are coming together finally, and this one was drinking very well. Raspberry, mint, some wood. Somewhat pale in color, but still quite fresh. Not hot at all.
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What a tasty wine. Notes of eucalyptus, glycerin, cherry, raspberry, mineral. Best on its own or with Mamoun's smoky lamb kebabs: ok wih the lamb shwarma and the lamb tikka was too spicy for it.
Would also be good with roast chicken and potatoes.
We got this for $22 on close-out. Very good QPR for that price.
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Third bottle, one poor, one exceptional, this one was in between. Fruit really vibrant for its age, but it was hot beyond what’s on the label. I wild have said 15.5+, bottle says 14.5.
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This was a really nice grenache, with aromas centered on a bouquet of wonderful light fruits and mineral. Cherries and raspberries mainly. The wine is ruby colored, perhaps a bit clouded by light sediment in the bottle. It presents tastes like raspberry, red currant, mineral and light toast with light tannins to give it a nice "grip". The body is medium with a coarse texture. All in all, the flavors filled my mouth with rich fruit and was balanced from the start to a good, medium length finish. It tasted earthy, organic, and was a splendid wine with our dinner. I wish I had another bottle to enjoy later, but alas it was my last one. It's a solid 93 in my book!
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Really drinking well now with spices, underbrush, mint and coffee beans. Ripe fruit throughout and no one would think it is a Rhone wine but still really tasty.
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A must decant, a bit cloudy in color, but that's all that holds it back from a higher score, sage, dry cherry, and touch of acid, Almost to much residule sugar for my palate, but it worked well with the pork dish. Overall a nice bottle.
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Not impressed. Opened first bottle and decanted, noted the color seemed a little cloudy, taste was off. Opened the second bottle and had same results. Improved a little on second day, but would not buy again. Wonder if bottles overheated in shipping or if they are just past there prime.
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When you're in the mood for an Aussie..this delivers. Bright electric currants, cassis, flowers...thick and rich. lots of sweet fruit range. Amost zin like
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Gave several hours in the decanter. Nose of wood bark, roasted meats, wet leaves, licorice, warm spice and only a hint of dark berries. On the palate there is a lot of dark concentrated chocolate, espresso. Rich in the mount along with strong tannin. Well balanced. Broad shoulders. Finishes bright with lingering coating of caramelized fruit. Very nice. PJG: 91.5
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Hard to disagree with the comments posted so far, and will add my own surprise at seeing the wine so cloudy. Was glad to see the same observation from others because I had originally considered the possibility that I had perhaps somehow mishandled the wine. Honestly, my enjoyment of the wine was hampered by the cloudiness, but still pleasant and a great QPR.
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Surprisingly cloudy wine. Light in color. Really enjoyable nose of berries and minerals. Great fruit palate. Boysenberry and raspberry pie, good balancing acidity, light tannin, with a short but very pleasing finish. This was in pretty good balance upon opening, but started to really develop after a few hours. Might not be a head turner for big cab drinkers, but for the style, it was very enjoyable. Pair with BBQ chicken.
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Was cloudy upon pouring. Opened up more the second night to reveal red fruit flavors. Cherry, blueberry and spice. Interesting, but not quite what I was expecting. Still showing some heat on the finish.
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Loads of heavy duty raspberry in the mouth. A full-throttle Grenache, and also a full-throttle bargain at ~$22/btl (paired with Hickenbotham) from WTSO. At that price, it's certainly case-worthy. The only perceived flaw is a small amount of heat at 14.5% alcohol.
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3/12/2023 - Dr.Chris wrote: 90 Points
Still drinking we’ll past prime, just a little light on fruit
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9/6/2021 - Quarked wrote: 90 Points
Still quite fresh at 14. Raspberry, with watermelon, mint, pepper. Very S. Rhone in profile.
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5/13/2021 - SFCC Likes this wine: 92 Points
Colour: Garnet
Aroma: wild strawberries, candied cherry, caramel, liquorice, eucalyptus, pinch of black pepper, hint of leather, dry forest floor
Taste: after decant tannins were quite sharp. Within 30 mins the wine opened up and balanced this, with fruit emerging. Quite sweet, displaying much of the character of the aroma. Perhaps a tad candied, but incredibly pleasant and good accompaniment to roast beef. Would have been excellent with venison or duck as well. Needed time in decanter for heat of alcohol to soften too. Enjoyably rich and complex. Finish slightly short, stopping this from being outstanding.
Drink now.
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5/9/2020 - barrkel wrote: 89 Points
First sip quite sweet, a hint of candied cherry. After some air, a mix of red fruit, raspberry, eucalyptus, in a somewhat sweet viscous surround. Doesn't feel like it has enough tannins or acid in particular to stand up to the sweetness or fruit. The longer it's open, the more a ragged green tannic note in the tail makes itself felt, and does more for balance.
Overall impression is uncomfortably towards dessert wine, it's kind of hard to like.
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2/18/2019 - pgm wrote:
Consistent with the bottle two years ago. Drinking good , but drink in the near term.
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9/11/2018 - Quarked wrote: 91 Points
My '07 Clarendon's are coming together finally, and this one was drinking very well. Raspberry, mint, some wood. Somewhat pale in color, but still quite fresh. Not hot at all.
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2/4/2018 - TashNYC wrote: 93 Points
Tasty wine. Notes or eucalyptus, menthol, raspberry, cherry, mineral. Great with the lamb chops and even better with the lamb shwarma.
Drink now.
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11/26/2017 - TashNYC wrote: 93 Points
What a tasty wine. Notes of eucalyptus, glycerin, cherry, raspberry, mineral. Best on its own or with Mamoun's smoky lamb kebabs: ok wih the lamb shwarma and the lamb tikka was too spicy for it.
Would also be good with roast chicken and potatoes.
We got this for $22 on close-out. Very good QPR for that price.
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10/27/2017 - FlyPig wrote:
Third bottle, one poor, one exceptional, this one was in between. Fruit really vibrant for its age, but it was hot beyond what’s on the label. I wild have said 15.5+, bottle says 14.5.
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7/8/2016 - THF49 Likes this wine: 93 Points
mixed berry foreground with long pleasant finish; well aged; drink now
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6/26/2016 - pgm wrote: 92 Points
Bright raspberry and spice in the nose, and the raspberry is powerful, juicy and complemented by herbal mint and thyme notes. Tasty and enjoyable.
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4/21/2016 - Hover low 64 Likes this wine: 93 Points
This was a really nice grenache, with aromas centered on a bouquet of wonderful light fruits and mineral. Cherries and raspberries mainly. The wine is ruby colored, perhaps a bit clouded by light sediment in the bottle. It presents tastes like raspberry, red currant, mineral and light toast with light tannins to give it a nice "grip". The body is medium with a coarse texture. All in all, the flavors filled my mouth with rich fruit and was balanced from the start to a good, medium length finish. It tasted earthy, organic, and was a splendid wine with our dinner. I wish I had another bottle to enjoy later, but alas it was my last one. It's a solid 93 in my book!
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3/2/2016 - brooklynJ&O wrote: 88 Points
much better than last. cloudiness gone. tasty.
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2/26/2016 - 3daywinereview.com wrote: 92 Points
Really nice with perfume, raspberries, spices and underbrush. Medium plus finish. Drink now.
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2/13/2016 - 3daywinereview.com wrote: 92 Points
Really drinking well now with spices, underbrush, mint and coffee beans. Ripe fruit throughout and no one would think it is a Rhone wine but still really tasty.
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11/30/2015 - wino121 wrote: 90 Points
A must decant, a bit cloudy in color, but that's all that holds it back from a higher score, sage, dry cherry, and touch of acid,
Almost to much residule sugar for my palate, but it worked well with the pork dish.
Overall a nice bottle.
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11/5/2015 - brooklynJ&O wrote: 84 Points
WTSO. cloudy. not bad but not the usual clarendon
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9/26/2015 - subguy87 Does not like this wine: 85 Points
Not impressed. Opened first bottle and decanted, noted the color seemed a little cloudy, taste was off. Opened the second bottle and had same results. Improved a little on second day, but would not buy again. Wonder if bottles overheated in shipping or if they are just past there prime.
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5/13/2015 - 3daywinereview.com wrote: 87 Points
Last bottle. Spices, charcoal, a bit rustic and finishes a bit harsh. Not as good as previous bottle but drinkable.
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1/31/2015 - DesMarteau Likes this wine: 92 Points
When you're in the mood for an Aussie..this delivers. Bright electric currants, cassis, flowers...thick and rich. lots of sweet fruit range. Amost zin like
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1/3/2015 - manny651 Likes this wine: 90 Points
at pnp it's way too jammy, however after 2-3 hours this goes away and then comes a very fruity but balanced and structured grenache. well done.
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11/15/2014 - danielbleier Likes this wine: 93 Points
again better on the 2nd day, but overall a better wine than the last bottle. Really smooth blackberry and blueberry tones, with zinging minerality.
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11/8/2014 - Iceman611 wrote: 91 Points
Very nice. Balance between intense tannins and nice fruit.
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8/21/2014 - noahbw Likes this wine: 91 Points
Gave several hours in the decanter. Nose of wood bark, roasted meats, wet leaves, licorice, warm spice and only a hint of dark berries. On the palate there is a lot of dark concentrated chocolate, espresso. Rich in the mount along with strong tannin. Well balanced. Broad shoulders. Finishes bright with lingering coating of caramelized fruit. Very nice. PJG: 91.5
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8/21/2014 - stevenjstein Likes this wine: 91 Points
Dark red fruit, with a bit of a bite on the back end.
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8/19/2014 - 3daywinereview.com wrote: 91 Points
Rustic, spices, dried fruit, minerals, pepper and earth. Very old world in style. Should consume in the next few years.
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8/17/2014 - danielbleier Likes this wine: 91 Points
Much better on the 2nd day. floral nose with touches of licorice. Flavors of blackberry and dark cherry - this is a lush wine with a long finish
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7/27/2014 - Lakedweller Likes this wine:
Hard to disagree with the comments posted so far, and will add my own surprise at seeing the wine so cloudy. Was glad to see the same observation from others because I had originally considered the possibility that I had perhaps somehow mishandled the wine. Honestly, my enjoyment of the wine was hampered by the cloudiness, but still pleasant and a great QPR.
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6/1/2014 - jfurey21 Likes this wine: 93 Points
quality wine. very impressive. cloudy. has nice black fruit and some good tannins to go with it. QPR off the chart.
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5/16/2014 - GlassHalfFull wrote: 92 Points
Surprisingly cloudy wine. Light in color. Really enjoyable nose of berries and minerals. Great fruit palate. Boysenberry and raspberry pie, good balancing acidity, light tannin, with a short but very pleasing finish. This was in pretty good balance upon opening, but started to really develop after a few hours. Might not be a head turner for big cab drinkers, but for the style, it was very enjoyable. Pair with BBQ chicken.
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5/15/2014 - WineCPA wrote: 90 Points
Was cloudy upon pouring. Opened up more the second night to reveal red fruit flavors. Cherry, blueberry and spice. Interesting, but not quite what I was expecting. Still showing some heat on the finish.
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5/10/2014 - NutmegNative Likes this wine: 93 Points
Loads of heavy duty raspberry in the mouth. A full-throttle Grenache, and also a full-throttle bargain at ~$22/btl (paired with Hickenbotham) from WTSO. At that price, it's certainly case-worthy. The only perceived flaw is a small amount of heat at 14.5% alcohol.
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