Community Tasting Note

• fairnymph wrote: 86 points

  September 26, 2009 - Deep violet hue, almost opaque, but with maybe a hit of muddledness. Nose of dark tart fruits - cassis and a little blueberry. Also a bit hot, oaky, and a hint of clove.
  
  Deceptively smooth entry on the palate of more rounded but still very tart fruit, followed swiftly by mouth-puckering acidity, solid tannins, and a significant (but bearable) oakiness. I fear the Oak Monster but he's behaving here. I decanted this for an hour after pouring it through my Vinturi, and then half the bottle was in the fridge, with the air removed, for 4 days. It's significantly better now than it was when I tried it first - so definitely decant extensively. This wine also really benefits from a proper 55-60 degree temp; the hotness, while noticeable, is tolerable at lower temps but bothersome when this wine is too warm.
  
  Bodywise it's a little thin for my tastes, more like an Old World cab in that regard (to my palate) although it certainly has the New World fruit, though not at all in a fruit bomb or punchy way. This is fruit-forward, but in the best possible way for a wine of this level. The finish is a bit harsh (poorly integrated, a little acidic, sharp) and surprisingly brief, though there is lingering heat, that clove from the nose, and maybe a hint of white pepper.
  
  Solid QPR but be sure to decant!

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