My last bottle, purchased directly from the winery. Had enough of a musty smell for me to consider it flawed. That being said, it tasted pretty good, and there was still a lot of fruit left.
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Likely waited too long to open this. Lots to like, but the aroma was a bit too strong and acidic, and while the body was still full and it had a long finish, the flavor was also a bit unbalanced on the acidic side.
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nicely ripe red mixed wild berry with some spice and earth; great acidity keeps this lively. New world, but with some sangiovese typicity in there. Still tasting very well.
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Pop and pour. Still a youthful ruby. A little tired at first, but quickly coming around. Robust, very ripe stewed fruit aromas. Big, beautiful, round and delicious flavors, filled with spice, plums, charcoal, and sunshine. The former chocolate flavor I found in '06 has been replaced by alcohol soaked stewed fruits. This doesn't have too much complexity but it sure is tasty and easy to like. Long, round finish. My last bottle of the last chance. I'd drink up, the alcohol is becoming more pronounced.
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Sangiovese isn't supposed to grow in California. Shafer seems to know this, and made a wine so laden with vanilla oak that any conceivable vestige of varietal or terroir would inescapably be obscured beyone recognition. However, as spoofy, internationally styled, modern wines go, this ain't half bad. The barrels used were clearly high-quality, there's fairly generous blackberry fruit, and the wine shows very little extraction, making it light-bodied, easily gulpable, and food-friendly. There's a bit of perceptible alcohol, but it's not excessively hot. You can get back vintages of this for $35, which is a perfectly fair QPR.
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A wonderful experiment for 13 years at Shafer! Given how well this was put together and how nicely it is still drinking, I'm disappointed that I only have one bottle remaining and even more so that this was the last batch created...
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Decanted for about an hour using a Vinturi. Drinking extremely well - we have been drinking Firebreaks for year and this may have been the best one yet.
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This was an awesome bottle, the last one in our cellar, and we were sad to see the bottom of it. Went so well with home made bollengnese ragu, words fail to do it justice.
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Friday night with cheese before going to see "The King's Speech". MOvie better than the wine. Just ok - not a Tuscan Sangiovese - but a California one - last vintage - RIP. One bottle left in the cellar.
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Wonderful: Repeated!! Last tasted on 5/24/2009, this bottle is an absolute charmer. Why they made this the last vintage, only economics can tell. This was a steal at it's price then, and the bottle literally drained in 1 hour!! The nose is so fragrant and wonderful from fruits, to fresh baked cookies, to some vanilla oak and smoke. The palate is the most lovely cherry pie mix with cream and wash with light cafe au lait. Seriously, this is great juice! If you can find it, then do not hesitate to pull the trigger. If you have it, then drink it now. I don't see it getter much better than this!!
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I am sorry they do not make this wine anymore. A really great sangiovese blend. Dark rich, spicy fruit, all in balance. Full bodided with a lingering finish. Drinking now!!!!
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WONDERFUL! This Dark inky purple Sangio blend was a deep rich glass coating pour right off the bat! Deep black berries, lilac, deep asian spice. I swear this was like rich paint coating your palate. It just got better and better after several hours. Restored my faith in storing bottles to maturity. If anything, then this Shafer treat needs a little more time to peak! The pressure is on not to touch our last bottle. So sad that Shafer closed down their Sangio vines. This stuff is pure Italian poetry written in Napa style. (over the top I know, but we really enjoyed this bottle with filet for the wife's B-Day). Happy Memorial weekend.
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this was the last great bottle of firebreak. After breathing about 30 minutes the nose opened up and displayed wonderful dark fruit notes The mouth feel was balaminced with fruit on and front a strong mid palette and a long rewarding finish.
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Dark but clear purple with a rather firm nose that even after decanting seemed to be a little hot...no play on words here...that did settle over time leaving a linear impression of tart dark berries with a backing of smoke and light pepper. Bright entry and a firm grip that was resolved and showing some interesting layers and texture...with a nice finish that had just a bit of a pop on the end...really nice stuff that went down quick with home made pizza.
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Had this bottle on a weekend that included a Pio Cesare Barolo Ornato (96), Amon Ra 2004 and WH Smith Maritime Pinot 2003 and it blew them all away with 100% consensus. Unfortunately, I misplaced my scribbled tasting notes. If memory serves, the mid-palette here was stunning and layered, enhanced by a solid bouquet and finish. The finish was a bit hot (the bottle was open for about 3 hours) which was the only mark against it. Glad I have 2 more bottles, wish I had a few more.
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big fruity nose; lots of sweet dark cherry and vanilla; good acidity and fine tannins and this will undoubtedly get better; even now this should be decanted; too new world for my lasagna but a really nice wine; i had to check the label twice to rule out the possibility that i had pulled out their syrah blend (relentless)
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Ripe fruits with complexity. Full bodied and a very nice wine to drink. Lots of chocolate and dark cherries. Definitely new world ripeness but was a fun wine to drink.
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Great wine. Popped and poured, drank over 2 hours with Italian in LG. Deep in color, full blackberry on nose, rich fruit with firm tannic backbone, and length on the finish. Wish I had more than the 1 bottle left...
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Dark ruby color. Nose of currants, cherries, and some heat. Flavors of juicy dark fruits with a little earth, but the heat kicked in again. Medium bodied wine. Didn't have the mouth drying tannins that I seem to always notice with my limited amount of experience with Sangiovese. This was a very well balanced bottle, and fun to drink since it has my CellarTracker name on the label! This bottle would score higher if the heat wasn't there - probably should have let this one rest for a few more years.
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Tasting Italian and Cal-Italian wines with good friends (Chez Soals): Dark red in color. Very ripe and fruity with black cherries and jammy dark fruit. The taste was sweet with a creamy long finish. Full bodied. Really enjoyed this wine. Compared to the 00 Brunello and the 03 Babcock La Moda, this definitely stood out as much better. Overall, a very fun wine that I really enjoyed!
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DAWGS OL (IL Sole Restaurant & Wine Bar): Very new world flavors that were a bit overwhelming when tasted with Italian wines based on Sangiovese. Gave myself a breather before having more wine.
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Tasted July 27, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Spiegelau Authentis Magnum glass. Garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of black cherries, pepper and red berries. “Jammy” on the palate with big, juicy red cherries, red currants and maybe some strawberries. Medium acidity with medium to firm tannins. Medium bodied as well. Balanced. Can be drank now with an hour in the decanter or should hold for 3+/- years easily. No value recommendation.
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Unfortunately the last vintage that Shafer is making of Sangiovese. Spicy nose with red fruit. Beautiful acidity with balanced tannins and long, lingering finish.
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My first and only bottle of Firebreak. Did not decant. Dark ruby color, medium body with nose of spice and red fruits. Had a good mouth feel and flavors of strawberry and cherry. Drinking very well. Will have to get more.
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Not decanted. Medium dark ruby color with a nice nose of spice, herbs, leather, and some fruit. In the mouth it is a very spicy wine with good fruit to it - drinking well now but should easily last for another five years. This was my first time with a Shafer Firebreak and I am glad I have a few more...I am sorry they are not making this anymore.
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interesting nose of leather and spice...full mouthfeel and long finish..a little too much oak at the end for my taste, but another fine firebreak...sorry to see this wine discontinued
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Full pruple/red. Full bright black raspberry with a hint of heat. Nice big black fruit while tight on the palate. Hints of chocolate. Will benefit from time. 4/06
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4/27/2019 - SMHalps wrote: flawed
My last bottle, purchased directly from the winery. Had enough of a musty smell for me to consider it flawed. That being said, it tasted pretty good, and there was still a lot of fruit left.
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2/17/2019 - tiswas Likes this wine: 94 Points
Revisited this - definitely has got a lot better with age. Probably has a couple more years left.
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12/3/2018 - norsktorsk wrote: 93 Points
This is drinking very well right now. Holding up. I wish I had more of this.
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9/3/2018 - dslaven wrote:
Bordeaux like qualities. Great nose. Long finish. Sad that it is gone
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12/19/2015 - Ilyabu Likes this wine: 89 Points
Likely waited too long to open this. Lots to like, but the aroma was a bit too strong and acidic, and while the body was still full and it had a long finish, the flavor was also a bit unbalanced on the acidic side.
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4/19/2014 - wabi47 Likes this wine: 90 Points
nicely ripe red mixed wild berry with some spice and earth; great acidity keeps this lively. New world, but with some sangiovese typicity in there. Still tasting very well.
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9/24/2013 - mzimberg Likes this wine: 90 Points
Pop and pour. Still a youthful ruby. A little tired at first, but quickly coming around. Robust, very ripe stewed fruit aromas. Big, beautiful, round and delicious flavors, filled with spice, plums, charcoal, and sunshine. The former chocolate flavor I found in '06 has been replaced by alcohol soaked stewed fruits. This doesn't have too much complexity but it sure is tasty and easy to like. Long, round finish. My last bottle of the last chance. I'd drink up, the alcohol is becoming more pronounced.
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7/21/2013 - cooberp wrote: 89 Points
Sangiovese isn't supposed to grow in California. Shafer seems to know this, and made a wine so laden with vanilla oak that any conceivable vestige of varietal or terroir would inescapably be obscured beyone recognition. However, as spoofy, internationally styled, modern wines go, this ain't half bad. The barrels used were clearly high-quality, there's fairly generous blackberry fruit, and the wine shows very little extraction, making it light-bodied, easily gulpable, and food-friendly. There's a bit of perceptible alcohol, but it's not excessively hot. You can get back vintages of this for $35, which is a perfectly fair QPR.
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6/5/2013 - sirswami wrote: 91 Points
A wonderful experiment for 13 years at Shafer! Given how well this was put together and how nicely it is still drinking, I'm disappointed that I only have one bottle remaining and even more so that this was the last batch created...
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5/12/2013 - CamoDave wrote: 92 Points
Last of the Firebreaks. Drank fairly fresh after 20 min.
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6/24/2012 - ColoradoRick wrote: 93 Points
This has been a fav for years, and still drinking well. Sadly, only three left.
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4/17/2012 - Cragles wrote: 92 Points
- Violet color. It's balanced with a medium/full body. Round texture with a long finish - Ditto to 4-6-2012 community note - on all counts
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4/11/2012 - shaferguy91 wrote: 91 Points
Wonderful. Sorry it was my last bottle.
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4/6/2012 - monk1019 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Decadent. Heady. Colossal flavors: dark fruit, spice, wood all in perfect balance. Yum! Shared with 2 friends. My last one. Damn:-(
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2/25/2012 - MSchwab wrote: 90 Points
Decanted for about an hour using a Vinturi. Drinking extremely well - we have been drinking Firebreaks for year and this may have been the best one yet.
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7/6/2011 - shaferguy91 wrote: 92 Points
Not decanted. Really drinking well. Got 1 left.
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5/6/2011 - jfahrenbruch wrote:
This has held up very well, too bad Shafer discontinued.
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4/9/2011 - sfarwig Likes this wine: 92 Points
Our last bottle of the last vintage Firebreak and it was a great one. Still drinking well.
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3/30/2011 - RR47 wrote: 90 Points
Deep red and great nose of damp earth, dark berries, smoke, and pipe tobacco. Holding up surprising well.
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3/20/2011 - lpk22 wrote: 92 Points
Consumed during OTBN 2011. Last one left, definitely drinking well, full mouth, lingering finish.
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2/19/2011 - Justin B wrote: 92 Points
Fantastic with beef lasagna. Got to get more of this stuff before you can't find it any more!
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2/14/2011 - mmontejano wrote: 92 Points
Drinking great
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1/26/2011 - mmontejano wrote: 91 Points
Great Last Chance.
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1/21/2011 - psoals wrote: 92 Points
This was an awesome bottle, the last one in our cellar, and we were sad to see the bottom of it. Went so well with home made bollengnese ragu, words fail to do it justice.
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1/14/2011 - eastover wrote:
Friday night with cheese before going to see "The King's Speech". MOvie better than the wine. Just ok - not a Tuscan Sangiovese - but a California one - last vintage - RIP. One bottle left in the cellar.
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1/6/2011 - Scruff wrote:
great bottle... sad to see the last of this go.... so long Firebreak.
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12/24/2010 - mpricher wrote: 93 Points
Wonderful: Repeated!! Last tasted on 5/24/2009, this bottle is an absolute charmer. Why they made this the last vintage, only economics can tell. This was a steal at it's price then, and the bottle literally drained in 1 hour!! The nose is so fragrant and wonderful from fruits, to fresh baked cookies, to some vanilla oak and smoke. The palate is the most lovely cherry pie mix with cream and wash with light cafe au lait. Seriously, this is great juice! If you can find it, then do not hesitate to pull the trigger. If you have it, then drink it now. I don't see it getter much better than this!!
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12/13/2010 - mmontejano wrote: 92 Points
Wow. Really nice. Only a few bottles left.
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7/19/2010 - shaferguy91 wrote: 92 Points
Decanted 1 hour.
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7/11/2009 - bluevespa wrote: 92 Points
I am sorry they do not make this wine anymore. A really great sangiovese blend. Dark rich, spicy fruit, all in balance. Full bodided with a lingering finish. Drinking now!!!!
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5/24/2009 - mpricher wrote: 93 Points
WONDERFUL! This Dark inky purple Sangio blend was a deep rich glass coating pour right off the bat! Deep black berries, lilac, deep asian spice. I swear this was like rich paint coating your palate. It just got better and better after several hours. Restored my faith in storing bottles to maturity. If anything, then this Shafer treat needs a little more time to peak! The pressure is on not to touch our last bottle. So sad that Shafer closed down their Sangio vines. This stuff is pure Italian poetry written in Napa style. (over the top I know, but we really enjoyed this bottle with filet for the wife's B-Day). Happy Memorial weekend.
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3/27/2009 - knlowery wrote: 92 Points
this was the last great bottle of firebreak. After breathing about 30 minutes the nose opened up and displayed wonderful dark fruit notes The mouth feel was balaminced with fruit on and front a strong mid palette and a long rewarding finish.
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2/20/2009 - ldc911 wrote: 95 Points
Enjoyed a lot
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1/10/2009 - jcgreenway wrote: 90 Points
Earthy, with nice notes of dark berries
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12/31/2008 - mappleton wrote:
bright vibrant cherries on the nose. fun and interesting. Could use some time.
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8/14/2008 - Tejano wrote:
Dark but clear purple with a rather firm nose that even after decanting seemed to be a little hot...no play on words here...that did settle over time leaving a linear impression of tart dark berries with a backing of smoke and light pepper. Bright entry and a firm grip that was resolved and showing some interesting layers and texture...with a nice finish that had just a bit of a pop on the end...really nice stuff that went down quick with home made pizza.
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6/15/2008 - wineislife wrote: 94 Points
Had this bottle on a weekend that included a Pio Cesare Barolo Ornato (96), Amon Ra 2004 and WH Smith Maritime Pinot 2003 and it blew them all away with 100% consensus. Unfortunately, I misplaced my scribbled tasting notes. If memory serves, the mid-palette here was stunning and layered, enhanced by a solid bouquet and finish. The finish was a bit hot (the bottle was open for about 3 hours) which was the only mark against it. Glad I have 2 more bottles, wish I had a few more.
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3/20/2008 - wabi47 wrote: 92 Points
big fruity nose; lots of sweet dark cherry and vanilla; good acidity and fine tannins and this will undoubtedly get better; even now this should be decanted; too new world for my lasagna but a really nice wine; i had to check the label twice to rule out the possibility that i had pulled out their syrah blend (relentless)
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1/27/2008 - hudamang wrote: 92 Points
Ripe fruits with complexity. Full bodied and a very nice wine to drink. Lots of chocolate and dark cherries. Definitely new world ripeness but was a fun wine to drink.
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11/1/2007 - GZ3 wrote: 92 Points
Much better than when we first had it. Tannins are fully integrated. Great full fruit mid palate and a Cherry, Vanilla, All Spice and Pepper finish
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8/8/2007 - signotim wrote: 92 Points
Great wine. Popped and poured, drank over 2 hours with Italian in LG. Deep in color, full blackberry on nose, rich fruit with firm tannic backbone, and length on the finish. Wish I had more than the 1 bottle left...
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3/21/2007 - wineislife wrote: 92 Points
Dinner @ Rossi's: Pepper bouquet- incredible, spicy mid palette, nice
finish. Quite disapointed this will be the last year for this...
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3/16/2007 - last chance wrote: 91 Points
Dark ruby color. Nose of currants, cherries, and some heat. Flavors of juicy dark fruits with a little earth, but the heat kicked in again. Medium bodied wine. Didn't have the mouth drying tannins that I seem to always notice with my limited amount of experience with Sangiovese. This was a very well balanced bottle, and fun to drink since it has my CellarTracker name on the label! This bottle would score higher if the heat wasn't there - probably should have let this one rest for a few more years.
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3/3/2007 - hudamang wrote: 92 Points
Tasting Italian and Cal-Italian wines with good friends (Chez Soals): Dark red in color. Very ripe and fruity with black cherries and jammy dark fruit. The taste was sweet with a creamy long finish. Full bodied. Really enjoyed this wine. Compared to the 00 Brunello and the 03 Babcock La Moda, this definitely stood out as much better. Overall, a very fun wine that I really enjoyed!
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3/3/2007 - tiswas wrote: 90 Points
Needs more time - good, but tight, has the potential to get better
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12/29/2006 - ProBob wrote: 88 Points
let it breath before consuming. if has breathed correctly expect 92-95 rating. not exceptional yet!
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11/11/2006 - cmr wrote: 90 Points
Nice red fruit with smoky oak.
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10/5/2006 - Russell Faulkner wrote:
Uncorked USA/OZ Tasting (Uncorked, London): Burnt, quite dense high acidity with soft red fruit, hot finish.
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10/4/2006 - Paul D wrote:
Uncorked California and Australia Tasting (Uncorked, London EC2): Nice dark fruits on the nose, some spice, slightly medicinal. Ripe tannins, cassis fruit on mid-palate but a lot of heat on the finish. Unbalanced.
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7/27/2006 - win wrote: 89 Points
DAWGS OL (IL Sole Restaurant & Wine Bar): Very new world flavors that were a bit overwhelming when tasted with Italian wines based on Sangiovese. Gave myself a breather before having more wine.
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7/27/2006 - wineismylife wrote: 89 Points
DAWGS Offline - July 27, 2006 (Il Sole, Dallas, TX): WIML89,WA90,NOWS
Tasted July 27, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Spiegelau Authentis Magnum glass. Garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of black cherries, pepper and red berries. “Jammy” on the palate with big, juicy red cherries, red currants and maybe some strawberries. Medium acidity with medium to firm tannins. Medium bodied as well. Balanced. Can be drank now with an hour in the decanter or should hold for 3+/- years easily. No value recommendation.
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5/22/2006 - GolferChris wrote: 91 Points
Unfortunately the last vintage that Shafer is making of Sangiovese. Spicy nose with red fruit. Beautiful acidity with balanced tannins and long, lingering finish.
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4/24/2006 - kmforster wrote: 90 Points
Wish they weren't discontinuing this. Full-bodied, needs more air than we gave it (eagerness overcame patience, unfortunately). Yum.
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4/23/2006 - Love4Vino wrote:
My first and only bottle of Firebreak. Did not decant. Dark ruby color, medium body with nose of spice and red fruits. Had a good mouth feel and flavors of strawberry and cherry. Drinking very well. Will have to get more.
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4/14/2006 - SMG wrote: 88 Points
Not decanted. Medium dark ruby color with a nice nose of spice, herbs, leather, and some fruit. In the mouth it is a very spicy wine with good fruit to it - drinking well now but should easily last for another five years. This was my first time with a Shafer Firebreak and I am glad I have a few more...I am sorry they are not making this anymore.
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4/6/2006 - olm2000 wrote: 91 Points
interesting nose of leather and spice...full mouthfeel and long finish..a little too much oak at the end for my taste, but another fine firebreak...sorry to see this wine discontinued
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4/1/2006 - winefool wrote: 92 Points
Full pruple/red. Full bright black raspberry with a hint of heat. Nice big black fruit while tight on the palate. Hints of chocolate. Will benefit from time. 4/06
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