I've opened too many older VC's lately that have been sweet gloopy messes, with insufficient delineation, lack of acidity and insipid flavors. But not this one -- sure, it was big-fruited, but with no suggestion of excess R/S, ample acidity, and mostly savoury and herbal aromas and flavors. I don't know whether the lesson is that VC wines should be drunk younger, or that the viticultural practices and winemaking improved substantially right as I was dropping off the mailing list. In any case, this particular bottle of this particular wine was a very pleasant surprise.
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I did not know what to expect but this wine was on point. Really fresh tasting with black raspberry fruit, woodsmoke, chewy herbs and lavender and a lifted mouthfeel with tannic finish. Aromatics are very bright and the wine has great energy. Really worked well with pollo asado.
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Ripe and fruit-forward, but with air this mellowed and showed more tannins. Well balanced, smooth tannins, luscious flavors. Paired very well with homemade sausage pizza.
Me - 91, Wife - 92
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A bit simple, but nicely balanced. Still fruit forward, with enough acid and tannin to keep it lively, and allow further aging. Enough underlying hints to possibly turn into something special in a few years.
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Decanted 2hrs then tasted over three nights. Added weight on nights 2 and 3 but otherwise the same wine. Basic profile of cherries, white pepper, and smoky underbrush with a firm tannic spine. Hopefully this will soften and provide reasonable pleasure with a couple of years in cellar, though developing complexity may be a stretch. Resolute and unexciting now.
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Popped and poured, let sit in glass for 45 minutes. Finished on night two. Intriguing nose of cherries, raspberries, briars and leather. Big cherry fruit on the palate, with a dash of tartness/acidity on the front end. Finishes smoothly, and lingers. Enjoyed.
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Not an overly complex wine...somewhat tannic and limited flavor. A blend of syrah and carignan, the fruit is in the background and doesn't show through. A disappointment from what I consider to be one of the better Paso wineries.
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PNP+20. The nose presents with some cranberry, wood smoke and an underlying richness thats a bit elusive. The front carries the wood smoke and sour cherry/cranberry theme and picks up some pronounced tannins that carry it through the mid and into a long dry finish. I would gladly trade some of the length and dryness of the finish for a bit more lushness but perhaps the years will provide just that. A bit too early for this one I fear, but still, no regrets. Rated at its current state but will certainly rate higher in a few years:-)
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14.8% ABV. Opaque dark garnet in the glass. My initial impression of this wine was one of off-putting oak. With some coaxing some roasted earth notes, reminiscent of Priorat, which I think was the winemaker's intent emerged. Rhonish aromas, chunky full-bodied. This appears to need some time.
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Cris Cherry fashioned this wine after Priorat. 50% old vine carignan from the Colombini Vineyard in Mendocino and 50% Syrah from the Bassetti Vineyard near Cambria. Unique and fascinating. Great richness and depth with a floral overtone. Excellent balance, but with fine tannic and acidic structure. A success on many levels. Cris is one of the most imaginative and eclectic winemakers out there. This is a triumph. Should improve for at least another 5 years and hold much longer.
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10/19/2019 - Ed B Likes this wine: 92 Points
PnP at a dinner party. No detailed notes. Smooth. Rich. Great flavor. Got rave reviews.
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7/5/2017 - ParisWino Likes this wine: 91 Points
I've opened too many older VC's lately that have been sweet gloopy messes, with insufficient delineation, lack of acidity and insipid flavors. But not this one -- sure, it was big-fruited, but with no suggestion of excess R/S, ample acidity, and mostly savoury and herbal aromas and flavors. I don't know whether the lesson is that VC wines should be drunk younger, or that the viticultural practices and winemaking improved substantially right as I was dropping off the mailing list. In any case, this particular bottle of this particular wine was a very pleasant surprise.
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5/27/2017 - rmodak wrote: 92 Points
I did not know what to expect but this wine was on point. Really fresh tasting with black raspberry fruit, woodsmoke, chewy herbs and lavender and a lifted mouthfeel with tannic finish. Aromatics are very bright and the wine has great energy. Really worked well with pollo asado.
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9/12/2016 - GoBlue2002 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Ripe and fruit-forward, but with air this mellowed and showed more tannins.
Well balanced, smooth tannins, luscious flavors.
Paired very well with homemade sausage pizza.
Me - 91, Wife - 92
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6/5/2016 - millerarner Likes this wine: 91 Points
A bit simple, but nicely balanced. Still fruit forward, with enough acid and tannin to keep it lively, and allow further aging. Enough underlying hints to possibly turn into something special in a few years.
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11/18/2014 - Redguy wrote: 85 Points
Decanted 2hrs then tasted over three nights. Added weight on nights 2 and 3 but otherwise the same wine. Basic profile of cherries, white pepper, and smoky underbrush with a firm tannic spine. Hopefully this will soften and provide reasonable pleasure with a couple of years in cellar, though developing complexity may be a stretch. Resolute and unexciting now.
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10/12/2014 - Beachgrub wrote: 89 Points
Very dry deep color. Cherry and some smoke on the nose. Long finish but a bit tannic and acidic at this point. Can wait a while for the next bottle.
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8/23/2013 - The Wine Write Likes this wine: 91 Points
Popped and poured, let sit in glass for 45 minutes. Finished on night two. Intriguing nose of cherries, raspberries, briars and leather. Big cherry fruit on the palate, with a dash of tartness/acidity on the front end. Finishes smoothly, and lingers. Enjoyed.
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8/15/2013 - T.O.Wineaux wrote: 85 Points
Not an overly complex wine...somewhat tannic and limited flavor. A blend of syrah and carignan, the fruit is in the background and doesn't show through. A disappointment from what I consider to be one of the better Paso wineries.
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7/31/2013 - TK Mastres wrote: 89 Points
PNP+20. The nose presents with some cranberry, wood smoke and an underlying richness thats a bit elusive. The front carries the wood smoke and sour cherry/cranberry theme and picks up some pronounced tannins that carry it through the mid and into a long dry finish. I would gladly trade some of the length and dryness of the finish for a bit more lushness but perhaps the years will provide just that. A bit too early for this one I fear, but still, no regrets. Rated at its current state but will certainly rate higher in a few years:-)
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5/31/2013 - Mike Dildine Likes this wine: 92 Points
Unique, rich and tasty!
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11/20/2011 - OneLastSyrah wrote:
14.8% ABV. Opaque dark garnet in the glass. My initial impression of this wine was one of off-putting oak. With some coaxing some roasted earth notes, reminiscent of Priorat, which I think was the winemaker's intent emerged. Rhonish aromas, chunky full-bodied. This appears to need some time.
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10/28/2011 - Mike Dildine wrote: 93 Points
Cris Cherry fashioned this wine after Priorat. 50% old vine carignan from the Colombini Vineyard in Mendocino and 50% Syrah from the Bassetti Vineyard near Cambria. Unique and fascinating. Great richness and depth with a floral overtone. Excellent balance, but with fine tannic and acidic structure. A success on many levels. Cris is one of the most imaginative and eclectic winemakers out there. This is a triumph. Should improve for at least another 5 years and hold much longer.
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