This was very fruit driven and modern in style. Raspberry, cherry, and some slight stewed blackberry fruit on the open transitioning to lighter floral, cocoa, and vanilla notes for a surprisingly lively finish. Presence of oak is pronounced, but it still had a nice finish with some fruit driven floral character interlaced with the wood. 15.2% ABV, although I did not find the alcohol to be overbearing. Seems to be aging well at 15 years old. I imagine it could go at least a few years longer. Well made GSM in a new world style.
Now as a slight rant, I wish winemakers would stop dipping their bottles in wax. When the bottles are young, it's fine. You can drive an opener right through the wax and pull that cork out. But when the corks age past 10 years, I sometimes need to use an Ah So or Durand style rig to pull it out. And trying to get all that gear through the wax to the cork is a PITA.
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HdR Opening Tasting: Proof these wines can age just fine. This is still big and fruit driven but with lots of depth and layers. Black cherries, black raspberries, some cocoa, some floral notes even at age 9. Medium tannins. delicious. No hurry on it.
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5/20/2022 - 559Cheers wrote: 90 Points
Fruit forward. Earth and strong caramel on the nose. Third night open. Pretty hot with alcohol.
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2/2/2022 - malbrecht wrote: 91 Points
This was very fruit driven and modern in style. Raspberry, cherry, and some slight stewed blackberry fruit on the open transitioning to lighter floral, cocoa, and vanilla notes for a surprisingly lively finish. Presence of oak is pronounced, but it still had a nice finish with some fruit driven floral character interlaced with the wood. 15.2% ABV, although I did not find the alcohol to be overbearing. Seems to be aging well at 15 years old. I imagine it could go at least a few years longer. Well made GSM in a new world style.
Now as a slight rant, I wish winemakers would stop dipping their bottles in wax. When the bottles are young, it's fine. You can drive an opener right through the wax and pull that cork out. But when the corks age past 10 years, I sometimes need to use an Ah So or Durand style rig to pull it out. And trying to get all that gear through the wax to the cork is a PITA.
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4/12/2019 - zinnut wrote: 93 Points
Wow. This is righteous. Absolutely delicious and aged perfectly. Bright sweet fruit with the grenache shining through. Stunning.
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4/18/2016 - Loren Sonkin wrote: 94 Points
HdR Opening Tasting: Proof these wines can age just fine. This is still big and fruit driven but with lots of depth and layers. Black cherries, black raspberries, some cocoa, some floral notes even at age 9. Medium tannins. delicious. No hurry on it.
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12/21/2013 - cubswinws Likes this wine: 92 Points
Still coming around but nice smoke and spicy on the nose and first taste. Would probably give it a few more years
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