A nose of some fruit and spice, dark purple in color. A medium to full bodied kitchen sink blend, with black cherry, plum, licorice and spice, found it very disjointed. www.winelx.com
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Given that I found this wine on sale for less than $7, I thought I'd at least be saying something about QPR. But this wine started and ended as more of a sour pepper bomb than anything else. It was hard to finish the bottle.
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If you are nervous about scary tannins, worry Nevermore. Like its label, the wine is immediately dark and interesting. It is very easy-drinking from the first sip. Think fig, chocolate and cola put into a blender. Its dark-but-easy nature is its allure. However, its flight has an early peak, as the wine lacks complexity. It does have a soft landing, though. Paired well with chocolate (what doesn’t?!).
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Surprisingly well constructed blend from one of Constellation's big horses, Ravenswood. There is pedigree and excellent fruit sources behind this label. Nose is black cherry all the way; spicy too. Structurally sound, fleshy mid-palate; but the finish is where it gets a bit dicey. Strong oak notes overwhelm the blackberry and black tea that I pick up just at the outset of the finish.
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I have to agree with those that are somewhat disappointed about this wine. The description and the varietal blend makes it seem quite exotic. The blend doesn't seem to work. When I first opened it, the aroma was quite appealing. Over all, this was the best part about this particular wine experience. I am a huge fan of Zinfandel, Petit Sirah, and Mourvedre. But, they didn't' carry themselves on the palate. The aroma of dark berry and spice was alluring yet on the palate the flavor fell flat. The finish was smooth gave hints of ripe fruit and vanilla. A previous comment mentioned the Bogle Vineyards "Phantom" and I prefer it to the Ravenswood "Besieged."
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Aroma: tight, musty Palate: a bit sweet, blackberry-blueberry, a little bitterness on the finish, after 3 sips it got cloying and I couldn't drink any more of it.
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This bottle was consistent with the first, but I bumped it up a couple of points this time. I really like this wine, and I'll be buying more. I’m still not sure how long I would want to age this, though.
~ I was surprised by the blend, but it really worked. It was quite fruit-forward upon PnP, but quickly developed complexity with some air. I bought another bottle and may buy more. Now, I will say that it was better on day 1 than day 2. I'm just not sure about ageing this one. Some wines are obvious to me, but this one is not.
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shared with 5 others. Everyone enjoyed it. Let the bottle breathe for an hour. Dark fruit with an interesting nose. Will buy more ,excellent QPR at $11.99
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Despite what a previous review indicates, this is not a Bordeaux blend. In fact, I don't think there's a single Bordeaux varietal here. Nevertheless, this blend works. It comes across relatively simple, but a nice mixed blend where the Zin stands out. At this cost, it's really quite nice.
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35% Carignane, 20% Petite Sirah, 18% Zinfandel, 13% Mourvedre, 9% Alicante Bouschet, 5% Barbera. 14.5% alchohol. "Limited Release". Red-black color in glass. Medium body on palate with no sweetness found in many red blends in this price range ($11.99 Atlanta). Some oak evident. Sort of like a nice Cotes du Rhone. Decent enough I suppose.
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Surprisingly good, interesting. Not a total fruit bomb but with marked fruitiness. Oak treatment is very good, particularly by budget CA bottlings. The blend works well, and by taste profile I would not be surprised if a big portion of the grapes were sourced from the Alexander Valley. Italian producers make red blends in this style, at this price point, that aren't this good. Recommended.
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I was anxious to try this because the blend sounded so good, and it was. With 30 minutes of air, this was dark, deep, with plum, blackberry, wood and some nice body and medium finish. The petite sirah and carignane really shine here. For the price, this was exceptional.
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Looked good, smelled ok, I liked the blend as described on the back of the bottle. Even taking the price into consideration near un drinkable. It might work with a good hearty meat sauce?
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This wine shows lots of promise. After two hours of decanting, it opened up to dark fruit and a lasting spice finish. A tad more interesting than Phantom. Still young but let it blow off steam and you will be rewarded.
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I really want to like this wine.. the blend sounds perfect, and we are big fans of carignane and zinfandel so think this wine should be a winner. Great name too. The nose is very good, nice dark wine aroma. The color is good, solid dark ruby. The initial taste is very appealing, fruit with chocolate and tobacco, perhaps a hint of licorice. However, the oak is seriously overdone and you're left with a significant woody aftertaste. Given this is a 2012 vintage, we are hoping that with a little aging it will soften the oak, so we're going to hold the second bottle for a few years and hope for the best.
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2/14/2015 - corkscrews wrote: 85 Points
A nose of some fruit and spice, dark purple in color. A medium to full bodied kitchen sink blend, with black cherry, plum, licorice and spice, found it very disjointed. www.winelx.com
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1/4/2015 - MtnRed Likes this wine: 95 Points
Loved this wine... Reminded me of Townsend T3. Big Cab flavor but fruity in the front. Will buy this wine again... A good value...
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12/19/2014 - Aravind Asok wrote:
In a night of big red wines, this was brought to be drunk when we couldn't taste anymore. It certainly served its purpose.
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9/18/2014 - brottman wrote: 82 Points
Given that I found this wine on sale for less than $7, I thought I'd at least be saying something about QPR. But this wine started and ended as more of a sour pepper bomb than anything else. It was hard to finish the bottle.
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5/6/2014 - AngusRocks Likes this wine: 88 Points
If you are nervous about scary tannins, worry Nevermore. Like its label, the wine is immediately dark and interesting. It is very easy-drinking from the first sip. Think fig, chocolate and cola put into a blender. Its dark-but-easy nature is its allure. However, its flight has an early peak, as the wine lacks complexity. It does have a soft landing, though. Paired well with chocolate (what doesn’t?!).
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4/2/2014 - Sauvyfan Likes this wine: 88 Points
Surprisingly well constructed blend from one of Constellation's big horses, Ravenswood. There is pedigree and excellent fruit sources behind this label. Nose is black cherry all the way; spicy too. Structurally sound, fleshy mid-palate; but the finish is where it gets a bit dicey. Strong oak notes overwhelm the blackberry and black tea that I pick up just at the outset of the finish.
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3/7/2014 - danboedeker Likes this wine: 85 Points
Good value blend.
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2/24/2014 - rsed Likes this wine: 90 Points
good , cheap, blends a lot of grapes with carignan, one of my faves up front. Lacking power,but flavor is good for price point
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2/7/2014 - lockestep wrote: 83 Points
State Line 20-20 Annual Tasting 2014 (State Line, Elkton MD): Piling on to a lot of the other notes - this had great promise, but simply did not deliver. Disjointed, like a Ken Follett novel, too much going on and in need of a good editor.
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2/4/2014 - Paulywog81 wrote:
I have to agree with those that are somewhat disappointed about this wine. The description and the varietal blend makes it seem quite exotic. The blend doesn't seem to work. When I first opened it, the aroma was quite appealing. Over all, this was the best part about this particular wine experience. I am a huge fan of Zinfandel, Petit Sirah, and Mourvedre. But, they didn't' carry themselves on the palate. The aroma of dark berry and spice was alluring yet on the palate the flavor fell flat. The finish was smooth gave hints of ripe fruit and vanilla. A previous comment mentioned the Bogle Vineyards "Phantom" and I prefer it to the Ravenswood "Besieged."
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1/10/2014 - BlancdeBlanc Does not like this wine: 78 Points
Aroma: tight, musty Palate: a bit sweet, blackberry-blueberry, a little bitterness on the finish, after 3 sips it got cloying and I couldn't drink any more of it.
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1/2/2014 - Dan L Likes this wine: 89 Points
This bottle was consistent with the first, but I bumped it up a couple of points this time. I really like this wine, and I'll be buying more. I’m still not sure how long I would want to age this, though.
~ I was surprised by the blend, but it really worked. It was quite fruit-forward upon PnP, but quickly developed complexity with some air. I bought another bottle and may buy more. Now, I will say that it was better on day 1 than day 2. I'm just not sure about ageing this one. Some wines are obvious to me, but this one is not.
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12/13/2013 - mardan899 Likes this wine: 88 Points
shared with 5 others. Everyone enjoyed it. Let the bottle breathe for an hour. Dark fruit with an interesting nose. Will buy more ,excellent QPR at $11.99
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12/5/2013 - Zinfanforlife wrote: 80 Points
Might make for a good pasta gravy, but as a wine, not so good. Liked the blend on the back of bottle, but the not the taste or nose.
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11/22/2013 - RandomCoil wrote: 89 Points
Despite what a previous review indicates, this is not a Bordeaux blend. In fact, I don't think there's a single Bordeaux varietal here. Nevertheless, this blend works. It comes across relatively simple, but a nice mixed blend where the Zin stands out. At this cost, it's really quite nice.
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11/21/2013 - nick.dean wrote: 90 Points
- Fast forming legs. It's balanced and has flavours of blackberry and raspberry with a medium/full body. Round texture with a medium finish.
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11/16/2013 - 41hijinx Likes this wine: 87 Points
35% Carignane, 20% Petite Sirah, 18% Zinfandel, 13% Mourvedre, 9% Alicante Bouschet, 5% Barbera. 14.5% alchohol. "Limited Release". Red-black color in glass. Medium body on palate with no sweetness found in many red blends in this price range ($11.99 Atlanta). Some oak evident. Sort of like a nice Cotes du Rhone. Decent enough I suppose.
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11/4/2013 - phillyboyP wrote: 88 Points
Good for the $
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10/30/2013 - bccdavid wrote: 90 Points
Great balance. A little oaky on the end, however.
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10/29/2013 - phillyboyP wrote: 87 Points
Simple, but well made. I would buy a few more at $12. 87
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10/28/2013 - wayne47 wrote:
We were disappointed at this $15 wine. Pass.
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10/26/2013 - Motz wrote: 89 Points
Surprisingly good, interesting. Not a total fruit bomb but with marked fruitiness. Oak treatment is very good, particularly by budget CA bottlings. The blend works well, and by taste profile I would not be surprised if a big portion of the grapes were sourced from the Alexander Valley. Italian producers make red blends in this style, at this price point, that aren't this good. Recommended.
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10/24/2013 - Quarked wrote: 90 Points
I was anxious to try this because the blend sounded so good, and it was. With 30 minutes of air, this was dark, deep, with plum, blackberry, wood and some nice body and medium finish. The petite sirah and carignane really shine here. For the price, this was exceptional.
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10/18/2013 - JonGray Likes this wine: 90 Points
Liked this Bordeaux type blend. Difference - YOU CAN DRINK NOW - and enjoyed from top to bottom!
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10/16/2013 - Drmrfy wrote: 77 Points
Looked good, smelled ok, I liked the blend as described on the back of the bottle. Even taking the price into consideration near un drinkable. It might work with a good hearty meat sauce?
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10/3/2013 - orlypann wrote: 89 Points
This wine shows lots of promise. After two hours of decanting, it opened up to dark fruit and a lasting spice finish. A tad more interesting than Phantom. Still young but let it blow off steam and you will be rewarded.
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9/28/2013 - Tim221 Likes this wine: 89 Points
I really want to like this wine.. the blend sounds perfect, and we are big fans of carignane and zinfandel so think this wine should be a winner. Great name too. The nose is very good, nice dark wine aroma. The color is good, solid dark ruby. The initial taste is very appealing, fruit with chocolate and tobacco, perhaps a hint of licorice. However, the oak is seriously overdone and you're left with a significant woody aftertaste. Given this is a 2012 vintage, we are hoping that with a little aging it will soften the oak, so we're going to hold the second bottle for a few years and hope for the best.
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