I agree with many of the comments on this wine. It is tight and unappealing whether decanted or left under pump down for a day or so. What I discovered was that after 5 days under pump down it was a totally different wine with some interesting red fruit to balance the tannins. It paired very well with the strip steaks I served.
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Just opened, temperature is a little cool yet. Initial tasting, not much flavor, dry with some light cherry flavor hints. Color shows nice aging. Not much odor; a little pepper. Relatively smooth. A little tannic on the back end. ....2 hours later, opening up; much nicer. Taste developing; heavier on the cherry (medium, not sweet nor tart). tobacco. Day 2 (24 hours later). Color/ age is good. Dry, mild, not tannic, very mild blackberry, but flavor is waning. No depth....I was expecting something better. Can't see storing this and aging for improvement. Will finish, but, don't recommend.
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This bottle is going to be really nice, and by that, I mean that it needs a few more years. It was enjoyable drinking with food, but it has some teeth. French Oak was very prominent, with leather, and subtle fruit. Beautiful nose after decanting for 1hour, but tannins linger on the finish.
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My first one of these was about a year ago and it was still wrapped in an iron fist. It is giving up much more now. The nose on this bottle exploded with Paulliac character and the beautiful bouquet carries over to palate, where it is still having a little trouble with tannins. Based on my mere two data points, I suspect a lovely future. Of course it isn’t as persistent as high level Bordeaux but at $30, it outperformed my expectations. 4+13+15+9= 91
Two hour double decant. Very tannic, with a good acidity. No nose showing at all. The palate has some cassis and raspberries. The wine is still very young. It should sit at least another three years before trying another bottle.
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24 hr decant. Some development on the nose, ripe cassis and cedar, toasted spice, a hint of nail varnish. Still tannic, very tight on the palate, ripe buttery Cab aromas, good acidity. Other '10s have entered the tunnel but this wasn't completely shut down. Needs another 5 years minimum to put on some weight. Excellent stuff nonetheless.
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Wow.... this bottle went quick at a french themed bistro with the breads and cheese's. I feel this one is nearing its prime. great smooth undertones, smooth tannins and great end palette. highly recomend now thru 2018.
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Still youtful, tight and muted, cool dark fruits, heavily oaked spice and cedar, dusty cool earth. Medium bodied, blackcurrant and mocha, menthol even. Good finish. Not yet entirely settled and while it needs to integrate its parts, it's nevertheless a textbook Medoc (rather than Pauillac, because it doesn't yet show the true Pauillac character) from the 'oh ten vintage. Will become outstanding, no question about it. Give it 5 years. 89++
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3/12/2022 - Gkautry wrote: flawed
Double decant. Heavy sediment. Nice color and body. Minimal nose. Dark fruits and earth. Flavor off. Flawed.
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11/21/2021 - sdahar Likes this wine: 90 Points
I agree with many of the comments on this wine. It is tight and unappealing whether decanted or left under pump down for a day or so. What I discovered was that after 5 days under pump down it was a totally different wine with some interesting red fruit to balance the tannins. It paired very well with the strip steaks I served.
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9/7/2021 - sdahar wrote: 87 Points
Nothing special. Very similar to what 993 wrote.
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4/16/2020 - 993 wrote: 83 Points
Just opened, temperature is a little cool yet. Initial tasting, not much flavor, dry with some light cherry flavor hints. Color shows nice aging. Not much odor; a little pepper. Relatively smooth. A little tannic on the back end. ....2 hours later, opening up; much nicer. Taste developing; heavier on the cherry (medium, not sweet nor tart). tobacco.
Day 2 (24 hours later). Color/ age is good. Dry, mild, not tannic, very mild blackberry, but flavor is waning. No depth....I was expecting something better. Can't see storing this and aging for improvement. Will finish, but, don't recommend.
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5/13/2019 - Griffiths wrote:
Update. Gassed and refrigerated remaining contents in bottle. Allowed to warm up next day. More friendly on the palate, excellent second day showing.
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5/13/2019 - Griffiths Likes this wine: 85 Points
This bottle is going to be really nice, and by that, I mean that it needs a few more years. It was enjoyable drinking with food, but it has some teeth. French Oak was very prominent, with leather, and subtle fruit. Beautiful nose after decanting for 1hour, but tannins linger on the finish.
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12/6/2018 - fingers Likes this wine: 91 Points
My first one of these was about a year ago and it was still wrapped in an iron fist. It is giving up much more now. The nose on this bottle exploded with Paulliac character and the beautiful bouquet carries over to palate, where it is still having a little trouble with tannins. Based on my mere two data points, I suspect a lovely future. Of course it isn’t as persistent as high level Bordeaux but at $30, it outperformed my expectations. 4+13+15+9= 91
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11/21/2018 - esw423 wrote: 88 Points
Nothing special. Didnt improve much with air.
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12/30/2016 - Maran11 Likes this wine:
Behöver ett par år till
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1/29/2016 - Border Boss Likes this wine:
Two hour double decant. Very tannic, with a good acidity. No nose showing at all. The palate has some cassis and raspberries. The wine is still very young. It should sit at least another three years before trying another bottle.
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3/27/2015 - Timbalimba wrote: 89 Points
24 hr decant. Some development on the nose, ripe cassis and cedar, toasted spice, a hint of nail varnish. Still tannic, very tight on the palate, ripe buttery Cab aromas, good acidity. Other '10s have entered the tunnel but this wasn't completely shut down. Needs another 5 years minimum to put on some weight. Excellent stuff nonetheless.
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3/20/2015 - Maran11 Likes this wine: 90 Points
A bit sticky and needs a few years in the celler to stabilize
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2/27/2015 - Tperich wrote: 75 Points
Odd sharpness did not match what I was expecting
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12/28/2014 - grapeless Likes this wine: 92 Points
Wow.... this bottle went quick at a french themed bistro with the breads and cheese's. I feel this one is nearing its prime. great smooth undertones, smooth tannins and great end palette. highly recomend now thru 2018.
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11/7/2014 - Timbalimba wrote: 89 Points
Still youtful, tight and muted, cool dark fruits, heavily oaked spice and cedar, dusty cool earth. Medium bodied, blackcurrant and mocha, menthol even. Good finish. Not yet entirely settled and while it needs to integrate its parts, it's nevertheless a textbook Medoc (rather than Pauillac, because it doesn't yet show the true Pauillac character) from the 'oh ten vintage. Will become outstanding, no question about it. Give it 5 years. 89++
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