Now, a massive, exceptionally balanced wine that is yet quite primary. Poured blind with no decant to burgundy stems- skilled wine pros mistook this for a big North Coast Pinot until they were told its 15+ year age. With time, and air, they more carefully determined its origin, distinguishing the hallmark brawn of Mourvedre. Recommend 2 hour decant. Subtle scorched earth, bramble, Provencal herbs, blood, espresso and blue fruits in the nose. Huge blackberry fruit, tannin, alcohol, and acid on tasting. This wine rewards patience, and delivers extraordinary complexity with air. Can be drunk now (unlike luxe cuvees of 07 Gigondas) but I suspect will be far more integrated about 10 years hence.
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In my opinion Whitemanholt nailed it with one exception. I believe there is still some life left in this wine and I found the finish to be velvet like and lingers for the correct amount of time
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5/4/2024 - oldcorke Likes this wine: 98 Points
Now, a massive, exceptionally balanced wine that is yet quite primary. Poured blind with no decant to burgundy stems- skilled wine pros mistook this for a big North Coast Pinot until they were told its 15+ year age. With time, and air, they more carefully determined its origin, distinguishing the hallmark brawn of Mourvedre. Recommend 2 hour decant.
Subtle scorched earth, bramble, Provencal herbs, blood, espresso and blue fruits in the nose. Huge blackberry fruit, tannin, alcohol, and acid on tasting. This wine rewards patience, and delivers extraordinary complexity with air. Can be drunk now (unlike luxe cuvees of 07 Gigondas) but I suspect will be far more integrated about 10 years hence.
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3/23/2024 - rm97 wrote: 96 Points
This is so good. I may be under-scoring it. Wow.
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3/16/2024 - rm97 wrote: 95 Points
Wow.
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10/5/2023 - kenv Likes this wine: 93 Points
WCC Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blind Dinner (The Chef's Table in Café Capriccio, Albany, NY): [2 hours in a decanter, then open for 45 minutes.] Muted nose. Big and rich. Similar to the previous wine [2006], but much more backward. Needs at least another 5 years. 93-??
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10/5/2022 - Old Joe Likes this wine: 93 Points
In my opinion Whitemanholt nailed it with one exception. I believe there is still some life left in this wine and I found the finish to be velvet like and lingers for the correct amount of time
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