Für den Preis - ca 11,50 Euro - ein unglaublicher Wein aus Castilla la Mancha. Cuvee aus Syrah. Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot und Petit Verdot. 18 Monate im neuen französischen Holz ausgebaut. Fruchtig mit Noten von schwarzen Früchten, dazu Gewürze, Graphit. Elegant mit guter Länge. Dicht und super strukturiert. Exzellentes Preis-Qualitäts-Verhältnis.
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I was worried when I first opened this that it was on the downside but it just needed about an hours worth of air to smooth out and shine. One of my favorite every day type wines that is aging extremely well. Glad I have several more. Fantastic qpr.
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This took about 15 minutes to open up, and then it was an excellent 16 year old wine that tasted more like it was 8 or so years old. Plenty of fruit but some secondary characteristics coming out. Lots of density and no sign of being tired. Good with lamb chops.
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Actually a good aged wine. Unfortunately, the 4th of 5 bottles had a bad cork. It's time to drink it now. It's slightly above its zenith. Significant ripe aroma.
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Deep garnet. Nose is herbal and peppery. The tanins are integrated but there’s still some grip to them. Some dark fruit but not much, mostly herbal and spicy in the mouth. The finish is long and mouth drying. The new french oak is muted. Hard to say if this will evolve further after 15 years, but it could get softer. Only the slightest hint of fruit. Perplexing one for me. PQR pretty compelling.
Excellent price/quality for this Bordeaux style, rich and powerfull, spicy wine from a (for me) relatively unknown wine region Tiera de Castilla in Spain. PnP'ed this bottle, but a decant would be better. I bet this could be kept in the cellar for at least another decade.
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Nase geprägt von Frucht-, aber auch deutlichen Reifenoten: Frucht nach dunklen Beeren und Minze sowie balsamische Aromen, etwa nach Fleisch und Leder / Mittlerer bis voller Körper, niedrige Säure und perfekt mürbes Tannin mit langem Abgang.
94 Parker Punkte für mich nicht nachvollziehbar, aber schön gereift. Schmeckt etwas harmlos ohne Ecken und Kanten und sollte bald getrunken werden.
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Bodega Los Aljibes Selectus 2007 Straight from bottle without much decant. Color of bright garnet ruby, crystal clearity. Ready to drink without much decanting, nose of little flora and fruity, mainly red fruits, plummy, earthy and herbaceous, florest floor. Elegance entry with smooth inviting tannins, medium body, pretty fresh acidity. Medium to long finish. Believed this wine has reached her peak, enjoy for next 2-3 years. 89+ points
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Revisiting an old friend. Bought 2 cases from Costco 10 years past. One case thoroughly enjoyed soon after and cellared the other. Parker gave this 94 and I agreed. First bottle, second case, 10 years later, just opened, aerated, no decant. Looks young, no sign of aging. Stong aromas of blackberries with softer eucalyptus notes. The palate is almost luxurious and has rich, dark fruit but there's no bite. The tannins are noticeably absent leaving a completely tamed experience: nice, not thrilling. Medium body, medium finish. I'm not excited. Could it get better? (probably not). Let's hope. Drink now, no regret. 88 points.
So,... the no decant.. BIG MISTAKE. This wine opened up its arms and embraced me after 3 hours. Wow! This is a completely different experience demonstrating, yet again, the value of patience. Voluptuous , rich, decadent. I was shocked by the transformation. Earlier this evening this wine left me flat @ 88 points, now it rates, at least 93, maybe higher. Take your time with this one. Open, decant, wait. Immense rewards await.
Now 2 days after opening the bottle and resting at room temperature (@ 70 degrees F) the wine has fully blossomed and is gorgeous. Rich dark fruit fully integrated with warm tannins, full bodied, long finish,elegant and refined, .. the whole package. Note to myself. Next time, take the bottle from the cellar, let it rise to room temperature, open, decant and let it breathe in the decanter for at least 6-12 hours but more likely 24 hours before drinking. Enjoy with dinner after decanting the night before and @ 24 hours after opening and resting at room temperature. 94+ points. Time and patience required to realize the full potential of this beauty.
Complex yet accessible, and drinking incredibly well after aging 14 years! A rich nose full of blueberry & plum with tertiary aromas of tobacco & milk chocolate. Continues to a well balanced pallate with medium-high tannins & bright acidity with flavors of stewed fruits & raisin with allspice, leather & sage present through a long finish. Even not accounting for the price this is an outstanding wine, and a perfect pairing for 24 hour dry aged strip streak! ($12) [1/18/21]
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Tannins dominate. Nice, buff tannins, but I couldn’t get past them to any subtleties that were not overawed. Not sure why Wine Advocate gave it a 94. But then I’ve gotten in trouble before for not appreciating a brawny tannic wine...
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First zip from the bottle without airating reveals a mature wine with smell of berries, mature oak and a touch of vanilla. Medium body with no tannins left but dry and somewhat taut. Maybe it has peaked since I would expect a more bold body but very nice as it is.
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This bottle has been stored under ideal conditions. The cork was in great condition. No apparent bricking at rim. Initial aromas of cotton candy, red fruit, dark fruit, flowers and light rain on dry dust. Polished tannins with balanced acidity and mild dryness. Palate of dark plums, minerals, leather, lead. A nice lingering 35-second finish. I have 1 bottle remaining which I will try next year or the year after. Great value.
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No apparent bricking. A medium to light-bodied wine with quality winemaking shining through at over a decade in the bottle. Aromas of dark berry, licorice and spring flowers. Palate of muted plums, black cherry, mushroom, tobacco and glycerin. The fruit appears to have faded a bit, but delicious nonetheless. Tannins are soft, but apparent. Spain continues to deliver great wines! I have one or two bottles left of this vintage and will try them next year.
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Blackberry color with slightly discernible bricking in the glass. Plum, violets and dark berries on the nose. Tannins are round and pervasive; fantastic moderate dryness. On the palate, muted raspberry, plum, pencil lead and chalk with a moderate finish. What a great wine and QPR. Tapas calling! This has at least 5-7 years of delicious life remaining. Perhaps more.
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Parker rated 94 points: "The Bodega’s flagship is called Selectus; no 2006 was made but the 2007 Selectus was worth the wait. A blend of 30% Syrah, 20% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Petit Verdot, it was aged for 18 months in new French oak. Smoky oak, pencil lead, Asian spices, incense, lavender, and assorted black fruits lead to a suave, dense, succulent offering that features outstanding volume and a 45-second finish. Give it another 3-4 years of cellaring and drink it from 2014 to 2027."
1.5h decant. Dense and concentrated aromas of plum, smoke, herbs and licorice. I agree with Parker on the very long finish. Acidity was a tad too high. Wish I would have bought more bottles (12€ on sale).
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This bottle was well balanced and coming together nicely. Firm fruit, good acid and a long smooth tannin finish. This bottle was lush and full that showed off a lot of fruit.
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No visable indication of aging. Nose of dark berry and baking spice. Fine, dry tannins, raspberry, graphite, dark berry and mushroom on the palate. Delicious with potentially years of enjoyable life ahead.
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Supposedly, 30% Syrah, 20% Merlot, 20% C.F., 20% C.S., & 10% Petit Verdot, aged for 18 mos in new FR oak;
N: CLOSED; Minerals, berries?
P: Med body; NICE frt met by firming acidity which pretty much continues through a fairly LONG, balanced finish with the barest hint of bitterness from time to time. FULLY mature, this elegantly styled wine (particularly compared to much [most?] SP wines) is drinking BEAUTIFULLY right now, & should continue to do so through '18 & at LEAST early '19. 94 pts WA & 91 RJonWine.
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Bought a case @ Costco 10 months ago, have had 4 bottles throughout the summer with grilled meats. An interesting blend. Wine has been tight, needs a good decant, still tannic and acidic, but good nose and body. Plan to cellar it for another year before tasting again. Don't know how Parker ever saw 94 points, though.
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Purple colored with a scents of purple fruits and some medicinal notes. The palate is more complex than the nose suggests, with flavors of plum, iodine, green herbs, coffee and a bit of tar. A bit thin with slightly coarse and drying tannins.
Not a showstopper by any means, and certainly not worth the "94 Parker Points" that the label exclaims. A fine wine for a Monday and a good QPR at around $7/bottle, so long as you give a healthy decant.
Now then. This is a strange wine. After around half an hour's decant it has a strongly alcoholic and earthy smell, plum and red berries are the dominant fruit smells. Surprisingly it shows quite hard purple around the rim, barely a hint of age. Creamy feel in the mouth followed by a very drying fruitless finish. Complex: yes. Enjoyable: not sure. Cheap enough though.
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Supposedly, 30% Syrah, 20% Merlot, 20% C.F., 20% C.S., & 10% Petit Verdot, aged for 18 mos in new FR oak;
N: Blk cherries, poss plums, with notes of chocolate & undertones of pyrazines
P: Med body; Nice frt buttressed by mid-P acidity which transitions into a fairly LONG, VERY slightly spicy, bitterswt choc finish. // Day 2: Decanted, then immediately tasted, today the N is WAY ahead of all but the VERY front P, although the lean firmness of most of the tasting experience ISN'T an issue with, say, bread & inexpensive, extra sharp Cheddar cheese. Also, improved somewhat with air over a span of ≈45 mins.
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Second bottle rated. Decanted 90 minutes. Dark fruit on the nose. Moderately dry with ripe tannins. Beautiful dark fruit, minerality and subtle graphite on the palate. Absolutely delicious. I am glad I have several bottles left. It will be interesting to see how this wine evolves over the coming years. What a great value!
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WTF? 94 from Parker/WA??? Ok I only tasted one bottle but this wine bears no resemblance to even an 89 point wine let alone wine that got a 94 from the most esteemed review source on the planet. Decanted for 1.5 hrs and still the nose is champhoric, somewhat grassy and a bit mediciny. Front shows little fruit and a lot astringency. Mid palate is deathly dry and gets no better on the fruitless and tannic finish. To me this is a grimly incomplete wine and though it isn't particularly expensive at $13 it's QPR is still quite bad. We won't be finishing this one so it's essentially money down the drain.
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A whiff of sulphur blows off after a bit, but the nose is unrevealing, only showing a faraway note of dark fruit. This wine is surprisingly lean (to me), with some tart dark fruit mixed with a skosh of tar on the palate. Floral and chocolate notes poke through after some air.
Supposedly, 30% Syrah, 20% Merlot, 20% C.F., 20% C.S., & 10% Petit Verdot, aged for 18 mos in new FR oak;
N: VERY slightly closed; Plums slightly atop oak? There's an elegant, somewhat restrained, aspect implying POSS more to give?
P: Med, poss MF, body; Nice, ALMOST swtish frt nicely balanced by mid-P structure; Long, very finely tannic finish. Judging by the finishing structure (NOT a problem with Grilled Lamb Chops), off of today's bottle I'd say this still has a min of 2-3 yrs of life left. [As of mid Dec '19, wine-searcher still shows 2 bottles @ $85, *quite* a FAR cry from its $11.99 @ COSTCO several yrs ago].
Addendum: Also tasted on 8/16/16, + 6/29 & 12/9/17
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Deep ruby infused with purple-red, consistent to rim, medium plus to high optical density, and very high reflectivity. The nose is intense and elegant at once, with an array of dark fruits, delicate florals, and vegetable garden soil, with rose pedals and tar providing a slight base. The palate shows medium to medium plus acidity, full body (with a density and viscosity that is high), and a very even texture with melted tannins that are present enough to leave a clean finish, but without astringency. Flavours are intense, and while not hugely complex, show some layering. The density does not quite support a high level of complex flavours, so while seemingly concentrated, there is not a heavy concentration of many flavours, but rather a concentration of of intensity. The attack brings dark fruits and florals, with perhaps some dried/stewed character, but not totally over-hot. The midpalate is interesting, as it brings on aromatic compounds, oak spices, and savory earth. The finish is medium in length, with smoky tobacco and lingering dried fruits over a base of toffee, coffee, and other oak influence, including toasty notes. Overall, a nice evolution of flavours, with big intensity, and enough depth to provide interest. More delicious than thoughtful, this has a great drinkability to go along with the intensity, although some may find it over oaked or over-ripe. I find it can suit a mood nicely, and that it straddles the elegant/overdone line with grace. A big, but controlled wine- like a linebacker in a suit!
I like this wine, and although it is pushing into a style I don't always get along with, this still is a great bottle of wine. This would be likely to please a crowd, as it will bring intensity and interest, but perhaps lack the depth and complexity needed for special occasions. Certainly drinking very well, with lots of life left, this is a great value wine- very nice!
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Pop and pour. Pleasant enough. I found this rather nondescript, but no noticeable flaws or problems with the wine. Decent plummy fruit. I might buy another bottle at this price.
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In a blind tasting, I would have never guessed that this is a $12 wine from Costco and that it is almost 10 years old. It seems more youthful and drinks way above its price point. Dry, with ripe red fruit, black fruit and a little earth. With medium acidity, tannins and alcohol, this is a very balanced, food-friendly wine. It is medium bodied, with medium (+) flavor intensity and slight palate-cleansing bitterness on the finish. Amazingly enough, it was even better on the second day. 30% Syrah, 20% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Petit Verdot at an insane price.
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Bought @ Costco for $12. Had been stored upright as cork was bone dry and needed TLC. Needed to decant big time. Gave it a couple hours. Dark color w/ no evidence of aging. Dark cherry, espresso and flowers on the nose. Dark and black fruit flavors, some fig and pepper. Cigar ash and pencil shavings. A bit bitter for my taste. Unripe plum part of lasting finish. The 94 point rating is perplexing. Not my cup of tea but my wife loved it.
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Uncorked for 90 minutes prior to tasting. Moderately dusty tannins, medium bodied with purple plums, cigar and pencil on the palate. I believe this wine will develop more complexity in the coming few years, but it is welcoming now. Spain delivers once again.
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Bottle variation, bottle variation, bottle variation....so much. This is my third bottle and it is completely different than either of the first two. The first was not bad, the second was dumped on day 2 after only one glass b/c it showed nothing on the nose or palate and now this bottle is really good.
Dark cherry and floral nose; dark red fruits on the palate, slight oak, cedar, mocha, cigar box; juicy fruit; mild to moderate tannins.
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I see some tasters commenting on bottle variance. Ours was first and foremost confected cherry, which is surprising for a wine harvested almost 10 years ago. The fruit aspect reminded me of a Beaujolais Nouveau, which was even more surprising. There are also nice coffee & sweet tobacco notes, but the total package comes off as awkward & medicinal on the palate. More enjoyable to smell than drink.
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Sweet cherry fruit with tobacco, oak, and occasional flashes of mint. Still tastes and appears young with good structure. Very good qpr despite the sweetness.
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tasted much better with food when a soft sweetness was elicited on it's own I can see why it is in Parker's wheelhouse with some rhone valley characteristics pretty good qpr tonight, but don't need to buy again
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Decanted and consumed over three hours. A good value and $12 at Costco. Very little wine stain on the cork which indicates this will has been stored in the upright position but the wine did not seem to be compromised by oxidation in the bottle. Medium body with dark fruit and earthiness but a tad too much acidity that lingered seemingly forever on the finish. This is a nuance I do not enjoy. The tannins are faint and not able to balance the acidity. This is definitely not a 94 point wine.
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Great value at $12. Mid-dark garnet; herbaceous, peppery, oak nose; slight floral quality; mid-body; good fruit; tannins softening; long soft fruity finish. w/beef
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Smoky oak, pencil lead, Asian spices, incense, lavender, & assorted black fruits lead to a suave, dense, succulent offering that features outstanding volume & a 45-second finish.
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P&P... dark opaque elixir filled the glass with hints of dried cherry and tobacco. Surprisingly this still has tons of tannins that obliterate any fruit. Being that this is now 10 years old, I'm not sure where it's going and I'm afraid that there won't be any fruit left when the tannins do finally integrate... maybe it's already gone now. Looking at other's notes this could be a bad bottle, but the W.S. touted 94 points is still extremely optimistic.
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A mix of red and black plum hints of wood and some decent structure. Really needs and hour of air or so to balance itself out. Would have preferred to be able to drink on the pop n pour on a wine I bought for parties. All in all a pretty nice bargain basement wine.
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Not sure I get the 90+ scores here, unless there's bottle variance. It's nice enough, although a little far along the woody vanilla spectrum for my taste. Maybe decanting will help next time, but I'm not rushing out to buy more....
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This benefits from aeration and decanting. Yet another excellent bottle of rich succulent dark fruit with aromas and flavors to match. Consistent with prior notes. Drinking very, very well. Sturdy tannins. Has life left.
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While the layering and texture hint at a high end wine, the flavor palate is ultimately not that compelling. Tobacco and peppery aromas dominate without much fruit or tertiary development. Medium weight, fine texture, earthy dark chocolate finish. Kind of a decent BDX fruit profile with some gloss applied to it.
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This benefited by a one hour decant and was better than most recent prior bottle. Dark, no evidence of aging at the rim. Drinking very well now. Had the character of a second growth Bordeaux with fragrance of dark berries with some earth. Balanced rich fruit with tannins. Not a powerhouse but nuanced and elegant. Medium finish. This is probably at its peak.
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Tasty but simple quaffer. Thankful for the Syrah to round out the profile and give it enough fruit to be enjoyable. Sure this would please a crowd but not wine snobs. Nothing overly offputting but nothing overly contemplative either. Can't imagine paying $60 for this. Picked these up at Costco for $12.
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Supposedly, 30% Syrah, 20% Merlot, 20% C.F., 20% C.S., & 10% Petit Verdot, aged for 18 mos in new FR oak;
N: Rich, chocolatety berries with notes of pyrazines underneath?
P: MF body; EXCELLENT entry with tangy acidity & a touch of astringency on the LONG finish which, since it seemed to evolve in the glass, MAY benefit from a decant @ this juncture? // Day 2: The closed N & MF body P both seemed down markedly from yesterday, taking a while to come to life. // Day 3: ≈Day 1, though now showing some alch & a hint of oxidation? // Day 4: ≈Day 1, though the alch now evident. Also, while oxidation was now definitely present, I wouldn't describe it as an issue, particularly with the night's full flavored cuisine. 94 pts WA & 91 RJonWine. [As of late Feb '20, wine-searcher still shows 2 bottles @ $85, *quite* a FAR cry from its $11.99 @ COSTCO several yrs ago].
Addendum: Also tasted on 8/16/16, + 4/1, 6/29, & 12/9/17
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Aromatically ~ restrained black & blue fruits, asian spice, blue flowers, clean black minerally earth, just short of volcanic soil. This is yet quite young. The first day it was powerfully tannic, a wine for sipping slowly with conversation on a cool nite. The second day it was far more generous with fruit, yet still holding back. The third day, it commands admiration with subtle elegance. The substantial black fruit is not over expressed, the tannins will protect it from oxidation for quite a long while, and the acid is proper to keep everything in balance and insure a good life in a cellar. I'll keep a few, and expect it will impress in 4-10 years time.
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stays in the same pleasure but evolution continues on my now monthly tastings. nose with more ripe blackberry and boysenberry. some chocolate emerges on the palate. slate more apparent. solid, would pair best with pork.
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Decanted and drunk from about half an hour over several hours. It was quite tight upon opening. The nose was a bit 'grapey' which usually doesn't portend great things. On the plate it was quite different. I would characterize it as medium bodied and fairly classically proportioned. Syrah seemed to dominate the flavor profile. Oak is well integrated. This was quite tannic for a medium-aged wine. I think I would pair it accordingly with food. I'm inclined to lay it down for a while, though there is a small risk that the tannins may outlive the fruit. 90-91
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This has come around since last time I tried it. No long on the light side, and acidity is bursting along with wild berries and an amazing mouthfeel. I really like this.
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N: Deep, seems rich, aromas of coffee, cocoa, plums poss some earth
P: Med, poss MF body; Rnd entry with EXCELLENT fruit & acidity; Seamless, with a VERY long finish! :)
Day 2 N: Not much; Some of the above, but much less intense
Day 2 P: Med body, the balance & intensity still there, but some oxidation noticeable on the finish.
Summary: My score is based upon the over the moon QPR of COSTCO's $11.99, who might be the only current retailer of note anyway. While I've questions about its longevity, I feel strongly it will drink well for at LEAST another 18 mos.
Well-balanced with a medium finish that presents red and black fruits and hints of tobacco and spice at an exceptional qpr. This is a no-brainer @ $12/bottle and easily pairs with a wide range of dishes.
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A lithe expressive wine that struts it's pedigree when given plenty of air. While on the lighter side, it's depth and complexity leave little doubt of it's original market intention . An elegant wine. Outstanding QPR and a nice change of pace.
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second try. still a sweet nose but this time got a lot of licorice and menthol. fuller mouthfeel and anise on the palate. different experience but still pleasing.
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Not a big wine, but drinking very smoothly, with fruit forward, subtle midspan and delicate finish. Drinks like the blend of generally French grapes it is. Others have suggested a long life, but I was not certain of that. Tannins are soft and not that strong. Seemed well-bottled however. For $12, a good value for the style.
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Relatively dark ruby red with decent legs that hang around a bit. Surprisingly dark given its nine year age. Took time for this to open and soften, but it has on three day. Fairly aromatic nose shading to the spicy, red fruit side. Hard to describe, quite different from the reds I am used to drinking. A bit high-toned. I haven't looked to see what grape this is; if I had to guess I'd say Tempranillo, but different from other Spanish wines using that grape. Some vanilla notes. In the mouth it is tangy, a tad astringent with strong oak tannins still present on the finish. Strong and rustic. This is certainly a well-made wine, and the price is right, but I am not a great fan of this flavor profile, and my score will reflect that somewhat I'm afraid. 5-12-14-7: 88/100.
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a lot of funk on the nose right out of the bottle that mellowed to a soil and vanilla scent with time. medium light and smooth. low acid. cherries, raspberries, chocolate, plum, and pepper on the palate with heat on the end a nice long finish. tannins barely there. drinks like a cali pinot noir but has just a little more length, layering, and refinement. it is a solid good that is magnified greatly by the fact it was only $11.99. probably not my favorite style, but arguably the best wine i've ever had at the price point.
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This isn't a 94 point wine. What it is though, is a great 90-91 point every day wine, especially at the $12 price point I was able to find. Bright, alive, and vibrant without being sloggy or heavy. Great find for a simple mid-week quaffer.
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After decanting for @ 1 hour. Dark purple color. Deep rich nose with berries and spice. On the palate, extremely rich with deep flavors of berries with long finish and very smooth. Very very enjoyable. Drinking extremely well now, like a young wine despite 9 years of age. Should drink well for another 10 years. It is very tempting to just drink now.
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Blend of Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot aged for 18 months in new French oak. Mid-ruby coloured. Red berries mixed with zesty lemon and surrounded by peculiar earthy undertones. Medium weight, well balanced with well-tamed tannins and a supple mouth-feel. Shows extra layers of plum and licorice as well as a floral edge. The only complaint would be the warmth on the aftertaste.
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What a nice wine. Poured thru a venturi then let sit about 45 min. Wonderful nose, dark as black ink, smooth, spicy, almost no tannins, long long finish. Licorice comes to mind. Have had many much more expensive wines that were not nearly as good. 93+ maybe even 94. Highly recommend.
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Red blend of Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet, aged for 18 months in new french oak barrels. Taste of dark red berries, vanilla and oaky notes. Full-body Bordeaux style wine with a long finish. I got two bottles for the price of one, a really, really good bargain :) So I will buy more of this fine and elegant wine !
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Complex black fruits and a long finish. Cellaring has paid off--this is drinking very well now, and will certainly drink will for another 5+ years. Excellent.
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This was lighter than I thought it would be considering the blend. Very elegant with a pretty nose an excellent mouthfeel. Can't wait for the next bottle.
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Spanish Wine Cellar Trade Show 2012 (Bently Reserve Bldg, San Francisco, California): Medium dark ruby color; intense, tart currant, coffee nose; intense, tart currant, coffee, tar palate; medium-plus finish 91+ points (blend of Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot; aged 18 mos. in new French oak and 12 mos. in bottle)
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2/15/2024 - Volnay66 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Fantastic value for money. A great wine.
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2/13/2024 - weinfreak1205 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Für den Preis - ca 11,50 Euro - ein unglaublicher Wein aus Castilla la Mancha. Cuvee aus Syrah. Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot und Petit Verdot. 18 Monate im neuen französischen Holz ausgebaut. Fruchtig mit Noten von schwarzen Früchten, dazu Gewürze, Graphit. Elegant mit guter Länge. Dicht und super strukturiert. Exzellentes Preis-Qualitäts-Verhältnis.
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6/18/2023 - americanstorm Likes this wine: 91 Points
I was worried when I first opened this that it was on the downside but it just needed about an hours worth of air to smooth out and shine.
One of my favorite every day type wines that is aging extremely well. Glad I have several more. Fantastic qpr.
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3/16/2023 - klezman wrote:
This took about 15 minutes to open up, and then it was an excellent 16 year old wine that tasted more like it was 8 or so years old. Plenty of fruit but some secondary characteristics coming out. Lots of density and no sign of being tired. Good with lamb chops.
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1/30/2023 - ASC78 Likes this wine: 85 Points
Actually a good aged wine. Unfortunately, the 4th of 5 bottles had a bad cork. It's time to drink it now. It's slightly above its zenith. Significant ripe aroma.
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12/12/2022 - diggydan wrote: 77 Points
Unappetizingly acetic and oaky. Notes of cough syrup, too.
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11/6/2022 - WineTimmy Likes this wine: 92 Points
2007 and stored on on room temperature for a year.
Medium complexity, slightly sweet not really dry wine.
Very easy to drink, slightly acidic not really much tannins.
Tobacco blackberries dark fruit and bit oak and vanilla on the palate.
Forrest soil and sweet marmalade bit spices on the nose.
This is really a great wine.
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9/28/2022 - americanstorm Likes this wine: 92 Points
This has one of the best qpr of any wine that I have ever had. Just outstanding for the price. Just purchased another case.
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9/17/2022 - redtooth113 wrote: 88 Points
Deep garnet. Nose is herbal and peppery. The tanins are integrated but there’s still some grip to them. Some dark fruit but not much, mostly herbal and spicy in the mouth. The finish is long and mouth drying. The new french oak is muted. Hard to say if this will evolve further after 15 years, but it could get softer. Only the slightest hint of fruit. Perplexing one for me. PQR pretty compelling.
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9/15/2022 - querilant Likes this wine: 90 Points
Excellent price/quality for this Bordeaux style, rich and powerfull, spicy wine from a (for me) relatively unknown wine region Tiera de Castilla in Spain. PnP'ed this bottle, but a decant would be better. I bet this could be kept in the cellar for at least another decade.
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9/14/2022 - frleon Likes this wine: 92 Points
Noch sehr fruchtig für das Alter. Kirsche, Johannisbeer. Gleichzeitig ein violetter Zug: Graphit, Kirsche, Eisen.
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4/24/2022 - Stephan2021 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Nase geprägt von Frucht-, aber auch deutlichen Reifenoten: Frucht nach dunklen Beeren und Minze sowie balsamische Aromen, etwa nach Fleisch und Leder / Mittlerer bis voller Körper, niedrige Säure und perfekt mürbes Tannin mit langem Abgang.
94 Parker Punkte für mich nicht nachvollziehbar, aber schön gereift. Schmeckt etwas harmlos ohne Ecken und Kanten und sollte bald getrunken werden.
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4/23/2022 - oldcorke Likes this wine: 92 Points
Tasting note unchanged from 10/16. Best days are (far) ahead. If you must... decant 2 hours before drinking.
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2/4/2022 - WK88 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Bodega Los Aljibes Selectus 2007
Straight from bottle without much decant.
Color of bright garnet ruby, crystal clearity. Ready to drink without much decanting, nose of little flora and fruity, mainly red fruits, plummy, earthy and herbaceous, florest floor. Elegance entry with smooth inviting tannins, medium body, pretty fresh acidity. Medium to long finish. Believed this wine has reached her peak, enjoy for next 2-3 years. 89+ points
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10/18/2021 - calypse Likes this wine: 92 Points
Fantastisch ausbalanciert, seidig, nicht zu schwer, tolle Länge. Phänomenal für den Preis!
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2/21/2021 - In vino potestus est Likes this wine: 94 Points
Revisiting an old friend. Bought 2 cases from Costco 10 years past. One case thoroughly enjoyed soon after and cellared the other. Parker gave this 94 and I agreed. First bottle, second case, 10 years later, just opened, aerated, no decant. Looks young, no sign of aging. Stong aromas of blackberries with softer eucalyptus notes. The palate is almost luxurious and has rich, dark fruit but there's no bite. The tannins are noticeably absent leaving a completely tamed experience: nice, not thrilling. Medium body, medium finish. I'm not excited. Could it get better? (probably not). Let's hope. Drink now, no regret. 88 points.
So,... the no decant.. BIG MISTAKE. This wine opened up its arms and embraced me after 3 hours. Wow! This is a completely different experience demonstrating, yet again, the value of patience. Voluptuous , rich, decadent. I was shocked by the transformation. Earlier this evening this wine left me flat @ 88 points, now it rates, at least 93, maybe higher. Take your time with this one. Open, decant, wait. Immense rewards await.
Now 2 days after opening the bottle and resting at room temperature (@ 70 degrees F) the wine has fully blossomed and is gorgeous. Rich dark fruit fully integrated with warm tannins, full bodied, long finish,elegant and refined, .. the whole package. Note to myself. Next time, take the bottle from the cellar, let it rise to room temperature, open, decant and let it breathe in the decanter for at least 6-12 hours but more likely 24 hours before drinking. Enjoy with dinner after decanting the night before and @ 24 hours after opening and resting at room temperature. 94+ points. Time and patience required to realize the full potential of this beauty.
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1/18/2021 - BudgetMindedWino Likes this wine: 93 Points
Complex yet accessible, and drinking incredibly well after aging 14 years! A rich nose full of blueberry & plum with tertiary aromas of tobacco & milk chocolate. Continues to a well balanced pallate with medium-high tannins & bright acidity with flavors of stewed fruits & raisin with allspice, leather & sage present through a long finish. Even not accounting for the price this is an outstanding wine, and a perfect pairing for 24 hour dry aged strip streak! ($12) [1/18/21]
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8/24/2020 - klg_at_large wrote: 85 Points
Tannins dominate. Nice, buff tannins, but I couldn’t get past them to any subtleties that were not overawed. Not sure why Wine Advocate gave it a 94. But then I’ve gotten in trouble before for not appreciating a brawny tannic wine...
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8/21/2020 - astifors Likes this wine: 90 Points
First zip from the bottle without airating reveals a mature wine with smell of berries, mature oak and a touch of vanilla. Medium body with no tannins left but dry and somewhat taut. Maybe it has peaked since I would expect a more bold body but very nice as it is.
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6/6/2020 - JRoman23 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Past it’s prime but not much. A solid wine for the price when I purchased.
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5/18/2020 - Casual Does not like this wine: 53 Points
Do not buy
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5/18/2020 - Casual wrote:
Do not buy
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4/19/2020 - Volnay66 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Lovely. Notes in my book.
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2/23/2020 - gkentm Likes this wine: 92 Points
This bottle has been stored under ideal conditions. The cork was in great condition. No apparent bricking at rim. Initial aromas of cotton candy, red fruit, dark fruit, flowers and light rain on dry dust. Polished tannins with balanced acidity and mild dryness. Palate of dark plums, minerals, leather, lead. A nice lingering 35-second finish. I have 1 bottle remaining which I will try next year or the year after. Great value.
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2/22/2020 - Luigi di Abruzzi Likes this wine: 93 Points
Drinking well still but losing a bit if vibrancy on the mid-notes. Drink asap!
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2/13/2020 - Calvero wrote: 89 Points
Fruit forward, spices and an irony penetrating element which feels slightly out of balance. Very good qpr and still very much alive.
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12/3/2019 - RogerQ wrote: 93 Points
Last bottle. Still showing tons of dark fruit and spice. Outstanding!
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11/30/2019 - Joerg65 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Unfortunately, last bottle :(
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10/19/2019 - gkentm Likes this wine: 92 Points
No apparent bricking. A medium to light-bodied wine with quality winemaking shining through at over a decade in the bottle. Aromas of dark berry, licorice and spring flowers. Palate of muted plums, black cherry, mushroom, tobacco and glycerin. The fruit appears to have faded a bit, but delicious nonetheless. Tannins are soft, but apparent. Spain continues to deliver great wines! I have one or two bottles left of this vintage and will try them next year.
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8/20/2019 - Joerg65 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Excellent wine, however I think it's time to drink it now
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7/5/2019 - gkentm Likes this wine: 92 Points
Blackberry color with slightly discernible bricking in the glass. Plum, violets and dark berries on the nose. Tannins are round and pervasive; fantastic moderate dryness. On the palate, muted raspberry, plum, pencil lead and chalk with a moderate finish. What a great wine and QPR. Tapas calling! This has at least 5-7 years of delicious life remaining. Perhaps more.
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1/19/2019 - RogerQ wrote: 93 Points
Outstanding! Keeps getting better with time.
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1/4/2019 - -Tim- Likes this wine: 91 Points
Parker rated 94 points:
"The Bodega’s flagship is called Selectus; no 2006 was made but the 2007 Selectus was worth the wait. A blend of 30% Syrah, 20% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Petit Verdot, it was aged for 18 months in new French oak. Smoky oak, pencil lead, Asian spices, incense, lavender, and assorted black fruits lead to a suave, dense, succulent offering that features outstanding volume and a 45-second finish. Give it another 3-4 years of cellaring and drink it from 2014 to 2027."
1.5h decant. Dense and concentrated aromas of plum, smoke, herbs and licorice. I agree with Parker on the very long finish. Acidity was a tad too high. Wish I would have bought more bottles (12€ on sale).
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12/11/2018 - cphd Likes this wine: 92 Points
Finally ready to drink 2019
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9/27/2018 - wtianseter wrote: 90 Points
This bottle was well balanced and coming together nicely. Firm fruit, good acid and a long smooth tannin finish. This bottle was lush and full that showed off a lot of fruit.
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5/28/2018 - gkentm Likes this wine: 91 Points
No visable indication of aging. Nose of dark berry and baking spice. Fine, dry tannins, raspberry, graphite, dark berry and mushroom on the palate. Delicious with potentially years of enjoyable life ahead.
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4/20/2018 - elevation02 wrote: 91 Points
A beautiful wine. Sad to drink the last bottle in my cellar.
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1/22/2018 - deschamp52 wrote: 90 Points
Beautiful viscosity. Nicely complex caramel notes.
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12/18/2017 - frontenac Likes this wine: 90 Points
My second bottle was terrific. Beautiful balance. There seems to be some bottle variation with these. I'd get more, if there are any around.
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12/9/2017 - srh Likes this wine:
Supposedly, 30% Syrah, 20% Merlot, 20% C.F., 20% C.S., & 10% Petit Verdot, aged for 18 mos in new FR oak;
N: CLOSED; Minerals, berries?
P: Med body; NICE frt met by firming acidity which pretty much continues through a fairly LONG, balanced finish with the barest hint of bitterness from time to time. FULLY mature, this elegantly styled wine (particularly compared to much [most?] SP wines) is drinking BEAUTIFULLY right now, & should continue to do so through '18 & at LEAST early '19. 94 pts WA & 91 RJonWine.
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11/18/2017 - PJohnsn wrote: 85 Points
Intersting, yet unremarkable. Handsome label. Not much nose. rich palate. weak finish. Not likely to buy again
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11/15/2017 - Obwanusa wrote: 89 Points
Bought a case @ Costco 10 months ago, have had 4 bottles throughout the summer with grilled meats. An interesting blend. Wine has been tight, needs a good decant, still tannic and acidic, but good nose and body. Plan to cellar it for another year before tasting again. Don't know how Parker ever saw 94 points, though.
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10/28/2017 - Breff wrote: 90 Points
Leather, dark dried fruit, a bit smokey, high tannin, acidic finish, not perfectly balanced
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9/3/2017 - Casual wrote:
Easy to drink and great with meat.
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8/14/2017 - CMN wrote: 83 Points
Purple colored with a scents of purple fruits and some medicinal notes. The palate is more complex than the nose suggests, with flavors of plum, iodine, green herbs, coffee and a bit of tar. A bit thin with slightly coarse and drying tannins.
Not a showstopper by any means, and certainly not worth the "94 Parker Points" that the label exclaims. A fine wine for a Monday and a good QPR at around $7/bottle, so long as you give a healthy decant.
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7/22/2017 - jonathanknowles wrote: 82 Points
Now then. This is a strange wine. After around half an hour's decant it has a strongly alcoholic and earthy smell, plum and red berries are the dominant fruit smells. Surprisingly it shows quite hard purple around the rim, barely a hint of age. Creamy feel in the mouth followed by a very drying fruitless finish. Complex: yes. Enjoyable: not sure. Cheap enough though.
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7/16/2017 - PJohnsn wrote: 82 Points
the label was the most enjoyable part of this wine
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7/6/2017 - isutclif@hotmail.com Likes this wine:
Soft bouquet.
Smokey creamy delicious.
90 is underscoring its complexity.
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6/29/2017 - srh Likes this wine:
Private Preserve after Day 1
Supposedly, 30% Syrah, 20% Merlot, 20% C.F., 20% C.S., & 10% Petit Verdot, aged for 18 mos in new FR oak;
N: Blk cherries, poss plums, with notes of chocolate & undertones of pyrazines
P: Med body; Nice frt buttressed by mid-P acidity which transitions into a fairly LONG, VERY slightly spicy, bitterswt choc finish. // Day 2: Decanted, then immediately tasted, today the N is WAY ahead of all but the VERY front P, although the lean firmness of most of the tasting experience ISN'T an issue with, say, bread & inexpensive, extra sharp Cheddar cheese. Also, improved somewhat with air over a span of ≈45 mins.
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6/14/2017 - wdlohr wrote: 88 Points
rich full, dark deep, decent finish
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5/31/2017 - gkentm Likes this wine: 93 Points
Second bottle rated. Decanted 90 minutes. Dark fruit on the nose. Moderately dry with ripe tannins. Beautiful dark fruit, minerality and subtle graphite on the palate. Absolutely delicious. I am glad I have several bottles left. It will be interesting to see how this wine evolves over the coming years. What a great value!
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5/21/2017 - wtianseter wrote: 88 Points
Nice wine but just beginning to open up. Needs more time in the bottle. Dark fruit smoke and oak.
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5/13/2017 - TK Mastres Does not like this wine: 84 Points
WTF? 94 from Parker/WA??? Ok I only tasted one bottle but this wine bears no resemblance to even an 89 point wine let alone wine that got a 94 from the most esteemed review source on the planet. Decanted for 1.5 hrs and still the nose is champhoric, somewhat grassy and a bit mediciny. Front shows little fruit and a lot astringency. Mid palate is deathly dry and gets no better on the fruitless and tannic finish. To me this is a grimly incomplete wine and though it isn't particularly expensive at $13 it's QPR is still quite bad. We won't be finishing this one so it's essentially money down the drain.
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4/3/2017 - ziavino wrote: 88 Points
A whiff of sulphur blows off after a bit, but the nose is unrevealing, only showing a faraway note of dark fruit. This wine is surprisingly lean (to me), with some tart dark fruit mixed with a skosh of tar on the palate. Floral and chocolate notes poke through after some air.
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4/1/2017 - srh Likes this wine:
Decanted ≈1 hr prior to pouring
Supposedly, 30% Syrah, 20% Merlot, 20% C.F., 20% C.S., & 10% Petit Verdot, aged for 18 mos in new FR oak;
N: VERY slightly closed; Plums slightly atop oak? There's an elegant, somewhat restrained, aspect implying POSS more to give?
P: Med, poss MF, body; Nice, ALMOST swtish frt nicely balanced by mid-P structure; Long, very finely tannic finish. Judging by the finishing structure (NOT a problem with Grilled Lamb Chops), off of today's bottle I'd say this still has a min of 2-3 yrs of life left. [As of mid Dec '19, wine-searcher still shows 2 bottles @ $85, *quite* a FAR cry from its $11.99 @ COSTCO several yrs ago].
Addendum: Also tasted on 8/16/16, + 6/29 & 12/9/17
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3/25/2017 - ajbergren wrote: 90 Points
Deep ruby infused with purple-red, consistent to rim, medium plus to high optical density, and very high reflectivity. The nose is intense and elegant at once, with an array of dark fruits, delicate florals, and vegetable garden soil, with rose pedals and tar providing a slight base. The palate shows medium to medium plus acidity, full body (with a density and viscosity that is high), and a very even texture with melted tannins that are present enough to leave a clean finish, but without astringency. Flavours are intense, and while not hugely complex, show some layering. The density does not quite support a high level of complex flavours, so while seemingly concentrated, there is not a heavy concentration of many flavours, but rather a concentration of of intensity. The attack brings dark fruits and florals, with perhaps some dried/stewed character, but not totally over-hot. The midpalate is interesting, as it brings on aromatic compounds, oak spices, and savory earth. The finish is medium in length, with smoky tobacco and lingering dried fruits over a base of toffee, coffee, and other oak influence, including toasty notes. Overall, a nice evolution of flavours, with big intensity, and enough depth to provide interest. More delicious than thoughtful, this has a great drinkability to go along with the intensity, although some may find it over oaked or over-ripe. I find it can suit a mood nicely, and that it straddles the elegant/overdone line with grace. A big, but controlled wine- like a linebacker in a suit!
I like this wine, and although it is pushing into a style I don't always get along with, this still is a great bottle of wine. This would be likely to please a crowd, as it will bring intensity and interest, but perhaps lack the depth and complexity needed for special occasions. Certainly drinking very well, with lots of life left, this is a great value wine- very nice!
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3/16/2017 - galewskj wrote: 88 Points
Pop and pour. Pleasant enough. I found this rather nondescript, but no noticeable flaws or problems with the wine. Decent plummy fruit. I might buy another bottle at this price.
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3/8/2017 - ddeckerdds Likes this wine: 93 Points
Excellent! Had it with Homemade tandori chix. Plenty of fruit. Not to harsh. Would pay $20-25 -no problem. Wish I had bought more.
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3/7/2017 - deppdepp wrote: 89 Points
As expected. Great for the price, medium body, dry and last long. One hour decanting did not give big difference.
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3/4/2017 - PartyMonster Likes this wine:
Well balanced, nice tobacco notes light fruit. Buy more at costco
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3/4/2017 - TannicBeast Likes this wine: 89 Points
In a blind tasting, I would have never guessed that this is a $12 wine from Costco and that it is almost 10 years old. It seems more youthful and drinks way above its price point. Dry, with ripe red fruit, black fruit and a little earth. With medium acidity, tannins and alcohol, this is a very balanced, food-friendly wine. It is medium bodied, with medium (+) flavor intensity and slight palate-cleansing bitterness on the finish. Amazingly enough, it was even better on the second day. 30% Syrah, 20% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Petit Verdot at an insane price.
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2/21/2017 - tgang wrote: 85 Points
Bought @ Costco for $12. Had been stored upright as cork was bone dry and needed TLC. Needed to decant big time. Gave it a couple hours. Dark color w/ no evidence of aging. Dark cherry, espresso and flowers on the nose. Dark and black fruit flavors, some fig and pepper. Cigar ash and pencil shavings. A bit bitter for my taste. Unripe plum part of lasting finish. The 94 point rating is perplexing. Not my cup of tea but my wife loved it.
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2/20/2017 - gkentm Likes this wine: 92 Points
Uncorked for 90 minutes prior to tasting. Moderately dusty tannins, medium bodied with purple plums, cigar and pencil on the palate. I believe this wine will develop more complexity in the coming few years, but it is welcoming now. Spain delivers once again.
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1/31/2017 - tcufletch wrote:
Bottle variation, bottle variation, bottle variation....so much. This is my third bottle and it is completely different than either of the first two. The first was not bad, the second was dumped on day 2 after only one glass b/c it showed nothing on the nose or palate and now this bottle is really good.
Dark cherry and floral nose; dark red fruits on the palate, slight oak, cedar, mocha, cigar box; juicy fruit; mild to moderate tannins.
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1/24/2017 - Ttrichey Likes this wine: 87 Points
Good nose but lacks depth of flavor.
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1/21/2017 - GregGH wrote: 88 Points
just how does Wine Advocate justify a 94 rating ...way over the top .... average for 88 and the price ....
These rating are getting more confusing every year ....
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1/18/2017 - millerarner Likes this wine: 86 Points
I see some tasters commenting on bottle variance. Ours was first and foremost confected cherry, which is surprising for a wine harvested almost 10 years ago. The fruit aspect reminded me of a Beaujolais Nouveau, which was even more surprising. There are also nice coffee & sweet tobacco notes, but the total package comes off as awkward & medicinal on the palate. More enjoyable to smell than drink.
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1/14/2017 - Matteo1 Likes this wine:
Sweet cherry fruit with tobacco, oak, and occasional flashes of mint. Still tastes and appears young with good structure. Very good qpr despite the sweetness.
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1/12/2017 - bugdoced wrote: 89 Points
tasted much better with food when a soft sweetness was elicited
on it's own I can see why it is in Parker's wheelhouse with some rhone valley characteristics
pretty good qpr tonight, but don't need to buy again
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1/10/2017 - Richard123 wrote: 88 Points
Just can't get excited about this wine. I think there is substantial bottle variance too.
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1/6/2017 - oenophilemoose wrote: 89 Points
Decanted and consumed over three hours. A good value and $12 at Costco. Very little wine stain on the cork which indicates this will has been stored in the upright position but the wine did not seem to be compromised by oxidation in the bottle. Medium body with dark fruit and earthiness but a tad too much acidity that lingered seemingly forever on the finish. This is a nuance I do not enjoy. The tannins are faint and not able to balance the acidity. This is definitely not a 94 point wine.
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1/5/2017 - Babik wrote: flawed
Corked.
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12/29/2016 - Richard123 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Much better than the previous bottle, more fruit, less oak. Must be bottle variance. Not bad for $12, although still not quite 90+
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12/29/2016 - sdwineguru Likes this wine: 90 Points
Great value at $12. Mid-dark garnet; herbaceous, peppery, oak nose; slight floral quality; mid-body; good fruit; tannins softening; long soft fruity finish. w/beef
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12/25/2016 - ljonas wrote: 94 Points
Smoky oak, pencil lead, Asian spices, incense, lavender, & assorted black fruits lead to a suave, dense, succulent offering that features outstanding volume & a 45-second finish.
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12/17/2016 - Nerve4Verve wrote: 82 Points
P&P... dark opaque elixir filled the glass with hints of dried cherry and tobacco. Surprisingly this still has tons of tannins that obliterate any fruit. Being that this is now 10 years old, I'm not sure where it's going and I'm afraid that there won't be any fruit left when the tannins do finally integrate... maybe it's already gone now. Looking at other's notes this could be a bad bottle, but the W.S. touted 94 points is still extremely optimistic.
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11/22/2016 - scott w Likes this wine: 86 Points
A mix of red and black plum hints of wood and some decent structure. Really needs and hour of air or so to balance itself out. Would have preferred to be able to drink on the pop n pour on a wine I bought for parties. All in all a pretty nice bargain basement wine.
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11/18/2016 - Richard123 Likes this wine: 88 Points
Not sure I get the 90+ scores here, unless there's bottle variance. It's nice enough, although a little far along the woody vanilla spectrum for my taste. Maybe decanting will help next time, but I'm not rushing out to buy more....
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11/17/2016 - texaswinelover wrote:
My 2nd bottle. Similar profile as last. Very drinkable. Acid above average. Old Worldly but splash of riper fruit.
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11/16/2016 - Grateful4Red Likes this wine: 90 Points
This time I did not taste the bell pepper, so this one was better than the last bottle
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11/8/2016 - In vino potestus est Likes this wine: 93 Points
This benefits from aeration and decanting. Yet another excellent bottle of rich succulent dark fruit with aromas and flavors to match. Consistent with prior notes. Drinking very, very well. Sturdy tannins. Has life left.
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11/8/2016 - WSF Likes this wine: 89 Points
Great value at $12 at Costco!
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10/29/2016 - Cabfrancophile wrote: 86 Points
While the layering and texture hint at a high end wine, the flavor palate is ultimately not that compelling. Tobacco and peppery aromas dominate without much fruit or tertiary development. Medium weight, fine texture, earthy dark chocolate finish. Kind of a decent BDX fruit profile with some gloss applied to it.
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10/29/2016 - In vino potestus est Likes this wine: 91 Points
This benefited by a one hour decant and was better than most recent prior bottle. Dark, no evidence of aging at the rim. Drinking very well now. Had the character of a second growth Bordeaux with fragrance of dark berries with some earth. Balanced rich fruit with tannins. Not a powerhouse but nuanced and elegant. Medium finish. This is probably at its peak.
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10/28/2016 - texaswinelover wrote:
Tasty but simple quaffer. Thankful for the Syrah to round out the profile and give it enough fruit to be enjoyable. Sure this would please a crowd but not wine snobs. Nothing overly offputting but nothing overly contemplative either. Can't imagine paying $60 for this. Picked these up at Costco for $12.
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10/22/2016 - holby100 wrote:
In 2016 needed another 2 years
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10/17/2016 - In vino potestus est Likes this wine: 89 Points
Less impressive than last bottle but still good. Decent dark fruit with fading tannins. Good balance, medium finish.
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10/15/2016 - harihawking Likes this wine:
Tastes better after decanting.
Notes of plum, tobacco
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10/14/2016 - srh wrote:
Private Preserve after Day 1
Supposedly, 30% Syrah, 20% Merlot, 20% C.F., 20% C.S., & 10% Petit Verdot, aged for 18 mos in new FR oak;
N: Rich, chocolatety berries with notes of pyrazines underneath?
P: MF body; EXCELLENT entry with tangy acidity & a touch of astringency on the LONG finish which, since it seemed to evolve in the glass, MAY benefit from a decant @ this juncture?
// Day 2: The closed N & MF body P both seemed down markedly from yesterday, taking a while to come to life. // Day 3: ≈Day 1, though now showing some alch & a hint of oxidation? // Day 4: ≈Day 1, though the alch now evident. Also, while oxidation was now definitely present, I wouldn't describe it as an issue, particularly with the night's full flavored cuisine. 94 pts WA & 91 RJonWine. [As of late Feb '20, wine-searcher still shows 2 bottles @ $85, *quite* a FAR cry from its $11.99 @ COSTCO several yrs ago].
Addendum: Also tasted on 8/16/16, + 4/1, 6/29, & 12/9/17
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10/9/2016 - oldcorke Likes this wine: 92 Points
Aromatically ~ restrained black & blue fruits, asian spice, blue flowers, clean black minerally earth, just short of volcanic soil. This is yet quite young. The first day it was powerfully tannic, a wine for sipping slowly with conversation on a cool nite. The second day it was far more generous with fruit, yet still holding back. The third day, it commands admiration with subtle elegance. The substantial black fruit is not over expressed, the tannins will protect it from oxidation for quite a long while, and the acid is proper to keep everything in balance and insure a good life in a cellar. I'll keep a few, and expect it will impress in 4-10 years time.
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10/6/2016 - Grateful4Red wrote: 88 Points
This had some pyrazine to it, otherwise it would have been great
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10/1/2016 - pecete wrote:
30% Syrah, 20% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Petit Verdot
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9/26/2016 - Margaux Bro Likes this wine: 90 Points
Really needs a long decant to come together. For $11.99 at Costco, you can't beat it
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9/16/2016 - cphd Likes this wine: 91 Points
Hold for a while - great after 3 days
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8/30/2016 - bps2266 wrote: 90 Points
stays in the same pleasure but evolution continues on my now monthly tastings. nose with more ripe blackberry and boysenberry. some chocolate emerges on the palate. slate more apparent. solid, would pair best with pork.
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8/28/2016 - thalver wrote:
Decanted and drunk from about half an hour over several hours. It was quite tight upon opening. The nose was a bit 'grapey' which usually doesn't portend great things. On the plate it was quite different. I would characterize it as medium bodied and fairly classically proportioned. Syrah seemed to dominate the flavor profile. Oak is well integrated. This was quite tannic for a medium-aged wine. I think I would pair it accordingly with food. I'm inclined to lay it down for a while, though there is a small risk that the tannins may outlive the fruit. 90-91
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8/24/2016 - bablues wrote: 93 Points
This has come around since last time I tried it. No long on the light side, and acidity is bursting along with wild berries and an amazing mouthfeel. I really like this.
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8/16/2016 - srh Likes this wine: 92 Points
[Used Private Preserve after Day 1]
N: Deep, seems rich, aromas of coffee, cocoa, plums poss some earth
P: Med, poss MF body; Rnd entry with EXCELLENT fruit & acidity; Seamless, with a VERY long finish! :)
Day 2 N: Not much; Some of the above, but much less intense
Day 2 P: Med body, the balance & intensity still there, but some oxidation noticeable on the finish.
Summary: My score is based upon the over the moon QPR of COSTCO's $11.99, who might be the only current retailer of note anyway. While I've questions about its longevity, I feel strongly it will drink well for at LEAST another 18 mos.
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8/14/2016 - Quaffing in Colorado Likes this wine: 90 Points
Well-balanced with a medium finish that presents red and black fruits and hints of tobacco and spice at an exceptional qpr. This is a no-brainer @ $12/bottle and easily pairs with a wide range of dishes.
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8/12/2016 - seattle64 wrote:
A lithe expressive wine that struts it's pedigree when given plenty of air. While on the lighter side, it's depth and complexity leave little doubt of it's original market intention . An elegant wine. Outstanding QPR and a nice change of pace.
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7/31/2016 - bps2266 wrote: 90 Points
second try. still a sweet nose but this time got a lot of licorice and menthol. fuller mouthfeel and anise on the palate. different experience but still pleasing.
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7/17/2016 - vesuvius wrote: 90 Points
Not a big wine, but drinking very smoothly, with fruit forward, subtle midspan and delicate finish. Drinks like the blend of generally French grapes it is. Others have suggested a long life, but I was not certain of that. Tannins are soft and not that strong. Seemed well-bottled however. For $12, a good value for the style.
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6/25/2016 - americanstorm Likes this wine: 92 Points
Great pop wine. Very enjoyable, everyone liked it. Last wine of the night but it held its own against some heavy hitters.
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6/19/2016 - MicklethePickle Likes this wine: 88 Points
Relatively dark ruby red with decent legs that hang around a bit. Surprisingly dark given its nine year age. Took time for this to open and soften, but it has on three day. Fairly aromatic nose shading to the spicy, red fruit side. Hard to describe, quite different from the reds I am used to drinking. A bit high-toned. I haven't looked to see what grape this is; if I had to guess I'd say Tempranillo, but different from other Spanish wines using that grape. Some vanilla notes. In the mouth it is tangy, a tad astringent with strong oak tannins still present on the finish. Strong and rustic. This is certainly a well-made wine, and the price is right, but I am not a great fan of this flavor profile, and my score will reflect that somewhat I'm afraid. 5-12-14-7: 88/100.
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6/17/2016 - bps2266 wrote: 90 Points
a lot of funk on the nose right out of the bottle that mellowed to a soil and vanilla scent with time. medium light and smooth. low acid. cherries, raspberries, chocolate, plum, and pepper on the palate with heat on the end a nice long finish. tannins barely there. drinks like a cali pinot noir but has just a little more length, layering, and refinement. it is a solid good that is magnified greatly by the fact it was only $11.99. probably not my favorite style, but arguably the best wine i've ever had at the price point.
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5/28/2016 - dkhale4 wrote: 91 Points
This isn't a 94 point wine. What it is though, is a great 90-91 point every day wine, especially at the $12 price point I was able to find. Bright, alive, and vibrant without being sloggy or heavy. Great find for a simple mid-week quaffer.
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5/23/2016 - In vino potestus est wrote: 94 Points
After decanting for @ 1 hour. Dark purple color. Deep rich nose with berries and spice. On the palate, extremely rich with deep flavors of berries with long finish and very smooth. Very very enjoyable. Drinking extremely well now, like a young wine despite 9 years of age. Should drink well for another 10 years. It is very tempting to just drink now.
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5/15/2016 - Umay Ceviker wrote: 91 Points
Blend of Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot aged for 18 months in new French oak. Mid-ruby coloured. Red berries mixed with zesty lemon and surrounded by peculiar earthy undertones. Medium weight, well balanced with well-tamed tannins and a supple mouth-feel. Shows extra layers of plum and licorice as well as a floral edge. The only complaint would be the warmth on the aftertaste.
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5/15/2016 - Munkni2004 wrote:
Found today at a local warehouse store can't wait to try this gem out.
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5/15/2016 - Margaux Bro Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drinking well now, but still needs a good decant. Can't believe I found it for $11.99
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4/1/2016 - americanstorm Likes this wine: 93 Points
What a nice wine. Poured thru a venturi then let sit about 45 min. Wonderful nose, dark as black ink, smooth, spicy, almost no tannins, long long finish. Licorice comes to mind. Have had many much more expensive wines that were not nearly as good. 93+ maybe even 94. Highly recommend.
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3/27/2016 - Joerg65 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Red blend of Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet, aged for 18 months in new french oak barrels. Taste of dark red berries, vanilla and oaky notes. Full-body Bordeaux style wine with a long finish. I got two bottles for the price of one, a really, really good bargain :) So I will buy more of this fine and elegant wine !
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12/21/2015 - MaineMark Likes this wine: 93 Points
Complex black fruits and a long finish. Cellaring has paid off--this is drinking very well now, and will certainly drink will for another 5+ years. Excellent.
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6/1/2015 - Xfactor wrote: 90 Points
Certainly on the lighter side, Syrah dominated the palate, lingering baked dark red fruits.
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12/14/2013 - Iceman611 wrote: 90 Points
Too tight first day to enjoy. Second day it was a bit like a good Bordeaux but nothing exceptional.
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8/2/2013 - Mmark Likes this wine: 90 Points
No formal notes, but a really great wine. Not oaky or over cooked.
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1/25/2013 - bablues wrote: 91 Points
This was lighter than I thought it would be considering the blend. Very elegant with a pretty nose an excellent mouthfeel. Can't wait for the next bottle.
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4/19/2012 - rjonwine@gmail.com wrote: 91 Points
Spanish Wine Cellar Trade Show 2012 (Bently Reserve Bldg, San Francisco, California): Medium dark ruby color; intense, tart currant, coffee nose; intense, tart currant, coffee, tar palate; medium-plus finish 91+ points (blend of Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot; aged 18 mos. in new French oak and 12 mos. in bottle)
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