Super sexy wine. Was given this wine and cant find too much about it aside from that its a blend of Temprarnillo and Cabernet. Dark unpenetrating deep purple hue with slight rim variation. Bouquet of classic, very pretty Napa blue fruit, cassis, violet- seemed like it had a bit of mountain fruit with the green (good) spice/eucalyptus. No real oak or tobacco present though did have a bit of something else (chocolate?). Taste follows the nose while having well polished tannins with a medium plus mouth feel, just seemless. Finish was strong and lasting, just begging to be tasted again. I think I was going into it thinking it would be good but not this good, I was happily impressed.
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My impression was based on my 5L which I got from JJB direct Chateau at a stupid price. I anticipated enjoying it with a lot of blue cheese, truffle infused gouda, etc based on the other review's but the large format clearly held up. Truthfully it was a really nice aged Bordeaux. I tend to like my wines with a bit more fruit left than the dried cranberry, musty, dampy, earthy, bacony stuff left over and to my surprise there was still a solid amount of fruit (plum, bruised raspberry, dated current) to back it all up and stand with it. Though I'm sure the 750's and mag's are quite tired, I'm glad my preconceived notions were snuffed. 10 people finished it to the last sandy, gritty drop.
I had some hopes for this wine as the vintage, location, and producer have the qualities I look for. As they say, you only have one first impression though. The wine is strikingly thin and immediately noticeable before you have a chance to judge its character. However, if you can get past the fact there is no body to the wine, there is some decent fruit with a bit of Spring Mountain fruit spice mixed in but not overly complex. Some tannin in the back, more austere than young with a slight presence of acidity. A tepid bottle for me but the start to the wine probably influenced my thoughts.
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2000 Parador Gran Reserva
1/30/2015 - Zesser Likes this wine: 94 Points
Super sexy wine. Was given this wine and cant find too much about it aside from that its a blend of Temprarnillo and Cabernet. Dark unpenetrating deep purple hue with slight rim variation. Bouquet of classic, very pretty Napa blue fruit, cassis, violet- seemed like it had a bit of mountain fruit with the green (good) spice/eucalyptus. No real oak or tobacco present though did have a bit of something else (chocolate?). Taste follows the nose while having well polished tannins with a medium plus mouth feel, just seemless. Finish was strong and lasting, just begging to be tasted again. I think I was going into it thinking it would be good but not this good, I was happily impressed.
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1994 Château d'Armailhac
10/29/2014 - Zesser wrote: 90 Points
My impression was based on my 5L which I got from JJB direct Chateau at a stupid price. I anticipated enjoying it with a lot of blue cheese, truffle infused gouda, etc based on the other review's but the large format clearly held up. Truthfully it was a really nice aged Bordeaux. I tend to like my wines with a bit more fruit left than the dried cranberry, musty, dampy, earthy, bacony stuff left over and to my surprise there was still a solid amount of fruit (plum, bruised raspberry, dated current) to back it all up and stand with it. Though I'm sure the 750's and mag's are quite tired, I'm glad my preconceived notions were snuffed. 10 people finished it to the last sandy, gritty drop.
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2010 Terra Valentine Cabernet Sauvignon Spring Mountain District
7/15/2014 - Zesser wrote: 88 Points
I had some hopes for this wine as the vintage, location, and producer have the qualities I look for. As they say, you only have one first impression though. The wine is strikingly thin and immediately noticeable before you have a chance to judge its character. However, if you can get past the fact there is no body to the wine, there is some decent fruit with a bit of Spring Mountain fruit spice mixed in but not overly complex. Some tannin in the back, more austere than young with a slight presence of acidity. A tepid bottle for me but the start to the wine probably influenced my thoughts.
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