Dark reddish-purple in color. Full, forward & fragrant nose of ripe dark fruit aromas of cherries, blackberries & cassis with some earthy/dusty notes, mocha, tar, leather, spices & herbs & oak/vanilla in the background. Medium-deep bodied with a good concentration of well balanced & smooth textured, ripe dark fruit flavors of cherries, blueberries & plums with spices, herbs & a hint of oak/vanilla. Lingering finish. Drinks quite well at present with decanting & airing but at 25 years of age, it is close to its peak of development.
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Dinner at Olivia (Olivia, Keong Saik Road, Singapore): Pretty good. This was rather better than the last time I had it 4 years back. Still a touch modern for my tastes, but this was enjoyable, and had a good bit of character to it. The nose was a complex melange of earthy, meaty aromas along with deep, dark plum and blackberry notes, and then a twist of brambly, spicy, ever so slightly tarry notes that were so very Priorat. The palate had mellowed a bit since the last outing - still big and ripe, with chewy black cherry, blackberry and plum fruit aplenty - but this felt more controlled and less in-your-face. Time has rounded off the puppy fat a bit, and left instead more a sense of depth and power. The balance and structure has come out better too, with fine, powdery tannins and juicy acidity laced through the fruit, and drawing the wine into a long, earthy, spicy, slightly smokey finish. Very enjoyable, even if it did feel like it would benefit from another 4-5 years in the bottle.
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Very enjoyable bottle, though beginning to show slightly tired. Fruit is just starting to weaken, but the structure is still there and holding up firmly. Drink up.
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Public Holiday Tea at Alex's (Alex and Fiona's in AMK): Very pleasant - this is drinking well now. The nose wafted out of the glass with rich notes of fragrant herb and wood spice sprinkled over a core of dark berry aromas. There was still some oak in there somewhere, but otherwise it was a rather pleasant bouquet. On the palate, rich, ripe flavours of blackberries, cassis and plums were still laced with firmish, slightly powdery tannins and decent acidity. On the finish, notes of bramble and spice emerged from amidst the dark fruit. A very bold wine. Not exactly primary, but still youthful and not exactly complex yet. However, there was a nice balance in the midst of the power and weight of the wine that bodes well for its long term future. One to try again in 4-5 years.
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Hugely satisfying Spanish wine. The nose was a bit restrained, but on the palate there was ripe, juicy fruit (this is a 1998 by the way--12 years old) that tantalizes at the front, then flows to a smooth integration of tannin and acid, and ends with a very long finish. Outstanding.
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pnp. still dark with no bricking and no sed. TN from memory; restrained nose. Not an overpowering fruit bomb, tannins resolved. Medium finish. Nice style but nothing too crazy. Still have another.
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A very nice wine. Right up my alley. Strong aroma of strawberry and cherry. Well balanced, with black cherry flavor dominant but not overpowering. Medium bodied and well structured. Garnet colored. Drinking very well. A nice Garnacha driven blend. Highly recommended and a huge value at this price.
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Drank without decanting, which was a mistake IMO. This is still quite tannic and it took significant time in the glass for the dryness to fade and the wine to smooth out. I think this is a good wine but I'd give it a few more years in the cellar. There's enough fruit and acidity to give it staying power.
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This wine is excellent for sipping and contemplating. It is very smooth and has matured well. Very nice fruit palate. The challenge is to find the correct pairing with a meal that does not overwhelm the wine.
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Excellent wine w/juicy fruit, even after all these years. Extremely smooth with only a hint of tannins and enough acid to keep the fruit from being overbearing. Nice long finish that makes it very pleasant for an afternoon of wine, cheese and almonds.
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NOSE: American oak; tanned leather; red berry fruits.
BODY: medium bodied
TASTE: bright red berry fruit, showing a moderately-mature fruit flavors; lots of American oak; tannins are drying on the finish; leather; hint of mineral. I thought this was very nice. Gut impression score: 90-92.
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Potent nose - some leather, mineral/rocks as mentioned in other notes. Ripe notes similar to a CdP. Still with good structure and slightly tannic finish. Balanced, would be better with hearty food (had first glass with just olives). Medium bodied but with a more dense mouthfeel. Just re-released from Bay Area shop and sold out same day. Only bottle I got...
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Lovely wine. Smells like mature Bordeaux. Tobacco, leather, plum, barnyard, chocolate, mineral, blackfruit, and spice. Port characteristics on the nose. Elegant and balanced. Fully mature and complex. Still some tannins, but drinking beautifully now. Medium bodied. Stumbled upon in my local wine store. I am really starting to love Priorat, the wines are so interesting and French-like for a fraction of the price. Decanted for 30 minutes. $40.
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Magnum. A little closed at first, but lots of crushed rock and herbs on the nose. Not at all jammy, but that is not the style here. Restrained with all the componenets coming together. Great bottle.
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Some definite blueberry, kirsch and Chambord notes in the nose with a hint of leather and spice. Very good structure and some strength left in the tannins made this a very enjoyable wine with our food. Though it's almost 10 years old, I think this one will continue to progress for another 5 years and be drinkable for another 10.
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7/30/2023 - Vinnut Likes this wine: 91 Points
Dark reddish-purple in color. Full, forward & fragrant nose of ripe dark fruit aromas of cherries, blackberries & cassis with some earthy/dusty notes, mocha, tar, leather, spices & herbs & oak/vanilla in the background. Medium-deep bodied with a good concentration of well balanced & smooth textured, ripe dark fruit flavors of cherries, blueberries & plums with spices, herbs & a hint of oak/vanilla. Lingering finish. Drinks quite well at present with decanting & airing but at 25 years of age, it is close to its peak of development.
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5/18/2019 - Paul S wrote: 92 Points
Dinner at Olivia (Olivia, Keong Saik Road, Singapore): Pretty good. This was rather better than the last time I had it 4 years back. Still a touch modern for my tastes, but this was enjoyable, and had a good bit of character to it. The nose was a complex melange of earthy, meaty aromas along with deep, dark plum and blackberry notes, and then a twist of brambly, spicy, ever so slightly tarry notes that were so very Priorat. The palate had mellowed a bit since the last outing - still big and ripe, with chewy black cherry, blackberry and plum fruit aplenty - but this felt more controlled and less in-your-face. Time has rounded off the puppy fat a bit, and left instead more a sense of depth and power. The balance and structure has come out better too, with fine, powdery tannins and juicy acidity laced through the fruit, and drawing the wine into a long, earthy, spicy, slightly smokey finish. Very enjoyable, even if it did feel like it would benefit from another 4-5 years in the bottle.
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8/22/2016 - robmatic wrote: 90 Points
Very enjoyable bottle, though beginning to show slightly tired. Fruit is just starting to weaken, but the structure is still there and holding up firmly. Drink up.
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9/26/2015 - Alex H wrote: 88 Points
Structured and claret like reminding me of a pauillac with dark currants and cigar box. Smooth cedary oak spiced with exotic spices.
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9/24/2015 - Paul S wrote: 90 Points
Public Holiday Tea at Alex's (Alex and Fiona's in AMK): Very pleasant - this is drinking well now. The nose wafted out of the glass with rich notes of fragrant herb and wood spice sprinkled over a core of dark berry aromas. There was still some oak in there somewhere, but otherwise it was a rather pleasant bouquet. On the palate, rich, ripe flavours of blackberries, cassis and plums were still laced with firmish, slightly powdery tannins and decent acidity. On the finish, notes of bramble and spice emerged from amidst the dark fruit. A very bold wine. Not exactly primary, but still youthful and not exactly complex yet. However, there was a nice balance in the midst of the power and weight of the wine that bodes well for its long term future. One to try again in 4-5 years.
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9/10/2013 - robmatic wrote: 91 Points
Drinking beautifully. Full, round, structured, and balanced. Lots of interest here. Drink or hold.
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4/27/2011 - murphone wrote: 89 Points
Slightly out of balance even after a long decant... wanted more depth.
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1/27/2011 - up4wine wrote: 91 Points
Hugely satisfying Spanish wine. The nose was a bit restrained, but on the palate there was ripe, juicy fruit (this is a 1998 by the way--12 years old) that tantalizes at the front, then flows to a smooth integration of tannin and acid, and ends with a very long finish. Outstanding.
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12/8/2010 - chad1616 wrote: 89 Points
Nice wine but the fruit is fading. It still has tannins and structure. I recommend serving this slightly chilled to help bring out the fruit.
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9/1/2010 - Whine-oh wrote: 90 Points
pnp. still dark with no bricking and no sed. TN from memory; restrained nose. Not an overpowering fruit bomb, tannins resolved. Medium finish. Nice style but nothing too crazy. Still have another.
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7/19/2010 - rabs wrote: 93 Points
A very nice wine. Right up my alley. Strong aroma of strawberry and cherry. Well balanced, with black cherry flavor dominant but not overpowering. Medium bodied and well structured. Garnet colored. Drinking very well. A nice Garnacha driven blend. Highly recommended and a huge value at this price.
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6/19/2010 - GGinSF wrote: 87 Points
Drank without decanting, which was a mistake IMO. This is still quite tannic and it took significant time in the glass for the dryness to fade and the wine to smooth out. I think this is a good wine but I'd give it a few more years in the cellar. There's enough fruit and acidity to give it staying power.
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6/7/2010 - up4wine wrote: 90 Points
This wine is excellent for sipping and contemplating. It is very smooth and has matured well. Very nice fruit palate. The challenge is to find the correct pairing with a meal that does not overwhelm the wine.
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5/23/2010 - up4wine wrote: 91 Points
Excellent wine w/juicy fruit, even after all these years. Extremely smooth with only a hint of tannins and enough acid to keep the fruit from being overbearing. Nice long finish that makes it very pleasant for an afternoon of wine, cheese and almonds.
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2/28/2010 - grafstrb Likes this wine:
NOSE: American oak; tanned leather; red berry fruits.
BODY: medium bodied
TASTE: bright red berry fruit, showing a moderately-mature fruit flavors; lots of American oak; tannins are drying on the finish; leather; hint of mineral. I thought this was very nice. Gut impression score: 90-92.
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2/5/2010 - envirovino wrote: 91 Points
Potent nose - some leather, mineral/rocks as mentioned in other notes. Ripe notes similar to a CdP. Still with good structure and slightly tannic finish. Balanced, would be better with hearty food (had first glass with just olives). Medium bodied but with a more dense mouthfeel. Just re-released from Bay Area shop and sold out same day. Only bottle I got...
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9/4/2009 - pian0_player wrote: 92 Points
Lovely wine. Smells like mature Bordeaux. Tobacco, leather, plum, barnyard, chocolate, mineral, blackfruit, and spice. Port characteristics on the nose. Elegant and balanced. Fully mature and complex. Still some tannins, but drinking beautifully now. Medium bodied. Stumbled upon in my local wine store. I am really starting to love Priorat, the wines are so interesting and French-like for a fraction of the price. Decanted for 30 minutes. $40.
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8/21/2009 - Zweder wrote: 90 Points
Not many specific notes. Soft fruit juice. Good bitterness and acidity. Beautiful wine and ready now and for the next few years.
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1/12/2009 - Parador wrote: 93 Points
Magnum. A little closed at first, but lots of crushed rock and herbs on the nose. Not at all jammy, but that is not the style here. Restrained with all the componenets coming together. Great bottle.
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5/12/2007 - philhh wrote: 90 Points
Some definite blueberry, kirsch and Chambord notes in the nose with a hint of leather and spice. Very good structure and some strength left in the tannins made this a very enjoyable wine with our food. Though it's almost 10 years old, I think this one will continue to progress for another 5 years and be drinkable for another 10.
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