Records not handy. Bought 4b, probably under 20/b, probably from Binny's about 15 years ago; this is #2. Solid cork. Decanted with normal sediment for its age. Dark purple; somewhat rustic Bdx nose; mature blackcurrant, hint of cedar, very good mouthfeel; good persistence. Delicious, perhaps the best Chilean red I've tasted, still plenty of life; glad to have more. Stored horizontally in a cool, dark basement since purchase. My evaluation (see earlier posts for my 4-category, non-point rating system): This is outstanding- when considering quality, age, and price.
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The surprise of the tasting for me. A dead ringer for bdx, very dusty, with cigar box, pencil shavings, leather, leathery fruit with some pepper, and earth.
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Popped & poured a couple of glasses as dinner was prepared; began tasting 45 minutes later. Aromas of red & dark fruits, plum, loamy earth and sandalwood. The green notes apparent when first opened have dissipated leaving only a hint in the bouquet. Tannins are integrating nicely. Flavors of herbs, eucalyptus, plums and dark fruit. Finishes nicely and lingers just a bit. In the early bit of its drinking window. Drink now-2018.
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Unusual nose of beef juices, currant, smoky blackberry, cigarette. Creamy oak, dark berry palate with a weird lingering saline thing, and more smoky earth. Very Bourgueil, not sure how I feel about this, but I wouldn't let this get much older.
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Wine of the night-- candy and berries faded a bid from last year, but still has plenty of life. Well structured, nice spice on the nose. Great with all eight cheeses we were tasting last night.
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Opend my last secret from Chile: Wonderful and intensive nose of blackberries, currant, tar and spices! Lovly chilean nose with hints of choclate and toasty oak. On the palates a currant and blackberry burst filled my mouth with this amazing taste. Very nice in balance and structure. Named in one row with don melchor, sena, don maximiano and vinedo chadwick. Great!
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Decanted for an hour; cotton candy and red berries/ black cherries on the nose. Not overly oaked in our opinion; really lovely, interesting medium bodied Chilean. I will certainly open another soon and plan to pick up some more recent vintages.
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Mark Horvatich brought this wine to the Benchland offline on Wednesday. I can't quite put my finger on it but something about this wine did not appeal to me. Overall I would say it had a dull or sickly air about it. It is 40% Carmenere, 35% Cab and 25% Syrah. Notes of licorice, berry, pepper and earthy dust. I found this to have light tannins and a little too much oak. 86 points.
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This is good juice. Heavy on the oak, but the overall wine carries it well, so it is never distracting. Cassis, with silky tannins. This blend is very rich, but not overly extracted. Some minerality and tar notes really add to the complexity.This wine crosses both a food wine and a on its own wine equally well. 93-95
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4/8/2021 - Oenecnist wrote:
Records not handy. Bought 4b, probably under 20/b, probably from Binny's about 15 years ago; this is #2. Solid cork. Decanted with normal sediment for its age. Dark purple; somewhat rustic Bdx nose; mature blackcurrant, hint of cedar, very good mouthfeel; good persistence. Delicious, perhaps the best Chilean red I've tasted, still plenty of life; glad to have more. Stored horizontally in a cool, dark basement since purchase. My evaluation (see earlier posts for my 4-category, non-point rating system): This is outstanding- when considering quality, age, and price.
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7/14/2016 - bajayngo wrote:
The surprise of the tasting for me. A dead ringer for bdx, very dusty, with cigar box, pencil shavings, leather, leathery fruit with some pepper, and earth.
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7/13/2016 - Motz wrote: 90 Points
This has aged nicely and it is drinking well now. Considerable character and depth. 89-90.
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4/22/2013 - AllRed Likes this wine: 93 Points
Popped & poured a couple of glasses as dinner was prepared; began tasting 45 minutes later. Aromas of red & dark fruits, plum, loamy earth and sandalwood. The green notes apparent when first opened have dissipated leaving only a hint in the bouquet. Tannins are integrating nicely. Flavors of herbs, eucalyptus, plums and dark fruit. Finishes nicely and lingers just a bit. In the early bit of its drinking window. Drink now-2018.
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9/25/2012 - apmarques wrote: 82 Points
ALMOST TOO LATE. TOTALLY READY TO DRINK. INTERESTING BALANCE BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT GRAPES THAT MAKE IT.
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6/26/2012 - apmarques wrote: 82 Points
perfect - almost too late. But stil a good wine
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3/10/2012 - andtheodor wrote: 87 Points
Unusual nose of beef juices, currant, smoky blackberry, cigarette. Creamy oak, dark berry palate with a weird lingering saline thing, and more smoky earth. Very Bourgueil, not sure how I feel about this, but I wouldn't let this get much older.
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6/22/2010 - ray13 wrote:
Dead soldier.
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7/1/2007 - rcasaw wrote: 90 Points
Nice wine
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6/3/2007 - SPierson wrote: 93 Points
Wine of the night-- candy and berries faded a bid from last year, but still has plenty of life. Well structured, nice spice on the nose. Great with all eight cheeses we were tasting last night.
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9/7/2006 - Medo wrote: 93 Points
Opend my last secret from Chile: Wonderful and intensive nose of blackberries, currant, tar and spices! Lovly chilean nose with hints of choclate and toasty oak. On the palates a currant and blackberry burst filled my mouth with this amazing taste. Very nice in balance and structure. Named in one row with don melchor, sena, don maximiano and vinedo chadwick. Great!
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6/24/2006 - SPierson wrote: 94 Points
Decanted for an hour; cotton candy and red berries/ black cherries on the nose. Not overly oaked in our opinion; really lovely, interesting medium bodied Chilean. I will certainly open another soon and plan to pick up some more recent vintages.
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4/14/2006 - Vino Me wrote: 86 Points
Mark Horvatich brought this wine to the Benchland offline on Wednesday. I can't quite put my finger on it but something about this wine did not appeal to me. Overall I would say it had a dull or sickly air about it. It is 40% Carmenere, 35% Cab and 25% Syrah. Notes of licorice, berry, pepper and earthy dust. I found this to have light tannins and a little too much oak. 86 points.
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4/8/2006 - pinotwinelover wrote: 94 Points
This is good juice. Heavy on the oak, but the overall wine carries it well, so it is never distracting. Cassis, with silky tannins. This blend is very rich, but not overly extracted. Some minerality and tar notes really add to the complexity.This wine crosses both a food wine and a on its own wine equally well. 93-95
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