Picked this up on a whim, needed a quick pop n'pour wine. Pleasantly surprised. Lots of spice notes, with a healthy profile of dark fruits and berries. Enjoy it now!
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This Priorat is a venture between Eric Solomon, Philippe Cambie and producer Joan Sangenis. Aged for 1 year in 2 year old barrels. 60% Grenache (60+ year old vines) and 40% Carignan (80 year old vines). Crimson color. Not decanted. Notes of black pepper, raw meat and spicy red fruit. Moderate tannins. Drink now as this seemed to be slightly past it's peak. 89-90 points.
Ridiculous how many people are getting secondary fermentation in these bottles. I bought two of the 2010, and now both have suffered from it. The 2011, on the other hand, was quite good.
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Interesting bottle. The cork had some black sticky stuff under the foil. Cork broke in half but did not have any wetness in the middle to account for the sticky top. Wine was fine, very acidic (not effervescent like some notes mentioned but more like a fresh white wine). The acidity backed off over the next half hour but the freshness stayed intact. Fruit forward, medium plus weight, with no tannin on the finish. Tasted more like a Ribera than a Priorat. We will see if other bottles are similar or if this was as unique bottle.
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This is a beautifully-made wine, good concentration, rugged texture and dark cherry and blackberry flavors, but with enough exotic character to raise it to greatness. But personally, I find it a bit too sweet for my palate.
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Bursting with black fruit, plum, blackberry, soft, rich, very concentrated. If anything, a bit on the sweet side, which is not to my palate, but this is a very well-made wine. A sipper, drink over a couple of days. Nice with a rib-eye steak.
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Bottle #5 of 7. Strange - a bit spritzy at first, then muddled and subdued. My guess is this is fading, but it may also be in a bit of a shell right now. I'll be drinking my remaining bottles this year.
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This (along with other Priorat Granaches) continues to impress me. Great core flavors and balance, along with long finish. Maybe a bit of a fruit bomb with the beloved "complexity," but this was great drinking over three nights under pump.
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At first sip I did not like this, but it improved rapidly with a small amount of aeration. Very powerful and almost sweet straight out of the bottle, but luckily the sweetness mellowed out. This is a wine to accompany strong and flavorful dishes, not seafood or anything delicate.
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This bottle a little spritzy. The first of my six pack to show this. Different from previous bottles, this is more subdued and basic, without the boldness and nuance. Just kind of 'blah.'
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Big ripe fruit tempered by a savory green streak. Serious depth, tannic grip and excellent acidity. The sweet and savory are much better integrated now. A lot of wine for a little price!
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This was really nice drinking and different. Certainly a balanced, deep good flavored wine that was a pleasure to drink over two nights (under pump) but a different flavor profile than I'm used to. Could get me to try more Priorats.
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Bought in November 2012 from Wine Library. This was my sixth of six - the other bottles were good enough on QPR that I bought a case of the 2012, but this one was flawed with the fizziness others have described.
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Bottle 4 of 6 and none flawed so far. This wine is in the perfect place right now where the descending arc of bold youth intersects with ascending integration and nuance. Super food-friendly as others have noted. Very complimentary to, and easy to drink with, teriyaki chicken and togarashi. Bottle just disappeared.
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Dusty, chalky blueberry. Blue and black fruit, dense, concentrated, full-bodied. A touch floral with some dried violets and a little tartness. At times I got a little tingle on the tip of my tongue, as if there was a slight carbonation or effervessence, but it never lasted/always faded quickly. Very nice, but not as superb as the previous bottle from another vintage. Nonetheless a perennial buy. 88 pts.
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Wouldn't buy again. Has an effervescent quality that's off-putting. Taste of cola and figs. Not like any other Grenache I've ever tried. Maybe needed more time in the bottle.
Not made in a style I usually admire, this is big and bold. It does have more nuance than previously, and I'd even say this can benefit from some bottle age. Still this is quite delicious now, and has some detail to go with its brash orientation, so I might not wait too long - not really confident this will stay the course in the cellar. Surprisingly though, this is a muscle-bound loudmouth that actually walks its talk. Really quite good with grilled burgers. Just re-read my previous note from 18 months ago, and I'd say both notes show a pretty good picture into this wine's evolutionary track. Grudgingly, and respectfully, this deserves its 91pts.
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Different flavor profile from your typical red wines, but still good, interesting, balanced. If I really paid $16 for this (as my notes indicate) this is a steal. Spain is a player.
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At first I felt like I was experiencing some of the secondary fermentation mentioned in other review, characterized by the fizziness. If I did, it went away after about 30 minutes, as my wife did not detect it. This was very fruit forward with strong "grapey" notes for lack of a more sophisticated term. It seemed over extracted at first with hints of stewed fruit in the background but it balanced out over time and into the second day. Not unpleasant, but not sure where to go with this one. Let it sit or drink as a crowd pleaser red on the sweeter end of the spectrum?
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I agree w a number of you that this is flawed. I just tried the 2nd of 4 bottles from a case I split w two other people. This one is also undrinkable for the same reasons you've already mentioned. I'm assuming I'll be dumping my remaining bottles...
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Bad bottle. Overly sweet, fizzy. Similar to comments below, so presume this is part of bad batch. Disappointing, because the 2009 was outstanding. Have two more of the 2010 that haven't been opened.
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it was the best wine i had ever had when i tried the first bottle a year ago or so and it's even better now. this time, for the first hour or two a silky texture brought forth much fruit, but without the sweetness it displayed on first try. then things started to build, with more body and power taking over, and this became quite potent in the final two hours. but what must be said is that at no time in the 4 1/2 hours we spent together did anything overwhelm. this was really awesome stuff.
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Tastes like a European, old world wine on steroids (not as subtle). Love the nose. Violets / floral, but also some blueberry/blackberry and spice. A little minerality/graphite here too. Second vintage I've tasted, and this will now become an annual buy for me. 89-90 pts.
9 further bottles ruined by secondary fermentation. Apparently a crucial filter at the winery was defective, but the failure only seems to have affected a batch bottled for the German market. Boy did this stuff fizz on the way down the kitchen sink!
Good primary notes of black cherry, blueberry jam and figs on the nose. There is also the undeniable presence of oak. Lots of new oak. The palate is thick with extracted fruit and oak. The only saving grace is this wine's balance. Pretty well made if you like this style, especially when you consider the price. Tannins are a touch harsh, but no heat and with a couple more years this could be very nice.
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This in not refined. It's a bold in your face wine and feels like a blend of two distinctly different wines. There is the boold fruity jammy side and a terroir driven side. They just don't come together as one
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Didn't decant, but should have. After quite some time open, it really became an excellent wine -- like a great zin. Initial strong leather and jam declined significantly, to leave tons of dark fruit, balanced tannin, spicy palate all in good balance.
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Tried at a tasting - fantastic. Interesting, earthy nose. On the palate, fresh and lively with lip-smacking acidity. Couldn't really say what *it* is that I liked so well, but I bought a case! Great QPR too!
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Nose: Pretty tight. There's some rocky minerality, black licorice, and leather, as well as the high-toned burnt herb smell I associate with concentrated, old-vine grenache. But the fruit tends toward the grapey side, and I sense some heat and a lot of extraction. Not promising.
Mouthfeel: Full bodied and agressive.
Palate: It seems like this is based on good vines from good terroir, but the ripeness level and winemaking make for an awkward, unbalanced wine. The fruit is jammy and overextracted, which also makes the herbal and floral notes turn bitter, and the strong alcohol makes it almost taste like a liqeur (the label says 14.5%, but I think that's low; not sure of the labeling laws in Spain). It finished alcoholic and slightly bitter-sour, with moderate tannin.
I know this is extremely young, but I just don't see it ever coming into balance. It did improve some after I decanted it, but I still wasn't feeling it.
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Nice wine with jammy component. Lacks the cedar/herbal component of most Priorat wines that I find enjoyable. Early drinking wine at a nice price point.
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This is one big strong muscular wine but without the crazy alcohol or jaminess that usual accompany such wines. Really nice smoke, dark fruits, earth which just went so great with a spiced up grilled steak.
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This is not a particularly complex wine...but it tastes so good, especially with a lot of air. It really works for what it is. Thankfully, it doesn't taste overdone. By the third day, the texture at the mid and back palate was stunning, silk-like. Based on comlexity, it deserves no more than 91, but it rates off-the-chain in the hedonism category, therefore 93.
It could age a few years without issue, but also responds remarkably to air.
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Another great Priorat wine from the village of Porrera (province of Tarragona / Catalunya). A typical Catalan blend of 60 percent Garnatxa and 40 percent Carinyena (60 to 80 year old vines) that was aged for 12 months in two year old barriques. Intense dark cherry-red in color and an exuberant bouquet of blackberry, cassis, tar, licorice and some slight earthy tones. On the palate this modernly styled wine combines power and elegance, revealing amazing amounts of refined red fruit, a perfect balance and wonderfully caressing tannins. Long and delicious finish. The wine is extremely enjoyable now (still in its open and fruity stage), but it has certainly a great potential to improve. An incredible value for the money.
Alweer een schitterende Priorat-wijn uit het dorpje Porrera (provincie Tarragona / Catalonië). Een typisch Catalaanse blend van 60 percent Garnatxa en 40 percent Carinyena (van 60 tot 80 jaar oude wijnstokken), die een rijping van 12 maanden in barriques (twee jaar oud) meekreeg. Intens donker kersrood van kleur, met een uitbundig bouquet van bramen, cassis, teer, zoethout en wat zachte aardse tonen. Gemaakt in een moderne stijl, paart deze wijn kracht aan elegantie ; een perfect uitgebalanceerde wijn vol verfijnd rood fruit en super zachte, fluwelige tannines. Lange, heerlijke finale. De wijn is nu bijzonder goed op dronk (nog steeds in zijn open en fruitige fase), maar heeft ook een goed ontwikkelingspotentieel. Onwaarschijnlijk veel wijn voor uw geld.
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I had this after dinner on 4/20/13. It had a deep, smoky, pungent bouquet of black cherry, mocha, spice and minerals. The palate was ripe, powerful, dry and a little jammy with flavors of black cherry, raspberry, spice and minerals…also a touch of heat.
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At a tasting. Initial impressions were dark fruits, smoke, and earth on the nose. Fruit forward, backed by considerable structure on the palate. Balanced, nice minerality, great mouthfeel, no harsh edges. Bought a bottle to try at a later date.
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inky dark; new world nose of berries, a hint of mint and alcohol. Opulent palate of jam but not over oaked. Well rounded and structured with a respectable finish. Will pair wonderfully with lamb or pizza but great on its own as well. A rare find for the price
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From 75cl, good cork. Taken on holiday to Egypt and drunk in idyllic circumstances by the Nile, but far too warm for a serious assesment. Intense, very sweet, balsamic, better on second day. No hurry. Judgement reserved.
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Density, black cherry, baked earth, smoke, baking spice. Succulent and juicy red fruit, with underlying blue fruit. Quite concentrated, yet focused and structured, and some zesty acidity. ★
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Nose - cinnamon, clove, toasted oak Mouth - full of Christmas spices. Sugar and spice and all that's nice. Seems overly sweet for my palate though I can see how many will love this. Possibly will pick up with some years in bottle. Recheck in several years. Points on potential.
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Dark ruby purple. Plump dark berry fruit in the nose. Definitely different grapes at work here. Good dollop of fruit, round and somewhat sweet fruit profile. Briary. Medium finish, not particularly complex. 4-11-13-6: 84/100
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Leather, blackberries, a little tar, lightly tannic - actually pretty wonderful. The only thing not to my liking is its a little sweet or jammy, but that's the Grenache, and it's not overpowering. Great wine for this price point!
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Leather, blackberry, cassis, and strawberry all evident on the nose and the palate. Nice acidity and light tannin underneath. It seemed just slightly too jammy, but that might improve with age. Nice wine, worth watching over the next few years.
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This note from long ago, and from memory. I remember deciding that I didn't like it enough to cellar it for the requisite time for it to be in my zone, though it would be significantly better then, and it'd be best used as a party wine over the next 8 years or so. Great for the price, but not really where I'm at these days.
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12/28/2022 - schrakj Likes this wine: 87 Points
Hints of smoke and leather with smooth finish
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10/16/2021 - casjf Likes this wine: 88 Points
Dark crimson with flavors of black currant and black plum with a pepper finish. Served with bolognese pappardelle.
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3/3/2020 - Kentw Likes this wine: 90 Points
Extra two years made a difference from my last bottle. Nicely balanced all around. Great QPR. But the key was aging it till 2020.
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11/22/2019 - msh305 wrote: 90 Points
Picked this up on a whim, needed a quick pop n'pour wine. Pleasantly surprised. Lots of spice notes, with a healthy profile of dark fruits and berries. Enjoy it now!
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10/31/2019 - Vino Me wrote: 89 Points
This Priorat is a venture between Eric Solomon, Philippe Cambie and producer Joan Sangenis. Aged for 1 year in 2 year old barrels. 60% Grenache (60+ year old vines) and 40% Carignan (80 year old vines). Crimson color. Not decanted. Notes of black pepper, raw meat and spicy red fruit. Moderate tannins. Drink now as this seemed to be slightly past it's peak. 89-90 points.
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3/19/2019 - jlanzmo wrote: 93 Points
Drinking very well these days
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11/4/2018 - Quarked wrote: flawed
Ridiculous how many people are getting secondary fermentation in these bottles. I bought two of the 2010, and now both have suffered from it. The 2011, on the other hand, was quite good.
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8/23/2018 - Kentw wrote: 88 Points
Similar to last note. Lots of acidity like zest. Decent drinker but have had better priorat mix from this producer.
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5/20/2018 - Kentw wrote: 88 Points
Interesting bottle. The cork had some black sticky stuff under the foil. Cork broke in half but did not have any wetness in the middle to account for the sticky top. Wine was fine, very acidic (not effervescent like some notes mentioned but more like a fresh white wine). The acidity backed off over the next half hour but the freshness stayed intact. Fruit forward, medium plus weight, with no tannin on the finish. Tasted more like a Ribera than a Priorat. We will see if other bottles are similar or if this was as unique bottle.
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4/15/2018 - WineAggregate Likes this wine: 89 Points
This is a beautifully-made wine, good concentration, rugged texture and dark cherry and blackberry flavors, but with enough exotic character to raise it to greatness. But personally, I find it a bit too sweet for my palate.
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12/31/2017 - ipp wrote: 87 Points
slightly effervescent, possible second fermentation in bottle?
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12/5/2017 - RobertVitello wrote: 85 Points
Funky, maybe on its way out the door.
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7/24/2017 - ipp wrote: 90 Points
very fruity, more so than I remember ... limited backbone
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7/6/2017 - schaden43 wrote: 80 Points
Looking like it's past it's prime. Have one more to drink, hope it's better.
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6/12/2017 - WineAggregate Likes this wine: 91 Points
Bursting with black fruit, plum, blackberry, soft, rich, very concentrated. If anything, a bit on the sweet side, which is not to my palate, but this is a very well-made wine. A sipper, drink over a couple of days. Nice with a rib-eye steak.
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4/15/2017 - sawira wrote:
Adequate. Just barely. Spritzy, fat, fleshy. Ugh.
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4/10/2017 - levinml wrote: 91 Points
One of those deals of the century for $16. Good taste, balance and structure. Holding up well. Wish I had more.
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11/15/2016 - John O' wrote: flawed
gonzo
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11/12/2016 - sawira wrote: 84 Points
Bottle #5 of 7. Strange - a bit spritzy at first, then muddled and subdued. My guess is this is fading, but it may also be in a bit of a shell right now. I'll be drinking my remaining bottles this year.
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7/9/2016 - Oldmanzin Likes this wine: 91 Points
Lucious dark fruit notes accented by mild tannins makes this medium weight priorat very enjoyable. Great value.
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6/25/2016 - WineAggregate Likes this wine: 91 Points
Tar, saddle leather, licorice, very concentrated and powerful, but rich and lush too. Blakcberry, plum, and tar on the nose. A touch of sweetness.
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6/2/2016 - sawira wrote: 88 Points
Good, not great. Certainly more faded and less chiseled than previous bottles. Fading?
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5/31/2016 - levinml wrote: 93 Points
This (along with other Priorat Granaches) continues to impress me. Great core flavors and balance, along with long finish. Maybe a bit of a fruit bomb with the beloved "complexity," but this was great drinking over three nights under pump.
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4/6/2016 - Dar3 wrote: 90 Points
At first sip I did not like this, but it improved rapidly with a small amount of aeration. Very powerful and almost sweet straight out of the bottle, but luckily the sweetness mellowed out. This is a wine to accompany strong and flavorful dishes, not seafood or anything delicate.
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1/26/2016 - sawira wrote:
This bottle a little spritzy. The first of my six pack to show this. Different from previous bottles, this is more subdued and basic, without the boldness and nuance. Just kind of 'blah.'
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12/26/2015 - s******n Likes this wine: 90 Points
Balancierter Priorat, recht starke Säure für einen P und nicht ganz die typische Pflaumen Nase und Geschmack.
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12/1/2015 - redmd2203 wrote: flawed
Fizzy!!Terrible!
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12/1/2015 - redmd2203 wrote: flawed
Absolute disgrace!!!!
So far, the 2010 case I bought has yielded 6 bottles that are shot: fizzy!
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9/29/2015 - ephorn Likes this wine: 94 Points
Big ripe fruit tempered by a savory green streak. Serious depth, tannic grip and excellent acidity. The sweet and savory are much better integrated now. A lot of wine for a little price!
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9/24/2015 - levinml wrote: 92 Points
This was really nice drinking and different. Certainly a balanced, deep good flavored wine that was a pleasure to drink over two nights (under pump) but a different flavor profile than I'm used to. Could get me to try more Priorats.
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9/6/2015 - redmd2203 wrote: flawed
Also flawed.
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9/6/2015 - redmd2203 wrote: flawed
Flawed.
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8/10/2015 - Quarked wrote: flawed
Secondary fermentation -- fizzy and massively acidic. Bought from WL like many others here.
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7/23/2015 - jackaroo Likes this wine: 93 Points
Definitely needs at least an hour decant. Amazing value!
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7/10/2015 - ey1294 wrote: 92 Points
Fizzy to start, decanted and two hours later it was gone,
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6/16/2015 - bkrup wrote: flawed
Secondary fermentation. Funky smell. 2nd bottle that was undrinkable. One to go.
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3/28/2015 - Redrunners wrote: flawed
Fizzy mess like many others from wine Library
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3/13/2015 - hesnctrl wrote: flawed
Frizzante!
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3/4/2015 - Altonplace wrote: flawed
Bought 6....first 2 are a fizzy mess
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3/4/2015 - Altonplace wrote: flawed
Fizzy: corked
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2/24/2015 - Zitan wrote: flawed
Bought in November 2012 from Wine Library. This was my sixth of six - the other bottles were good enough on QPR that I bought a case of the 2012, but this one was flawed with the fizziness others have described.
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2/3/2015 - WineAggregate wrote: 89 Points
Still youngish, sweetish, and very dark, tarry, inky. A bit extreme for me, but I'm sure it's a very well made wine and reflective of its terroir.
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1/21/2015 - Rollerball Likes this wine: 92 Points
Bottle 4 of 6 and none flawed so far. This wine is in the perfect place right now where the descending arc of bold youth intersects with ascending integration and nuance. Super food-friendly as others have noted. Very complimentary to, and easy to drink with, teriyaki chicken and togarashi. Bottle just disappeared.
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1/10/2015 - MadisonWIneGuy wrote: 88 Points
Dusty, chalky blueberry. Blue and black fruit, dense, concentrated, full-bodied. A touch floral with some dried violets and a little tartness. At times I got a little tingle on the tip of my tongue, as if there was a slight carbonation or effervessence, but it never lasted/always faded quickly. Very nice, but not as superb as the previous bottle from another vintage. Nonetheless a perennial buy. 88 pts.
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11/16/2014 - mjgkng Likes this wine: 92 Points
Sweet fruit forward. smooth. Gets better with age. Really enjoyed it with beef.
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10/27/2014 - boogeyone wrote: 87 Points
Wouldn't buy again. Has an effervescent quality that's off-putting. Taste of cola and figs. Not like any other Grenache I've ever tried. Maybe needed more time in the bottle.
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10/9/2014 - mjgkng Likes this wine: 92 Points
Great with cheese pizza.
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8/4/2014 - mjgkng Does not like this wine: 85 Points
Not sure if it's simply I style I'm not familiar with, or it is flawed. Will try again to be sure--I bought a case.
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7/28/2014 - esauter wrote:
CFA Summer Event in Kalahari, Sandusky
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7/4/2014 - sawira wrote: 91 Points
Not made in a style I usually admire, this is big and bold. It does have more nuance than previously, and I'd even say this can benefit from some bottle age. Still this is quite delicious now, and has some detail to go with its brash orientation, so I might not wait too long - not really confident this will stay the course in the cellar. Surprisingly though, this is a muscle-bound loudmouth that actually walks its talk. Really quite good with grilled burgers. Just re-read my previous note from 18 months ago, and I'd say both notes show a pretty good picture into this wine's evolutionary track. Grudgingly, and respectfully, this deserves its 91pts.
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5/28/2014 - levinml wrote: 91 Points
Different flavor profile from your typical red wines, but still good, interesting, balanced. If I really paid $16 for this (as my notes indicate) this is a steal. Spain is a player.
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5/4/2014 - WestonGRfx wrote: 90 Points
Getting better. Bought a case, the cost was exceptional. The wine just keeps getting better. Plenty of character and expression from a $16 bottle
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4/6/2014 - bkrup wrote: flawed
At first I felt like I was experiencing some of the secondary fermentation mentioned in other review, characterized by the fizziness. If I did, it went away after about 30 minutes, as my wife did not detect it. This was very fruit forward with strong "grapey" notes for lack of a more sophisticated term. It seemed over extracted at first with hints of stewed fruit in the background but it balanced out over time and into the second day. Not unpleasant, but not sure where to go with this one. Let it sit or drink as a crowd pleaser red on the sweeter end of the spectrum?
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4/1/2014 - stillsipping wrote: flawed
I agree w a number of you that this is flawed. I just tried the 2nd of 4 bottles from a case I split w two other people. This one is also undrinkable for the same reasons you've already mentioned. I'm assuming I'll be dumping my remaining bottles...
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4/1/2014 - Richard123 wrote: flawed
Same as the other flaw reports; slightly fizzy, overly sweet, nastily unbalanced. Oh well.
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3/30/2014 - Enzo D wrote: flawed
Bad bottle. Overly sweet, fizzy. Similar to comments below, so presume this is part of bad batch. Disappointing, because the 2009 was outstanding. Have two more of the 2010 that haven't been opened.
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3/8/2014 - WineAggregate Likes this wine:
Young, tarry, withholding rating until it settles down. 4th day still good. Rob thought too sweet.
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2/10/2014 - Sauvyfan Likes this wine: 88 Points
Again, much more harmonious on the 2nd night. Nice value at $16.
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2/10/2014 - gordongarlic wrote: 92 Points
it was the best wine i had ever had when i tried the first bottle a year ago or so and it's even better now. this time, for the first hour or two a silky texture brought forth much fruit, but without the sweetness it displayed on first try. then things started to build, with more body and power taking over, and this became quite potent in the final two hours. but what must be said is that at no time in the 4 1/2 hours we spent together did anything overwhelm. this was really awesome stuff.
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1/19/2014 - twoglassesofwine wrote: 89 Points
Dark berries, smooth, jammy
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1/14/2014 - BordeauxBuff Likes this wine: 93 Points
Not a complex wine, but approachable tannins, great fruit on the mid palate, and a long finish.
Outstanding QPR wine. One of the best value wines coming out of Spain today. I've enjoyed this wine on multiple occasions. Strongly recommended.
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12/25/2013 - MadisonWIneGuy wrote: 89 Points
Tastes like a European, old world wine on steroids (not as subtle). Love the nose. Violets / floral, but also some blueberry/blackberry and spice. A little minerality/graphite here too. Second vintage I've tasted, and this will now become an annual buy for me. 89-90 pts.
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12/25/2013 - WestonGRfx wrote: 89 Points
at $16 you cannot go wrong...will not disappoint. Balanced and Mature, great with our without food. Many layers of goodness.
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11/14/2013 - affordableCollector wrote: 88 Points
dark purple, red, in color. metal pipes, spice, dark fruit, on the nose. spice, blackberry, sweet, on the palate. medium acid on the finish.
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10/31/2013 - Mark Brandon Likes this wine: 91 Points
Big, obvious, blue and purple fruit... with some depth. Yummy.
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10/7/2013 - cmr Likes this wine: 90 Points
89 - 91 throughout the evening. Slightly disjointed on opening but balanced out beautifully over the night.
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9/24/2013 - honest bob wrote: flawed
9 further bottles ruined by secondary fermentation. Apparently a crucial filter at the winery was defective, but the failure only seems to have affected a batch bottled for the German market. Boy did this stuff fizz on the way down the kitchen sink!
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9/21/2013 - Sauvyfan Likes this wine: 88 Points
Good primary notes of black cherry, blueberry jam and figs on the nose. There is also the undeniable presence of oak. Lots of new oak. The palate is thick with extracted fruit and oak. The only saving grace is this wine's balance. Pretty well made if you like this style, especially when you consider the price. Tannins are a touch harsh, but no heat and with a couple more years this could be very nice.
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9/15/2013 - schaden43 wrote: 85 Points
Needed time to open up. Probably will be much better in a couple years.
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9/11/2013 - winelovr2001 wrote: 85 Points
Overly jammy and over blown with sweetness and oak. Sad really.
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8/12/2013 - ICaWineGuy wrote: 86 Points
PnP. Nose of blackberry, bing cherry, with some light herbs.
The palate is similarly juicy and jammy with light tannins.
Not bad, though being a priorat I was expecting something a bit more oaky and extracted. It will be interesting to see what it's like tomorrow.
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8/6/2013 - CarpeVinum wrote: 87 Points
This in not refined. It's a bold in your face wine and feels like a blend of two distinctly different wines. There is the boold fruity jammy side and a terroir driven side. They just don't come together as one
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7/21/2013 - maderay wrote: 87 Points
G+.
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7/15/2013 - cubswinws wrote: 88 Points
Nice fairly simple expression. Decent wine for short term consumption
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7/14/2013 - CarpeVinum Likes this wine: 88 Points
Crowd pleasing Granache without an abundance of fruit, nice body and some earthiness
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7/12/2013 - folsomarndt wrote: 91 Points
Well balanced and enjoyable. Great QPR.
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7/10/2013 - tanninbomb Likes this wine: 89 Points
The first bottle of this was exactly as the label night suggest - a flinty, slate like edge unpinned by dark fruit. Second bottle was just muddled.
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7/9/2013 - honest bob wrote: flawed
2nd bottle tried this evening: Secondary fermentation in bottle. Fizzy, yeasty, ugh.
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7/9/2013 - honest bob wrote: flawed
Secondary fermentation in bottle. Fizzy, yeasty, ugh.
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6/25/2013 - Richard123 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Didn't decant, but should have. After quite some time open, it really became an excellent wine -- like a great zin. Initial strong leather and jam declined significantly, to leave tons of dark fruit, balanced tannin, spicy palate all in good balance.
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6/25/2013 - cookiefiend wrote:
Tried at a tasting - fantastic. Interesting, earthy nose. On the palate, fresh and lively with lip-smacking acidity. Couldn't really say what *it* is that I liked so well, but I bought a case! Great QPR too!
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6/6/2013 - Alemany wrote: 91 Points
Wow!!!
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5/27/2013 - JVG wrote: 84 Points
Color: Deep, plummy purple.
Nose: Pretty tight. There's some rocky minerality, black licorice, and leather, as well as the high-toned burnt herb smell I associate with concentrated, old-vine grenache. But the fruit tends toward the grapey side, and I sense some heat and a lot of extraction. Not promising.
Mouthfeel: Full bodied and agressive.
Palate: It seems like this is based on good vines from good terroir, but the ripeness level and winemaking make for an awkward, unbalanced wine. The fruit is jammy and overextracted, which also makes the herbal and floral notes turn bitter, and the strong alcohol makes it almost taste like a liqeur (the label says 14.5%, but I think that's low; not sure of the labeling laws in Spain). It finished alcoholic and slightly bitter-sour, with moderate tannin.
I know this is extremely young, but I just don't see it ever coming into balance. It did improve some after I decanted it, but I still wasn't feeling it.
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5/26/2013 - cubswinws Likes this wine: 89 Points
Nice wine with jammy component. Lacks the cedar/herbal component of most Priorat wines that I find enjoyable. Early drinking wine at a nice price point.
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5/20/2013 - cmr Likes this wine: 92 Points
This is one big strong muscular wine but without the crazy alcohol or jaminess that usual accompany such wines. Really nice smoke, dark fruits, earth which just went so great with a spiced up grilled steak.
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5/7/2013 - Scott Butler Likes this wine:
Wow, what a great bottle of wine. Smoke, graphite, dark fruits, a bit of old world bitterness with new world fruits. Need to find more of this.
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5/6/2013 - Motz wrote: 93 Points
This is not a particularly complex wine...but it tastes so good, especially with a lot of air. It really works for what it is. Thankfully, it doesn't taste overdone. By the third day, the texture at the mid and back palate was stunning, silk-like. Based on comlexity, it deserves no more than 91, but it rates off-the-chain in the hedonism category, therefore 93.
It could age a few years without issue, but also responds remarkably to air.
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4/25/2013 - huse wrote: 92 Points
Another great Priorat wine from the village of Porrera (province of Tarragona / Catalunya). A typical Catalan blend of 60 percent Garnatxa and 40 percent Carinyena (60 to 80 year old vines) that was aged for 12 months in two year old barriques. Intense dark cherry-red in color and an exuberant bouquet of blackberry, cassis, tar, licorice and some slight earthy tones. On the palate this modernly styled wine combines power and elegance, revealing amazing amounts of refined red fruit, a perfect balance and wonderfully caressing tannins. Long and delicious finish. The wine is extremely enjoyable now (still in its open and fruity stage), but it has certainly a great potential to improve. An incredible value for the money.
Alweer een schitterende Priorat-wijn uit het dorpje Porrera (provincie Tarragona / Catalonië). Een typisch Catalaanse blend van 60 percent Garnatxa en 40 percent Carinyena (van 60 tot 80 jaar oude wijnstokken), die een rijping van 12 maanden in barriques (twee jaar oud) meekreeg. Intens donker kersrood van kleur, met een uitbundig bouquet van bramen, cassis, teer, zoethout en wat zachte aardse tonen. Gemaakt in een moderne stijl, paart deze wijn kracht aan elegantie ; een perfect uitgebalanceerde wijn vol verfijnd rood fruit en super zachte, fluwelige tannines. Lange, heerlijke finale. De wijn is nu bijzonder goed op dronk (nog steeds in zijn open en fruitige fase), maar heeft ook een goed ontwikkelingspotentieel. Onwaarschijnlijk veel wijn voor uw geld.
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4/20/2013 - garambler wrote: 91 Points
I had this after dinner on 4/20/13. It had a deep, smoky, pungent bouquet of black cherry, mocha, spice and minerals. The palate was ripe, powerful, dry and a little jammy with flavors of black cherry, raspberry, spice and minerals…also a touch of heat.
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4/18/2013 - sidjane Likes this wine: 89 Points
GOOD NOW BETTER IN A FEW YEARS NICE GARNACHA TANNINS
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4/6/2013 - Motz wrote: 92 Points
At a tasting. Initial impressions were dark fruits, smoke, and earth on the nose. Fruit forward, backed by considerable structure on the palate. Balanced, nice minerality, great mouthfeel, no harsh edges. Bought a bottle to try at a later date.
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4/3/2013 - cubswinws Likes this wine: 92 Points
Inky black fruit with great brambly nose and wonderful length. Amazing Priorat value.
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3/30/2013 - unrelenting wrote: 92 Points
inky dark; new world nose of berries, a hint of mint and alcohol. Opulent palate of jam but not over oaked. Well rounded and structured with a respectable finish. Will pair wonderfully with lamb or pizza but great on its own as well. A rare find for the price
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3/29/2013 - Cadby Likes this wine: 92 Points
2010 Mas d'en Compte Black Slate Porrera ++++ $14
Find it! Buy it! Drink it! Awesome bargain.
http://8wordsonwine.blogspot.com/2013/03/2010-mas-den-compte-black-slate-porrera.html
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2/27/2013 - djs wrote: 91 Points
Give this a year in the cellar.
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2/24/2013 - honest bob wrote:
From 75cl, good cork. Taken on holiday to Egypt and drunk in idyllic circumstances by the Nile, but far too warm for a serious assesment. Intense, very sweet, balsamic, better on second day. No hurry. Judgement reserved.
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2/18/2013 - weingutwilhelm wrote: 90 Points
Density, black cherry, baked earth, smoke, baking spice. Succulent and juicy red fruit, with underlying blue fruit. Quite concentrated, yet focused and structured, and some zesty acidity. ★
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2/10/2013 - Sethbo11 wrote: 86 Points
Barnyard and smoke on the nose.
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2/6/2013 - soyhead wrote: 89 Points
Nose - cinnamon, clove, toasted oak
Mouth - full of Christmas spices. Sugar and spice and all that's nice. Seems overly sweet for my palate though I can see how many will love this. Possibly will pick up with some years in bottle. Recheck in several years. Points on potential.
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1/27/2013 - xsivjosh wrote: 90 Points
fruit forward, ready to drink as apertif or with decent meal. Good buy at $19
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1/24/2013 - Cadby wrote: 93 Points
2010 Porrera Black Slate ++++ $16
Mimicking a vintage CdP at a mad tariff
http://8wordsonwine.blogspot.com/2013/01/2010-porrera-black-slate-15.html
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1/21/2013 - MicklethePickle wrote: 84 Points
Dark ruby purple. Plump dark berry fruit in the nose. Definitely different grapes at work here. Good dollop of fruit, round and somewhat sweet fruit profile. Briary. Medium finish, not particularly complex. 4-11-13-6: 84/100
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1/19/2013 - Vince92673 wrote: 90 Points
Leather, blackberries, a little tar, lightly tannic - actually pretty wonderful. The only thing not to my liking is its a little sweet or jammy, but that's the Grenache, and it's not overpowering. Great wine for this price point!
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1/10/2013 - Richard123 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Leather, blackberry, cassis, and strawberry all evident on the nose and the palate. Nice acidity and light tannin underneath. It seemed just slightly too jammy, but that might improve with age. Nice wine, worth watching over the next few years.
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1/9/2013 - sawira wrote:
This note from long ago, and from memory. I remember deciding that I didn't like it enough to cellar it for the requisite time for it to be in my zone, though it would be significantly better then, and it'd be best used as a party wine over the next 8 years or so. Great for the price, but not really where I'm at these days.
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