Synthetic cork.. completely soaked and difficult to extract.. Intensely dark, blackish red color; no sign of bricking. Smell of violets, leather, dusty tannins and - as the wine opened up - crushed black pepper and some dark berry fruit. On the palate surprisingly suave and well integrated tannins, finishes with a peppery note. The wine was pleasant and improved once it opened up but did not offer any great complexity nor length once it went down the gullet. At more than 100$ the bottle when I originally bought it about 15 years ago, it was overvalued and underwhelming. New world style and, while not unattractive, I have moved past this style in the last 5 to 8 years.
dark red, purple, in the color. plum, blackberry, on the nose. blackberry, pepper, mineral, oak, on the palate. high acid, medium tannins, on the finish.
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In 2012 PeterK wrote this about this wine and scored a 89. Drinkabilty report says to drink now and I have 2 of these and 2 Petit Syrah.
I agree with the D report, the wine is excellent now and not likely ever better. I also agree mostly with PeterK remarks below " " wit a few exceptions. I didn't get hot. Beautiful in an hour and drank beautiful for 3 for my wife and I. Integrated? I thought it well balanced front to back. The other Ct scores of less value held me back from 92.
"Dark, hot, thick, fruity, mildly tannic, long finish. Not well integrated, but pleasant nevertheless. Improved after an hour in the decanter."
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Big wine that I think has improved tremendously with age. Previous bottles were high octane disjointed fruit and alcohol bombs. Now seems to be drinking well with ripe fruit and muted tannins.
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Color: violet Smell: hints of twiggy traits, restrained medicinal notes, fruit jam, Taste: Heat, heat, heat, dark fruits, jammy, astringency, and stewed fruit Overall: Not in balance, huge notes of heat on the palate...just not worth judging...
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This wine has aged well, better than I expected a few years ago. While it is a dense, very full-bodied wine, it is not unduly heavy. There is plenty of structure and a clean taste through the finish. Black fruit and savory spices, some sweetness from the ripe fruit, a bit of anise. NIce finish. A very pleasant surprise all the way around, and went wonderfully with meat loaf.
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Opened and let sit in bottle for about 90 min. Big brooding dark dark fruit on nose...while a scent of alcohol on the nose, it does not really carry over onto the wine. Smooth drinker as waves of layered black fruit hit the mid-palate, with a hint of spiciness on the finish. Great mouthfeel and soft tannins. This wine is drinking very well right now..Definitely a winner
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this one was like mud. bordering on black in color. dense. lotta alcohol. fruit there too but not a smooth experience. i am concluding this is just not my cup of tea.
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Powerful but hot due to high level of alcohol. Thick and fruity but it appears a bit uncoordinated and not enjoyable at the moment. It taste like a mass produced wine, which is surprising for this winery. Hold for another 2-3 years.
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Again, I question whether I gave up on this "Parker-centric" producer too soon (not expecting such high alcohol wines to survive, let alone improve). Still big, of course, but not too hot, with a more sensual mouthfeel than aromatic expression (not decanted). Nice long finish with tannins that suggest I may have cracked it too early. Synthetic "cork" dynamics?
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Dense black purple color; some tar on the nose but little else noted; full body; flavors of pepper, spice, and blackberries; firm tannins but in balance with the fruit; no signs of oxidatioin after sitting in the glass for four hours; should easily last several more years.
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Decent Syrah -- slightly strange "nail polish" type nose and mouthfeel upon opening. Starting to pick up a little speed, but it lacks the typical punch of B&H wines. The 15.6 alc is also evident -- fruit does not completely hide it.
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Drunk over 2 days. Intensely dark and impenetrable to light. Not as thick and fruity as used to (and tired of) w/ many B&H wines. Not much on the nose. Actually pretty good acidity and fruit not that forthcoming. Wine left me w/ a sense of more there than it was giving up. Wine may just be too young and needs time to let fruit open up. This seems like a strange conclusion for a B&H wine.
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Beautiful dark, dark red in the glass. Immediate nose of tar, stewed plums and strawberries, after 30 minutes pepper, tamari, Chinese spices.
On the palate, layers and layers of fruit and powerful tannins, not yet integrated.. this is way too early to drink this wine..a long finish predominated by young rough tannins and the hotness of alcohol (“15.6 % “)....so how do you rate it...now..it is maybe 87...five years from now maybe 93-ish
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Seattle Tasting Group does 'Rhône Rangers' (sort of) (Issaquah, WA): The nose shows blueberry, violet and a hint of volatility. With air I started to wonder if this was Shiraz as crazy notes of menthol, ripe plum and white pepper emerged. The palate is thick with black fruit and road tar, but is is also unfortunately is searing hot. I was honestly wondering who brought the Marquis Philips as a ringer. The finish is loaded with blackberry and pepper, but the stated 15.6% alcohol is just WAAAY too much to enjoy.
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This wine is awesome. Drank at the Wine Room with Rich and Jason. Wish I had ordered more. Dark purple. Great weight with gobs of black fruit. Acid just right. A pleasurable bottle to drink.
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2/2/2020 - Bandreas wrote:
Synthetic cork.. completely soaked and difficult to extract..
Intensely dark, blackish red color; no sign of bricking.
Smell of violets, leather, dusty tannins and - as the wine opened up - crushed black pepper and some dark berry fruit.
On the palate surprisingly suave and well integrated tannins, finishes with a peppery note.
The wine was pleasant and improved once it opened up but did not offer any great complexity nor length once it went down the gullet.
At more than 100$ the bottle when I originally bought it about 15 years ago, it was overvalued and underwhelming.
New world style and, while not unattractive, I have moved past this style in the last 5 to 8 years.
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5/16/2019 - djs wrote: 90 Points
Has held up well but hasn't gained the hoped for complexity.
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5/3/2019 - Labrador Likes this wine: 86 Points
No formal notes but this was an enjoyable wine that went well with Chinese cuisine.
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11/24/2018 - JGvine wrote:
No great beyond ideal drinking age
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12/28/2015 - Minnesota wrote: 92 Points
Drinking lovely, well-rounded fruit to tannin balance. Showed much younger than its actual age. Cellar stored since purchase, nearly 13 years.
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11/3/2014 - affordableCollector wrote: 88 Points
dark red, purple, in the color. plum, blackberry, on the nose. blackberry, pepper, mineral, oak, on the palate. high acid, medium tannins, on the finish.
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1/2/2014 - joedv8s Likes this wine: 91 Points
In 2012 PeterK wrote this about this wine and scored a 89. Drinkabilty report says to drink now and I have 2 of these and 2 Petit Syrah.
I agree with the D report, the wine is excellent now and not likely ever better. I also agree mostly with PeterK remarks below " " wit a few exceptions. I didn't get hot. Beautiful in an hour and drank beautiful for 3 for my wife and I. Integrated? I thought it well balanced front to back. The other Ct scores of less value held me back from 92.
"Dark, hot, thick, fruity, mildly tannic, long finish. Not well integrated, but pleasant nevertheless. Improved after an hour in the decanter."
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3/15/2013 - fitchbuck wrote: 90 Points
Tanzer must have had a ringer ... 91-94? For me - a weaker B&H.
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3/18/2012 - PourSomeRed wrote: 88 Points
Wine is finally drinking well. Slight bit of alcohol at first, but after 15 mins the wine became very good.
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2/11/2012 - peterk wrote: 89 Points
Dark, hot, thick, fruity, mildly tannic, long finish. Not well integrated, but pleasant nevertheless. Improved after an hour in the decanter.
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8/14/2011 - ogres3 wrote:
Big wine that I think has improved tremendously with age. Previous bottles were high octane disjointed fruit and alcohol bombs. Now seems to be drinking well with ripe fruit and muted tannins.
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3/27/2011 - Kirk Grant wrote: flawed
Color: violet
Smell: hints of twiggy traits, restrained medicinal notes, fruit jam,
Taste: Heat, heat, heat, dark fruits, jammy, astringency, and stewed fruit
Overall: Not in balance, huge notes of heat on the palate...just not worth judging...
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3/10/2011 - cdunn wrote: 91 Points
This wine has aged well, better than I expected a few years ago. While it is a dense, very full-bodied wine, it is not unduly heavy. There is plenty of structure and a clean taste through the finish. Black fruit and savory spices, some sweetness from the ripe fruit, a bit of anise. NIce finish. A very pleasant surprise all the way around, and went wonderfully with meat loaf.
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1/19/2010 - Coupe 60 wrote: 91 Points
Opened and let sit in bottle for about 90 min. Big brooding dark dark fruit on nose...while a scent of alcohol on the nose, it does not really carry over onto the wine. Smooth drinker as waves of layered black fruit hit the mid-palate, with a hint of spiciness on the finish. Great mouthfeel and soft tannins. This wine is drinking very well right now..Definitely a winner
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1/1/2010 - jad1964 wrote: 84 Points
this one was like mud. bordering on black in color. dense. lotta alcohol. fruit there too but not a smooth experience. i am concluding this is just not my cup of tea.
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11/8/2009 - Red Loki wrote: 88 Points
Very alcoholic but inky black fruit holds up well to balance out the profile. Less acid than an Australian Shiraz but otherwise similar.
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11/2/2008 - shapida wrote: flawed
An oxidized, pruney, alcoholic mess. Undriknable - not sure if the synthetic cork was the problem, but this bottle was flawed.
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10/11/2008 - ogres3 wrote:
one of eight drank with Big Dave and TJ - no helpful memories
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5/29/2008 - no leashes wrote: 91 Points
Delicious, rich, yet well balanced, syrah. Blueberry, blackberry, tar and earth flavors, drinking beautifully.
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5/28/2008 - jakob.krummenacher@gmail.com wrote: 89 Points
Powerful but hot due to high level of alcohol. Thick and fruity but it appears a bit uncoordinated and not enjoyable at the moment. It taste like a mass produced wine, which is surprising for this winery. Hold for another 2-3 years.
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4/17/2008 - 2loyal wrote: 90 Points
Again, I question whether I gave up on this "Parker-centric" producer too soon (not expecting such high alcohol wines to survive, let alone improve). Still big, of course, but not too hot, with a more sensual mouthfeel than aromatic expression (not decanted). Nice long finish with tannins that suggest I may have cracked it too early. Synthetic "cork" dynamics?
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3/31/2008 - knelsfk wrote: 90 Points
Dense black purple color; some tar on the nose but little else noted; full body; flavors of pepper, spice, and blackberries; firm tannins but in balance with the fruit; no signs of oxidatioin after sitting in the glass for four hours; should easily last several more years.
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10/4/2007 - Fredwilo wrote: 87 Points
Decent Syrah -- slightly strange "nail polish" type nose and mouthfeel upon opening. Starting to pick up a little speed, but it lacks the typical punch of B&H wines. The 15.6 alc is also evident -- fruit does not completely hide it.
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8/8/2006 - d7jersey wrote: 91 Points
serious heat serious fruit, not bad at all.
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7/23/2006 - shaferguy91 wrote: 90 Points
Decanted 1.5 hours.
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1/22/2006 - CMCLR wrote: 87 Points
Too much Aussie Shiraz. Over-ripe.
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11/25/2005 - shaferguy91 wrote: 91 Points
Decanted 2 hours.
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10/14/2005 - Mr T wrote: 90 Points
Drunk over 2 days. Intensely dark and impenetrable to light. Not as thick and fruity as used to (and tired of) w/ many B&H wines. Not much on the nose. Actually pretty good acidity and fruit not that forthcoming. Wine left me w/ a sense of more there than it was giving up. Wine may just be too young and needs time to let fruit open up. This seems like a strange conclusion for a B&H wine.
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4/21/2005 - michaelgor wrote:
Beautiful dark, dark red in the glass. Immediate nose of tar, stewed plums and strawberries, after 30 minutes pepper, tamari, Chinese spices.
On the palate, layers and layers of fruit and powerful tannins, not yet integrated.. this is way too early to drink this wine..a long finish predominated by young rough tannins and the hotness of alcohol (“15.6 % “)....so how do you rate it...now..it is maybe 87...five years from now maybe 93-ish
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3/5/2005 - Eric wrote: 85 Points
Seattle Tasting Group does 'Rhône Rangers' (sort of) (Issaquah, WA): The nose shows blueberry, violet and a hint of volatility. With air I started to wonder if this was Shiraz as crazy notes of menthol, ripe plum and white pepper emerged. The palate is thick with black fruit and road tar, but is is also unfortunately is searing hot. I was honestly wondering who brought the Marquis Philips as a ringer. The finish is loaded with blackberry and pepper, but the stated 15.6% alcohol is just WAAAY too much to enjoy.
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5/28/2004 - DaveF wrote: 95 Points
This wine is awesome. Drank at the Wine Room with Rich and Jason. Wish I had ordered more. Dark purple. Great weight with gobs of black fruit. Acid just right. A pleasurable bottle to drink.
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