A very respectable showing, although it's still quite young. Decanted for a few hours and sipped with the wife over the course of the evening. One of those many instances where the last sip was the best. Rich ruby color - slight brick. Nose of earth, mushroom, damp soil and a scent that reminds me of the desert after rains, on top of tart cherries. Full and chewy with solid tannic structure and some moderate acid to keep it cutting. Rich black/red currants, roasted fig, tossed with tart cherries. I get lots of earth, tilled soil, sweet pipe tobacco, charcoal, anise. Significant vanilla/cedar oak signature, but there's so much else going on in this wine that it doesn't seem to obtrusive for my palate. Really opens up and shows more floral notes with air. A fun wine that paired nicely with some steaks I grilled up, but I imagine four or five more years in the cellar will round this wine out nicely.
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Fine Vines Fall Grand Tasting (OneSixtyBlue, Chicago IL): nose: there is some more intensity on the nose with tones of red fruits, cherries, berries, and spice tones. The vintage is showing through on this as well the barrique.
taste: the oak intensity shows again with some woody tones as well as red fruits, cherries, roasted herbs, cherries and spice tones. The tannins are sneaky with a good medium feel and medium/high acidity.
overall: This could use some time to smooth out. Both the nose and palate show the vintage and the barrique influence. But, it's not overt and it works.
Retailer tasting (@ LB Italy): Chocolate in the bouquet as well as the taste. Very full bodied and harmonious. Beautiful oak, acidity and bitterness. Excellent wine. Can last at least 5 – 7+ years. 90+
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1/9/2016 - isaacjamesbaker wrote: 91 Points
A very respectable showing, although it's still quite young. Decanted for a few hours and sipped with the wife over the course of the evening. One of those many instances where the last sip was the best. Rich ruby color - slight brick. Nose of earth, mushroom, damp soil and a scent that reminds me of the desert after rains, on top of tart cherries. Full and chewy with solid tannic structure and some moderate acid to keep it cutting. Rich black/red currants, roasted fig, tossed with tart cherries. I get lots of earth, tilled soil, sweet pipe tobacco, charcoal, anise. Significant vanilla/cedar oak signature, but there's so much else going on in this wine that it doesn't seem to obtrusive for my palate. Really opens up and shows more floral notes with air. A fun wine that paired nicely with some steaks I grilled up, but I imagine four or five more years in the cellar will round this wine out nicely.
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3/13/2015 - JJKinch wrote: 88 Points
Dark fruit, slight oak, nice anise/ spice on the second night. Needs air. A bit closed down.
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6/1/2012 - knothoef wrote: 88 Points
strong, needs food and air.
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9/19/2011 - KeithAkers wrote: 90 Points
Fine Vines Fall Grand Tasting (OneSixtyBlue, Chicago IL): nose: there is some more intensity on the nose with tones of red fruits, cherries, berries, and spice tones. The vintage is showing through on this as well the barrique.
taste: the oak intensity shows again with some woody tones as well as red fruits, cherries, roasted herbs, cherries and spice tones. The tannins are sneaky with a good medium feel and medium/high acidity.
overall: This could use some time to smooth out. Both the nose and palate show the vintage and the barrique influence. But, it's not overt and it works.
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10/10/2010 - Zweder wrote: 90 Points
Retailer tasting (@ LB Italy): Chocolate in the bouquet as well as the taste. Very full bodied and harmonious. Beautiful oak, acidity and bitterness. Excellent wine. Can last at least 5 – 7+ years. 90+
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