Meh. Underwhelming. The Bear has not been what it used to be. There was a vitality to the earlier vintages. This bottle was mid-range Chilean cab at the outset and barely improved through to the next day. I have some '15s I'm planning on opening later this year per Bill's guidance on the back label. Fingers crossed the x factor is back on that vintage.
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So....bottle #3 of this wine, since over a year ago... On nose and palate: similar notes of Cassis, tomato plant, cigar tobacco , Kona coffee, and spice notes, on a full bodied , maturing tannic body, with good balance, after a 3 hour decant....fine steak wine....will continue to age well.
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Second bottle of this since Jan 2019.... On nose: similar profile of tomato plant, Asian spices and bell pepper On palate: all of the above notes , in addition to more pronounced black currant and light tobacco, after a 3 hour decant this wine has tamed , but present tannins ...an elegant savoury version of a Bordeaux blend , with a great future.....a go to for steak or prime rib.
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8/22/2022 - Canoehead Does not like this wine: 88 Points
Meh. Underwhelming. The Bear has not been what it used to be. There was a vitality to the earlier vintages. This bottle was mid-range Chilean cab at the outset and barely improved through to the next day. I have some '15s I'm planning on opening later this year per Bill's guidance on the back label. Fingers crossed the x factor is back on that vintage.
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5/12/2021 - Pontifax Likes this wine: 92 Points
So....bottle #3 of this wine, since over a year ago...
On nose and palate: similar notes of Cassis, tomato plant, cigar tobacco , Kona coffee, and spice notes, on a full bodied , maturing tannic body, with good balance, after a 3 hour decant....fine steak wine....will continue to age well.
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8/15/2020 - Francois Le Mouel Likes this wine: 89 Points
Similar to my other tasting notes; very good but not very exciting. Keep it cellared for a few more years to see how it will evolve.
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6/11/2020 - Chuck Soule Likes this wine:
10 years from purchace this wine opened very nicely little light for a Bordeaux but was very nice with cheese and then spiced Teriaki dinner
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3/7/2020 - Pontifax Likes this wine: 92 Points
Second bottle of this since Jan 2019....
On nose: similar profile of tomato plant, Asian spices and bell pepper
On palate: all of the above notes , in addition to more pronounced black currant and light tobacco, after a 3 hour decant this wine has tamed , but present tannins ...an elegant savoury version of a Bordeaux blend , with a great future.....a go to for steak or prime rib.
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