Traditional in style this was savoury with a firm spine of acidity and tannins. Perhaps a little vegetal and stalky there was a little raspberry fruit and as it developed on the mid-palate, this was transformed into mocha and black chocolate. I admired the freshness, structure and balance, in many ways akin to an old-fashioned claret. This was a bit of a sleeper, and while initially underwhelming, it improved as it opened out. CHP 88 pts
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Fully mature and well-proportioned, it retained a firm tannic spine, the fruit was still vibrant. On the mid-palate it developed some glycerol and richness with a fine lingering finish. A polished performance. CHP 89 pts
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Liked it much more this time. Able to appreciate it on its own terms and not compared to say a Bordeaux. Enjoyed the very appealing nose and slightly astringent but still chiseled fruit.
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No notes, but went great with the meal and was nice on its own for ~1/2 hour prior. Opened with some red fruits and spicy notes. Not at all tired at a decade in the bottle. The nose was great. Good fruit if a bit rustic in the middle. About an hour after opening it did start to fall of though. The nose remained very nice, but the body started to fade with the middle falling off and not much finish. So this a really very good on PnP.
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Nice enough with food but not enough going on to just sit and enjoy greatly on its own--the green pepper is noticeable and hides the little bit of fruit trying to peek through
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-- popped and poured about 45 min. before initial taste -- -- tasted non-blind over 2 Days --
NOSE: Day 1: tight; toast; red/purple berries aroma released with swirling. Day 2: opened-up some, now with hints of funk, sweet black licorice, and bell pepper.
BODY: medium-light bodied; violet-garnet color of medium to medium-deep depth.
TASTE: Day 1: oaky; generally, dark-fruited, but the fruit is quite hidden behind some oak and earthiness; no pronounced bell pepper note; medium acidity; drinks like it's tight or closed-down; some slightly drying tannins; stony mineral in the background; hint of bell pepper emerges when paired with orzo/beef/spinach dish; 12.5% alc. not noticeable. Day 2: better today; the oak has receded; purple/red fruit mix; fruit a little more forward today than yesterday; I think it's best to HOLD this wine for now.
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Russk. We had this the same night as the 2000 from the same producer. The 2000 was freaking amazing. This 2009 was uneventful. A debate ensued as to whether it was bottle aging or just the idiosyncrasies of the Vintage. I choose the latter.
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Quite light in colour; does not look heavily macerated. Nose of black pepper, flowers and red/black fruits. The palate is quite light and brisk, albeit with a seam of fleshy berry acidity, iron, liquorice and a good grippy finish. Nice drop of cab Franc. Didn't knock my socks off, but I've read that this cuvee often needs years to show its best.
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12/19/2023 - platpeeps Likes this wine: 88 Points
Traditional in style this was savoury with a firm spine of acidity and tannins. Perhaps a little vegetal and stalky there was a little raspberry fruit and as it developed on the mid-palate, this was transformed into mocha and black chocolate. I admired the freshness, structure and balance, in many ways akin to an old-fashioned claret. This was a bit of a sleeper, and while initially underwhelming, it improved as it opened out. CHP 88 pts
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5/10/2022 - platpeeps Likes this wine: 89 Points
Fully mature and well-proportioned, it retained a firm tannic spine, the fruit was still vibrant. On the mid-palate it developed some glycerol and richness with a fine lingering finish. A polished performance. CHP 89 pts
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2/9/2021 - Rmjchen Likes this wine: 88 Points
Liked it much more this time. Able to appreciate it on its own terms and not compared to say a Bordeaux. Enjoyed the very appealing nose and slightly astringent but still chiseled fruit.
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12/27/2020 - tward Likes this wine: 89 Points
No notes, but went great with the meal and was nice on its own for ~1/2 hour prior. Opened with some red fruits and spicy notes. Not at all tired at a decade in the bottle. The nose was great. Good fruit if a bit rustic in the middle. About an hour after opening it did start to fall of though. The nose remained very nice, but the body started to fade with the middle falling off and not much finish. So this a really very good on PnP.
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3/6/2019 - ddingley wrote: 88 Points
Nice enough with food but not enough going on to just sit and enjoy greatly on its own--the green pepper is noticeable and hides the little bit of fruit trying to peek through
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2/20/2019 - grafstrb wrote:
-- popped and poured about 45 min. before initial taste --
-- tasted non-blind over 2 Days --
NOSE: Day 1: tight; toast; red/purple berries aroma released with swirling. Day 2: opened-up some, now with hints of funk, sweet black licorice, and bell pepper.
BODY: medium-light bodied; violet-garnet color of medium to medium-deep depth.
TASTE: Day 1: oaky; generally, dark-fruited, but the fruit is quite hidden behind some oak and earthiness; no pronounced bell pepper note; medium acidity; drinks like it's tight or closed-down; some slightly drying tannins; stony mineral in the background; hint of bell pepper emerges when paired with orzo/beef/spinach dish; 12.5% alc. not noticeable. Day 2: better today; the oak has receded; purple/red fruit mix; fruit a little more forward today than yesterday; I think it's best to HOLD this wine for now.
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2/15/2019 - RussK wrote: 88 Points
Russk. We had this the same night as the 2000 from the same producer. The 2000 was freaking amazing. This 2009 was uneventful. A debate ensued as to whether it was bottle aging or just the idiosyncrasies of the Vintage. I choose the latter.
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1/19/2019 - winchester-xi wrote:
Raspberry fruit, herbal flavors, and a mild weedy note. Nothing offensive, but nothing terribly exciting either.
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10/26/2018 - Jake112380 wrote: 88 Points
Pretty decent bottle, with some fruit still holding on. A bit heavy handed with the green pepper character, but otherwise a solid glass.
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7/31/2018 - Portland Seth Does not like this wine: 88 Points
Overly tart and green (pyrazines). Not enough fruit to last the 5-10 years needed to smooth out IMO.
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4/29/2016 - Poussin wrote: 90 Points
Quite light in colour; does not look heavily macerated. Nose of black pepper, flowers and red/black fruits. The palate is quite light and brisk, albeit with a seam of fleshy berry acidity, iron, liquorice and a good grippy finish. Nice drop of cab Franc. Didn't knock my socks off, but I've read that this cuvee often needs years to show its best.
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