Lots of white pepper and spice with fine acidity and fresh palate. Whole cluster sticks out a bit but this is quite solid in a cool climate presentation. Very good.
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Supposedly, “Average yields for this wine were < 1.5 tons/acre. The wine is 33% whole clusters from the X Block, the rest was de-stemmed. Fermentation was done in traditional small open top fermenters with manual punchdowns 2x/day. Aging was for 18 mos in a combination of FR & Hungarian barrels, about 20% new.”
N: Barnyard, I suspect with berries & spice underneath
P: Med, poss MF, body; Nice frt on the front with spice & choc coming forward; Lingering, somewhat astringent, VERY slightly spicy finish. // Day 2: The seemingly richer aromas are more evolved, as is the P -- along with the astringency on the finish. I'd NOT wait any longer to drink this as I suspect it has peaked. 91 pts Vinous (Raynolds, 12/1/14) & 17.5/20 Jancis Robinson (Harding, 6/30/17). [As of late Dec '19, wine-searcher still shows 1 source @ $23].
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I've had three bottles of this wine now, and every time I try it I like it less. It's more candy than fruit. More gloss than earth or stone. Overall it's just boring.
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Smokey, forest floor and dusty black and blue fruits. Has a brooding intense quality to it. Medium tannins with good acid on a medium (-) finish. A hint of greenish tones on the mid and back palate. Good quaff.
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5/6/2022 - ssbelgo Likes this wine: 90 Points
Linear and structured. Savory with olive and violet flavors. Cool climate characteristics. Drinking very well right now
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2/14/2020 - EricU Likes this wine: 91 Points
Earth, tea, olives. Very enjoyable.
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6/6/2017 - Nutty08 wrote: 92 Points
Lots of white pepper and spice with fine acidity and fresh palate. Whole cluster sticks out a bit but this is quite solid in a cool climate presentation. Very good.
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1/30/2017 - srh Likes this wine:
Private Preserve after Day 1
Supposedly, “Average yields for this wine were < 1.5 tons/acre. The wine is 33% whole clusters from the X Block, the rest was de-stemmed. Fermentation was done in traditional small open top fermenters with manual punchdowns 2x/day. Aging was for 18 mos in a combination of FR & Hungarian barrels, about 20% new.”
N: Barnyard, I suspect with berries & spice underneath
P: Med, poss MF, body; Nice frt on the front with spice & choc coming forward; Lingering, somewhat astringent, VERY slightly spicy finish. // Day 2: The seemingly richer aromas are more evolved, as is the P -- along with the astringency on the finish. I'd NOT wait any longer to drink this as I suspect it has peaked. 91 pts Vinous (Raynolds, 12/1/14) & 17.5/20 Jancis Robinson (Harding, 6/30/17). [As of late Dec '19, wine-searcher still shows 1 source @ $23].
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8/29/2016 - Rieslingfan wrote:
I've had three bottles of this wine now, and every time I try it I like it less. It's more candy than fruit. More gloss than earth or stone. Overall it's just boring.
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4/20/2015 - DBunk Likes this wine: 88 Points
Smokey, forest floor and dusty black and blue fruits. Has a brooding intense quality to it. Medium tannins with good acid on a medium (-) finish. A hint of greenish tones on the mid and back palate. Good quaff.
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3/31/2015 - GlassHalfFull wrote: 90 Points
Nice peppery syrah. Some alcohol evident, but a great example of non-fruitbomb CA syrah at a great price.
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12/3/2014 - JS1056 wrote: 83 Points
Charlie Palmer DC. Decent syrah. Bit of metallic taste on the finish. Was consistent across all the bottles.
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