Lovely wine after holding onto it since buying it at its release at the winery. You can read the other posts about what they’re tasting. I’ll add that this bottle had balanced tannins and all the flavor. Only a modest hint of age in the mid-palate and in the color.
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Very good. Needed a couple hours to open up. At this point it is fruity and has very light tannins. Lots of berry notes. The earthiness that’s there seems to be some leather and tobacco flavors.
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Drank first of a flight of different vintages. Smooth balanced with notes of berry. Wish I had bought more bottles when I first tasted at the winery in 2014.
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Popped and filtered/aerated (cork disintegrated when opening), served with NY strip steak - just awesome, so glad we waited on this, black cherry, blueberry, hints of vanilla, oak, a touch of eucalyptus, well-integrated, mellow tannins, medium-long finish, delicious!
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Drank along side a 2007 Stags Leap Artemis, and this was clearly superior in all respects. Felt like the SL was at or past peak. The CR is drinking perfectly with some years to go.
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Let this Mag sit up overnight. Poured with a vinerator and decanted and let breathe for a full day. Swirled it around in my glass. Enjoyed it with grilled Lamb-chops and mushrooms. It opened up into a big bomb of dark fruits, cassis and was delicious over the next few hours. Thoroughly enjoyed!
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This drinks beautifully right now and has plenty of time left. Has firm tannins upon opening but they mellow with air. This is aging grwat for a 2008. Blackberry, black cherry. A bit of leather on the finish. Drink now - 2025.
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OK. Not much at all for the first hour. Slowly opened up to a smooth, easy drinker. Very muted flavors on this. Not typical of Chimney Rock CS that I have had
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Nice solid Napa Valley Cab from a great producer. Did not decant, seemed open upon initial tasting. Great Cab for $50. Always consistent. Blackberries and a hint of mint on the nose, delicious on the palate, nice finish. Drinking well now but probably has a few more years as well. No rush IMO.
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37th Annual Zinfandel Retrospective - the 2010s (R&D's): Aromas of chocolate, black fruit, red currants and dusty earth. Cherry, currants and chocolate flavors on the palate. Full-bodied, with medium tannins and a good finish. Drink from now-2020+.
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Drank a split with my wife, her favorite wine. Continues to impress and I would think it has at least a few more years ahead before its decline. Quality is always consistent and the texture is always smooth with supple tannins.
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A nice wine that showed best when it was opened. It featured olive grove, cooking herbs, and garrigue on the nose and palate. High acid, low tannin, and a nice finish. By the second day the wine had become sweeter and somewhat disjointed with angular alcohol notes. Otherwise, it's drinking well right now. Recommend drinking by 2017-18. 89-90.
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Nice but nothing special. I don't know why the price point is what it is. I've had much better for $50+. Simple, straightforward napa cab. Decent but non impressive finish. Lacking depth and complexity.
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This is restrained for a Chimney Rock SLD. More finesse than power. Classy aromas of cherries, black currants, plums, leather, smoke, and chocolate. The palate is sleek, layered, and nicely textured, needing about an hour and a half in the glass for the fruit to emerge and hit its sweet spot. It integrates nicely, showing good weight, length, medium tannins, and picking up a savory note of black olive tapenade. Not as lush, complex, or complete as the 2007 but refined and gratifying in its own way.
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Dark fruits and a bit of alcohol on the nose. Big fruits on the palate, borderline over extracted. 2008 had dark, rich berries and it shows. Plums, dark chocolate, tobacco and forest floor. Long finish, smooth mouthfeel and big tannins, this one will be good for a while. I really enjoyed it. I will drink last bottle in 2018-2020
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Pleasantly surprised on the upside. Flavors of dark fruits(blackberry/dark cherry) with a little dark chocolate. Light tannins, nice finish - very good, not outstanding - but went well with our meal.
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At release, I was completely enamored with the ripe black and blue fruit, however the blue fruit has faded quite a bit and this is at a stage where it's somewhat ho-hum. I believe it's in a somewhat closed phase and will need a bit more time for the tertiary flavors to develop.
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Big nose of red fruits. Let decant for an hour and drank it over the next two with flour-less chocolate cake. The taste was underwhelming. Not a whole lot of body and not a whole lot of complexity. Obviously not a bad wine but nothing amazing.
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Opened and decanted for 1 hour and then put back in bottle under suction for 24 hours. Thick, soft, furry fruit. Hints of sweet apple juice on the nose and also in the mouth. Lacks complexity but good quality. 90-91
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I purchased this bottle at Costco for $50. I had high hopes for it, with 2008 being a decent year for Napa, and Stag's Leap one of my favorite AVA's. I drank this over two nights, by itself with no food. The wine has a muted nose and is the classic dark inky plum color typcial of Napa cabs. The taste is of medium bodied fruit, with a somewhat vegetal aftertaste. Tannins are medium, and the finish on this is short.
Overall, I was not impressed with this wine for the price. I've heard good things about Chimney Rock, but this was a disappointment. A score of 85 is probably generous - if you're looking to drop $50-75 on a bottle of Napa cab, take a pass on this one. Do not recommend given the low QPR. FAIR.
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Good but very light nose almost muted. Decent body but lighter than some of the more intense napa cabs from howell or to kalon. Not a strong finish, and a bit under whelming. Probably not purchase , tasted at wine tasting compared to great brunello and Pinot.
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Good, but underwhelming; I expected more. Not consistent with my expectations for a Stag's Leap cab. Had a meaty characteristic that I don't particularly care for.
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Leather and spice dominate the aroma profile, with undertones of bramble, violet and sweet vanillan. Well-integrated tannins with finish that is spicy with chocolate & mocha notes. Delicious.
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At first, extremely tight and somewhat oaky, lacking depth and character. After about 2 hours, WOW....really opened up to show why we love Chimney Rock so much....wish I let it rest a bit....certainly not near it's peak.
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Lush dark fruit on the nose. Balanced palette a little fruit forward, medium body, some minerality and peppery finish. Keep this one in your cellar longer, it is just a baby. It is drinking nice, but time will bring more out. Still strong on tannins, so eat something to neutralize them. We paired with traditional Greek lamb dish and decanted for about an hour. I am finding the more air it gets, the more comes out.
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What a jammy mess. Ordered thinking it was an 07. And this arrived. Angry and tough as leather. Never one to back down from a fight, I pulled out my exorcism kit to drive the demons of young wine from this pour soul. Result: predominant fruit forward even after an hour and a half decant. Strawberries and angry grape juice dominate with a hint of alcoholy acid. I guess it is currant at the front but it has been throwing me around the room and swearing at me in tongues. A little raw black licorice and some red pepper in the finish. Middling tannins that may show up with authority some day. Had with a lovely steak which cowered before this beautiful beast. Pray for me my friends.
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Moderate nose of red plums, black cherry, baking spice and cocoa. Medium palate of plums, cassis, espresso and cedar. Medium plus finish. Slightly disjointed at this point.
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Popped and poured. Though we were disappointed overall, there was some underlying ripe fruit and creamyness that seemed to be overshadowed by bitter austere tannins. Some nice medium bright red fruit. Pretty one dimensional. Not terrible, but not at all up to Chimney Rock Cab standards.
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10/7/2023 - twoguysandapug Likes this wine: 90 Points
Lovely wine after holding onto it since buying it at its release at the winery. You can read the other posts about what they’re tasting. I’ll add that this bottle had balanced tannins and all the flavor. Only a modest hint of age in the mid-palate and in the color.
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6/24/2023 - nicholasagonzales Likes this wine: 96 Points
An excellent wine. It is extremely smooth. Notes of tobacco and balck currant. I wish I had more.
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11/25/2021 - thunderfly Likes this wine: 90 Points
Very good. Needed a couple hours to open up. At this point it is fruity and has very light tannins. Lots of berry notes. The earthiness that’s there seems to be some leather and tobacco flavors.
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3/5/2021 - TZ58 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Very smooth. Worth the wait.
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1/20/2021 - Ccoates wrote: 90 Points
Drank first of a flight of different vintages. Smooth balanced with notes of berry. Wish I had bought more bottles when I first tasted at the winery in 2014.
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12/5/2020 - mdkraft99 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Popped and filtered/aerated (cork disintegrated when opening), served with NY strip steak - just awesome, so glad we waited on this, black cherry, blueberry, hints of vanilla, oak, a touch of eucalyptus, well-integrated, mellow tannins, medium-long finish, delicious!
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11/26/2020 - David Predmore wrote: 92 Points
Deep notes of.black cerry
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11/14/2020 - Gladstone Lake Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drank along side a 2007 Stags Leap Artemis, and this was clearly superior in all respects. Felt like the SL was at or past peak. The CR is drinking perfectly with some years to go.
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8/20/2020 - Time traveller Likes this wine: 93 Points
Let this Mag sit up overnight. Poured with a vinerator and decanted and let breathe for a full day. Swirled it around in my glass. Enjoyed it with grilled Lamb-chops and mushrooms. It opened up into a big bomb of dark fruits, cassis and was delicious over the next few hours. Thoroughly enjoyed!
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12/14/2019 - WineCPA wrote: 94 Points
This drinks beautifully right now and has plenty of time left. Has firm tannins upon opening but they mellow with air. This is aging grwat for a 2008. Blackberry, black cherry. A bit of leather on the finish. Drink now - 2025.
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2/10/2019 - VAD wrote: 90 Points
Drink now.
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2/3/2019 - VAD wrote: 90 Points
Drink now, I think it’s past it prime. A bit of strong alcohol flavor in it now. A bit disappointed.
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11/24/2018 - AAJR Likes this wine: 91 Points
PnP'd - similar notes as last encounter. Drink now to 2/3 years.
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11/11/2018 - wehouck Likes this wine: 96 Points
This is drinking JUST FINE right now!!!
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12/10/2017 - VAD wrote: 92 Points
Drinking excellent now. Great balance and finish
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11/5/2017 - jag323 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Quite good, drinking very well right now. Probably could still drink in a few years but tastes near peak now.
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9/29/2017 - joet626 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Very good. Nice dark berries. Soft tannins, good mouthfeel. Delicious
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12/9/2016 - joet626 Likes this wine: 87 Points
OK. Not much at all for the first hour. Slowly opened up to a smooth, easy drinker. Very muted flavors on this. Not typical of Chimney Rock CS that I have had
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9/16/2016 - danscellar wrote: 90 Points
A good solid Cab with a good bit of complexity and layers. Nice fruit as well, enjoy!
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6/28/2016 - jrhonda160 Likes this wine: 87 Points
Always nice, liitle on the normal side, tad chalky. Much better with a fatty food. Solid Napa wine
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5/9/2016 - GaryHOhio wrote: 91 Points
Nice solid Napa Valley Cab from a great producer. Did not decant, seemed open upon initial tasting.
Great Cab for $50. Always consistent. Blackberries and a hint of mint on the nose, delicious on the palate, nice finish.
Drinking well now but probably has a few more years as well. No rush IMO.
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4/16/2016 - K3ecklund wrote: 92 Points
Nicely balanced!!
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12/13/2015 - joet626 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Very good. Nice dark fruits on this
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5/24/2015 - AllRed wrote: 91 Points
37th Annual Zinfandel Retrospective - the 2010s (R&D's): Aromas of chocolate, black fruit, red currants and dusty earth. Cherry, currants and chocolate flavors on the palate. Full-bodied, with medium tannins and a good finish. Drink from now-2020+.
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1/26/2015 - Cycle Man Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drank a split with my wife, her favorite wine. Continues to impress and I would think it has at least a few more years ahead before its decline. Quality is always consistent and the texture is always smooth with supple tannins.
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11/12/2014 - Cycle Man Likes this wine: 92 Points
Always love this wine. Simple texture that never disappoints. Not a lot of wow factors but it seems to perform each time I open a bottle.
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9/26/2014 - lslayton@me.com wrote: 91 Points
Full bodied, rich fruit blackberry and oak. Great with filet and mushroom sauce
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9/21/2014 - carisua78 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Much better on the second day. More aromatic and silky.
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9/21/2014 - Napacablover Likes this wine: 93 Points
Nice bottle of wine. Very tasty!
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9/14/2014 - helispud Likes this wine: 90 Points
Typical CA Cab. This is a good thing.
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9/8/2014 - Motz wrote: 90 Points
A nice wine that showed best when it was opened. It featured olive grove, cooking herbs, and garrigue on the nose and palate. High acid, low tannin, and a nice finish. By the second day the wine had become sweeter and somewhat disjointed with angular alcohol notes. Otherwise, it's drinking well right now. Recommend drinking by 2017-18. 89-90.
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8/16/2014 - tourproto wrote: 93 Points
Wonderful Napa Cab. Nice nose, lush mouthfeel and medium length finish. Will be buying more of this in the future
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6/25/2014 - JDV.DDSPHD Likes this wine: 88 Points
Nice but nothing special. I don't know why the price point is what it is. I've had much better for $50+. Simple, straightforward napa cab. Decent but non impressive finish. Lacking depth and complexity.
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6/15/2014 - Baron Slick wrote: 91 Points
This is restrained for a Chimney Rock SLD. More finesse than power. Classy aromas of cherries, black currants, plums, leather, smoke, and chocolate. The palate is sleek, layered, and nicely textured, needing about an hour and a half in the glass for the fruit to emerge and hit its sweet spot. It integrates nicely, showing good weight, length, medium tannins, and picking up a savory note of black olive tapenade. Not as lush, complex, or complete as the 2007 but refined and gratifying in its own way.
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5/30/2014 - Fire Bill wrote: 92 Points
Dark fruits and a bit of alcohol on the nose. Big fruits on the palate, borderline over extracted. 2008 had dark, rich berries and it shows. Plums, dark chocolate, tobacco and forest floor. Long finish, smooth mouthfeel and big tannins, this one will be good for a while. I really enjoyed it. I will drink last bottle in 2018-2020
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5/9/2014 - AAJR Likes this wine: 91 Points
Pleasantly surprised on the upside. Flavors of dark fruits(blackberry/dark cherry) with a little dark chocolate. Light tannins, nice finish - very good, not outstanding - but went well with our meal.
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1/10/2014 - Ou7475 wrote: 90 Points
Big nose fruit forward lots of berries no tannins slightly oaky
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10/29/2013 - wmccone54 wrote: 90 Points
Winery tasting. Aromas and flavors or dark berries. Black currant and dark berries. Consistent with the Chimney Rock style.
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10/4/2013 - JPLogan wrote: 89 Points
Definitely not the 2007 vintage, but, very nice.
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8/30/2013 - S_stas wrote: 88 Points
Good, but not great
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8/4/2013 - jrkennedy37 wrote:
At release, I was completely enamored with the ripe black and blue fruit, however the blue fruit has faded quite a bit and this is at a stage where it's somewhat ho-hum. I believe it's in a somewhat closed phase and will need a bit more time for the tertiary flavors to develop.
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8/2/2013 - Tvall13 wrote: 89 Points
Big nose of red fruits. Let decant for an hour and drank it over the next two with flour-less chocolate cake. The taste was underwhelming. Not a whole lot of body and not a whole lot of complexity. Obviously not a bad wine but nothing amazing.
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7/19/2013 - Evets63 wrote: 93 Points
- Brick color with medium forming legs and aromas of hazelnut with a medium/full body - Very good
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7/8/2013 - lumpyelbow wrote:
Opened and decanted for 1 hour and then put back in bottle under suction for 24 hours. Thick, soft, furry fruit. Hints of sweet apple juice on the nose and also in the mouth. Lacks complexity but good quality. 90-91
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5/9/2013 - BigTex22 wrote: 85 Points
I purchased this bottle at Costco for $50. I had high hopes for it, with 2008 being a decent year for Napa, and Stag's Leap one of my favorite AVA's. I drank this over two nights, by itself with no food. The wine has a muted nose and is the classic dark inky plum color typcial of Napa cabs. The taste is of medium bodied fruit, with a somewhat vegetal aftertaste. Tannins are medium, and the finish on this is short.
Overall, I was not impressed with this wine for the price. I've heard good things about Chimney Rock, but this was a disappointment. A score of 85 is probably generous - if you're looking to drop $50-75 on a bottle of Napa cab, take a pass on this one. Do not recommend given the low QPR. FAIR.
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3/30/2013 - Krakajack wrote: 90 Points
Good but very light nose almost muted. Decent body but lighter than some of the more intense napa cabs from howell or to kalon. Not a strong finish, and a bit under whelming. Probably not purchase , tasted at wine tasting compared to great brunello and Pinot.
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1/19/2013 - a0788735 wrote: 90 Points
Good, but underwhelming; I expected more. Not consistent with my expectations for a Stag's Leap cab. Had a meaty characteristic that I don't particularly care for.
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1/9/2013 - mdonath Likes this wine: 91 Points
Extremely tasty, nice fruit balance, good finish. Needs some time to open up. Good value.
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1/5/2013 - Yountmillrd wrote: 92 Points
- Brick color. It's balanced with a full body. Satin-Like texture with a medium finish - Excellent wine.
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12/26/2012 - K28226 wrote: 91 Points
A nice surprise. Drinking great now and Stags Leap fans will really get into this.
Good value, ripe, silky tannins, good mouthfeel, nice acid.
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12/22/2012 - cono_sur Likes this wine: 90 Points
Leather and spice dominate the aroma profile, with undertones of bramble, violet and sweet vanillan. Well-integrated tannins with finish that is spicy with chocolate & mocha notes. Delicious.
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11/10/2012 - rjforness wrote: 93 Points
2007-2009 all good, 2009 not yet released
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10/8/2012 - mikev101 wrote: 93 Points
At first, extremely tight and somewhat oaky, lacking depth and character. After about 2 hours, WOW....really opened up to show why we love Chimney Rock so much....wish I let it rest a bit....certainly not near it's peak.
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10/4/2012 - AngelicWines wrote: 92 Points
Lush dark fruit on the nose. Balanced palette a little fruit forward, medium body, some minerality and peppery finish. Keep this one in your cellar longer, it is just a baby. It is drinking nice, but time will bring more out. Still strong on tannins, so eat something to neutralize them. We paired with traditional Greek lamb dish and decanted for about an hour. I am finding the more air it gets, the more comes out.
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6/5/2012 - pdellacroce wrote: 89 Points
Very good but below my expectations for Chimney Rock. 60 minute decant, good nose, medium body and nice pepper finish.
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5/10/2012 - Ecb1456 wrote: 89 Points
What a jammy mess. Ordered thinking it was an 07. And this arrived. Angry and tough as leather. Never one to back down from a fight, I pulled out my exorcism kit to drive the demons of young wine from this pour soul. Result: predominant fruit forward even after an hour and a half decant. Strawberries and angry grape juice dominate with a hint of alcoholy acid. I guess it is currant at the front but it has been throwing me around the room and swearing at me in tongues. A little raw black licorice and some red pepper in the finish. Middling tannins that may show up with authority some day. Had with a lovely steak which cowered before this beautiful beast. Pray for me my friends.
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4/2/2012 - bobpsi wrote: 90 Points
A little better than previous bottle, seems to be coming together.
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2/19/2012 - bobpsi wrote: 89 Points
Moderate nose of red plums, black cherry, baking spice and cocoa. Medium palate of plums, cassis, espresso and cedar. Medium plus finish. Slightly disjointed at this point.
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11/7/2011 - beezer6 wrote: 87 Points
Popped and poured. Though we were disappointed overall, there was some underlying ripe fruit and creamyness that seemed to be overshadowed by bitter austere tannins. Some nice medium bright red fruit. Pretty one dimensional. Not terrible, but not at all up to Chimney Rock Cab standards.
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