95+. Fantastic Reference for a Burgundy. Color: Light red with orange-ish tint. Medium bodied. Medium alcohol. Good acidity still. Silky soft tannins.Alcohol and tannins are so well integrated, as expected.
Nose is devine. Perfume was super. Delicate aromas of fresh fruits, vanilla sweetness from oak, with subtle hints of flowers plus earthiness. After 3+ hours of air, I even got smells of spices, chilly and meat.
Palate matches the nose, 10 on 10. Nice fruits. A bit of salt and minerality. No alcohol burn in the throat or mouth. Quite decent finish. Delicate and elegant, reminds me of Chambole.
This is a complex and interesting pinot. I could drink a whole bottle of this in one sitting. The only complain I have is that the finish could have been longer. Like I said earlier, easily a 95+.
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Bought two bottles of this Napa at an auction. Decanted for 2 hours before serving and drank over a 2+ hours period.
This is a big, powerful and full-bodied Cabernet from Napa at 15.4% alcohol! Deep red in color, with legs that move ever so slowly.
The nose is of dark ripe fruits (think dark ripe plums, blackberries) and of vanilla (sweetness) from oak barrels. The wine is well integrated (now close to 10 years) but not 100% there. Vanilla is too obvious (and omnipresent). Hints of tobacco (cigar box) and herbs do show up time to time especially at the end of a pour ( i.e. one sip left before a refill :) ) but most of the time these tertiary flavors are overwhelmed by the fruits and vanilla sweetness.
Plenty of mouth-feel and medium acidity to keep this wine alive. Palate follows the nose with silky tannins (slightly astringent), dark ripe chewy fruits and a good lingering finish. l do feel that alcohol in my mouth, on the inside of my cheeks and on my throat.
Compared to a similarly priced left bank bordeaux, this wine maybe a tad less complex. The wine does feel heavy compared to a Saint Julien (for example). I can't imagine drinking a full bottle of this in one sitting. I'll revisit this wine in a few more years. Will the alcohol and vanilla subside? Will tertiary flavors come up to add to the complexity? Give this bottle 4-5 years more and let's see.
Right now, its a 92 points wine for me. Can definitely drink it especially with a nice juicy meat.
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2006 Frédéric Magnien Charmes-Chambertin
7/8/2023 - am150384 wrote:
95+. Fantastic Reference for a Burgundy.
Color: Light red with orange-ish tint.
Medium bodied. Medium alcohol. Good acidity still. Silky soft tannins.Alcohol and tannins are so well integrated, as expected.
Nose is devine. Perfume was super. Delicate aromas of fresh fruits, vanilla sweetness from oak, with subtle hints of flowers plus earthiness. After 3+ hours of air, I even got smells of spices, chilly and meat.
Palate matches the nose, 10 on 10. Nice fruits. A bit of salt and minerality. No alcohol burn in the throat or mouth. Quite decent finish. Delicate and elegant, reminds me of Chambole.
This is a complex and interesting pinot. I could drink a whole bottle of this in one sitting. The only complain I have is that the finish could have been longer. Like I said earlier, easily a 95+.
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2002 Frédéric Magnien Charmes-Chambertin
7/8/2023 - am150384 wrote:
Unfortunately, the bottle was corked.
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2014 Rocca Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Grigsby Vineyard
6/25/2023 - am150384 wrote: 92 Points
Bought two bottles of this Napa at an auction. Decanted for 2 hours before serving and drank over a 2+ hours period.
This is a big, powerful and full-bodied Cabernet from Napa at 15.4% alcohol! Deep red in color, with legs that move ever so slowly.
The nose is of dark ripe fruits (think dark ripe plums, blackberries) and of vanilla (sweetness) from oak barrels. The wine is well integrated (now close to 10 years) but not 100% there. Vanilla is too obvious (and omnipresent). Hints of tobacco (cigar box) and herbs do show up time to time especially at the end of a pour ( i.e. one sip left before a refill :) ) but most of the time these tertiary flavors are overwhelmed by the fruits and vanilla sweetness.
Plenty of mouth-feel and medium acidity to keep this wine alive. Palate follows the nose with silky tannins (slightly astringent), dark ripe chewy fruits and a good lingering finish. l do feel that alcohol in my mouth, on the inside of my cheeks and on my throat.
Compared to a similarly priced left bank bordeaux, this wine maybe a tad less complex. The wine does feel heavy compared to a Saint Julien (for example). I can't imagine drinking a full bottle of this in one sitting. I'll revisit this wine in a few more years. Will the alcohol and vanilla subside? Will tertiary flavors come up to add to the complexity? Give this bottle 4-5 years more and let's see.
Right now, its a 92 points wine for me. Can definitely drink it especially with a nice juicy meat.
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