Deep garnet in color. Nose of crushed blackberries and cherries with a note of tobacco. Tastes of dark cherries, leather, dark chocolate, and hint of tar. Still primary with lovely mouthfeel and balance. Drink over the next 5-7 years.
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This wine was awesome- opened up for 2 hours before tasting and drank over an hour before dinner. Dark Rich Velvet feel with a long finish. It changed over time and got better. We drank a 2003 terrace select last weekend and liked this better.
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Big and maybe even over the top Cab. Very Rafanelli in style. Sort of wild, bright fruit, nice structure. While it drinks beautifully now, I think it still has a year or two before peak performance.
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still dense and violet. needed 3 hours decanting, and then some. Has lost the fleshy fruit of youth, but has evolved into a firmly structured wine of medium-plus body, with notes of smoke, black fruits, cassis. Dark and ripe but not over the top. Still has lots of time ahead - it's basically still very primary.
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Decanted but tasted immediately. Starts a bit hot (alcohol) and not much fruit, but interesting nose. Much better with an hour's air. No longer lush as when it was young, but elegant and almost Bordeaux bouquet. Last bottle!
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Decanted for about an hour. Dark purple color. Pleasing dark fruit, cherries on the nose. Caught some vanilla and oak early, that nearly disappeared as it opened up. Cherries, cassis, dark berries on the palate - full bodied. Nice, long finish. Still a bit young. Two more in the cellar - we'll wait a while.
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Norm Gutmacher brought this to a wine tasting. Exceptional bouquet. Black currant taste. Cost was $40. I rated this secod to Tara Bella, but it was very close.
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Drank with steak, then on it's own. A bit of heat on the nose, even after 3 hours. Earth, oak, light green pepper on the nose, along with some deep berry notes. Palate is rich and full, with a touch of astringency. Cedar, touch of vanilla, dark berries, black cherries, and some cocoa powder. Finish is drying with some tannins still needing to settle. This was an enjoyable bottle that I wish I had more of to test through the next couple of years.
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From a 375....very dark purple red in color. Nose of wild berries. Full bodied, well balanced wine. Great flavors of blueberries, blackberries, cassis, spices, and a touch of oak. There is still some tannins and the finish is a decent 15-20 seconds. Lacks a bit on the mid palate, but that may still develop. Went really well with ribeye steaks and blue cheese salad.
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Young and strong, but not too muscular or over-the-top like some 03's. Lots of oak and big fruit, not a universal pleaser, but wonderful for those who like this style.
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3/8/2020 - AllRed wrote:
Second Sunday Group: 2010 Chateauneuf-du-Pape (R&D's): Courtesy of Doc & E. Bell pepper, cedar and black currant notes. Medium tannins. Currant, red plum and herb tones on the palate. Medium finish. Nice.
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6/28/2017 - efeldhake@yahoo.com Likes this wine: 91 Points
Deep garnet in color. Nose of crushed blackberries and cherries with a note of tobacco. Tastes of dark cherries, leather, dark chocolate, and hint of tar. Still primary with lovely mouthfeel and balance. Drink over the next 5-7 years.
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4/2/2017 - Taylor56 wrote: 87 Points
This one has peaked. Drink.
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2/25/2016 - Timmy17 Likes this wine: 94 Points
This wine was awesome- opened up for 2 hours before tasting and drank over an hour before dinner. Dark Rich Velvet feel with a long finish. It changed over time and got better. We drank a 2003 terrace select last weekend and liked this better.
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11/16/2014 - sirwine wrote: 91 Points
Perfect tasting profile and ready to drink. Pine, red currant, mint, earth.
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10/9/2013 - BGK810 wrote: 92 Points
Rich black cherry and black currant flavors, nicely integrated oak; still tasting young with good acidity.
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3/22/2013 - ersmith Likes this wine: 93 Points
Drinking very well right now. Still heading up the bell curve.
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1/5/2013 - BGK810 Likes this wine: 92 Points
This is drinking beautifully now. Rich black currant fruit, very well integrated oak and a long finish.
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11/12/2012 - desler wrote: 93 Points
Big Cab very well balanced drinking well now but will wait another year to try again
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9/3/2012 - sirwine wrote: 91 Points
Big and maybe even over the top Cab. Very Rafanelli in style. Sort of wild, bright fruit, nice structure. While it drinks beautifully now, I think it still has a year or two before peak performance.
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5/22/2012 - jmetvoice wrote:
Drinking at its peak now. Soft and round with velvety structure after 2 hours decanted.
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1/13/2012 - desler wrote: 90 Points
Big fruity cab, soft tannin and well balanced. Good for several more years
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12/7/2011 - granikmw wrote:
still dense and violet. needed 3 hours decanting, and then some. Has lost the fleshy fruit of youth, but has evolved into a firmly structured wine of medium-plus body, with notes of smoke, black fruits, cassis. Dark and ripe but not over the top. Still has lots of time ahead - it's basically still very primary.
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5/19/2011 - daveste wrote: 91 Points
Decanted but tasted immediately. Starts a bit hot (alcohol) and not much fruit, but interesting nose. Much better with an hour's air. No longer lush as when it was young, but elegant and almost Bordeaux bouquet. Last bottle!
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10/7/2009 - Tony Poli wrote: 92 Points
Decanted for about an hour. Dark purple color. Pleasing dark fruit, cherries on the nose. Caught some vanilla and oak early, that nearly disappeared as it opened up. Cherries, cassis, dark berries on the palate - full bodied. Nice, long finish. Still a bit young. Two more in the cellar - we'll wait a while.
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10/1/2009 - steve_3255 wrote: 89 Points
Pretty good. a little tight and a little pricey for the quality.
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6/24/2009 - breezin71 wrote: 91 Points
Norm Gutmacher brought this to a wine tasting. Exceptional bouquet. Black currant taste. Cost was $40. I rated this secod to Tara Bella, but it was very close.
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4/7/2009 - Zinister wrote: 91 Points
Drank with steak, then on it's own. A bit of heat on the nose, even after 3 hours. Earth, oak, light green pepper on the nose, along with some deep berry notes. Palate is rich and full, with a touch of astringency. Cedar, touch of vanilla, dark berries, black cherries, and some cocoa powder. Finish is drying with some tannins still needing to settle. This was an enjoyable bottle that I wish I had more of to test through the next couple of years.
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10/28/2008 - wine4ever wrote: 93 Points
From a 375....very dark purple red in color. Nose of wild berries. Full bodied, well balanced wine. Great flavors of blueberries, blackberries, cassis, spices, and a touch of oak. There is still some tannins and the finish is a decent 15-20 seconds. Lacks a bit on the mid palate, but that may still develop. Went really well with ribeye steaks and blue cheese salad.
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1/25/2008 - RWilkinson wrote:
This one is tight...lot's to offer just not ready to show whats it's made of...I'll revisit in 3 yrs or so.
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6/12/2007 - DukeDrew wrote:
Bottle seemed a bit off, not corked. Have had quite a few Rafanelli's in the past, so not rating.
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5/19/2007 - MitchL wrote: 93 Points
I thought this was ready to drink. Dark ruby color, warm fruity nose. Really wonderful.
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5/4/2007 - longhorncab wrote: 93 Points
Young and strong, but not too muscular or over-the-top like some 03's. Lots of oak and big fruit, not a universal pleaser, but wonderful for those who like this style.
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9/21/2006 - lewisrise wrote: 87 Points
This needs more cellaring. Tannins were too tight, fruit was subdued, even with 3 hours decanting.
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