Pulled from the cellar, half hour decant, served in the low 60s F. Dropped a bunch of sediment. Initial VA which quickly blew off. Rich garnet color, no bricking. Cherry, chocolate, truffle, wet leather and anise on the nose. Velvety tannins, medium-bodied, medium-length drying finish. Assertive blackberry fruit mixed with a pleasant herbaceous acidity and notes of menthol. Went well with steak frites. Great QPR. Still alive, but I would drink now if I had more.
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The ultimate over performer. Nose red currant, cedar, plum. Palate shockingly fruit driven with nice acidity and plum fruit. Minerality and tannins there bit well integrated. Big and long finish. Ok it’s a bit rustic and burly. But it’s a castillon. This is really good serious juice. Not a tired bone in this bottle.
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I had a great experience with this wine. Showed all the great characteristics of aged Bordeaux with earthiness and a bit of funky cheese on the nose. Nice mouthfeel and texture. Certainly did not have the structure or depth of top level Bordeaux but this was a real surprise.
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This is a decent run of the mill Bordeaux that is better after an hour of air. Sorry I have so many as they are rather ordinary and are taking up valuable space.
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Nice inexpensive, dry claret. Without food it's best to drink at a cooler teimp. Clearly, straddling 2nd and 3rd stages from a aroma and flavor profile. A little air and it's ready to drink. Attractive QPR.
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Very nice. Holding steady with everything in balance. Doesn't have a heck of a lot to say but very enjoyable with no off notes. Score would be higher but finishes a bit short. Drink up in the next few years as fruit is just starting to dry out. Great QPR for a 2005.
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best of the three. initially tasted like tomato (including the leaves!), but that blew off, leaving a wine that was shockingly tannic (prior experiences with now-clearly off bottles did not prepare me for this). the lightest hints of browning but generally opaque in the glass. clearly not a high end wine, but i suppose it's authentic and funky. just seems a little too ... rustic to be enjoyable. i guess at <$20 ten years after vintage expectations shouldn't be that high. it was "fine."
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Bought this from Garagiste. Color is deep purple with developing rust. Very acidic, short finish, and minerally upon opening. An hour of decant, softens up from the acidic throw down and leather and menthol show up front with no mid palate and lacking of any finish. It may develop more with time but it’s going bye-bye tonight.
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Well I should have followed my own advice and not waited 2 years for the next bottle. Nose has matured in evocative ways but in the mouth this is tired and has a funny element of unpleasant churn in the mouthfeel. Drink up
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Dark claret color ,nose of well blended dark fruit with some tobacco. Smooth if a bit light. Good tannins and medium long finish . Worth having kept several bottles. Good value if you don't count the cellar time.
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Nothing special, but a good wine. Looks, from other notes, that there are a fair number of flawed bottles out there. Mine have not been - but this was light-bodied with both older Bordeaux characteristics (nose and that old leather Bordeaux smell and taste) and youth (assertive bright red fruit). Still, it went nicely with a simply meal of beef and stewed tomatoes. For the money spent, I’m satisfied.
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soft, squishy cork, dark all the way up and the slightest sign of seepage. weird tingly acidity, not quite effervescence but more like VA that refused to totally blow off. not a fan of this one. definitely drink sooner rather than later, this is already getting musty and stale.
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Agree also with the effervescent thoughts. Dissipated within half hour of decant. Hit its stride after an hour. Good with German sausages. Elegant with truffle chocolates. Drink now!
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effervescence present, pleasant. 1 h decant, lovely nose, with round blue fruits; alone fell a bit flat on the palate, but went very well with steak and did not miss the middle.
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Undoubtedly corked, which makes me think the 1st bottle probably was too, not great considering only one of 3 bottles was good. Hopefully not a trend and just a run of bad luck.
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89-90: Boysenberry pie/jam and mushroom/truffle nose, so much better than previous bottle. Medium body, resolved velvety tannin, leather, dark fruit, medium plus finish. Now this hits that very nice QpR for me.
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Damp cork. As other reviewers have noted- a slight effervescent quality. Not off-putting but different. Tons of fruit on the palate- blackberries for sure. Nice QPR from Garagiste.
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Really on the fence with this first bottle, at first I was leaning toward the bottle being corked, but then maybe just the style of the wine, either way I have gone back and forth and usually a corked bottle is very apparent. Nose of wet tobacco and damp earth (I think this where I occasionally get the wet cardboard, but maybe not). Drinks nicely, nothing over the top but excellent value at 11 yrs old. Better with food. We'll see how the next bottle stacks up.
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While this offers up very little on the nose, after a 45 minute carafe it is surprisingly well bodied (for a secondary producer) and very nicely balanced. There is fruit present and the structure to hold on for a few more years, It guess. But unlikely to improve so why wait? I'll be drinking my remaining bottles near term with enthusiasm
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Cork appeared damp. Agree with the unusual slight effervescence present upon opening. Fortunately this quickly blew off. The fruit was still fresh and abundant, more new world than old. What surprised me was the black pepper mid palate and finish. A different yet pleasant wine. Would like to slip it into a blind tasting.
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Wow what a bargain this wine is! The ripe fruit remains while the 10 years of bottle age adds its complex magic. I don't have much experience with aged wine, but I love this
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Stunning deal from Garagiste. At a tad over $16 a bottle. Deep purple with rouge edges. Magnificent legs. Gorgeous body. Cedar on the nose. Dark fruits, dark spices, and elegant tannins on the palate. A lasting finish. Smoky, seductive finish.
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Rich, easy, balanced wine. Classic bordeaux nose but nothing that deep. Mouthfeel fairly soft and the flavors were solid with expected fruits. Great value
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1/6/2023 - Delund Likes this wine: 88 Points
Pulled from the cellar, half hour decant, served in the low 60s F. Dropped a bunch of sediment. Initial VA which quickly blew off. Rich garnet color, no bricking. Cherry, chocolate, truffle, wet leather and anise on the nose. Velvety tannins, medium-bodied, medium-length drying finish. Assertive blackberry fruit mixed with a pleasant herbaceous acidity and notes of menthol. Went well with steak frites. Great QPR. Still alive, but I would drink now if I had more.
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7/5/2020 - lake.vino Likes this wine: 92 Points
The ultimate over performer. Nose red currant, cedar, plum. Palate shockingly fruit driven with nice acidity and plum fruit. Minerality and tannins there bit well integrated. Big and long finish. Ok it’s a bit rustic and burly. But it’s a castillon. This is really good serious juice. Not a tired bone in this bottle.
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6/20/2020 - Francophile Likes this wine: 89 Points
Reasonable Merlot based red, went well with quiche.
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4/17/2020 - Madface35 Likes this wine: 93 Points
I had a great experience with this wine. Showed all the great characteristics of aged Bordeaux with earthiness and a bit of funky cheese on the nose. Nice mouthfeel and texture. Certainly did not have the structure or depth of top level Bordeaux but this was a real surprise.
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4/17/2020 - Lemari Likes this wine: 87 Points
Base level, old world cab. Closed throwing heavy sediment, give this a healthy decant to make the best of it.
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3/5/2020 - Francophile wrote: 88 Points
This is a decent run of the mill Bordeaux that is better after an hour of air. Sorry I have so many as they are rather ordinary and are taking up valuable space.
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7/3/2019 - wine247365 Likes this wine: 85 Points
Nice inexpensive, dry claret. Without food it's best to drink at a cooler teimp. Clearly, straddling 2nd and 3rd stages from a aroma and flavor profile. A little air and it's ready to drink. Attractive QPR.
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6/18/2019 - JimEaton Likes this wine: 89 Points
Nice fruit, balanced tannins. I’ve not seen a breakdown of the grapes but detect lots of merlot. This drank well through 2 nights. Nice QPR.
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5/7/2019 - Big Ted Red Likes this wine: 88 Points
Very nice. Holding steady with everything in balance. Doesn't have a heck of a lot to say but very enjoyable with no off notes. Score would be higher but finishes a bit short. Drink up in the next few years as fruit is just starting to dry out. Great QPR for a 2005.
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4/12/2019 - mtaczak wrote: 88 Points
best of the three. initially tasted like tomato (including the leaves!), but that blew off, leaving a wine that was shockingly tannic (prior experiences with now-clearly off bottles did not prepare me for this). the lightest hints of browning but generally opaque in the glass. clearly not a high end wine, but i suppose it's authentic and funky. just seems a little too ... rustic to be enjoyable. i guess at <$20 ten years after vintage expectations shouldn't be that high. it was "fine."
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2/19/2019 - mtaczak Does not like this wine:
pretty boring. weirdly unbalanced, bitter finish. not the best value, drink up cause there's not a whole lot of upside here.
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2/1/2019 - SusanAA wrote:
Let it breathe
Rounded soft, some leather notes medium body
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10/23/2018 - winoma Likes this wine: 88 Points
Easy drinker but don’t think it will improve any so will drink other bottles in cellar sooner rather than later
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9/17/2018 - Cher Ozz wrote: 87 Points
Bought this from Garagiste. Color is deep purple with developing rust. Very acidic, short finish, and minerally upon opening. An hour of decant, softens up from the acidic throw down and leather and menthol show up front with no mid palate and lacking of any finish. It may develop more with time but it’s going bye-bye tonight.
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8/5/2018 - Rico100 wrote: 94 Points
delicious. great bottle!
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7/13/2018 - 2caveman wrote: 86 Points
Well I should have followed my own advice and not waited 2 years for the next bottle. Nose has matured in evocative ways but in the mouth this is tired and has a funny element of unpleasant churn in the mouthfeel. Drink up
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6/12/2018 - Fuz98112 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Last bottle. Drinks well 48 hours later as it calmed down and a bit more fruit coming through.
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5/15/2018 - winoma Likes this wine: 89 Points
Lovely wine and in a great spot for drinking. Pretty straight forward but good balance and easy drinking.
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5/6/2018 - tmoritz1 wrote: 90 Points
Dark claret color ,nose of well blended dark fruit with some tobacco. Smooth if a bit light. Good tannins and medium long finish . Worth having kept several bottles. Good value if you don't count the cellar time.
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3/27/2018 - randyjc wrote: 87 Points
Nothing special, but a good wine. Looks, from other notes, that there are a fair number of flawed bottles out there. Mine have not been - but this was light-bodied with both older Bordeaux characteristics (nose and that old leather Bordeaux smell and taste) and youth (assertive bright red fruit). Still, it went nicely with a simply meal of beef and stewed tomatoes. For the money spent, I’m satisfied.
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3/15/2018 - tmoritz1 wrote: 89 Points
Deep purple- medium legs with some sediment- notes of prune, raisin and cloves-medium long finish but the texture is a bit course.
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11/5/2017 - mtaczak wrote:
soft, squishy cork, dark all the way up and the slightest sign of seepage. weird tingly acidity, not quite effervescence but more like VA that refused to totally blow off. not a fan of this one. definitely drink sooner rather than later, this is already getting musty and stale.
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10/21/2017 - Fuz98112 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Agree also with the effervescent thoughts. Dissipated within half hour of decant. Hit its stride after an hour. Good with German sausages. Elegant with truffle chocolates. Drink now!
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7/22/2017 - LLakritz wrote: flawed
Corked
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4/30/2017 - jhanne8 wrote:
Nothing special. Possibly a little past it's prime. Nose not particularly pleasant and a bit muted finish.
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4/12/2017 - edgar wrote: 87 Points
effervescence present, pleasant. 1 h decant, lovely nose, with round blue fruits; alone fell a bit flat on the palate, but went very well with steak and did not miss the middle.
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2/17/2017 - JimEaton wrote: flawed
Corked
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12/13/2016 - Vinophiliac559 wrote: flawed
Undoubtedly corked, which makes me think the 1st bottle probably was too, not great considering only one of 3 bottles was good. Hopefully not a trend and just a run of bad luck.
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8/28/2016 - Vinophiliac559 wrote: 90 Points
89-90: Boysenberry pie/jam and mushroom/truffle nose, so much better than previous bottle. Medium body, resolved velvety tannin, leather, dark fruit, medium plus finish. Now this hits that very nice QpR for me.
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7/13/2016 - BobJr wrote:
Damp cork. As other reviewers have noted- a slight effervescent quality. Not off-putting but different.
Tons of fruit on the palate- blackberries for sure. Nice QPR from Garagiste.
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6/23/2016 - Vinophiliac559 wrote: 88 Points
Really on the fence with this first bottle, at first I was leaning toward the bottle being corked, but then maybe just the style of the wine, either way I have gone back and forth and usually a corked bottle is very apparent. Nose of wet tobacco and damp earth (I think this where I occasionally get the wet cardboard, but maybe not). Drinks nicely, nothing over the top but excellent value at 11 yrs old. Better with food. We'll see how the next bottle stacks up.
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4/24/2016 - 2caveman Likes this wine: 90 Points
While this offers up very little on the nose, after a 45 minute carafe it is surprisingly well bodied (for a secondary producer) and very nicely balanced. There is fruit present and the structure to hold on for a few more years, It guess. But unlikely to improve so why wait? I'll be drinking my remaining bottles near term with enthusiasm
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3/19/2016 - Danthejuiceman Likes this wine:
Cork appeared damp. Agree with the unusual slight effervescence present upon opening. Fortunately this quickly blew off. The fruit was still fresh and abundant, more new world than old. What surprised me was the black pepper mid palate and finish. A different yet pleasant wine. Would like to slip it into a blind tasting.
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3/8/2016 - miadelt wrote: 87 Points
There was an effervescence on the tongue that was off-putting and detracted from the other great qualities of the wine.
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2/3/2016 - cadamson Likes this wine: 87 Points
Mature, lots of blackberry/blueberry fruit, with some nice rustic elements. Much better on day 1, started falling apart day 2.
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1/10/2016 - qmckenna wrote: 88 Points
Soft and mature, ripe dark fruit. Soft tannins, beautiful balance.
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1/2/2016 - mlemaire wrote: 91 Points
Wow what a bargain this wine is! The ripe fruit remains while the 10 years of bottle age adds its complex magic. I don't have much experience with aged wine, but I love this
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12/7/2015 - Rico100 wrote: 89 Points
Nothing special.
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11/21/2015 - Bowmanifesto wrote: 89 Points
Stunning deal from Garagiste. At a tad over $16 a bottle. Deep purple with rouge edges. Magnificent legs. Gorgeous body. Cedar on the nose. Dark fruits, dark spices, and elegant tannins on the palate. A lasting finish. Smoky, seductive finish.
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11/15/2015 - redz wrote: 88 Points
3 hrs decant, Had a mildly effervescent quality initially, improved with time and food.
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11/10/2015 - tmoritz1 wrote: 90 Points
Very smooth-Light on tannins but nose of dried fruit and current and fig. Bit smoke but all and all a nice bordeaux and a good value
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11/8/2015 - Mig22 wrote: 89 Points
Rich, easy, balanced wine. Classic bordeaux nose but nothing that deep. Mouthfeel fairly soft and the flavors were solid with expected fruits. Great value
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