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Wine Type Vintage Name Variety Locale Date Posted Score Helpful Comments More...
Red

2012 Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona Brunello di Montalcino Pianrosso

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4/4/2024 - texanoblues Likes this wine: NR

Dark red and clear in the glass with some bricking at the edges. Mesmerizing nose with cherry, dark chocolate, plum, dried flowers, and truffle. Same notes on the mid palate with balsamic too. Very well balanced with respect to alcohol/acid/tannins with a wonderful melted quality.Very long mouth watering expansive finish that echoes the initial notes with some mint as well. What can you say, other than that this is one damned fine Brunello. Very similar to my all time favorite Brunello, the 06 tenuta nuova.

These notes are from a bottle that's been corked and kept at 4C in the refrigerator for about 4 days. The first glass upon opening was more harsh and closed down. The long slow oxidation really worked wonders on this one.

95-96 all day long in my book. And good chance it will even further improve over the coming years.

Correction.... After again enjoying the nose... 96-97

Really just stunning nose on this one.

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Red

2010 Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino

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2/27/2024 - texanoblues Likes this wine: NR

Deep red with no bricking and maybe still a hint of youthful violet. Really stunning and open nose with black cherry, black pepper, and dried flowers. You don't have to bury your nose in the glass It's wonderfully fragrant. Same notes on the palate driven by a flawless structure. Perfectly balanced with respect to acid alcohol and tannins. Still a little firm and austere. But nothing another ten years in the cellar won't cure. And the finish is magnificent. Expansive and long finish that echoes the initial notes with some menthol as well with loads of fine powdery tannins.

Despite it being still a little austere. It was a 94-95 in my book.

A really great wine to me is one that when you open it and experience it memories come forward of the first time you drank it. Even the nose of this one takes ne back the Angelina Ristorante on Broadway in Chicago. 2015. Dinner with the realtor to celebrate the purchase of my home there. Funny... I hadn't thought about that for years. But now.... Every detail comes back.

Sadly, it's my last of a case and it's a bittersweet joy to bid farewell to this one.

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Red

2010 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie Château d'Ampuis

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12/30/2023 - texanoblues Likes this wine: NR

Red with dark core. No violet or bricking. The nose is open with olive, smoke, raspberry and cherries. Same notes on the mid palate. All supported by a flawless structure. Impossible to overstate how well balanced this bottle is with respect to alcohol/salinity/acidity and tannins. Just phenomenal. Long finish of tart cherry and prominent granite ash. With loads of very fine grained flour like tannins.

So much stone and minerality combined with focused and precise fruit, supported by a perfect structure.....

If I were to offer a numerical score it would be much higher than recent tasters here on CT. 95-97 in my book. Easy.

Its beautiful now and will be beautiful in different ways over the next twenty years or so.

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Red

2010 Azienda Palazzo Brunello di Montalcino

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12/11/2023 - texanoblues wrote: NR

Same as bottle of 11/23.

Muddy and opaque. With suspended fine grained particles that cant be removed.

Am wondering if with more time, maybe these suspended particles will precipitate and fall to the bottom of the bottle.

Anyone out there who can advise?

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Red

2006 Bodegas Muga Rioja Gran Reserva Prado Enea

 Tempranillo Blend, Tempranillo more
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12/1/2023 - texanoblues wrote: NR

Today this wine is deep red with violet hues. On the nose there is bright red cherry with subtle eucalyptus and coconut. Remarkably fresh and clean. On the mid palate the eucalyptus comes forward. Supported by a beautiful melted structure. The tannins are no longer granular but now smooth and supple. Long finish with tart cherry and eucalyptus. Mouth watering salinity and acidity. Delicious.

This wine was fantastic back in 2016, fantastic today, and will likely be pure magic in another 10 years (and longer... Its still violet at 17yrs).

I wont offer a numerical score, but to me a great wine is one that pleases when young, when middle aged, and will go the distance. All those boxes are checked with this 06 Prado Enea.

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Red

2010 Azienda Palazzo Brunello di Montalcino

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11/23/2023 - texanoblues wrote: NR

Deep red/orange in the glass with orange/amber edges. And opaque. Lovely and complex nose with black cherry, dark chocolate, orange peel with some tobacco. Similar notes on the palate. Soft and plush mouthfeel with some nice fine grained tannins on the finish. Despite all of these positive attributes. The wine was dominated by an overall stewed and muddy quality that greatly detracted from enjoyment.

I began drinking this one from a case back in 2016. I scored it very highly at that time. It then became tight so I decided to wait for my remaining bottles. And now.... It's somewhat of a muddy mess, imo.

Wish I had drank all of them back in 16........as I think it's not great now and will be downhill from here.

But it was really stunning back in 2016.......

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Red

2015 Croix de Beauséjour (Duffau Lagarrosse)

 St. Émilion Grand Cru Red Bordeaux Blend more
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3/8/2023 - texanoblues Likes this wine: 93 points

Deep red in the glass with no signs of orange or violet. Very open on the nose with dark berries, dried violets, some campfire, and just faintest secondary truffle/mushroom starting to show. Same notes on the mid palate with cocoa and mint. Voluptuous and full body. Kept in check with ample fine grained tannins. Long expansive mint cocoa finish.

This after 3 days opened but corked at 4C. Immediately after opening it was pretty tight. But it opened up a lot with time and air.

What an astoundingly profound wine at this price. I'm not sure but my guess is that Duffau Lagarosse makes this Croix from casks that just don't make the cut for their Premier ?

At any rate, after a case of the 09, a case of the 10, and now on my next to last bottle of a case of 15. I can say that this Croix de Beausejour is a reliable stunner. Plenty of right bank Bdx at 3x the price aren't on this level.

And what's more?..... I think it will be even better in 5-10 yrs. As the truffle/mushroom and dried violets move more into the foreground.

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Red

2020 Delas Frères Crozes-Hermitage Les Launes

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11/17/2022 - texanoblues Likes this wine: 90 points

Red/violet in the glass. Concentrated and opaque. On the nose and palate there is abundant bacon and smoked meat, red berries, and crushed granite. Full bodied. Well balanced structure. Savory.

Hard to beat at this price. And a very nice baby-hermitage at any price.

Day 2:

Richer and more evened out than yesterday. Very nice.

89-90

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Red

2019 Delas Frères Côtes du Rhône Saint-Esprit

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11/16/2022 - texanoblues Likes this wine: 89 points

Deep violet and clear in the glass. On the nose and mid palate its black fruit, violets, and anise. Big, expansive, and opulent in the mouth. No harshness or any other rough edges.

Very good CdP..... Looking for a daily drinking CdP, this it it.

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Red

2019 Terra Viva Cabrières Cuvée Kermit Lynch

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11/5/2022 - texanoblues Likes this wine: 89 points

Red/violet in the glass and clear. Nose of blackberry, anise, black pepper, and some violets as well. Same notes on the palate with some green olive savoriness. Med/Full bodied with balanced structure. Med length finish that echoes the mid-palate notes.

All-in-all a really great early-drinking "bistro wine" that is very enjoyable and speaks in the voice of the region that it came from. Great character.

88-90

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Red

2009 R. López de Heredia Rioja Reserva Viña Bosconia

 Tempranillo Blend, Tempranillo more
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11/1/2022 - texanoblues Likes this wine: 93 points

Deep red and clear in the glass with bricking at the edges. On the nose we have cherry, black fruit, smoky cedar. Supple and full on the mid palate. A melted texture. With the same notes as on the nose. Additionally, eucalyptus and orange peel. Exceptionally savory. Long, expansive cherry eucalyptus finish.

Second glass after 24hrs corked at 4C:

Even more developed and more melted texture than before. Sweet creosote with bitter orange peel or cranberry notes. It's improved even over its pop-and-pour glass, which was very good.

All-in-all a flawless and very well made traditional Rioja.

In its drinking window and definitely in no rush.

In years past I would have rated it in the high 80s. But true traditional Riojas such as this Bosconia are sadly becoming rare so......

(92-94)

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Red

2010 La Serena Brunello di Montalcino

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2/15/2022 - texanoblues Likes this wine: 94 points

Deep red and clear in the glass. Neither violet nor orange. Black fruit, leather, tobacco, chocolate, and herbs on the nose and mid palate. Powerful and expansive in the mouth. Well balanced with respect to acid, alcohol, and tannins. Gorgeous nose. Promising mid palate. But alas.... Still tight and closed down.

These 2010 Brunellos need more time. They are just beginning to open but will benefit from another 5-10 yrs in the cellar.

Today it's a 93-94, with the potential for big gain in the future.

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Red

2016 C.V.N.E. (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España) Rioja Imperial Reserva

 Tempranillo more
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1/19/2022 - texanoblues Likes this wine: 91 points

Deep red/violet and clear in the glass. Black cherry, blackberry, smoke, some eucalyptus and faint coconut. Supple and caressing mid palate with ample powdery tannins. A little light-bodied for a Rioja. Long expansive finish echoing the initial notes.

Very young but delicious.

90-92

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Red

2010 M. Chapoutier Ermitage Les Greffieux

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12/28/2021 - texanoblues Likes this wine: NR

Deep red with dark core. Extraordinary nose with smoked meat, black fruit, dried violets, and granite. Plenty of secondary gamey, truffle already showing. Same on the palate with immense savory characteristics. Long mouth watering finish.

Equally abundant measures of power, balance, complexity, and finesse.

There is no more simple way to say it:

This was an extraordinary bottle.

Early in its window. Should continue to develop over the next couple of decades.

(98-99)

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Red

2006 Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova

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11/25/2021 - texanoblues Likes this wine: 96 points

Opened my last of 12 of the Tenuta Nuova to celebrate this Thanksgiving.... What better day to bid "farewell" to this old friend?

Magnificent bottle. Detailed notes to come.....

Deep red with dark core and clear in the glass. Some bricking at the edges. Wonderful nose with dark chocolate, berries, dried violets, balsamic, mint, and faint earthy truffle. Same notes on palate supported by still a very powerful and intense structure. Alcohol, acid, and tannins all in balance and working in harmony. Long expansive finish.

As good it it was, this bottle would have improved over the next 5-10 yrs.

A king among kings.

96-97

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Red

2010 Azelia Barolo Margheria

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10/25/2021 - texanoblues Likes this wine: 94 points

Medium red and clear in the glass. Gorgeous nose with red berries, orange peel, and roses. Same notes on palate with cranberry as well. Supported by a classic nebbiolo structure. Powerful and utterly weightless. It's all power, finesse, and precision. The tannins are wonderfully fine grained and balanced against ample acidity. Mouth watering cranberry finish.

Outstanding and very enjoyable now...... And it will be even better in another 10 yrs.

Conservative 94 today

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Red

2013 Clos du Val Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

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8/31/2021 - texanoblues Likes this wine: 92 points

Deep red in the glass with faint violet. Red currant, flowers, with subtle espresso notes on the nose and palate. Supple mid palate. Caressing with no rough edges. Medium length red berry mint finish.

Easily drank 2+ cases of this wine since it was released and this was the best bottle yet. Really wonderful at any price....

Going strong. drink or hold.

(92-94)

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Red

2010 Campogiovanni (San Felice) Brunello di Montalcino

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8/25/2021 - texanoblues Likes this wine: NR

Medium red in the glass with no bricking or violet. Cherry, orange peel, violets, and leather on the nose and palate. Firm mid palate that softened a little over time. Nice, expansive cherry finish. Very well balanced and precise.

IMO the 2010 Brunellos need more time.

Wait 2-5 yrs.

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Red

2018 M. Chapoutier Côtes du Roussillon Villages Les Vignes de Bila-Haut

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7/13/2021 - texanoblues wrote: 89 points

Deep red and clear in the glass with a dark core and some faint violet. Open on the nose with violets, blackberry, and a hint of olive brine. Same notes on palate supported by med/full body that is nicely balanced. Supple and caressing. Fairly long blackberry violet finish.

Just a lovely lovely wine.

I scored it 85 back in March. Think that was not fair and I was influenced by the modest price.

This is an easy 89-90.

Extraordinary value at around $13-14 USD per 750.

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Red

2010 Fattoria Galardi Terra di Lavoro

 Roccamonfina IGT Aglianico more
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7/12/2021 - texanoblues Likes this wine: 98 points

Deep red with black core. No violet or orange. The nose explodes with dried flowers, red berries, wintergreen, and a prominent and very beautiful volcanic smoke. Same notes on the palate. All very tart and driven by powerful yet flawlessly silky structure. Intense and concentrated without any hint of heaviness. Long tart fruit, wintergreen, volcanic finish.

A lot of very coarse sediment at the end of the bottle.

I scored this 97 back in 2016. That was a conservative score. I think today 98 is conservative. Hard to believe that as exceptional as it was in 2016, as extraordinary as it is today, that it will even be better in the next 5 to 10 years.

Truly one of THE GREAT reds.

(note: This wine is extraordinary not only for its quality but also for its uniqueness. Those who are expecting a wine to taste similar to other wines may be disappointed. It is very unique.)

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Red

2012 Domaine Grand Veneur Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes

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7/9/2021 - texanoblues Likes this wine: 96 points

Deep red with dark core. Neither violet not orange.Open and expressive nose with floral notes, red and black fruit, herbs, and faint truffle. Same notes on the palate supported by a powerful frame. Tannins are nicely melted and balance the acid and alcohol very well. A classic and truly gorgeous CdP

This, after 3 days slow ox at 4C. Initially it was wound up tight and a little harsh. Long slow oxidation made a huge difference.

Drinking very well. Possibility of improvement but more likely in its prime right now.

95-97

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Red

2007 Marqués de Murrieta Rioja Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial

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7/1/2021 - texanoblues Likes this wine: 94 points

Deep red and clear in the glass. Neither violet nor orange hues. Open and surprisingly delicate nose. Not the big Rioja I was expecting. Prominent floral notes with black cherry, chocolate, coconut, and feint eucalyptus. Same notes on the palate supported by a nimble frame. Long eucalyptus, tart cherry finish. Ample fine grained tannins add to the enjoyment.

All in all, a really wonderful bottle of Rioja. Not the big brooding type but bright and energetic.

94-95.

Will hold the other bottle for 5-10 more years. In its window but still a baby at this point.

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Red

2012 Joseph Phelps Insignia

 Napa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend more
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6/7/2021 - texanoblues Likes this wine: 96 points

Deep red with black core. The nose is really open with anise, black fruit, dried flowers and a very pleasing umami savoriness. Same notes on the palate with chocolate and slight mint as well. Abundant fine grained tannins supporting a supple and full structure. Long expansive finish.

Really a stunning wine.

Drinking very well now. And I will like it even more in 5-10 yrs.

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Red

2015 Croix de Beauséjour (Duffau Lagarrosse)

 St. Émilion Grand Cru Red Bordeaux Blend more
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6/6/2021 - texanoblues Likes this wine: 93 points

Deep red in the glass with some violet left. On the nose and mid palate there is anise, black fruit, mint and faint dark chocolate. Luxurious and supple mouth feel with an expansive mint chocolate finish. (93-94)

I buy/drink a lot of this gem from Duffau Lagarosse. IMHO it is one of the extraordinary values in wine. Better than most right bank producers' firsts.

A really great (almost profound) right bank Bordeaux and a stunning value.

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Red

2018 M. Chapoutier Côtes du Roussillon Villages Les Vignes de Bila-Haut

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3/27/2021 - texanoblues Likes this wine: 85 points

Deep red with violet hues. Blackberry. red fruit, herbs, and some floral notes on nose and palate. Good concentration and well-balanced. Smooth easy finish. No rough edges here.

Breaking this wine down into components is not really fair. This wine is intended to be a common red table wine, a "bistro wine". And in that light, it's fantastic. It has character and charm. Some mystery and intrigue. It speaks of the region from which it was born. It evokes images of French bistros. To me, it is as good as "red table wine" can be.

But alas, we score it numerically by the same criteria as the heavyweights, so 85-88 for me.

Anyone find a bottle with more character for less money, please let me know........

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  • Tasting notes: 443 notes on 297 wines

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