Got this bottle as a gift. Didn't know what to expect. It’s now 15 years old, so didn’t want to let it sit in the cellar much longer. After opening it’s immediately in good shape. Careful pouring as there is lots of dark sediment in the bottle. The colour is very deep impenetrable dark red, almost black, with a dark brownish rim. On the nose it’s a bit port like, with intense perfumes of dark berries, chocolate and licorice. It’s full bodied with moderate acidity while the tannins are completely dissolved resulting in a smooth and still very balanced wine. The finish is long. Memorable wine, and much better than I hoped for.
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Bought a few of these based on a review. Did not like it at all when it was young. Opened a bottle a few years ago and it was coming around. Opened a bottle today to cook with and the wine is really singing. Beautiful color, vibrant fruit, excellent balance and enough of a tannic backbone to carry it more years. The wife who really prefers white wines says "hey, I'll drink this bottle". Can't really ask too much more from a $8.50 bottle. I am going to hold my last bottle a few more years and will open it to drink, not to cook with.
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3/11/2019 - jjedema Likes this wine: 90 Points
Got this bottle as a gift. Didn't know what to expect. It’s now 15 years old, so didn’t want to let it sit in the cellar much longer. After opening it’s immediately in good shape. Careful pouring as there is lots of dark sediment in the bottle. The colour is very deep impenetrable dark red, almost black, with a dark brownish rim. On the nose it’s a bit port like, with intense perfumes of dark berries, chocolate and licorice. It’s full bodied with moderate acidity while the tannins are completely dissolved resulting in a smooth and still very balanced wine. The finish is long. Memorable wine, and much better than I hoped for.
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8/20/2017 - empire80 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Last from a case, lovely licorice and spicy fruit. Amazing value and longevity for such a cheap wine.
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1/6/2016 - christianjhenry@gmail.com wrote: 87 Points
Great QPR
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11/13/2015 - John Nezlek wrote: 88 Points
Still going strong. Smooth and well-balanced. No signs of deterioration. Some of these inexpensive Penfolds are simply amazing (7 USD for this one).
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6/5/2015 - dsimmons Likes this wine: 90 Points
Bought a few of these based on a review. Did not like it at all when it was young. Opened a bottle a few years ago and it was coming around. Opened a bottle today to cook with and the wine is really singing. Beautiful color, vibrant fruit, excellent balance and enough of a tannic backbone to carry it more years. The wife who really prefers white wines says "hey, I'll drink this bottle". Can't really ask too much more from a $8.50 bottle. I am going to hold my last bottle a few more years and will open it to drink, not to cook with.
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