One of the deepest darkest longest cellaring and boldest wines you should try! I constantly applaud Bob for helping to revive and keep this varietal going!
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Round, concentrated and full body with ripe tannins. Balanced structure with focused flavors. A perfect foil for all tomato based pasta or chicken dishes. Kudos.
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Dark purple, a little initial funk, opened up after a couple hours decant. luscious dark berry nose. Full bodied, rich smooth palate. med tannins, has more time. My first charbono, something between a full-bodied syrah and a good Ridge Zin? look forward to trying more.
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I know... 93 for a charbono! But it is such a unique varietal, and Bob is really a specialist with it! If you like Petite Sirah, especially a deep age worthy one, then you likely would love this wine!
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Similar to 2013 note. Brick color with a full body. Rich texture with a medium finish - Dark purple. Sediment. Unique profile, big mouth coating black berry fruit, cola, pecan, but not too sweet or hot; earthy. Good but not complex. It’s holding up very well.
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Color: deep dark red. Nose: dark fruit, plum, minor licorice. Body:medium. Acid:Medium. Tannins are soft. Palate is mainly dark fruit and ripe plum, some licorice, some tobacco/leather/smoke. Very rustic wine as others mentioned. Not overly complex but I'm ok with that. It is drinking well right now, seems to be at a nice peak. Beautiful crystallized cork. I Enjoyed this.
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Threw a massive amount of sediment. Surprising, considering the year/varietal and the fact that I've had this before. Must have been stored improperly by the store, or maybe even got a bit cooked at some point. Amazingly, still drinkable. Not as rich as last time (obviously) but good.
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Never had this varietal, but very cool bottle of wine. As mentioned by others, the cork is completely dark and saturated. Seemed similar in structure to Petit Verdot. Very dark, but more fruit, low alcohol, and soft, although prominent tannin. Solid finish. Very earthy but has solid deep and dark fruit. Another awesome Robert Foley wine!
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Nice bottle. Really enjoyed, and it seems to be at a wonderful peak right now. Agree with others that there is a rustic feel to the wine. Toast, coffee, vanilla, tobacco all work in harmony. The fruit is there too, it's just content to be a backup singer rather than lead vocalist.
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One of the prettiest corks I have ever seen, crystallized sugars coated the bottom of the cork. One of the darkest wines, yet it isn't thick or over the top. Wonderful change of pace and a great QPR.
Fascinating inky nose of dark fruit with a hint of vegetal characteristics. Ripe dark fruit on the palette, medium acidity and finish. An uncomplicated wine, and yet lovely in its uniqueness.
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Nice but not great. Wild raspberry flavors. Not a great deal of nuances . Will hold up well to pizza or other tomatoe based foods such as marinara. Use in place of a chianti.
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- Brick color with a full body. Oily texture with a medium finish - Dark purple. Lots of sediment evident on sides of bottle. Unique profile, big mouth coating black berry fruit, cola, pecan, but not too sweet or hot; very earthy. Moderately long finish. An interesting wine offering intrigue for the jaded palate.
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Tried it at a tasting hosted by Robert Foley. Aged 18 months in neutral barrels before release. Dark purple. Dark berry and vanilla flavors. A little primary and rustic, with big fruit but relatively moderate alcohol (13.5%). The acidity is medium to medium plus. The alcohol and body are medium. The tannins and flavor intensity are medium plus. The finish is medium in length. Drinking well now, but likely to improve through 2014. A good and unique wine, made from cuttings brought over in the 1880s from Savoie. Not a particularly great value, however.
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Black licorice and green & red pepper on nose. Once it opened up, layers of cherries jubilee with dark chocolate coated the palate. Solid, unique bottle to try.
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Pleasantly surprised with this little orginal Californian vino. Agree with others: cherry and chocolate, even milk chocolate on finish. I didn't think too much about it: poured and enjoyed and would just think about it this way. Limited production, but will definitely seek it out when I can. Unique and fun. Thumbs up.
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Deep black fruit; fairly rich, tanninc with a good dose of oak; black earth and a touch of black cherry. Decent, interesting red. This is Bonarda in Italy.
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Our first bottle of 6 enjoyed last night, an unusual grape for CA production, just a delightful rustic somewhat elemental red from Foley which we thoroughly enjoyed. The bottle was opened for about 6 hours and then sat in the glass opening up a further 30 minutes prior to consumption. A good QPR CA red at this price point and I really recommend it but it needs air and is definitely still young with anticipated improvement especially with improved overall balance. Very dark, full bodied, long aftertaste, solid mouth feel, fruitforward with strong tannins still present. Nose dark and primary with dark fruit, spice and black pepper. Primary flavors elemental and dark with dark fruit, leather, loam, raisins and tobacco / smoke on the aftertaste. Really looking forward to tracking the development of this wine over the next couple of years.
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What Would You Drink - Sommelier's Favorites (Pappas Bros.): Cherry and dark chocolate on the nose, with earth and leather, and some spice at the end. Cherry and milk chocolate on the palate, with some leather and earth, and a good spicy finish.
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Every time I open a bottle I am taken back. This is so different than any other wine, fruit forward but not what you would think. A great wine to open when you are with some drinking buddies and want to surprise.
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Simple and rustic yet very appealing due to its uniqueness. Can't pinpoint why or what makes this so different but made me think of Grandpa's grape orchard. Unsophisticated but tons of home and heart in the wine. A wonderful change of pace.
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Recomended by the somalier at Charlie Palmer's in Dallas as an excellent QPR wine. He was right. A very approachable and balanced wine with black fruit, well integrated tanins and hints of spice and pepper. The finish is very smooth and moderately long. It made an excellent pairing with lamb chops.
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Have not had grape before- between a syrah, zin, petite syrah. Fruit and pepper, astringent finish on own but smooth w spicy food. Body is young but quite approachable now.
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12/30/2023 - Ridgerunner Likes this wine: 93 Points
One of the deepest darkest longest cellaring and boldest wines you should try! I constantly applaud Bob for helping to revive and keep this varietal going!
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3/12/2023 - Winiac wrote: 93 Points
Round, concentrated and full body with ripe tannins. Balanced structure with focused flavors. A perfect foil for all tomato based pasta or chicken dishes. Kudos.
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5/18/2020 - redz wrote: 91 Points
Dark purple, a little initial funk, opened up after a couple hours decant. luscious dark berry nose. Full bodied, rich smooth palate. med tannins, has more time. My first charbono, something between a full-bodied syrah and a good Ridge Zin? look forward to trying more.
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4/1/2020 - Colpete Likes this wine: 93 Points
An outstanding Charbono. Light fun wine.
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9/2/2018 - Ridgerunner Likes this wine: 93 Points
We just love Charbono
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8/22/2018 - Ridgerunner Likes this wine: 93 Points
I know... 93 for a charbono! But it is such a unique varietal, and Bob is really a specialist with it! If you like Petite Sirah, especially a deep age worthy one, then you likely would love this wine!
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3/6/2018 - StainedGlass wrote: 89 Points
Similar to 2013 note. Brick color with a full body. Rich texture with a medium finish - Dark purple. Sediment. Unique profile, big mouth coating black berry fruit, cola, pecan, but not too sweet or hot; earthy. Good but not complex. It’s holding up very well.
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12/7/2016 - Ridgerunner Likes this wine: 93 Points
Just an infant... could age another 20 years and it will only improve!
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11/2/2014 - JLuch1 wrote: 91 Points
Color: deep dark red. Nose: dark fruit, plum, minor licorice. Body:medium. Acid:Medium. Tannins are soft. Palate is mainly dark fruit and ripe plum, some licorice, some tobacco/leather/smoke. Very rustic wine as others mentioned. Not overly complex but I'm ok with that. It is drinking well right now, seems to be at a nice peak. Beautiful crystallized cork. I
Enjoyed this.
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7/13/2014 - Gymnvali wrote: 88 Points
Strong tobacco flavors with a fruit finish.
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7/12/2014 - TXRhoneRanger wrote: 91 Points
so juicy and rich!
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6/28/2014 - Rick 4 Wine wrote: 90 Points
great wine for good pizza
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2/11/2014 - gabird wrote: 90 Points
F III
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12/16/2013 - millerarner wrote:
Threw a massive amount of sediment. Surprising, considering the year/varietal and the fact that I've had this before. Must have been stored improperly by the store, or maybe even got a bit cooked at some point. Amazingly, still drinkable. Not as rich as last time (obviously) but good.
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10/7/2013 - Mrp2008 wrote: 91 Points
Never had this varietal, but very cool bottle of wine. As mentioned by others, the cork is completely dark and saturated. Seemed similar in structure to Petit Verdot. Very dark, but more fruit, low alcohol, and soft, although prominent tannin. Solid finish. Very earthy but has solid deep and dark fruit. Another awesome Robert Foley wine!
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10/4/2013 - Chiquard Likes this wine: 88 Points
Vin sympa avec pas mal de matière, mais c'est l'amertume du fruit qui prédomine en bouche.
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9/28/2013 - millerarner Likes this wine: 92 Points
Nice bottle. Really enjoyed, and it seems to be at a wonderful peak right now. Agree with others that there is a rustic feel to the wine. Toast, coffee, vanilla, tobacco all work in harmony. The fruit is there too, it's just content to be a backup singer rather than lead vocalist.
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4/17/2013 - jaxpaj wrote: 91 Points
One of the prettiest corks I have ever seen, crystallized sugars coated the bottom of the cork. One of the darkest wines, yet it isn't thick or over the top. Wonderful change of pace and a great QPR.
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3/3/2013 - AngelicWines wrote: 90 Points
Fascinating inky nose of dark fruit with a hint of vegetal characteristics. Ripe dark fruit on the palette, medium acidity and finish. An uncomplicated wine, and yet lovely in its uniqueness.
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2/23/2013 - Flookes wrote: 90 Points
Really enjoying this, dark in color, a little bit of bitter fruit, smooth finish. Ready to drink but could see someone letting it sit another year.
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2/15/2013 - cliffkol wrote: 87 Points
Side Bern's Wine Store Tasting (Tampa, Fl.): Dry, mouth filling and overwhelming tannins. Young, needs more time to integrate. (Doris 84. Diluted, thin)
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2/2/2013 - garyty wrote: 89 Points
Fine but nothing too elegant or complex here. I prefer Foley's other offerings to this.
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1/29/2013 - Bill Johnson Likes this wine: 90 Points
Nice but not great. Wild raspberry flavors. Not a great deal of nuances . Will hold up well to pizza or other tomatoe based foods such as marinara. Use in place of a chianti.
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1/29/2013 - StainedGlass wrote: 89 Points
- Brick color with a full body. Oily texture with a medium finish - Dark purple. Lots of sediment evident on sides of bottle. Unique profile, big mouth coating black berry fruit, cola, pecan, but not too sweet or hot; very earthy. Moderately long finish. An interesting wine offering intrigue for the jaded palate.
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1/13/2013 - TannicBeast Likes this wine: 90 Points
Tried it at a tasting hosted by Robert Foley. Aged 18 months in neutral barrels before release. Dark purple. Dark berry and vanilla flavors. A little primary and rustic, with big fruit but relatively moderate alcohol (13.5%). The acidity is medium to medium plus. The alcohol and body are medium. The tannins and flavor intensity are medium plus. The finish is medium in length. Drinking well now, but likely to improve through 2014. A good and unique wine, made from cuttings brought over in the 1880s from Savoie. Not a particularly great value, however.
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1/1/2013 - raydawgone Likes this wine: 90 Points
Black licorice and green & red pepper on nose. Once it opened up, layers of cherries jubilee with dark chocolate coated the palate. Solid, unique bottle to try.
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12/26/2012 - gnosis wrote:
Pleasantly surprised with this little orginal Californian vino. Agree with others: cherry and chocolate, even milk chocolate on finish. I didn't think too much about it: poured and enjoyed and would just think about it this way. Limited production, but will definitely seek it out when I can. Unique and fun. Thumbs up.
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9/23/2012 - peternelson wrote: 89 Points
Deep black fruit; fairly rich, tanninc with a good dose of oak; black earth and a touch of black cherry. Decent, interesting red. This is Bonarda in Italy.
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6/23/2012 - ikkaariainen wrote: 90 Points
Our first bottle of 6 enjoyed last night, an unusual grape for CA production, just a delightful rustic somewhat elemental red from Foley which we thoroughly enjoyed. The bottle was opened for about 6 hours and then sat in the glass opening up a further 30 minutes prior to consumption. A good QPR CA red at this price point and I really recommend it but it needs air and is definitely still young with anticipated improvement especially with improved overall balance. Very dark, full bodied, long aftertaste, solid mouth feel, fruitforward with strong tannins still present. Nose dark and primary with dark fruit, spice and black pepper. Primary flavors elemental and dark with dark fruit, leather, loam, raisins and tobacco / smoke on the aftertaste. Really looking forward to tracking the development of this wine over the next couple of years.
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4/20/2012 - brianngibson wrote: 90 Points
Rustic, fruit forward, high QPR bottle. The raisin, black cherry, plum, and blackberry fruit rise to the occasion against the still gritty tannins.
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4/6/2012 - mmurry Likes this wine: 89 Points
What Would You Drink - Sommelier's Favorites (Pappas Bros.): Cherry and dark chocolate on the nose, with earth and leather, and some spice at the end. Cherry and milk chocolate on the palate, with some leather and earth, and a good spicy finish.
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3/31/2012 - pizzasomm wrote: 88 Points
taste: jammy but mostly dry, luscious berry notes, smoky dark chocolate finish
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2/24/2012 - Attorney Somm wrote: 91 Points
One of my favorites. Popped and poured with pizza.
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2/9/2012 - Jab_343434 wrote: 91 Points
Terrific wine. Very unique. Lots of fruit upfront smooth finish.
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1/10/2012 - jaxpaj wrote: 89 Points
Every time I open a bottle I am taken back. This is so different than any other wine, fruit forward but not what you would think. A great wine to open when you are with some drinking buddies and want to surprise.
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11/7/2011 - jaxpaj wrote: 90 Points
Simple and rustic yet very appealing due to its uniqueness. Can't pinpoint why or what makes this so different but made me think of Grandpa's grape orchard. Unsophisticated but tons of home and heart in the wine. A wonderful change of pace.
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9/25/2011 - tgkswine wrote: 92 Points
Recomended by the somalier at Charlie Palmer's in Dallas as an excellent QPR wine. He was right. A very approachable and balanced wine with black fruit, well integrated tanins and hints of spice and pepper. The finish is very smooth and moderately long. It made an excellent pairing with lamb chops.
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9/23/2011 - moxielady wrote: 90 Points
Have not had grape before- between a syrah, zin, petite syrah. Fruit and pepper, astringent finish on own but smooth w spicy food. Body is young but quite approachable now.
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5/14/2011 - msilver wrote: 90 Points
Never had this grape before. Nice deep purple color, nose similar to a spicy shiraz. Very nice on the pallete for a young wine.
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