This lost nothing by sitting for seven years in our cellar, which included a move. Mild in the nose, with a bit of strawberry. Lots of blackberry on the palate, with some leather, and a nice spicy finish. I really expected this to be vinegar when I opened it, but it was still solid and very enjoyable. We ate a beef skillet meal, but this would also have gone well with pork or even BBQ chicken.
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PnP. Didn't need any air time at all. Nose was a little muted but palate was very generous. This had the delicious factor going for it. Easily 90+ if there was bit more acidity. Even though this held up over 2 nights I would drink now rather than hold. Would buy again.
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This was nice, but nothing special. Probably a little heavier on Syrah, and the ripest Syrah at that--just kind of jammy. There is no real backbone to this wine, it's more a friendly Cotes du Rhone than a Gigondas, Vacqueyras, or CdP. But good CdR can be had for very little, and can be more interesting than this wine. For that matter, you can get Fess Parker's Frontier Red and it serves much the same purpose. Better examples of this blend from California include Terre Rouge's wines, Cline's Cashmere and Syrah, and the late lamented La Provencale from Jade Mountain.
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A great example of the Rhone Ranger style of central California blends. Big, lush, fruity, easy drinking. Not designed to blow your socks off, but to drink well with that Christmas ham.
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"Classic rhone-clone from California...Beckmen is notorious for creating structured, fruit-driven, lengthy wines with this blend. TOP blended wine in my opinion coming out of the new world!
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Tasted over several days - consistent throughout. Juicy and ripe with some very nice and spicy Rhone red and dark berry flavors. Seems to have less woody flavors than previous vintages, which I applaud. Fairly well balanced and interesting red that can be consumed with food or without. The best Cuvee Le Bec of the last 4 vintages.
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Not decanted, consumed over 1 1/2 hours. Light-medium body, with nice balance between dark red and black fruit, moderate acidity, and a hint of spice to keep it from being too simple. Seems about fairly priced for a wine which reminds me of a nice, New World-leaning Cotes du Rhone-level wine.
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Not much on the nose when first opened. After 15 minutes it shows great fruit, spices and some slight leather notes. The longer it is open the better it gets, second day it was softer, more fruit and great nose. Great value!
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2/15/2019 - scarlet834 Likes this wine: 90 Points
This lost nothing by sitting for seven years in our cellar, which included a move. Mild in the nose, with a bit of strawberry. Lots of blackberry on the palate, with some leather, and a nice spicy finish. I really expected this to be vinegar when I opened it, but it was still solid and very enjoyable. We ate a beef skillet meal, but this would also have gone well with pork or even BBQ chicken.
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4/20/2015 - kmicho Likes this wine: 88 Points
I think the last three reviews summarize it perfectly. I liked it; however, I don't know that it's worth almost $20/bottle.
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10/27/2014 - carlsport Likes this wine: 89 Points
Very easy drinking crowd pleaser.
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6/21/2014 - profittj Likes this wine: 86 Points
fruit forward, light pepper, smooth and clean wine.
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5/26/2014 - Katieq1127 wrote: 88 Points
Very smooth, beautiful deep fruit, very easy to drink a definite palate pleaser!
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1/28/2014 - jfurey21 wrote: 89 Points
seems to be drinking better than the last time. Let it open for a little bit and ready to go. I ran through the vinturi which did not hurt.
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11/2/2013 - dresden wrote: 89 Points
Great QPR.
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10/26/2013 - Sniffy-Sniff Likes this wine: 89 Points
PnP. Didn't need any air time at all. Nose was a little muted but palate was very generous. This had the delicious factor going for it. Easily 90+ if there was bit more acidity. Even though this held up over 2 nights I would drink now rather than hold. Would buy again.
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10/15/2013 - Baylorwine wrote: 88 Points
Solid Rhone Ranger blend. Not dynamic, but very balanced. Enjoyed over 3 nights.
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7/25/2013 - jfurey21 wrote: 87 Points
completely shut when open. Needs at least 30 to open a bit. solid everyday wine and decent QPR.
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5/23/2013 - Wino Laurie wrote: 88 Points
Nice everyday red wine...not real complex, but pleasantly fruit forward with earthy components, typical of a Rhone wine
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4/21/2013 - jfurey21 wrote: 89 Points
Nice. easy drinking.
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2/22/2013 - jokinaka wrote: 85 Points
Nice fruit on the front, spicy Syrah in the middle, not sure of the finish. Could be smoother on the tail end.
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2/16/2013 - ewill wrote:
Dark, ruby red color
Still some light tannins in base, some green pepper, some leather, medium big fruit
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1/27/2013 - jfurey21 Likes this wine: 87 Points
Solid everyday wine. Not sure if the QPR is there.
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1/3/2013 - BATWine Likes this wine: 87 Points
Good weeknight wine. Needed a little time to open up.
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12/30/2012 - Not647f wrote: 87 Points
This was nice, but nothing special. Probably a little heavier on Syrah, and the ripest Syrah at that--just kind of jammy. There is no real backbone to this wine, it's more a friendly Cotes du Rhone than a Gigondas, Vacqueyras, or CdP. But good CdR can be had for very little, and can be more interesting than this wine. For that matter, you can get Fess Parker's Frontier Red and it serves much the same purpose. Better examples of this blend from California include Terre Rouge's wines, Cline's Cashmere and Syrah, and the late lamented La Provencale from Jade Mountain.
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12/27/2012 - mattlennert Likes this wine: 89 Points
A great example of the Rhone Ranger style of central California blends. Big, lush, fruity, easy drinking. Not designed to blow your socks off, but to drink well with that Christmas ham.
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11/23/2012 - alex.lewis Likes this wine: 87 Points
good QPR. Solid wine but without much complexity. It's been a staple for awhile but starting to think there are better cali-rhones out there.
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9/7/2012 - Mootsie wrote: 85 Points
Juicy, sweet, red fruit Rhone style blend. A little over its price point. Should be under $10. Easy drinking and somewhat forgettable.
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9/4/2012 - carlsport wrote: 89 Points
Really nice while eating burgers poolside. Enjoyed by all as it has some complexity but is smooth and fresh at the same time. Great QPR.
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8/13/2012 - fullpint wrote: 92 Points
"Classic rhone-clone from California...Beckmen is notorious for creating structured, fruit-driven, lengthy wines with this blend. TOP blended wine in my opinion coming out of the new world!
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7/19/2012 - Votefordennis wrote: 90 Points
A huge difference after it sat for a day - smooth and fruity instead of the tartness when first opened.
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7/13/2012 - carlsport wrote: 88 Points
Tasted at winery. A red my wife enjoys, which is rare. Well balanced for this price point.
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5/26/2012 - BATWine wrote: 89 Points
Kind of a fruit bomb, but still a good patio wine.
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5/17/2012 - PIntag wrote: 88 Points
Tasted over several days - consistent throughout. Juicy and ripe with some very nice and spicy Rhone red and dark berry flavors. Seems to have less woody flavors than previous vintages, which I applaud. Fairly well balanced and interesting red that can be consumed with food or without. The best Cuvee Le Bec of the last 4 vintages.
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4/8/2012 - bretrooks wrote: 87 Points
Not decanted, consumed over 1 1/2 hours. Light-medium body, with nice balance between dark red and black fruit, moderate acidity, and a hint of spice to keep it from being too simple. Seems about fairly priced for a wine which reminds me of a nice, New World-leaning Cotes du Rhone-level wine.
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3/25/2012 - Martin Redmond wrote: 88 Points
2012 Rhone Rangers Grand Tasting (San Francisco, Fort Mason Festival Pavillion): Dark red fruit and herbs de provence aromas. Light-bodied with fruity slightly tart raspberry, dark cherry, and spice flavors
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5/28/2011 - Vinobrother wrote: 92 Points
Not much on the nose when first opened. After 15 minutes it shows great fruit, spices and some slight leather notes. The longer it is open the better it gets, second day it was softer, more fruit and great nose. Great value!
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