Good value Southern Rhone. This was better than the first bottle a couple of months ago. Dark fruits, cocoa, with some pepper and spice. Nice texture - smooth and plush and a pleasant finish.
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Last bottle of four. The other three did not merit notes, as we thought they were shocked outliers. Not the case.
Aerated into a decanter. Presents as brilliant violet with a little fine sediment. Nose is quite alcoholic with disjointed, low-intensity aromas of burnt fried dough, blackberry jam, and artificial leather. Similar on the palate, but with a burnt earth streak. Not much of a finish beyond a blast of heat. Medium(+) acid and fine, high-intensity tannins give this a razor-sharp structure.
There is nothing overtly offensive about this juice, but it needs to do some serious soul-searching in the bottle. It is massively disjointed at this stage. Calling it "good," 82/100, may be on the generous side, but I recognize that it could improve with time. I won't be buying this again.
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Better on day 2 with pepper, earth, leather, and black raspberries. Full (-) bodied with medium (+) length. Great deal for a wine that drinks like CdP.
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Nose of CDP. Lovely. Deeply colored but doesn't feel thick on the palete. Drinks above its price point for being purchased in the US. Had a much better southern Rhone in France for €11 a year ago, but alas, that type wine is not generally available here, at least as far as we can discover.
But, given the fact I didn't study the label well when I pulled it from my cellar, it fooled me in that I thought it was a CDP. It effuses some of the characteristics of a decent CDP, but lacks the finesse required to go to the next level. Would be an 87 as a CDP, but for $14.99 a great bargain and therefore an 89 in our estimation based on QPR.
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Stellar and exactly what I want out of the southern rhone. This drinks like a good chateauneuf-du-pape. Lush fruit. Minerality. Full body and heavy mouthfeel and a long finish. Buy by the case!
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5/22/2020 - bkrup Likes this wine: 89 Points
Consistent with previous note. Fruit forward and pleasant. Went well with white chicken Chile.
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2/20/2019 - bkrup Likes this wine: 90 Points
Great food wine. Paired well with chicken and garlic thyme cream sauce!
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2/19/2019 - vincemcd61 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Nice wine had with leftover harissa Bolognese
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1/4/2019 - vincemcd61 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Nice wine opened up nicely upon decanting for an hour. Had with turkey and squash skillet
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8/5/2018 - galewskj wrote: 88 Points
High Low Blind Tasting Part II - Can you taste the difference NOW? (Amy and Scott's house): Doubled decanted and served alongside a 2011 Janasse VV. This wine was in good shape and typical of an entry level Rhone. Garrigue, licorice and earth are present. It is fairly large-bodied. 1 out of 15 people preferred this to the 2011 Janasse VV.
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4/22/2018 - vincemcd61 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Nice wine. Had with ChaCha’s lamb chops
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2/16/2017 - dman7 wrote: 89 Points
Good value Southern Rhone. This was better than the first bottle a couple of months ago. Dark fruits, cocoa, with some pepper and spice. Nice texture - smooth and plush and a pleasant finish.
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5/31/2016 - vincemcd61 Likes this wine: 88 Points
Nice wine had with pasta broccoli rabe, bacon and chic peas
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11/25/2015 - Toddv63 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Tasty, spicy, high alcohol, not very complex, shallow finish
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6/25/2015 - pkbowen wrote: 82 Points
Last bottle of four. The other three did not merit notes, as we thought they were shocked outliers. Not the case.
Aerated into a decanter. Presents as brilliant violet with a little fine sediment. Nose is quite alcoholic with disjointed, low-intensity aromas of burnt fried dough, blackberry jam, and artificial leather. Similar on the palate, but with a burnt earth streak. Not much of a finish beyond a blast of heat. Medium(+) acid and fine, high-intensity tannins give this a razor-sharp structure.
There is nothing overtly offensive about this juice, but it needs to do some serious soul-searching in the bottle. It is massively disjointed at this stage. Calling it "good," 82/100, may be on the generous side, but I recognize that it could improve with time. I won't be buying this again.
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5/18/2015 - galewskj wrote: 86 Points
A typical entry-level Southern Rhone. Maybe it will be better in time? It made a nice sauce for my braised lamb shanks.
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4/24/2015 - bkrup Likes this wine: 91 Points
Rich and velvety smooth. Just enough spice to compliment Indian chicken curry dish.
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4/13/2015 - Lakedweller Likes this wine: 90 Points
Great QPR.
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3/13/2015 - nietzschephilosopher Likes this wine: 91 Points
Consistent with previous notes.
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3/3/2015 - nietzschephilosopher Likes this wine: 92 Points
Better on day 2 with pepper, earth, leather, and black raspberries. Full (-) bodied with medium (+) length. Great deal for a wine that drinks like CdP.
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3/1/2015 - Tim and Bonnie Likes this wine: 89 Points
Nose of CDP. Lovely. Deeply colored but doesn't feel thick on the palete. Drinks above its price point for being purchased in the US. Had a much better southern Rhone in France for €11 a year ago, but alas, that type wine is not generally available here, at least as far as we can discover.
But, given the fact I didn't study the label well when I pulled it from my cellar, it fooled me in that I thought it was a CDP. It effuses some of the characteristics of a decent CDP, but lacks the finesse required to go to the next level. Would be an 87 as a CDP, but for $14.99 a great bargain and therefore an 89 in our estimation based on QPR.
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2/23/2015 - nietzschephilosopher Likes this wine: 93 Points
Stellar and exactly what I want out of the southern rhone. This drinks like a good chateauneuf-du-pape. Lush fruit. Minerality. Full body and heavy mouthfeel and a long finish. Buy by the case!
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