The last bottle of a long evening, no detailled notes, but a lovely, harmonious, refined wine in a perfect shape. Incredible how CNdP can age, 29 years nevertheless.
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general remarks: the wines are in general more on the elegant side. red berric. high acidity. almost no wood (they only use 5000+ liters „foudres“) intermixed with some spices and flowery aromas. especially the older vintages gave me some "burgundy vibes". there was some bottle variation (some oxidative bottles), especially with some warmer and better rated vintages such as 1995 and 1999… the younger the wines got the more similar they became and were hard to distinguish. also hard to tell where the younger vintages will end up in future. highlights were 1991 and 1996 (both 94 points).
in the cellar they use as low intervention as possible. every grape gets fermented on its own. they choose oxidative or reductive ageing for each grape separately according to the characteristics of the grape. the chateau is owned and ran by the family perrin (7 ppl).
Good fill, good looking cork, lots of sediment, benefited from 45 min of decant but somehow this was not as good as previous bottles. While it was enjoyed and serviceable it had something a bit lacking in both the aromatics as well as the mid palate. No oxidation or heat damage and the color was proper... I could not discern any flaws but strongly suspect something was a bit off here. Oh well no great wine only great bottles ...
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Two notes: 1) this had a lot of sediment, decant for sediment 2) while beautiful, it faded pretty quickly after being in the decanter around the 4 hour mark
This was absolutely fantastic. Smooth and gorgeous right after decanting and consistent until it started to fade. Simply beautiful, aromatic, at this point very elegant, and still quite vibrant.
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my last two bottles of this vintage and what a disappointment! - the first was spoiled although the cork was in perfect shape and the other was dead with the fruit completely gone
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Medium dark red. Black cherry, roasted beef, black pepper, saddle, and a distant hardwood fire. Warm and dry cherry, beef broth and black pepper flavours and a long dry rustic finish.
A very Northern Rhone style CdP.
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CdP blind tasting. Illuminating evening, while there were some nice and complex wines there were also quite a few misses. Issues revolved around either not aging well and becoming pruney, oxidative with cooked fruit aromas or just being too heavy/sweet/alcoholic. TN: This was lovely and light, red fruit, moderate alc, farmyard funk and earthy element.
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Cork was pristine, fill was very good. Some rusty color to the deep red color of the wine. The nose is replete with leather, iron/blood and dried cherries. On the palate the iron minerality is overlayed on the dried red cherry fruit and there is nice acidity to keep it all lively and spicy. The finish is smooth and really started showing after 24 hours opened including decant and separation of the fine sediment at the bottom of the bottle. This is classic CDP made in a lusty old school manner though it is missing the garrigue/herbs de Provence I usually associate with CDP. It is mature but will last another decade easily.
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Tasted blind. Dark fruit with torrefaction, some plum as well as licorice. Rip but not overripe, not oxidative. Good balance and freshness for such an old CdP.
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23rd of 24, opened an hour, near perfect cork and level, impressive, energetic and beautifully balanced fruit and mineral, nicely layered, signs of fade after 20 minutes, last glass significantly less interesting being all ash and mineral, downside, drink up. F+ (18).
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ESTG does Southern Rhone and Provence (Seattle, WA, USA): Deep, dark, cranberry, masculine, intense, a bit of a coffee note. There is something funky and intense, not moldy, not TCA, but a bit herbal and off-putting at first. But we got past it. After 30 minutes in the glass this just explodes, complex, deep.
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CNP was one of my gateway wines. Over the years, I have drifted towards more cool climate wines. I had a 1995 pegau recently which was disappinting but this beaucastel was really really good. What I remeber loving about CNP. and refined and light on its feet. Not overly extracted. In a great mature place.
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perhaps the best bottle of the half-case that i've had yet. very smooth, with good albeit mellow red fruit, and an earthy core that ends with a nice sour note. Very pleasing. This specific bottle could still last but i see no reason why to wait, all the more so since not all bottles (will) show this well. in short, drink up.
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Medium garnet with obvious bricking. On initial opening, lots of Bretty barnyard and bandaid aromas as well as some VA. With time in the decanter, tertiary notes of leather, forest floor, and dusty library emerge. Very herbal. I have a hard time identifying much fruit - perhaps some dried strawberry. The mid-palate is very hollow and while the finish is long, the tannins are still rather drying. Overall, as others have noted, I think ‘austere’ is an apt descriptor but it’s just not coming together for me in a harmonious way. Is it an off bottle or is it simply past peak? Hard to know for sure, but this is my last bottle. Based on this showing, my advice would be to drink any remaining bottles sooner rather than later.
Opened and decanted while drinking over several hours
At first pretty strong band aid more than horse brett. With a couple hours in the decanter, the brett blew off enough to a noticeable, but not disagreeable level leaving a lovely savory nose more than fruit driven nose with roasted meat, mushroom, Provencal herbs, and dark berry and raspberry fruits. On the palate, mid plus weighted and broad with sap and density without being heavy or clumsy on the palate. Savory more than fruit driven with the mourvèdre seemingly coming to the fore. This has power and structure, but also excellent sense of proportion and balance. Most of the tannins are resolved and good acid balance for CdP. It has the sternness of '95, but I kind of dig it. Drinking at peak. 92 once the brett blew off.
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Light medium bright red. Medium intense nose, lots here, warm cherry, barnyard, nutmeg, thyme, roasted meat, and pepper. Warm dry cherry, beef broth, and pepper flavours and a long dry pepper finish.
I think this vintage of Beaucastel has always shown a great future and is now beginning to show it. I think it has so much structure it will continue to improve.
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Just a great clean mature bottle bouquet. Red cherries and iron, with a hint of lavender, further define the nose and palate. Tannins are resolved but still a spine of nice acidity holds up the wine. Lengthy and doesn't show the alcohol at all.
Not improving, probably, but no rush for a well stored bottle.
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Still holding up well, but not likely to improve much from here ... Medium-bodied, nice texture after a short decant, spice/bay leaf/tree bark/pine aromas, some black cherry fruit on the palate. An elegant wine at this point and a nice pairing with duck confit and dried cherry chutney. I remember how tannic this was on release; time has treated it well, but it was never destined to be a truly great wine in this vintage.
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Good color with amber edge but minimal separation. Tight initially but after 15 minutes it opened up to reveal a glorious aroma of dark black fruits (cherries), chocolate, spices, and a hint of eucalyptus. Nicely balanced with good length. Showed much better than we anticipated (had side by side with the 1989 and 1981 Beaucastel, which were both excellent although showing more age).
Brad's Belated Big 6-0 Birthday Celebration (Brad & Marcia's Place, St. Paul, MN): Dark red color. I believe this got a quick splash for sediment. Drank a glass over 45 minutes next to a beautiful '89. This was a fair bit bigger, very spicy, strong garrigue notes, bold with some more stewed plum notes to go with the cassis and black cherry. Showing a little heat too. Not quite up to some past bottles.
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I honestly had little hope that this was going to be remotely drinkable as I haven’t had much luck with Chateauneuf’s aged more than 10 years. I thought it would be past it’s prime. I was wrong. Still very fresh and ripe, some brick on the rim with silky smooth tannins, some sweetness, tobacco leaf red berry notes, medium body with a never-ending finish. No decanting required; I would push the drinking window further to 2026. Hats off to the Perrin family.
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Tasted blind. Very pretty nose with red fruit, savory notes, old leather, and tart berries. Medium acidity with quite integrated tannins, cassis, and red berry flavors on the palate. Nice finish. This is a very pleasant, mature CdP!
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Nez au démarrage de faible intensité, fruit noir, mûres, kirsch léger. Après quelques minutes, arômes de terres, animale, jus de viande léger et olive noire léger. Après 1 jour, les Prunaux d'Agen aux lards fumés sont clairement identifiables.
En bouche, fraicheur intacte avec des tannins qui sont savoureux. Cela manque maintenant de structure et la finale est relativement courte.
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Fully mature and potentially past peak. On tertiary notes, animal farm, leather, garrigue. Good acidity. A good but not great Beaucastel. Time to drink up.
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Very well stored bottle with a perfect cork and fill. In a really interesting spot with fruit just starting to fade and tertiary notes picking up. Reductive upon opening and needed about an hour decanting to shine. The nose exhibits prominent forest floor, a dried bouquet, garrigue and smoke. Fruit on the palate is mature with dried blackberries, raspberries and cherries. Quite a lot of pepper and spice.
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Wine was properly stored from purchase upon release until consumed. Big beautiful bouquet of cherries, raspberries, blueberries. Touch of vanilla, spices, pepper. Lovely wine.
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The nose here is a little demure, with moderate intensity ripe raspberries, kirsch, and black pepper. More engaging and vibrant on the palate, though, showing garrigue, cracked peppercorn, mineral, and smoke. The tannins are almost completely resolved here, leaving an unexpected silky, supple mouthfeel that’s quite nice. Notwithstanding the fact that this seems to be on its way down (from half), it’s lively, elegant, and certainly there’s no shortage of mature CdP character.
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Well past it’s prime and lost almost all it’s fruitiness. Opened up a bit after decanting for 2 hours, but main notes are dried fruit, particularly raisin.
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Decanted for 90 min, after its reticent and tightly coiled initial taste. Near peak but with the stuffing to hold for at least 5 more years, dried black and red fruits, worn leather, animale, rosemary. Very good depth and complexity. Persistent finish. Beaucastel always a pleasure and with minimal price inflation, it’s almost a value wine now.
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Decanted for thirty minutes. Hope chest, leather, cherries, olive leaves, stone and dried roses. A medium-long finish, and a fine, yet layered body that shows dimension. Silky tannins still show in a savory manner. Drink now - 2029.
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This is a fine drink, with real mourvedre character - smoke and animal with herbs and that elusive Rhone garrigue. No real tannins on a medium frame, there is a classy texture to the wine. Not something I drink frequently, so a little hard to calibrate, but enjoyable and ready to go.
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Outshining my last bottle, which was plagued by Brett, tonight Beaucastel’s 1995 is clean with a mature nose of fading dark fruit, leather, Rosemary, and tar. Mostly resolved tannins and still bright acidity frame dark fruit and earth flavors. At peak and should hold for a few more years.
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Popped and poured. Drank along side an 05, 06 and 09. This seemed as young as the other three surprisingly. Very consistent profile. Excellent balance and length. Lots left to go in this 95 though it is drinking well now. not quite as good as the 09 but as good as the 05 and better than the 06. Drink now-2025.
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Drinking wonderfully. The cork was in perfect condition, and clearly this had been stores properly. (I recall purchasing this from a library release, so that might have a lot to do with the perfect condition of all the bottles that I purchased.) Decanted for about 3 hours. Opens up with menthol, licorice, stone cherries, some pepper, new leather on the finish. Medium body, translucent dark red. Long finish. Wish I had more!!
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Not sure why I passed over this btl so often since acquiring it in 2018? Drank tonight like I've owned and pampered it since release. Decided to simply open it 2 hours B4 dinner, pour a Burg glass and decide if it needed much air? It didn't. The nose and palate both were pretty open for business. Maybe slightly leaner for the first 30 minutes in my glass. By the time we started drinking it in earnest it was rocking! The corkwas only soaked 1/8" and while dry after dinner it came out nicely and in tack. An almost youthful semi opaque ruby red and very light bricking. Fill was high and sediment minimal, so no decant. Aromas of potpourri, underbrush and fading fruit. A mature resolved palate but eminently fresh. Layers of red fruit, more underbrush, mushroom, herbs, licorice and mineral. Most attractive is the sheer length on the finish and a lifted squirt of raspberry - cherry jam in the fruit profile. This is 100% ready to go and unlikely to improve at all. Classic old school CDP the way more CDPs should drink. Its big but not sloppy. 13.5% alc. A bargain for $80 just 2 yrs ago.
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Decanted 2 hrs. Cork perfect. Ruby red, edge brown /white. Medium bq w mostly secondary aromas like barnyards, dried rose petals, dried cherry fruit, Medium+ body with fresh acidity, well integrated tannins, spicy strawberry jam (but slightly drying). Elegant, very well balanced. Long complex aftertaste. Still alive, but won't get any better.
Garnet core with medium concentration and a light reddish rim. Visually the legs are very slow-dripping. The nose is developing, with its initial concentration of animal, barnyard aromas slowly peeling away with time to reveal notes of red cherries, boysenberries, leather, truffles, wet earth and peppercorn. Medium+ body with all aspects of the wine finely balanced on its resolved, silk-like tannins, fresh acidity, high alcohol and a medium+ to long finish. Thoroughly enjoyed this wine with 2 hours of decanting.
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Didn’t score. Ruby red in color with signs of garnet. Question how this wine was stored. Normally would expect this wine to show more life. Very flat, little fruit showing. Notes were more of leather, tobacco and a little stewed fruit. Disappointing.
Reviewing my previous notes I am starting to sound like a broken record as every bottle seems to be perhaps the best ever to date. ts becoing evident that the 1995 hot & dry vintage resulted in a classic Bo that is built for the long haul. There is no over ripeness, or headiness, just nice clean aged fruit with elegant spice & Garrigue notes and no funk or bret. At a great place for lovers of classic CNDP
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This last bottle felt a little over the hill... could be bottle variation though, so I wont give this a score. This bottle just didnt feel correct, it was flat and didnt have any fruit left at all. I mostly got some barnyard, tea leaves, but not enough tertiary character to make it interesting.
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Although I have moved away from CDPs, this one is very enjoyable. PNP and it quickly gave notes of furniture polish, menthol and lots of red fruit. Earth and wet wood on the nose. Really very enjoyable.
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F: dominant plum flavor. A: low acid. T: with well-integrated tannins. A: low-to-medium alcohol. B: solid-structure that has held up well to nearly 25 years of aging; supple & elegant.
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This bottle has opened up a little compared with the bottle 3 years ago but was still more austere and acidic than I usually associate with CndP. The comment from across the table "is this Madiran?" was not totally inappropriate and viewed that way the wine had qualities. The nose was discreet but showed dark plum round fruit tinged with meat and some metallic rust with more air. The palate was medium/full bodied with some depth and savoury fruit, replay of the discreet aromatics from the nose, some depth and earthiness, smooth texture, lively acidity and residual structure. The problem with this showing was a mismatched pairing, venison in a slightly sweet red berry sauce, which would have gone beautifully with a more typically sweet fruited and opulent CndP, e.g. the 2000. Just about very good on its own terms.
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Benefits from a long decant, this one has a gorgeous nose with mostly secondary notes, such as leather, tar, dried cherries but also sweet red berries. On the palate medium bodied, but very long with noticeable but also completely integrated tannin and a wide range of secondary flavours, such as dried derries, sweet figs, leather, Tobacco, tea. Lovely stuff, should be drunk now, no Point in waiting.
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Still good life in this wine. Opened a 375 ml bottle I had in the cellar tonight. Wine opened in 15 minutes with excellent fruit and balanced tannins. If you have any this old I would suggest drink it now. One of my favorite CDPs. additional notes cork was in good shape with no seepage. I used an osso to open to avoid the breaking of the cork for anything over 7 years.
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This one followed by 7 days the 1993. Much more open and enjoyable. Cork showed no seepage, soak was mid cork.
Decanted, some sediment. Decanted for about 3 h
Delicious fresh sweet red fruit, with a fresh acidity to balance the plush fruit. Strawberry and clove. Savoury finish. A touch of brett that adds some interest. We both really enjoyed this.
Drink up, delicious now and upside appears limited.
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Another Erik bottle, and another disappointment. Dry, crumbly cork, taupe-y color, thin body, old Rioja-ish. Not undrinkable but not at all what we know this wine can be.
Need to keep my hands off of these. I expect these to drink well for at least 5 more years. Similar notes to last bottle. After 30mins, this is in a great place. They don't make them like this anymore.
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In a good spot still. The tannins are fully resolved and this has turned into a good old-school Châteauneuf without reaching the highs that Beaucastel of yore can. Spicy with notes of brown fruit, leather, tobacco. Will keep.
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Clear pale garnet bordering on tawny; lots of sediment with big slow legs; clean medium nose of stewed figs, dried cranberries, old leather, soil, nuts, cinnamon, soy and vanilla; developed; dry; medium plus acidity; medium plus tannins; high alcohol; medium body; medium plus flavor intensity; pfn with addition of dried cherries, cocoa and black licorice; long finish; outstanding quality; drink now - not going to benefit from further aging; absolutely amazing wine!
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Unfortunately, this wine had (to my senses) a low level of TCA taint. It wasn't enough to totally spoil the wine but enough for me to think that it wasn't showing all it should.
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Brick red; meaty, expressive warm leather, hint of violets; has substance, structured, retains power; plenty on a purposeful finish. Lacks flair. Proper C9P. This remains a long distance tuner.
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At Walter's house to watch NFL wildcard playoffs. From half bottle. PnP. Floral nose along with some cedar. Black raspberries on the palate with some of the usual Beaucastel funk which quickly blew off. I was expecting this to fade, but surprise! It picked up complexity and improved in tje short time it took us to finish it with minerals, some leather and CdP garrigue. Nice wine.
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Well, the last bottle of 1995 Beaucastel for me. This has never been outstanding in my book (and some professional tasters) and though it shows still nice fruit, in contrast to most bottles of the 1998 vintage from my cellar, it is even more and more unbalanced- with the tannin winning the war against fruit. 5/12/16/6 -2019
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Best bottle of this wine yet! Decanted to separate the sediment then served after 30min. This was stupendous. Such a complete wine, it had wonderful perfumed aromas, depth on the mid palate, long finish. Had the characteristic big puff of barnyard when it was popped but blew off after an hour of air. Perfectly mature and no sense of being on the other side of the hill like some previous bottles. So fresh. This was just drinking perfectly and I couldnt ask for a better showing.
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Still drinking well. One hour decant. Leather, tar and menthol with muted fruit flavors. Velvety mouthfeel. Really enjoyable. Wish I had another bottle.
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Drinking perfectly if you like mature CNDP. Smooth and resolved, leather, tar and a little fruit. The lightweight year is apparent, but the wine is lovely if that is what is required. No point keeping, but based on this bottle, it seems to OK for a few more years.
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Weekly tasting group RWP #314; Mysterious theme: What could be Christmas wines….. (@ VD): Beautiful and mature bouquet with some pleasant barnyard and still dark berries and good garrgue. On the palate some earth, mushrooms and autumn impressions and beautiful acidity. Mature and soft tannin. A beautiful wine at its peak. No reason to wait any longer.
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Monthly Tasting Group: Old Reds 2008 and Earlier (Tilia, Mpls): I can't say a lot more than I did in my last note from almost 5 years ago. This bottle was a pretty good facsimile. Small taste, thanks Dave D! A beautiful wine, what all CdP should aspire to. Leather, blue fruits, lavender, garrigue, cedar box, dried earth; medium body, ethereal, pristine red and blue fruits. A great bottle.
From 1/26/14: "This was another chart topper. Gorgeous nose with lots of delicious funk and earthiness, florals, dark raspberry, leather, sandalwood, spices, licorice. The palate is now beautifully integrated and nicely resolved. I can't help but think the decant was just about perfect here. Elegance on the palate with earth, minerals, raspberries and cherry, leather, licorice, medium-full body and long finish. Another WOTN candidate."
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22nd of 24, opened 30 minutes, level ok, pulled through crumbly cork, merest hint of taint to wine but not corked, otherwise beginning to lose fruit and develop more tar and ash, but decent style and grace, drink up. Just F (17.5).
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Second bottle that seems as though it is fading slightly. Still very good but definitely better a year ago. Time to drink up. The ‘98 was singing compared to this
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Cellared since release. Cork moist 15% up the sides, perfect fill. Ruby core, lightening and slight bricking at rim. Fragrant nose of cherry, leather, smoke, soy. Medium body, nice balance, flavors follow the nose, some sweet complex notes, medium finish. Excellent.
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Well stored since 1998. This has developed quite nicely and is now at peak. Nose is a nice melange of dark toned fruits and secondary/tertiary notes as liquorice, black truffles, leather, spices and mushrooms. Smooth, round and supple on the palate. Tannins are completely dissolved but structure is still alive. Not thick or heavy and with "only" 13.5% ABV it has rather gained an almost burgundian elegance and finesse.
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Ruby with broad orange rim. The cork is still in perfect condition. Perfectly cellared since release, this shows a nice nose of underbrush, herbal notes as lavender, mushrooms, black cherries and on the palate even tobacco. On the palate it seems this bottle has shed almost all of its tannin with enough acidity to keep the balance, but within 30 minutes to an hour the tannin strikes back because the wine looses its fruit. Decantation is really not recommended. It just blows away the rest of fruit. 1995 was a good but not a great vintage for CdP and this is true for Beaucastel as well. The standard cuvée is often inferior to the best of its competitors as e.g. Clos des Papes, maybe because of the fact that the best juice is going to the top cuvée Hommage a Jacques Perrin. Nevertheless the quality is high enough to keep its reputation intact. The 1995 Beaucastel should be drunk within a very few years if kept under perfect conditions since release, because there is really nothing to wait for, but still something to loose. 5/12/17/6 -2019+?
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3rd of 12. Lovely, complex farmyard, truffles, undergrowth, ripe damson fruit mellow leather and spices. Beautiful wine drunk with five spice duck fried rice and was perfect. 4+/5
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Starts out with some band aid and horse brett. Over time, the brett blew off and an outstanding mature wine revealed itself. Mushroom, black fruits, olives, rare game on the nose and palate. Structured yet not stern with more finesse than the Charvin, but less emotion. Still outstanding, and drinking very well right now. 92
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Oenitheque 2015 bottle. Well aged, perfect condition, slightly off peak but still good. Perfect example of old vintage wine, slightly off peak in perfect condition.
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21st of 24, pnp, perfect level, crumbly slightly smelly cork which slightly tainted the wine which though drinkable showed an uncharacteristic acid edge, so not marked.
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From a textbook cellar and cellared since release: Ruby with broad orange rim. Nose of herbs reminding cough syrup, animal skin, rust, earthy notes and hints of berry fruit. On the palate smooth with not fully shed but mellow tannin and enough acidity to balance everything and nice length. Nevertheless it obvious fades away and it is the last chance to get this, let's say over the next one or maybe two years, with a excellent score, at least if the bottles from my cellar are any indication. 5/12/17/6
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Erik's. Stunning pairing with Warren's '01. Both perfect bottles, of which the '95 wins for me with it's grander display of tertiary qualities. I own a bottle too--can only hope mine's this good.
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Ruby to brick red with orange rim. Iron, cherries and blackberries, herbal scents, leather. With time animally notes. Smooth on the palate though there is still considerably tannic backbone. I feel that it loses more and more of its intensity and even complexity, though it is still far superior to the 1998. Drink it up in the near term. This bottle was cellared under textbook conditions since release. 2018-2020?
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Stunning mature wine. Decanted for 45Min. Leather,dark chocolate come across the nose. 75min into this btl I would say that dark chocolate prevails. Lovely wine that matches good asian food perfectly.
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Garnet with watery rim; nose of old leather, lavender, dried cherries and cedar, pfn with addition of black licorice and cinnamon; integrated tannins; medium finish with cracked fall leaves and pronounced leather; silky, thinning mouthfeel, but still elegant; gracefully aging film star who’s retained her seductive charms
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Gamey with sweet red strawberry, earth, hoisin, roasted meat and white pepper notes. Balanced and long. Seamless and vibrant with great acidity. Drink now-2023.
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Vinklubben 1983's yearly X-mas dinner (hos Bo): DnP. Garnet red, wide yellowish rim, 5. Discrete spicy bouquet having the sweetness of maturity. Harmonious palate, tannins almost resolved, spicy elegant finish. Drink now-onwards. A bit dissapointing with regards to the somewaht subdued bouquet, otherwise delicious. Asger
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This bottle showed the same characteristics as described 03.07.2016, though it showed some more animalic scents in the beginning, which vanish largely after ca. 30 min. This bottle even seemed a bit lower in scent intensity. Therefore a lower rating. Since this bottle was stored at textbook conditions, the cork wasn't even slightly soaked and the filling was like twenty years ago, my advice is to drink it up in the near term.
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Ruby with opaque core; nose of cassis, forest floor and leather jacket; pfn with addition of cocoa, cinnamon and pepper; balanced; medium mouthfeel; medium plus finish; fascinating wine at 22 years old
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Tons of barnyard funk upon opening, but once that blew off, this was stellar. Fully mature now, this is drinking very well. Plenty of complexity, wet forest, plenty of ripe red fruit, dark berries, very earthy. This will hold for a while.
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Amazingly fresh despite its age. The fruit bursts from the glass. And there's a bit of that trademark Beaucastel Panda-Cola, somehow never tipping over from the sublime to the vulgar. Quite pronounced acidity but everything is in exquisite balance; nicely resolved tannins; long dreamy finish shows off the purity of the fruit. Nothing forced here. Lovely
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Weekly tasting group RWP #264: Southern Rhône 12 x 2010 (@ VD): In the bouquet barnyard, tobacco and autumn forest. On the palate a beautiful and complex wine with maturity, good acidity, autumn forest impressions, beautiful freshness and still a nice bite. 93+
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4th Saturday group uptown tasting (R&D's): Double blind. A bit funky at first, along with a dark fruit profile and spice qualities. Lighter on the palate though, with red fruit, pepper and earth tones. Balanced across the palate, finishing with good length. Fully mature.
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Again delicious and drinking beautifully out of half bottle. Lots of red fruit, some earth and lavender to round out the flavors. Smooth and delicious.
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A nose dominated by Brett, with barnyard and bandaid aromas followed by sweet berry and earth. Barnyard and cherry on the palate with welcome acidity and resolved tannins. Not an ideal showing.
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Chateau de Beaucastel Dinner (Ai Fiori (Langham Hotel on 5th Ave)): Dark fruits which are moving from dried to even a bit faded in the wine. Leather. Menthol/mint. It's in a really nice spot right now - I'd say this is just about perfectly aged. Very much enjoyed.
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2nd of 12. Deep garnet. Full bodied and complex; farmyard,leather, spices round mellow plum and damson fruit. Well balanced. Drunk with barbecued Toulouse sausage and couscous with roasted veg and was excellent match. Long finish. Many years left. 4+/5
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medium red with an earthy hue. smooth, well balanced classic CNDP fragrance, dark fruits and spice with a hint of game. tastes silky and well balanced. a well preserved bottle, gently aged with fruit to the fore but with the classic spice and complexity. possibly on the light side but drinking beautifully.
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From Art's cellar. Wine was in gorgeous shape, decanted through a screened funnel and left to sit for 60 minutes or so. Color going from crimson in the bowl to amber to orange on the rim. Nose of deep red fruits, a bit of cedar and the CdP brett (which I like). Wine is now integrated, with soft tannins and it might be just on the wrong side of its peak. Still quite enjoyable even though others have suggested it is well past its prime. I believe CdP, particularly Beaucastel, ages very well indeed.
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Everything you want an aged CdP to be. Brothy, beefy, unctuous, good structure (which will see it last many more years) savoury with a delicate sweet finish. I find huge variation in Beacastels with various vintages - often I'm amazed the wines are from the same producer. This 1995 was a very good effort indeed. Bravo.
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Little soak into cork. Ruby red and clear. Unlike previous bottle looked quite young. Solid nose of wet gravel. Palate is well balanced with medium to long finish. Overall was surprised that it was as youthful as it was. My previous bottle had more bricking, more developed secondary aromas. Still solid.
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Popped, poured, consumed over the next hour. Similar to previous notes, but this one opened up very quickly. Last bottle, should continue to cruise on this drinking plateau for awhile. Lovely bottle of wine.
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After all these years in the cellar, the 1995 is singing now. Gone are the hard edges, the tannins are almost fully resolved and voila, here is beautiful wine with true Provençal character: thyme and lavendar, fruit in brown nuances, mint and a lovely mineral core. This is a 'clean' Beaucastel, there's no farm notes or dirt, quite elegant actually. So happy to have cellared this.
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Brought by Art to our CdP tasting. It was the youngest of the group, and the WOTN. Crimson bowl, amber rim. Brett, deep red fruit and some cedar on the nose. Very fragrant compared to the others. Ripe dried Queen Anne plums in the mouth. Tannins all but gone. Nice balance, long finish.
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95 vs 96. 1995: elegant and delicate. 1996: intense and persistent. In common: fine wines. We were in 5 of which 3 preferred 1996. I liked most of the 1995 vintage
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Out of 375. Full, rustic, complex nose has meaty, earthy mature black fruit with roasted herbs, tar, old leather and spice. Palate has medium-to-full body with mature, suave dried and savory black fruit. Impeccable balance as fresh acids carry the fruit and fine tannins provide necessary grip. I'm sure this will hold on, but it's in a beautiful (peak?) place today.
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Initially, tasted like subdued Beaucastel, with muted saddle leather, barleywine, and black cherry flavors. I was ready to discount this wine as past its prime. (And let me be clear: this wine IS past its prime.) But it evolved, with a short decant, into something more interesting.
Rubber, playdoh, .... A little...spicy? Like paprika, but greener. Black olive. Wine turning to weirdness. Yet the tannins are still huge.
This wine will interest fans of old wine generally or Beaucastel specifically. If you're just looking for a good CdP, the Beaucastel wines from the 2000s are better bets.
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@Peter with T (Charlottenlund): Third or fourth time tasting this, and the last couple of times has been great; this seems to have finally come around as almost a Beaucastel of old; rich, broad, sauvage, yet here in the1995 still a firm core and a mineral note, that I like. Will keep, but it is finally open for business.
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Leather, wet leaves, and barnyard - a tertiary lovers dream! Unlike the Solanera from last week, however, these strong notes of aging make sense given the vintage. The savouriness didn't stop there: herbs, mushroom, smoke, bacon, meat, and coffee all made appearances, among others. Fruits were somewhat few and far between, consisting mostly of stewed cherry/plum, figs, and prunes - really in the back seat to all else though. Tasting on the second night provided much of the same, if not leaning even more towards savoury/meaty. Structurally, the tannins and acidity were present but now perfectly tamed allowing the flavours to do their work. Though still exceptionally tasty, there wasn't quite as much balance here as I found in the '98. I would attribute that primarily to age, of course, though it also made me feel like this '95 was perhaps a year or two past its prime (could also be a bottle that was less than fresh, though hard to tell without another for comparison). Even so, it didn't disappoint - Beaucastel Chateaneuf has yet to be unseated as my favourite.
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Really gorgeous. The nose is dominated by cigar box with a little bit of barnyard. The palate is rich and smooth, some red berry fruit, some licorice, a lot of earth, mineral, and a little more barnyard. Long and smooth on the finish.
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Slow ox for 2 hours in bottle. Drank over the next 3 hours. Appearance: Dark garnet in glass, with bricking at the edges. Lazy, luscious legs. Plenty of fine sediment (due to air travel, I did not have time to stand this bottle at length before opening). Nose: Cherry, raspberry, garrigue, sweet spices, leather, barnyard, hay, savoury meat. Faint hints of mineral, cheese and black pepper. Complex and developed. Barnyard dominated initially upon pouring, but settled down nicely after some air time to harmonise with the many other notes. Palate: Medium(+) acidity, medium mouth-coating body, medium flavour intensity, medium fine-grained tannins. Cherry, prune, sweet spices, earth, herb. Medium(+) finish. This wine is in a fantastic place right now. Paired beautifully with lamb chops. Feels like it has the structure for more aging, but I think it may not have enough fruit to go for more than another half-dozen years.
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30 minute decant. This is mature, soft and smooth with only a little funk and earth on the finish even two hours later. Fruit is taking a back seat to rust, spice and leather.
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This has really come into a sweet zone and required much less decanting than the bottle i posted on in 2014- used a small carafe style and within an hr this was humming along nicely. There is a seamless softness and elegance here that compliments the spice notes very well. The finest to date on this relatively late maturing vintage.
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brick-red with slightly orange rim. Cherries, blood, rust, earth, grass, red currant, hints of citrus (grapefruit?) and spices. Generous with round tannins, medium bodied with medium intensity and great poise. Bottles stored at 14°-15°C (57-59 F) are fully mature now with a plateau of maybe 5 more years. Airing isn't usefull. The wine developes beautiful within some minutes in the glas and the opened bottle.
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Good but not great. This wine is medium-bodied, with melted tanins. It was not very focused, and I had the sensation it did lack balance. Red berries and spices aromas. Moderate length. It lacks depth and roundness, as well as tension. Not bad at all though, but I could not help but being a bit disappointed given the estate's high reputation..
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Birthday Celebration Chateauneuf-Du-Papes (Bill's, Wilmette IL): Nose: The nose was wide open from the get-go with black rasberries, licorice, hoison sauce, garrigue, black cherries, leather notes, and peppery tones to boot. The nose has shed some of it's cleanliness and is more resembling a classic Beaucastel profile.
Taste: Medium bodied with medium acidity and silky tannins. The structure is clearly there, but it is showing that this is a more mature wine along with black raspberries, garrigue, licorice, leather, and peppery tones.
Overall: This is completely my speed and much of the things that I love about Beaucastel. It has taken a while, but this is certainly moving in the more savory and funky side that comes with aging Beaucastel.
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This was a good bottle though i have had some duds from the same case. Now fully mature. Slightly medicinal mature grenache just dominates the nose. Olives, touch of leather, stewed plums. Palate is medium weight and silky smooth. Solid, classic CDP.
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Medium-dark red-garnet. Aromatics rather primary, of plum, dried cherry, mushroom (very much how I remember it on its release !) On arrival, medium tannin and medium acidity; built well for more aging but where is this thing going ? Plum wine fruit and beef broth in the mouth, a little drying with bitterness on the finish. Unusual for a Beaucastel, to be so primary and undeveloped twenty years after fermentation, and to be so not interesting to drink at that age. Four hours on the table, didn't budge from its presentation one inch. Bottle #3 of four.
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From 375ml. Ruby color, fading a bit at rim. Stewed red fruits, baking spices, leather on the nose. A bit of barnyard as well. Strawberry and spice on the palate. More tannin than expected, but not harsh. A bit thin on mid palate and medium length finish. I'd give this another year or two to see if everything comes together, though drinking well today.
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I held back opening the rest of these bottles of '95 because a bottle opened in the early '00s was as tight as a drum though full of substance albeit inexpressive. This bottle still seemed too young and aromatically somewhat closed. Colour quite pristine with a subdued nose of savoury red and dark fruit. The medium/full bodied palate showed more red and dark fruit, smooth texture, fresh acidity and backbone which had lost its asperities but there was not a lot of complexity and the subdued aromatics led to a lack of flavour expansion on the palate and an impression of mediocre length. Will it ever open up as it should? Good but not (yet?) worthy of the Beaucastel name and a hyped vintage.
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Chris' Housewarming (Hamilton, ON): Really nicely mature CdP, showing a very rustic note of old leather, roast chestnut, farmyard, baked red plums, strawberry, roasted meat, cured meat, and cranberry. the palate enters on lovely sweet red fruit, great red fruited acid and a long rustic finish.
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1st of 12. Quite light in colour and still cherry red. Very complex with lots of layers of flavour. Red berry fruits and spicy farmyard, animal and undergrowth. Middle lacks some depth but still very impressive. 4+/5
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I think this wine achieved what its makers were aiming for, and it's impressively complex, but just not my vibe. Starting to brick. Smells like cherry brandy mixed with barbecue sauce, and a dash of paprika and herbs. Middleweight, with a tough of sourness lingering on the aftertaste. Not sure why I can't get into this.
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Strange bottle - came across as a simple, 5 year old cotes du rhone. Decanted an hour before, consumed over several hours. No obvious signs of accelerated aging or flaws, just tasted very simple and pleasant. Slight increase in complexity and depth by the very last sip.
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The wine looks ruby colored. The legs are medium. There is light sediment in the bottle. The body is light/medium. The wine has linear texture. The wine finishes medium. The wine has low acidity.
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This was absolutely gorgeous on this night. The texture was silky and smooth. This is drinking at peak now and it is stunning. One of my favourite wines of the year. This was very clean and ready to go after 15 mins in a decanter. There was some initial barnyard funk, but that quickly blew away. This is in such a good place right now, really tough to ask for anything more. There were herbs, garrigue, but still plenty of ripe red berry on the palate. I think this will hold for many years at this point, but if you have a bottle, there is no reason to wait. Phenomenal.
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Beautiful Chateauneuf, pretty much at its peak now, but doesn't seem to be near decline. Gamy and earthy with rosemary, balsamic notes, and plum/dried berry fruits. The palate is still plush and lovely. Excellent with pork.
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A private dinner (Restaurant Aan de Poel **, Amstelveen, NL): Creamy, rich, really very fresh, no brett at all, velvety, cherries, good tannic structure, stalks, lively, well-integrated tannins, attractive but a bit monolothic, clean flavours, good length, hint of cocoa.
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Fully mature - very tertiary. Marmite, balsam, prune, earth, leather and tree bark aromas are echoed on the tannic palate. Plenty of black tea notes on the finish. Some hint of tawny port oxidative character that is perfectly in keeping with the age of the wine. Generous alcohol. Touch of mocha. Huge character. My impression is that this vintage is further developed than the 90 and 89. This is a 20 year old wine that delivers plenty of aged character. Whether or not it is better than it was in its youth is a good question. My suggestion would be to drink this now for its character, if not elegance. Slightly burly.
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Initial nose a little meaty and mild tobacco, settled to medium red fruit with time. Flavors follow the nose with a superbly fresh fruit showing. I really enjoy a wine that can have all the fruit flavor without the fruit sweetness. Top quality tart finish
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A private dinner (Restaurant Bonham's, Mayfair, London, UK): Fully mature but lively appearance; warm and vinous nose, mature and harmonious, roasted chestnuts, warm spices, vestiges of fruit, hint of game, touch of nuttiness; mature but lively palate, medium weight, excellent balance, sturdy tannic foundation carried by ripe acidity, lovely nuance to the flavours, thinning a bit but not drying out; good length, medicinal character on the finish.
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20+ CDP Dinner (Bristol): Bottle was in excellent condition/clean. Warm fruit and perfectly resolved. Drink up as I think this doesn't have the legs for more aging.
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Very dark red colour. Gorgeous nose with lots of delicious funk and earthiness, florals, dark raspberry, leather, sandalwood, spices, licorice. The palate was on an inferior level compared to the nose. Lean and dry on the palate with earth, minerals, raspberries and cherry, leather, licorice, medium-full body and medium finish. Can further age many large, especially when in large formats.
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Dark red cherry ans strawberry fruit, barnyard, the usual brett; nicely balanced; just entering prime time but still has many years to go yet; classic.
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A great showing. Decanted 3 hours, and it still took an hour for it to hit its stride at the restaurant. Beautiful mellow texture. Nice S Rhone spiciness but drinking like a pinot.
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Jeroboam Club 30th anniversary dinner from Jeroboam mid mature colour with some bricking. Gorgeous nose of garrigue and mature fruit. Very clean. Lot of depth and restraint, very classy and a great example of mature Beaucastel with lots of life ahead although in a great place now.
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I opened it up for my meal it smelled old but cleared out. clear rim neeeded 15 minutes to open up. in itally red/black fruit long finish next taste alittle earthier. I havent had l havent had my meal yet. complex alive I will love it with my lamb chop.
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YES-vite. So, this has aged a lot since I drank it in 2010; it now seems quite old, brick coloured (maybe just this bottle?). Had good aging, characteristic of old CNF;very nice. But, a tiny bit tired, like it has seen a bit too much of life and is not the better for it. Drink it now.
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Stored in temp controlled cellar since release. Pop and pour, perfect cork and fill. Dark red core, lightening and slight bricking at rim. Nose of cherry, leather, smoke, soy and animal notes. Medium body, nice balance, flavors follow the nose, some sweet complex notes, medium finish. Should continue to drink well for another 5+ years. Excellent.
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After all this time, this wine has finally started to come around and has really blossomed into something nice. Light and elegant, but still maintaining hints of it's Beaucastel animale heritage. Drink over the next few years.
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Tasted from magnum. Tannins have been aged out and this is a smooth, clean vintage that is very user friendly. Ready to drink but no hint of beginning to decline. This is not my favorite style of Beaucastel but it is an excellent wine nonetheless.
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While the tannins are mostly resolved now, the 1995 Beaucastel still comes across as young with a lot of restraint and not quite ready yet. Time in a decanter helps. This is Beaucastel in the more polished, clean mold - upright in style, dark toned fruit, lavender and tobacco notes. Lacks the dirty, rustic marks that I like in older Beaucastel, lacks character. Needs a few more years to fully open up.
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Popped, poured, consumed over next two hours. Another beautiful bottle. Nice from the pop, but really opened and revealed its charms in the second hour. Tannin in this bottle is completely resolved. Such a lovely and seamless tapestry of subtle notes and nuances. This has aged wonderfully, but seems like it may be in the final plateau of its optimum drinking window. Still, based on my experience with other vintages, I'm guessing this will hold for years. Perfect with Duck Confit.
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Had this SbS with the 1990 & 1998 and this (as expected) was the less opulent bottle. 3 hr decant seemed to work well and the rich dark and very deep aromatics where captivating and classic. This showed very well perhaps the finest bottle to date from this vintage, so this is definitely now in the drinking zone. Dark fruit with a good back bone of herbs & tobacco and spice. The mouth feel a little more austere and the tannins on the finish a little more angular and noticeable but that was more a result of the comparison to the other 2 bottles. Overall and on it's own this showed well and a bottle that generally seems to be under rated.
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Decanted for 3 hours. Excellent CnP. While this is short on fruit, it has great depth of flavor. Typical aged CnP flavors, this list goes on and on. Much more complex than my notes from a year ago... with a one hour decant. Garnet color, clear. This was most enjoyable with a cheese plate.
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this is the real wild one of the bunch. i may have said that about the '97, but that seems pedestrian to the iodine and chocolate and brett combo that we get here. charcoal. crazy wine. there must be other expressions out there of '95 Beaucastel, but this one has me intrigued.
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Initially a too much brett foe my taste. This slowly takes of, and underneeth is a surprisingly fresh and fruity wine in good balance. But I could do without the brett.
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Everything fully resolved. Perfumed sweet fruit and sweet spices with a potpourri of dried herbs and dried flowers. Drinking extremely well. Rich while maintaining freshness. Kept improving showing more depth as we consumed it over the evening. Full of character. No barnyard detected, bottle showing good provenance.
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Decanted a couple of hours (some benefit). I had one of these about 10 years ago and it was completely shut down. Much better this time, especially on the palate where this showed some nice textural complexity. The nose was 'clean', featuring red berries and some dark fruit, garrique, leather and spice. Medium weight fruit that had a round sensation that met will with the flinty acidity, spice notes, and soft gritty tannins. Nice finish. Good poise from entry to finish. Not a long aftertaste, but this paired well with red wine risotto with parmesan sauce and truffle butter.
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After decork much barn, a bit flat nose and taste. After 2-3 hours caraf that has all gone, and remains a beautiful, complex, almost sweet great wine. Tannins integrated. If you love fruit, sell this wine. If you love umami, drink it.
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After 2hrs decanting. The wine looks garnet colored. The legs are slow. There is moderate sediment in the bottle. It smells like cranberry, red currant, mineral and bell pepper. It tastes like blackberry, vanilla and green beans. The body is full. It has a has silky texture. The wine finishes long and has medium acidity. Truly enjoyable wine and drinking very well today. Enjoy!!
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The 20 years of life were showing in this bottle. Tannins all evolved and mellowed but the wine did presente structure and lots of finesse. Dark colour, turning brownish, very suave bouquet but lacking fruit in the mouth. After all, a great example on how these Beaucastel live long. Given the vintage, this was probably fantastic 3/4 years ago. Now in a fading phase.
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Perfect cork. Lots of minerality with well balanced hints of barnyard and licorice. Burgundy drinkers would appreciate. You could drink it on a summer afternoon. Subtle with plenty of life.
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WES - Château de Beaucastel (LSE Holborn): Medium intense. Some colour change at the edge. Not fully clear. Lovely lifted perfume on the nose with sweet red fruits but not much complexity. Rich, smooth, tannic and drops off quicker than one would like.
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This took hours in the decanter to fully open. About 3 hours decant. Then, about 2 hours open after that before it really sang. Everyone really enjoyed this a lot. Another testament to the age vilify of these wines. Unique CDP!
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Lots of bricking and the flavor profile is totally secondary with meat, earth, mineral, some spiciness, and a nice licorice flavor. Just slight hints of barnyard. Smooth and nicely balanced. In an awesome place right now.
Opened the bottle about 2.5 hours before dinner but did not decant.
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Monthly Tasting Group: CDP's and Southern Rhones (Cafe Lurcat, Mpls, MN): Very dark red color. This had a 3hr decant. Drank 1 glass over 45+ minutes. This was another chart topper. Gorgeous nose with lots of delicious funk and earthiness, florals, dark raspberry, leather, sandalwood, spices, licorice. The palate is now beautifully integrated and nicely resolved. I can't help but think the decant was just about perfect here. Elegance on the palate with earth, minerals, raspberries and cherry, leather, licorice, medium-full body and long finish. Another WOTN candidate.
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From magnum, after 2-3 hour decant emerged a spicy, deep and elegant red that was missing some of the barnyard and funk that comes with many vintages of this wine. Lovely balance and precision, good concentration. No hurry to drink well stored bottles.
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Not as good as previous bottles. Crimson color, bricking throughout the wine, earthy nose, barnyard, raisiny with cherries, spices. Medium bodied palate, slightly astringent tannins even after two hours on the decanter. Not very spectacular.
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Decanted 3 hours. Still took some time to open up in the glass. This has a less pronounced animal nose than many other older vintages of Beaucastel. Quite clean actually. Nice sweet attack with full bodied fruit, Grenache component shines though with age, and less mouverdre (the green tinge is almost gone). Nice spot!
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We had 3 very consistent bottles. Glad to hit a good streak here after a couple of odd bottles. We decanted and served and the wine was open and ready from pretty much the start.Light red fruit, light floral, good spice edge and a good earthy feel. A well made and classic CdP at a good time in its drinking window. 93
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Bricking med dark ruby, faded kirsch, a little Provençal spice and forest floor/black tea, glorious thick caressing mouthfeel w huge thick legs to vouch. This liquid velvet is what sets it apart from others that get the aromas and flavors right
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This was beyond bottle variation as the wine was actually with 2 corks back to back (prob an error by the machine) and the second cork was in full contact with the wine. the wine was a bit flat and uninteresting so another bottle variation issue we have to say...
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A bomb of horse sweat, chicken poop and damp leather saddle with garrigue round purple berries and plums. On point and textbook for a Cdp. As good an example as I would like and showing sous bois as well. Nothing to fault but is definitely within it's drinking window.
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Gave it an hour in the decanter after using the Vinturi.....the wine opened up slightly with time, but more so with warming up. I am still not convinced this wine is up to the normal Beaucastel offerings. Lighter, still lacking the depth of fruit I have come to know from this estate. The tannins were there but the fruit was masked somehow. Not a bad wine, rather it was smooth and enjoyable but just not a stand out. This is the second bottle I have had like this in the last two years.
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I don't have much experience with aged CDP but this wine was fabulous! The cork looked like it went in the bottle last week - no seepage, even up the sides. We did not give it much time to open up and it didn't really need it. The subtle mulling spices and dark fruit overtones that draw me to CDP were still there - just in the background rather than "in your face." I did not get the "meat/syrah" thing as much - but I did get a solid dose of leather and earth. I'm not doing this justice....but it was BALANCED and fantastic!
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Requires decanting. Like 1 hour. Bottle variation? definitely NOT the quality of wine we had before twice. On open it had this acidic sharp feel that took its time to mellow. It did not go away fully which sort of casts a worrying shadow ont he longevity of this batch of wines. Still a good wine nonetheless. Quite a bit of cloudy in colour, lots of fine sediment. A bit worried.. will not rate this time round.
Wow, this was drinking youthful, pristine, and light. Dark red purple color with aromas of soil, spice, and grape skins. Seamless on the palate with mature dark fruit, integrated wood, and garigue. This was almost Burgundian in terms of mouthfeel and balance, but very southern Rhone in flavor profile. This put on some weight with air but was actually rockstar right out of the gates. No rush to drink this one -- I think it'll only further mellow and evolve over the next 10 years. I'll hold the few left that I have. Don't drink much CdP nowadays -- maybe I should reconsider?
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Still a wine of restraint and structure but without the hard tannins that were so pronounced early on. The fruit is in the brown end of the spectrum and there is soft tertiary flavors underneath. There is refinement and gentleness here, a far cry from today's over done Chateauneufs. Very good now, probably with more to come.
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Cork as new. Tawny color. But then: now I know for the first time really what is meant with BARN. Next day this was mostly gone, but left was a not very complex, nice smooth, medium bodied Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Wonder what the next bottle will bring.
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Alliance dinner. Classic nose of spiced meat, dark fruit, herbs, earth. The palate matched with some chocolate notes and was rich and creamy. Medium finish with great silk.
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Cork was in perfect shape. Decanted and drank right away with marinated sirloin steak. Rust color of a classic aged CDP. Nose is mild and a mix of swimming pool and dead animal. Body is surprisingly light compared to modern CDPs. Well integrated cherry and leather on the palate. Surprisingly fresh acidity still. Low alcohol compared to recent vintages. Not a monster wine but rather delicate and special. Should be great for several more years. Would buy again.
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18th bottle and on top form, deepish red, surprisingly little development, usual classy complex nose with nice integration of fresh plummy fruit,meat and "sweaty saddle", fullish, not in least over extracted, persistent, good grip, fine balance, refreshing and lifting acidity, oozes class, fully mature but with long life on this form. V Fine (18.5/20).
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Stored in temp controlled cellar since release. Pop and pour, perfect cork and fill. Dark red core, minimal lightening at rim. Opens with cherry, leather, smoke, soy and animal notes. Medium body, nice balance, flavors follow the nose, some sweet complex notes, medium finish. Drinks well over the course of the evening. Fruit has faded some the next day, so a bit lean and acidic. Should continue to drink well for another 5+ years. Excellent.
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- Ruby color - Tasted surprisingly young to me still. Color is still quite red, and still some acidity up front. That yields to savoury flavours including some clear mushroom tones that very nicely complimented a braised beef dish with dinner. Less intensity than i expected - closer to medium bodied than what you'd get in a more recent vintage. A good wine, maybe never a great one, but wow is it ever built to last - drinking and looking like new even late in its second decade. Bravo on durability, moderate applause on intensity of taste.
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Drinking this wine was an experience. After 18 year, still vivid, bright red/purple color. Never sensed such a peperish smell and the wine opens up after 5 - 10 min. The wine is nicely balanced, you taste the complexity. It combines extremes: fruity but not sugarish, masculine but not rough, complete and firm but also elegant. The wine is not too heavy, the legs are medium. I expected the taste to remain in my mouth long afterwards but this was not the case. Nevertheless, clearly something special.
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Drank last night at Bourbon Steak. It was decanted for about an hour before we started drinking and I am in agreement with many of the other notes. Very animalistic. Showing a little brick around the edge but very well put together for a 18 year old. Barnyard, dried cherry and leather. A bit reserved and I was expecting more of the smoked meat character I had before. Great balance and structure - cork was in perfect shape. I enjoyed this with steak tartare. I think I prefer Pegau.
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Don's 45th (Home): Decanted 2 hours before consuming. Starting to brick in color. On the nose there is some smokiness. Rather gentle on the palate in both flavor and mouth feel. Some leather and mild fruitiness. It's more subtle than I was expecting, with less concentration overall, and should be drunk with food that doesn't overpower it.
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Same as previous notes, medium bodied, dominant earthiness and barnyard, very animalistic with some red berries and white pepper notes. Very nice indeed.
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Youthful side of med ruby; clean nose of raspberry and black cherry with a little earth and garrigue. Remarkable freshness for a wine of voting age redemonstrating the value of cellaring. A splash of licorice and persisting polymerized tannic presence make for a fine drink and I am in no real hurry work through my remaining bottles.
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This continues to be one of my favorite Beaucastels. Good stanky nose and really open in the mouth with fine tannins, good acidity, heather, leather, raisins and soy. Great juice.
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Excellent, needs an hour or two of aeration. Same as previous notes, obvious aging on the rim, medium bodied, peppery red fruits, barnyard / earth and spices, decent finish. Very nice indeed.
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Very dark purple with bright color. Big nose with over dried ripe black fruit nose. Medium bodied, clean ripe dried black fruit dry closed short tart finish. Disappointing, tasted past its prime, poor fruit and balance.
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1990s Rhones at Domaine (Domaine Wine Storage - Chicago, IL): Drank really well. Great red fruit, funky notes, and a nice earthy blend. The palate was rich and energetic - great red fruit, savory herbs, iodine, and floral notes blended so nicely together.
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Opened and let decant x 1 hour - Beautiful elegant battle of wine with nose of briar, herbs wood char, leather. High toned. Palate is medium with pleasing acidity, loads of tart cranberry, spice and light tannins.
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Decanted the wine a good 1.5 - 2 hrs before drinking. Dark brooding red in color. Inviting nose of dark fruit, pepper, spice and licquorice. Big mouthfeel with plenty of fruit and tannin; cherry, raspberry, cloves. Good balance. Excellent wine.
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Top of the bottle snapped off clean, without sabering, but the contents were fine. Seemed a little tired, but good old fashioned Beaucastel saddle leather and some stink. After double decanting and then putting the half-full bottle in the fridge overnight, the remnants were unchanged the next day.
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Dark red. Lots of tar in the front of the nose, smoked meat, dark fruit and herbs. Very nice rich but dry dark fruit flavours and a long dry balanced finish.
In this blind tasting it was hard to pick this out as the classic CdP that it is.
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Tight, required extensive effort to find the aromatics. Still tannic and on the austere, or severe side of the style range. With a few hours of air, the wine softened and showed ample, spicy, red berries, but it never softened. Fans of old school, less than ripe wines will probably enjoy this a lot more than I did.
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Bill's Monthly Lunch - October 2012 (Vancouver, BC): Medium to dark red. The nose here fooled many people with its tar and sweet fruit profile and lead to guesses of nebbiolo which given the aromas, is hard to argue with. Rich plummy flavours in an old school style of CdP with mainly resolved tannins but solid acidity. Drinking well now but no rush. Excellent.
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Friday Afternoon at Domaine (Domaine Wine Storage - Chicago, IL): Drank alongside the 1994, this was far more primary. The fruit had a deeper pitch to it and the wine was less funky overall. The palate was packed full with dark fruit, subtle tobacco, tilled soil, and game. This probably has more life left than the 1994, but wasn't as approachable for my palate. Still great stuff.
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Decanted and drank over 2 - 3 hours. Much more classical than the 2000. At opening bretty and earthy nose shielding the fruit and after 30 minutes the nose opened up to red currants, berries and cherries. Light garnet color, evident signs of maturity, this medium bodied wine enters ever so lightly on the palate caressing it with soft red fruits, leather and scorched earth, whilst retaining its animal elements and grip. Decent finish, the massive tannins of past now fully resolved on the palate. Fully mature wine although lacking a bit of complexity but drinking very nicely.
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Quite aseductively fruity nose, only a tad of meatiness there when coaxed. It's a good mouthful of flavours, some dark and red fruits, a bit more meat and leather, signs of future development, star anise and coriander seed, it's got a great freshness still, almost zippy on the finish and makes it very moreish, some tannin still to resolve. Ready to drink and plenty of life ahead.
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Monthly Tasting Group: Loads of CDP's and more (Meritage, St. Paul): From Magnum. This was a treat. Nose has lovely funk, earthy, leather, anise, garrigue, asian spice, cherry, mineral. The palate is elegant and soft, well integrated, balanced and drinking very well. Some thought this was corked; sorry, no way. Delicious. 93+pts.
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From magnum, unfortunately rather closed from this format. Nose not giving up a whole lot, tannins still rather firm. Been open for nearly 5 hours at this point and still hasn't really budged. If you have this in mag format, I would sit on it longer, one thing I can get is plenty of structure and i think it has enough fruit last.
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Dark red with some slight bricking. Tons of barnyard, bandaid and grilled meat on the nose. Big, round and smooth palate showed some forrest floor, blood, grilled meat, tobacco, anise and a little bit of fig. Smooth tannins, nice structure and decent finish. Could keep aging but definitely on the heading towards the tertiary side now, so for my palate its definitely time to drink not hold.
Had this on its on as no one had room for cheese, etc. after the rest of the meal.
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Chateauneuf du Pape, France - Tasted at Domaine: Excellent, classic Beaucastel. Nose of forest floor, barnyard, cigar, meaty, prunes. On the palate the barnyard and forest floor step forward, with flavors of dried fruits, plums and figs, cigar smoke, meaty. In its prime and drinking great. (Doris felt the wine might be after-prime)
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Still shockingly young, the 1995 Beaucastel is in a good spot right now becaused the tannins have softened and melted into the wine. Compared to the last bottle I opened in 2009, this bottle was quite tucked in with a very upright structure making me think of the more polished, clean Beaucastels from the late 90s that lacks the Rhone funk that I like a lot. Here I'm finding fruit in the brown end of the spectrum, dates and figs, together with provencal herbs and licorice. Gentle and smooth, this is not a heavyweight, which is good. Drinking well now with more to come I think. 10+ years left.
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Dark red; red fruit, cherry, wood barnyard, the usual brett; intense palate, balance; just starting to develop secondary flavours; many years to go yet; classic Beaucastel. (93)
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Leather saddle, leaf compost and sous bois. Meaty, ferrous and like a Pommard. Calf leather. Very well developed. Some dried tobacco leaves intermixed with dusty cherries finishing with Licourice. Rustic yet elegant. A fine wine.
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Decanted for one hour and consumed over the next 3. Medium garnet color. Nose of garrigue, strawberry, white pepper, earth. Surprisingly, still somewhat unyielding on the palate at first, but over the evening unpacked layers of blackberry, pepper, brambles, and sweet grip. Acidity low-to-moderate, tannins filed off, texture spare and satiny. Finish moderately long and marked by tangy red fruit. Enjoyable and nicely-integrated wine which could definitely age further. The last sips were the best.
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Dark garnet. One hour decant. Deep, elegant nose showing black pepper, black fruit and savory notes. Full bodied. Clean bottle with rich black fruit on entry, yielding to licorice and black pepper through the mid palate. This bottle shows a soft and luxurious mouthfeel at the moment. Long finish with some red berries showing. Round and delicious.
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Popped, breathed in bottle 90 minutes, consumed over next two hours. Continues to evolve positively, knitting together beautifully and still improving in the glass until the final sip. In a nice drinking window now and will likely continue to improve.
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good and honest - would NOT have spotted this as being GREAT had it been blind. Mid-weight, some truffle flavours, certainly well balanced.... and tasty...just not GRRREAT. And it should be!
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Nice smooth plummy and dark fruit flavours, with some depth and elegance. However, lacked the complexity I have come to expect from this wine. Seemed a bit simple.
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Carmine with a slightly brown rim. Beautiful mature, elegant and complex bouquet with barnyard, garrigue and leather. On the palate very juicy fruits, tannin which is beautifully soft and also still offers a pleasant bite. Beautiful acidity. A beautiful, warm and complex wine. Just a little bit drying in the finish. At its peak now and will probably stay on this level for another few years, but I would drink it before 2015.
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Vertical of Beaucastel [94-08 minus cpl yrs] (Vancouver, BC): A: Med Intensity, Developing Leather/Funk, Peppery not subtle T: High Acid, Med+ Intensity, Med+ Finish Intensely Focused, the brightness is so youthful. Leather/Spice, Youthful leather tho. Coffee, Vegetal/Cooked Not Raw
Conc: So Youthful/Concentration is there but not 'massive' This has another 15years of life!
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Three Dinners: This was absolutely rocking from the moment the cork was popped. Beautiful nose of dark fruit complimented by surprisingly clean and elegant aromas. Equally great in the mouth, with perfect balance and great texture. If this bottle is representative, then the '95 has finally entered a great, early drinking window.
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This bottle is outstanding, a reminder of the classic Beacastel profile. Mahogany red, limpid, aromas of blackberry, fresh hay, sweaty leather, herbes de Province. Rich, mature, great acidity lifts this wine and frames it, long mineral finish.
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Purple color, just starting to brick. Lovely wild nose of grenachey cherry fruit, balsamic, garrigue, animale, and pepper. Meaty and peppery and animalistic, with sweet fruit liqueuer balanced by a fair bit of remaining velvety tannin structure. Finishes long and peppery. Great, and perhaps not yet at peak although it's getting close.
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Superbe bouquet, somme toute discret, mais qui respire l’élégance. Aucunement bretté. Superbe finesse. Arômes de prune, de vieux cuir et d’épices riches. Mon préféré de la vague, et de loin. A fait la quasi-unanimité! Facilement identifié, puisque c’était mon offrande.
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Casa Ray 2: More dark red fruited and pepper scented. Quite chewy, with a touch of dryness. Darker and younger than the 94, a touch of pruneyness but this has put on weight and texture since I last tasted it four years ago. **(*1/2) possibly a shade higher with time.
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Finally starting to drink well. Masculine, dark and brooding with excellent depth. Dark red, almost plummy fruit, loads of structure, iodine and other minerals, and good complexity. Not particularly long. Will continue to improve and drink well for a very long time.
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Twisted: Alcohol :: 13.5% Wow, this is still pretty youthful compared to the slightly tired 1988. Popped and poured, very tight but with aggressive swirling, it started to reveal a very nice, complex bouquet of roasted meat, red cherry fruits and hint of perfume floral tone along with gentle aromas of barnyard, dried herb and spices with no sign of brett, simply lovely with loads of CDP essence. Palate is very well delineated, lively and complex too, some tannin kick in at the back that show slight rough edge. Medium length finish. This is indeed very good but simply lacks of finesse to be great. Buy - Maybe.
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A trip around France in 9 wines (The Papies, Elizabeth St, London): Another great show from this lovely wine. Consistent with earlier TN [ Floral, elegant, jasmine and red fruit. Beautiful expressive nose. Balanced and in secondary phase. More cherry on the palate. Lots of depth]
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Popped, breathed in bottle 5 hours, consumed over next hour. Consistent with previous notes. With lots of air, it opens up beautifully and is wonderful. Fabulous with grilled Lamb.
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Much better than the prior reviews led me to expect. Smooth, well-integrated tannins wtih cassis, mild barnyard and cedar. Very nice nose. A bit lighter than most Beaucastel's, but drinking very nicely and very enjoyable.
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I don't have much experience with 15yr+ CDP but I reckon this should have showed better. Pleasant with soft spicy fruits but seems mature and underpowered. Absolutely nothing wrong with this but somewhat underwhelming. Does this stuff normally age well?
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Retail bottle held a couple years. I enjoyed the wine but not my favorite vintage. Opened 1 hour, decanted for 90 minutes, very quiet nose, eventually developing a tobacco and dried herb nose. Medium bodied, mouth watering, a touch austere and not all the major CdP complexities over the 3 hours, but at the end it was still a treat to drink. Other vintages will show better Beaucastel and CdP qualities than 1995. 88points.
Update: 24 hours later, the wine continued to develop and show better than the first night. Lean, taut, brighter and a longer finish. Improved, call it a 90.
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No formal notes. Very different from the last bottle 6 mos ago. In July, the '95 was clean, beautiful, but atypical of Beau; fruit driven, devoid of funk. Last night's bottle had plenty of mouvedre and brett driven barnyard notes, as well as secondary aromas of leather, iodine, black pepper.
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Characteristic nose, readily identifiable by many tasters this evening. First time sampling the 95, really enjoyed it, especially the balance of this year compared to some others. This particular bottle appears well stored, showing no signs of advanced age, really humming along nicely. I'll refrain from the description- its just Beaucastel !
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Chateau de Beaucastel Tasting with Marc Perrin (The Sampler, London): Floral, elegant, jasmine and red fruit. Beautiful expressive nose. Balanced and in secondary phase. More cherry on the palate. Lots of depth. This is a great wine and very good value. In general at the moment 1995 CdP ( Vieux Telegraph too) is superb.
Marc Perrin notes that this was a very difficult wine wine young
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PERHAPS MY LEAST FAVORITE BEAUCASTEL [TIED with the 94]. some experienced wine drinkers tried it and the opinions ranged from fruit is gone to there will be no fruit left when the tnnins finally retract. either way, i have never liked this wine and still don't. glad that few are left.
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Fruit is still there but it's lacking a bit of the complexity that I favor in older CdP. Enjoyable but will be drinking my other two bottles soon since I don't believe this will get any better
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This wine has distinguished itself in the past much more admirably. Opened it at our dinner table in a local restaurant and allowed it to sit for a while. But, it just never excited the three of us. While it was pleasant enough with our meal, it just did not rise to our expectations of a Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Very bland from the consumers perspective.
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I just love Beaucastel - it is so distinctive. This is my first 1995. I was happy to have a whiff of Brett / barnyard along with heather and red fruit. On the palate, a medium body, bright flavors and a long finish. Not the biggest Beaucastel, but a very typical one. The tannins are fine, but they are there and the wine is drinking beautifully now. It is at its plateau, but will be wonderful for another ten years at least. I like older wines for the developed complex flavors. This is a good price point, as you can still get it at the same price as the current vintage. Nothing like being able to buy a mature bottle (from a reputable source) and not have to wait the ten years. Having said that, this wine has been with me for twelve years and I originally paid $40/bottle.
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Opened and let sit a couple of hours. The first couple of minutes in the glass showed a nose of limberger cheese changing to a hint of barnyard and then with time showing lovely red and dark fruit aromas having lost the funky aromas. On the pallate the tannins had softened quite a bit, but were still there. The pallette showed less fruit than the nose, but a pleasant wine that was aging gracefully and showing more flavors of earth than fruit. Even though it was a nice wine and I enjoyed it, I could not justify giving it a classic score. It did not entice me to want to savour every sip, however I did want to take my time to enjoy the interesting nose.
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Clarendon syndicate at Peat Spade - must have been a root day coz none of the wines showed very well. This bottle was plain dreary - still yet to be remotely impressed by this supposed "great" wine.
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YES.still seems young, very light colour, like rayas. Only a small amount of ageing. Presumably a good way to go. The mystery that is beaucastel continues.
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This time, I popped and let breathe in bottle for 4 hours, removing it from temp controlled cellar at the two hour mark, poured after four hours open and then consumed over the next three hours. Much better showing! This confirms my suspicion that this is going to age positively for quite awhile. With four hours of breahting in bottle and three hours in the glass, I was able to follow the evolution of this vintage. With lots of air, this is a classic, beautifully balanced Beaucastel with loads of personality. This was part of a mini-vertical with the 1998 and 2001 and for my palate, with equal amounts of air, the 1995 gives more pleasure. For my palate, at this point, the 1998 and 2001 are too thick, monolithic and lacked enough acid to bring them into balance. Also, both the 1998 and especially the 2001 had over ripe raisin flavored overtones and -- for my palate -- too much residual sweetness. The 2001 had the most powerful aroma but, though it was strong, it was also rather simple and the raisin overtones are not to my liking. If you have some of these 1995's, give them lots of air to enjoy now and I think you can feel confident of your reward if cellaring bottles of good provenance.
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Pulled from 55º cellar popped, breathed in bottle 90 minutes. This seems to be going through a new phase. It is still a little on the tannic side, but it's mellowing and the fruit seems to be holding well. More enjoyable to my palate now than it was a couple of years ago and seems to be slowly maturing. I'm going to guess that as this wine evolves, it will continue to be more and more enjoyable.
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Lunch with Pierre Perrin, Chateau Beaucastel (Chez Patrick, 26 Peel Street, Central, Hong Kong): Blood red, deep but fully translucent colour. Nose is more reticent and high-toned than the preceding 1988...nail varnish remover, freshly sawn box-wood and all very young. Palate is very nice and in a higher league......sharp red fruits getting a bit dusty, sharp almost cola-ish acidity and zing, black cherry, some temple smoke and prunes but mixed with cherry stones on the finish, leaving an impression of unharmonised youth. Young. Needs food. Still considerably tannic. Dry on the end. There are hints of resonance on the finale. Seems asleep. Is currently lost midway between the opulent youth of the 2007 and the feminine charm of the 1988.
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something was off on this. A bit pruney and thin with some balsamic notes as well as classic beaucastel notes. Didn't seem like a representative bottle
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If you ask me... Bring back the Brett! This bottle is squeaky clean, which is sort of like what i imagine sex might be in a medical laboratory, with white-coated doctors watching and carefully controlled sterile conditions. It just lacks excitement. Medium ruby with a darker core, nose is simple, showing black raspberries but not much else. Flavorful, but in a bland way.
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It's not a typical Beaucastel. There's a medium body, firm acid, red fruit and a texture more like a musar or daumas gassac than the usual dark, brooding, black tea and saddle leather Beaucastel. And it was much better the second day; with a silky texture and a little more depth on the palate. This suggests to me that it may continue to develop for some time.
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I thought this wine was past its prime, but was surprised to find it coming to life the second day. This was my last bottle and I wouldn't buy any more of this.
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A decant helped this one show better than the bottle a few days ago. A little thin compared to the best vintages, but with an hour in the decanter it is very nice. A-
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Le nez et le style rappelle à s’y méprendre au Beaucastel 1990, signe que les vieux vins évoluent vers une certaine neutralité, perdant de leur distinction (bon, ici on à quand même affaire au même domaine!). Un peu plus de matière que le 90, mais plus animal, limite brett. 90-91
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From 375. Crazy upon opening. Soy, earth, leather on a fascinating nose. Lots going on. Already mature, but not old. Still showing a regal sense, with a great structure. This is pretty special stuff. Corked and retried and couple hours later, and it wasn't the same. Still showing a nobility, and still changing, but those amazing aromatics had faded. I would definitely want to check this out if I could get it in a 750, and I don't even think I'd be in any rush to open them. Upon opening, 94-96, after two hours, 90-93.
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Aromas of subdued plummy fruit and mediterranean spice. Very smooth and mellow. Medium bodied. Rich plummy fruit flavours with garrigue and hints of iodine. Mellow tannins. Went well with steaks. Faded a bit after 2 and a half hours.
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Beautiful bottle, maybe at or close to peak. Not a barnyard funkbomb like my last '96. The '95 has much more fruit than funk, but nice aromas and flavors of leather, iodine, black pepper, garrigue and minerality to mix things up. Still a bit alcoholic, but the tannins are settling down, and it's a big enough wine that it didn't detract.
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First taste of this one. A huge wine. I can see why it's acquired a reputation as difficult and closed, but now it seems to be hitting its stride. Thick Damson, Sloe, blueberry - those dark intense fruits. Some sweet coffee and even chocolate. A dense, big wine. No harsh tannin, though some tannin grips the finish. That finish is long, and consistent with the body of the taste, though it opens into a little more blackberry. The only negative is a some hot aromatics, especially on the nose - reminiscent of a young Musar - something that a better qualified person might be able to pin down with a technical term - something volatile in the acohols or phenolics which is reminiscent of glue-iness or boiled sweets which intrudes - a little overcooked in some way. But it's instructive to put this next to the Beau '97 which is probably on the downslide now - '97 is losing its fire and becoming a mellow chocolatey old Grenache flavour. This still has loads of kick and fire - a fiery middle age. Drink now, but watch to see where it's going: CdP is always a tricky one - Grenache dies young, but the other components of a Beaucastel can last forever - it's a question of when your own favourite harmony happens. (Decanted 45 mins, consistent for the next 2 hours).
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3 Decades of Chateau Beaucastel with Tomas Perrin. (Ambrosia Event Center. Victoria, BC.): Showing a lot of age on the nose. Tones of leather, spice and black tea. The palate is much the same with worn saddle, black tea and earth showing nicely. The fruit intensity is slipping a touch but over all it is very pretty. Long medicinal note on the finish. Drink now - 2016.
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Mini Beaucastel Vertical (81-01) with 86 Sauternes (Bethesda, MD): the most bruising and forward of the wines tonight, this wine has kick in the mouth but is atypical in the sense that it is not as complex, rather, it is a bit more monolithic with a strong dose of pepper on the nose and a wallop of tannin on the finish. It probably could have benefited from decanting, but my impression was that the wine will never be as Burgundian as the 94 or 81, but may appease the more hedonistic drinker. Give it 5+ years regardless. 92.5+pts
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Perfect amount of funkiness and fruit. Bit of leather, iodine, herbs. Needs at least an hour of air to come together, drinking very well right now. Good long finish. Nicely integrated tannins. Could improve even more in a year or so.
Much funkier than the last bottle. Plenty of brett and leather, and a fair amount of fine sediment. Opened up after maybe an hour in a decanter. Classic, old-school Beaucastel, only about 13% abv, if I remember the label correctly.
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Definitive Rhone (Fabi and Rosi European Kitchen Austin, Texas): [Decanted for three hours] This wine drank surprisingly well, maybe because of the decanting--I had drunk this wine three weeks previously and it was not nearly as complex, though I and others thought it still needs time. It had the tell-tale Beaucastel barnyard nose, was a bit astringent and medicinal, was fairly tannic, and had a basil note, with some white pepper, smoked pork, close, and rosemary. It's interesting that the 1998 seems to be the more forward vintage of Beaucastel and shows much more fruit and minerality--the 1995 will be better in 5-10 years.
Medium red with hint of brick at the rim. Closed at first but opened after 1/2 hour with layered notes of plum and five spice. Fully mature but integrated tannins suggest this can last a few years longer.. Long finish.
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From mag on superbowl nite. I had not liked this wine a few years ago. However, with time time, I have liked it more and more. Tonite it had a pleasing nose and was balanced on the palate had a wonderful finish. There were no harsh tanins. My guests drank the mag down and asked for more. If I had brought this to a wine dinner, I think it would have been well recieved. I don't see an up side to further aging and will drink my mags... cheers
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I think this wine is past its prime. While the nose has nice but subtle CDP character, the fruit is pretty much gone. I'm having a hard time appreciating this wine at this age. I have one left...will have to drink it soon.
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At 12 years old, this remains a boring, tannic, underfruited wine with no hint of what makes Beaucastel great, let alone makes it 'Beaucastelly'. I'm going to bury the remaining bottles for a few more years, but with little hope it will even be good, let alone great.
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NSMFOW December '09--BYO Yankee Swap (The Grapevine, Salem, MA): Deep ruby, almost purple color. Nose of briary fruits, plum, barnyard, leather. Palate of blackberry, some cassis, plum, leather, tar, earth with nice tannins. Good finish. Balanced and concentrated. Great wine.
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What an amazing wine. Clearly outstanding, maybe classic.
Decanted 5 hours. Dull ruby color in the glass, a little bricking, left a fair amount of fine sediment in the bottle.
Medium intensity nose of dark cherries, barnyard, and garrigue. On the palate, cranberries, cherries, licorice, lots of barnyard still, earthy, spicy. Long smooth finish.
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Opens very strong from this .375 and continues to be great, but not outstanding. After 10 minutes is was perfect... after 40 minutes it had tapered off. Still very good, but ... I am going to drink one of the .750 s, but think those probably need more time.
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I've patiently been waiting for the 1995 Beaucastel to shed its tannins and come around. I decanted this bottle 4 hours before dinner (I put the stopper back in to preserve the aromas). Dark red, almost black. Provencal herbs, licorice, animal fur, leather and ripe plum aromas soaring from the glass. Captivating bouquet, hard not to keep the nose in the glass. Quite smooth on the palate, the tannins have softened considerably. Flavors of licorice, black olives, lavender, thyme, tar, fig, ripe black plum. Complex without being cumbersome. This is Beaucastel the way I like it. By no means heavy or overdone, on the contrary - good balance and focus. Late kick from the tannins on the back end would suggest plenty of years left. Beau vin.
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Tasty but not particularly complex or interesting; quite disappointing for a Beaucastel with fairly simple red fruited flavours over earth and hints of leather, grainy tannins on the back end and a medium length finish.
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Petit coté funky qui évoque les brets mais qui disparaitra avec l'aération. Un Beaucastel plutôt viril, avec une bonne trame tannique, ce vin a encore de longues années devant lui. Droit, bien équilibré et complet, un peu austère mais très satisfaisant.
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Took about an hour in decanter, then another half hour in the glass to open up. Outstanding wine, medium to deep bodied; more than you expect. A wine with real finesse-not a blockbuster
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Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of licorice, peppermint and berries. Flavors of red berries. Light to medium acidity, integrated tannins, medium body. Drink over the short to medium term.
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Dark red. Lots of sweet fruit in the nose with a bit of cocoa and mint. Lots of fruit in the nose and mouth probably a bit darker then I like or remember. A big sweet wine.
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Strongly bretty aromas with some pepper and five spice as well. Interesting texture, with good length. I liked it but your opinion will probably vary based on your brett tolerance.
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Tasted with 95 Pegau... overall younger appearing than the Pegau with less bricking at rim (red to brick) and a similar depth of color (low to moderate) and similar amount of extraction at the rim (moderate -). On the nose very tight and closed with some red fruits... a hint of dried Provincial herbs, and some evidence still of oak barrique aging... no Brett or sour fruit. On the palate moderate + acidity and a very bitter ascent into a fairly broad midpalate and a smooth transition into a bitter finish... shows maybe a half percent more alcohol. Wine is balanced with short length, low intensity and complexity. There is finesse in the wine even though it has major textural issues at both the beginning and end of the palate... adequate expression of place. The wine didn't improve with decanter time and was basically undrinkable the next day. I've had several bottles of the 95 and never had a good one... they have either been like this or had a cooked aspect to the fruit... couldn't detect any classic flaws here (though there are a few I know I have a high threshold for) and am starting to wonder about the quality of this vintage for Beaucastel though it seems from previous notes there have to be some good bottles of this wine out there.
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Healthy deep medium ruby with some browning. T-zone (tapenade, tobacco and thyme) nose. Good news is that the grouchy phase this wine displayed a couple of years ago (marauding Mourvedre, inexpressive, with tannin and acid blocking the fruit) has passed, and this is perfectly pleasant to drink. Unfortunately it's not yet blossoming, hasn't developed the complexity of which it is capable, and seems a bit soft in the midpalate. Try again in a year or two.
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The Hide Bar with some CT Forum members (The Hide Bar, London): Surprisingly lighter than I was expecting. Elegant nose of dry herbs, chocolate, dirt. In the mouth very fine grained tannins mixed with smooth fruit with notes of bitter chocolate, meat and herbs. Decent follow through. To be honest was expecting a little bit more bang for my buck, but pretty decent stuff here. I'm not sure if I'll bother buying younger Beaucastel after tasting this - it obviously needs years and years until it is ready. This one was still a pup.
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what a nice wine good CdP noce, lots of spice and dark fruits, still some tannins, decanted and drank over a few hours ...continued to get better. Day 2 one glass left and it was rockin. dark core and an orangish rim ..should coninue to get better
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Drank from a split. Very nice, but a little disapointing given my hopeful expectations. Pretty tannic at first, it did soften up with a little time. But not very complex or having any wow factors. Didn't taste old though, just a decent CDP.
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Definitely enjoyed less than previous bottles. Showed OK but certainly not impressive. No signs of any flaws; maybe my palate is just changing. A tad monolithic.
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I should have read Teddemop's comments prior to opening. I had this ine early: 1997/8, and it was really good, but needed time... it still needs time. After 1 1/2 hours decanted it just started to show up like you expect. The good news is I have much more and will hold a minimum of 5 more years before I touch another.
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Almost too clean and pretty for Beaucastel, fairly reticent overall so it may be in a closed phase but it was certainly nice to drink. It was decanted for about an hour and then consumed over the course of another hour but it changed very little, if you have some, its good now but its probably worth holding on to for a while.
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Beaucastel Vertical 81-01 (Gurnee IL, Jordan's house): nose: really good and tart nose of red cherries, red currants, red fruits, raspberry compote, with a touch of licorice tones and some black fruits. Really good depth and there is more of a cleanliness to this that the previous beaucastels didn't have
taste: good tannins with a nice medium feel of red and dark cherries, bits of leather, spice tones and a good helping of garrigue and licorice. A nice richness to it with tart tones that work very well together
overall: great balance and feel, this is starting to enter a really good place. In a somewhat in between stage it'll be interesting to follow this as it gets older to see if it becomes a bit more "dirty" as it has a good purity and clean feel to it right now
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Black licorice jumping from the glass with plenty of red berries and a welcome tobacco/leather note. Still tight on the med. bodied palate just started to open up after 2 hours of air. Plenty of grip and finish showing this wine has a long life ahead of it. Will try again in another 3-5 years.
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Tasted this blind from a 1/2 bottle that was opened the night before, so take it with a grain of salt. Red to pink to orange with a clear rim. This wine is definitely showing some age with lots of orange tones and it is throwing a good amount of sediment. I guessed early 1980's Bordeaux, but it's definitely French. Maybe a bit oxidized, has some bacon fat on the nose and some old, soft wood. Little fruit left but there are some tannins still there. Maybe the full bottles have some remaining structure?
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This bottle might have had some storage issues as it was not the same beautiful wine remarked about in my last tasting note. Ruby red color, medium length, and lacking in fruit. Still the best wine of the lunch by far so it's score has an extra 2 points added for the lack of credible competition.
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Opened too soon, this wine has miles to go. Very earthy, meaty scents - substantial in the mouth, with a fairly aggressive tannic finish. Paired with rare rack of Australian lamb, the tannins were somewhat tamed and the wine smoothed out a bit. While offering some enjoyment now, I really don't believe it is showing all of its charms. Five more years before I open another.
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Medium red, not as dark as the 98. Very much more traditional Southern Rhone nose. Lots of raspberry, black pepper and earth. Great flavours but not as rich as the 98. Lots of tannin left. There is enough fruit here though after 13 years to hope for more improvment. Just a beautiful Beaucastel. Not in anyway hard or rough. Even when drank next to the voluptuos 98 this was excellent. I see Gilman and Fass both hate this wine. They must have had bad bottles.
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nose: classic beaucastel nose filled with spice, black fruits, garrigue, bits of roast beef, dark red cherries, leather, bits of barnyard, and some black licorice tones along with bits of pepper. just starting to mature on the nose, but there is still a primary aspect to it. as it develops in the glass, tones of roasted meats and game begin to develop.
taste: a good amount of pepper, garrigue, spice, black fruits, red cherries, leather, anise, and bits of roasted game. Great medium feel with good tannins
overall: an adolescant. While this is starting to mature, it isn't fully at that next level. it's hard to compare it to the amazig 90, but it doesn't seem as evolved as both of the 90s that I've had. There is still a primary aspect to this as the secdonary flavors start to creep in
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Showing fairly young, big dark fruits, light tannins. ok acidity. Good length, depth, develops in glass a lot. I enjoy this and think it has a long future
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Dinner at l'Ecusson with Rusty and the Harbison's. This wine rocked!!!!!! Beautiful nose of brown spices. In the mouth this wine ust kept gaining more and more complexity as the evening wore on. Alost a cherry, chocolate, cinnamon dessert with just the right amount of sweetness as to not be candied. What a lovely wine and plenty of great years left on this. wish I had a case to try one every few years.
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Absolutely stunning, decanted for 1-1/2 hours, beautifully balanced, wonderful cherry, earth, tobacco, smoke, cassis and mineral flavors. Well textured, this wine lingers on the finish for a long time. Delicious!
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Hiding its age well, this Beaucastel shows some barnyard on the nose but it is not overpowering. Lots of garrigue, tar, truffles, and raspberry. Should hold another few years before tasting again.
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Consistent with notes from others, this wine was totally closed on the nose after having been decanted for 2 hours. On the palate, it is medium bodied, very clean, velvety texture, but again gave very little in terms of flavor. I really question if this wine's fruit will ever come forward. Thsi wine was served double blind to some very experienced Rhone (and Beaucastel) enthusiasts, and no one had a clue as to what it was.
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Trip to France; 10/13/2008-10/24/2008 (Burgundy, Rhone Valley (Chateauneuf-du-Pape), Paris): Big expressive nose with plenty of mature notes: leather, cigar box. Palate still tannic and firm, with some dark fruits and earthiness. Medium finish with some flint and mineral after a flash of earth and tobacco. Very nice now, but still seems rather young and still quite tannic. Hopefully will keep improving as the tannins integrate.
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Diane's dinner party. Needed time to develop. Overall, lacks the lift and majesty of the 1990 but great expression of Mourvedre. Lovely coating texture helps to maintain the finish extensively. Diminishing pleasure probably was due to palate fatigue rather than fading of the wine.
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Brought to dinner at Crush in Seattle. Opened and decanted at the restaurant. Nice from the get-go with improvement in complexity over the meal- Still a nice core of cherry fruit, but wrapped with herbs, earth, licorice, and still some tannic backbone. Medium bodied and good with food. Drinks nice but in no hurry whatsoever.
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Darker and younger appearing than the '94, with black cherries, black licorice, cassis, and raspberries on the nose. Richer, darker and denser on the palate. Full bodied, with blackberries, dark plums, blood, white pepper, and a lot less savory notes than the 94. Really beautiful with tons of time in hand. A long smoky finish, with mushroom earthy notes on the back end. Going to be a great wine. 94 pts.
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Dusty bramble, blackberry jam, spices. Balanced. Relatively light bodied although retains a sense of balance. Tannins are very fine and the acidity give this a fresher rather than fruit driven feel. Long drying finish. This is showing more fruit than a bottle from last week and I'd trust this to age nicely ... needs 5 more years?
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375ml popped and poured into the burg GC glasses and it was saddle horse city. I loved it, but it did need some food. It was great nose and taste, but the back end was a bit drying, not with tannin but with acidity. I'd say ready to go from this size.
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Attractive nose is dominated by cherry syrup, leather, tobacco. But although the fruit here is ripe, the very harsh tannins dominate and the overall impression is of an unbalanced wine. Hard to see the tannins fading before the fruit. Not a great success for Beaucastel.
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Medium Dark red color with just a hint of rust color on the edges. Nose was fantastically complex with tobacco, leather, animal and just a bit of plum/raisin. Flavor was very rich blackberry, plum and cherry with what was described by another as "iron" in the background. Longer than normal finish and a silky mouthfeel, decanted 4 hours.
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Deep red fading to the rim. Stewed fruit, blood, alcohol heat. Good amount of glycerin. Fancy in the glass. A touch of sweetness at the very tip of the tongue leading to a full mouth coating but DRY finish. Yet slightly interesting that engages you for another taste. A food wine.
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Ottawa offline with DoktaP and Bman (Bocado's in Ottawa): Impressive. Sophisticated, aristocratic wine with complex wild cherries and strawberry rhubarb notes and some muted raspberry and blackberry notes. Rustic and a little austere. Lots of glycerin-like feel on the palate with a caramel and tobacco finish. More time to come around? Who knows.
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Ottawa Offline: DoctaP and the MWP (Restaurant Bocado's): Decanted 3 hours before. From magnum. Deep ruby red. Typical nose of CDP 13 years young. Red fruits, raspberries, strawberries, thyme, leather and earth. Nice balance and texture with and moderate finish.
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Way too young; palate is shut down tight; nose offers some red fruit, saddle, moist earth, but only with coaxing. This will be beautiful, but not anytime soon.
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Châteauneuf-du-Pape prestige cuvées. (FOF): Red color with a orange hue. An extremely layered nose with horse, farmyard, manure, earthy red fruit, strawberry and raspberry, roses and cigar box. Very elegant and refined. Very delicious on the palate with raspberry, strawberry and roses first. More rustic on the midpalate with pepper, milk chocolate and tobaco. There is a note of horse going through the palate end-to-end. Very delicate, with superb balance, a striking acidity and mouthwatering tannins. This gave me a clear mental picture of a refined farmer sitting on his horse and a rose through the buttonhole - classic Beaucastel.
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Beautiful complex bouquet. Toasted oak, barnyard, spices, strawberries etc. The taste is very complex as well and all in perfect harmony. The wine is still very powerful and a promise for the future.
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A last call with the Astorettes (Cafe Loup): This is such a change of speeds with it's classic mourvedre notes of leather, earth, and roast meat adding complexity and depth to the very sweet herbal fruit that recalls dried tomato and, strawberry jam, and bramble. This is positively mouthfilling and has gained considerable weight over the past few years. there is a great core of cherry fruit and a wonderfully intense level of spice that leads to a long finish. Certainly lean and cool for Beaucastel but that is how I prefer them anyway, trading some of the ripeness for this level of freshness and detail. 2008-2018
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Tasting like it is starting to open up nicely. Opened and left of the counter for about 2-3 hours before drinking. Really nice resolved flavors, some tannins on the finish, but not anything like what I was expecting from some previous notes and vintage generalizations. Just a lovely drink right now for a nice beau with medium complexity. A really good wine, but not a great Beau like the 89, 90, 98...
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This was drinking great. Had with grilled pork and fava beans with chard. The tannins were mellow, the mouvedre was almost sweet. The complexity, balance, and long finish were what one looks for in a great CDP.
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Tasted November 23, 2007. Opened and served immediately. Raspberry color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Tight nose giving way to some notes of raspberries, cherries, berries and flowers. Same on the palate giving way to some simple flavors of berries, cherries and a touch of bitters on the finish. Medium acidity, medium to firm tannins, medium to full body. Hold. I'll drink my next bottle in 2015.
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Low expectations (for the vintage...not the producer) can be a good thing. With recent tasting notes suggesting that this wine had "turned a corner", I decided to pop one to see. Suprise, suprise. Youthful ruby red in color. The wine opens with bright, clean red berry fruit - no sign of Beau funk/Brett. With some air the profile turns darker. Black currant, plum fruit with herbs, earth, minerals, and pepper all wrapped in some light smoke. The attack is smooth. The wine is meedium bodied. Palate is dark and not quite as interesting as the nose. Tannins are firm but not harsh. Finish is persistent. . If the fruit holds up and the tannins resolve, this could become very interesting. Hard for me (with little experience) to make this call, but I do believe this does get better with a bit more bottle time. A pleasant suprise. Not the austere, tanninc beast I expected to find. Not flashy either - but I'm not one for flash!
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It's been about 2 years since I tasted this wine. Last time, the wine was very tannic, brooding, and closed down. Not giving much. Tonight, it was much different. The nose had dark berries and a bit of a barnyard characteristic but nothing that I would call Brett. The palate was full bodied and sweet with a lush finish. This wine has really come around since the last time and I suspect it is nearing what will be a very wide plateau of drinkability.
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Really pretty. Nose reticent at open, but blossomed to cherry notes. No barhyard at all on the palate, just clean and beautiful fruit. Good length. Very slight bricking at rim, but still young.
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out of 375, decanted for an hour, this wine was singing. No real bricking the dark redish tinge seems ready to drink. Scents of black tar, sweat and sweet cherry matched up with the grilled rib steak. The wine is smooth and silky, with the older beaucastel fruit still holding up on a very stong spine. The tannins are soft but it is the acids which keep this on track. Very nice, with some upside potential out of fulls. Blew away a clos des papes I had a few weeks ago.
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Third time I've had this. Tasted side-by-side with the 1985 (see TN), this showed much blacker fruit, pepper, minerals, and kirsch. Opened and steadily integrated with air. The secondary flavors (earth, leather) are beginning to emerge. Ripe, fine tannins. Seems to be at the beginning of a nice long drinking window. Delicious stuff.
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from memory with dinner last night. good color - still young. was at cellar temperature, but still not giving much on the nose even after an hour. good fruit, austere, but feels like it will evolve into a very good (but not great) Beaucastel. i would put it a notch ahead of what i remember of the last 95 Pegau I had. needs a few years and some time in decanter. B+/A-
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Roy Hersh comes to town- Raveneau, Donnhoff, Pegau, Beaucastel & more ensue. (Il Corso): I found this to be a somewhat atypical showing for the wine as the fruit really came off as being ultra ripe and roasted in similar fashion to the '89, but not as intense. While it usually has a roasted quality to it, I've never experienced such exuberance in the '95. Pretty clean for a Beaucastel, I seem to recall that this was the vintage the cleaned things up, but there's still a little game in there. No Brett, though. There is a slight roughness to the tannins at the back end that were also a touch drying. I've had a better bottle or two, but this is a very nice showing. Solid A-.
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from 375ml I have always found this wine solid, and not giving that much. Well it seems that it has turned a corner. Still black cherry color. Initial nose of red fruit, violets with hints of horse saddle, which came and went over the 2 hours I had this in the big Somm burg glass. Wow, back to the Beaus that I like. It still has some crunchy red fruit, cherry pit along with slightly elevated acids that tighten the palate, but it is starting to mature and soften. Goes down very silky, with tannins still on the back end. With my lamb chops it drank beautifully. Still, I might prefer it in say 2 years, maybe longer out of regular bottle. Will last for another 10.
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Tasted unblinded from the Vintage Wines, Ltd. wine bar. Bright disc. Medium garnet robe with brick rim. Clean, moderately intense nose showing predominant clove, dust, tobacco and roasted herb aromas. Full-bodied on the palate, with low acidity and relatively soft tannins. The palate is similar to the nose, with the addition of a core of red fruit. Medium, fairly smooth finish. This wine is still not showing much...Will it ever blossom? I would probably give it another couple of years before re-tasting.
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A bit light without much concentration. Very refined but pleasant. Slight dark and red berry fruit with lingering acidity. Short aftertaste and frankly very weak for a Chateauneuf. It's probably because of the bottle size (375 ml). Drink now.
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"triple decanted" First early AM , then rebottled then retasted early afternoon and put back in the decanter, then bottled for transport and decanted upon arrival. Thanks RM A medium deep ruby with big legs. The nose was a blast of garrigue, dark cherries and leather. Red and black licorice, sage, anise, perfumey. A fabulous nose I slightly preferred to the 98 I recently tried. Others liked both similarly, but the two wines are different animals for sure. Both delicious in different ways. Full bodied and rich. Cherry liqueur, pine, white pepper, minerals, creosote, and anise. Fabulous and just singing. Needs lots of time, but a very bright future IMHO. 95+.
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Took ages to open up. Don't be fooled by its brickish color. Initially restrained tight wine opened to reveal black raspberry, iron, raisins, loads of garrigue, with tannic finish. Will undoubdetly be better in 5 years.
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Trip Notes (Vilnius and London): this still needs time but way more open than the one i had 6 month ago or so... animal notes, rich and ripe fruit, lovelly middle, leather and tobacco, great minerality, tar, long finish...beaucastel is always such a treat!
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Wow, this was a seriously juicy, delicious Beaucastel. The wine has emerged from the hard shell it was in 3 years ago, when I opened my last bottle. Youthful ruby/purple, with a touch of amber at the rim. I didn't pick up any brett or barnyard -- just loads of Granache fruit, with minerals and saddle leather on the midpalate. The secondary characteristics have really begun to show themselves. Still tannic, but the tannins are sweet and give a nice grip on the finish. Approachable now and should drink well for at least 10-15 more years.
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An attractive wine; far better than the one sampled last November. Color is a medium ruby, perhaps just a hint of amber on the rim. The nose is striking, with a profound aroma of ripe raspberry fruit, red current syrup, spices and leather. But the wine needs to be consumed with food; the tannins are still quite pronounced and result in a rather dry palate: sweet and long, but oaky. Seems unlikely to me that the fruit will still be alive if and when these tannins ever fade, so I would consume this during the next five years or so.
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STG does Beaucastel: tight... hot... quite a lot of barnyard... later it opens to some fruit ..plum... black raspberry a nice palate... saddle leather on the somewhat short finish rather dilute compared to other Beaus we have tasted
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Seattle Tasting Group does Beaucastel (Issaquah, WA): Charcoal with some heat, very sharp, horsey. Lots of olive on the palate. A little muddy at first and especially compared to the other wines in the flight. This is very nice though, opening up, with leather and black, brooding personality.
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At a horizontal tasting of 11 1995 Chateauneuf (not blind). Would never have picked this out as Beaucastel blind. A little flat, definitely closed and not showing much right now. No flaws, good wine, but hopefully the best is a few years down the line.
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Lively ruby color flecked with garnet. Deep, penetrating nose of smoked meat, horse, blackberries, and black currants. Medium-bodied in the mouth with ample acidity and sweet blackberry flavors. Finishes smooth and meaty. 50+4+12+16+7=89
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Some New Year's Wines (Y&M's): Notes from memory. Decanted less than an hour before pouring. Deep dark red color. Beautiful nose of dark fruits, some earthy tones, a touch of alcohol. Still tightly wound, opened a bit as the evening progressed. Still very young and clearly will develop beautifully for some time to come. Wonderful dark fruits, white pepper, some earthiness, all in a tight but big package. Went wonderfully with the pork confit we served. Very enjoyable. Makes me very glad I just bought a 6-pack of this.
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When the wine was just poured it had it all - the animalistic power, the raw meat smell, the fruit...BUT withing 5 minutes it closed...comepletly...almoust nothing on the nose and just bare body... it started to open a bit later but by then the glass was empty :) still it was a good classy wine.
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A good, fairly mature garnet, though there’s very little difference in the appearance of the 2001, 1998 and 1995. On the nose, there is some slightly acidic farmyard and a bit of blueberry fruit, but it’s really quite closed. Quite light on the palate, and here too it seems very closed. This isn’t terribly impressive by comparison with the others. Good/Very Good.
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This bottle was either heat damaged at some point or relatively closed; it showed as rather light and a bit dry with aromas of red currents and leather. A pleasant bottle but nothing special, at least right now. Heat damage is a possibility; the entire case has worried me since I received it (almost ten years ago) and one bottle was a leaker.
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I just love this producer. I figured it's time to try it at the 10 year mark. Another beauty. Ruby with perhaps the slightest bricking at the edges. Out of the bottle it was tight as expected. With an hour of aeration, lovely aromas of black cherry, earth, tar and cassis. I detected no funk or horse. Incredibly pure and clean from entry to finish. I was initially going to open this with Craig Vanderah when his family came to visit but only opened the 01...something about having too much wine... ;) Anyway, by contrast, this was more elegant and balanced, still with potential, but not as much of a bruiser as the 01. Nonetheless, a terrific drink. Hold for another 5-7 years if you are short on inventory.
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Monthly Tasting Group HWS #004; Southern Rhône (By AW): A very complete wine! Bouquet is very intense and complex, wit barnyard and good wood. Starts soft with a little sweetness. Spicy, sweet again and what the French call garrique; the smells and tastes you get when walking through an unused piece of land full with all sorts of spices (In my opinion). Everything perfect in its place and a very long aftertaste. What a pleasure to drink this!!
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Black/red, slightly amber rim. Just starting to open up; nose is dominated by red currents, ripe plums, spices; then gamey aromas: leather, fresh bread, sweat. On the palate the wine is still a bit tight but has a very long finish with a distinctive brett aftertaste – camembert cheese or fresh straw. Slightly less rich and higher acidity than their best years. Needs another few years to hit its peak. 92+.
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Seattle Tasting Group does 22 years of Phelps Insignia (Bellevue, WA, USA): On opening this wine I was blown away by the horse stink when I put my nose to the bottle. However this blew off and shows much more pine resin and roasted meat. On the palate this is VERY tight and dry, not giving up much right now. Tough to evaluate and far too early to drink this monster.
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This estate was started in 1549 and has the reputation as the being the finest in the Southern Rhone Valley. Surprisingly, the property sat vacant and unfarmed for over 100 years until it was replanted in 1909. Today the estate is one of the largest in the area with 131 hectares of vineyards. All 13 permitted grape varieties are grown although it is Mourvèdre for which Beaucastel is known. It usually comprises 1/3 of the final blend. Another interesting aspect of the winemaking at Beaucastel is the use of the "á chaud" vinification method where the grapes are rapidly heating to extract color and aroma and eliminate bacteria. I found this wine to be typically Beaucastel. A nice deep rich red color. Earthy with spice and red fruit notes. Medium to full bodied and still in need of time (especially from magnum) although it was drinking well. Perhaps a little closed still. Round finish and firm tannins. 92 points.
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Consumed at Chive restaurant with Ken Johnson, Kathy Swinyer, Frank Noble and Mike Stewart. Bottle provided by Ken Johnson. Similar impression to 12/18/03. This wine is simply not ready.
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Tasted unblinded at the home of Frank Noble, who provided the bottle from his personal cellar. Bright disc. Deep ruby/garnet robe with pink rim. Clean but somewhat closed nose, showing aromas of blackberries, licorice and dry earth. Medium-bodied on the palate, with medium acidity, ample dry tannins and similar flavors as for the nose. Medium, slightly astringent finish. Needs time.
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Tasted at the 2003 Ritchees presale. All I can recall is the density, tannic structure and lovely fruit. This is way to young and not that pleasant right now. Will be better than 83, but must wait still.
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4/19/2024 - deno.vourderis@gmail.com wrote: 94 Points
I was nervous after the first sip, but don’t worry, give it time. 90 minute decant did it. Peaked at three hours.
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4/13/2024 - MJReb wrote: 93 Points
The last bottle of a long evening, no detailled notes, but a lovely, harmonious, refined wine in a perfect shape. Incredible how CNdP can age, 29 years nevertheless.
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3/18/2024 - La Sprezzatura wrote:
Beaucastel Tasting Wunderbrunnen Opfikon
general remarks:
the wines are in general more on the elegant side. red berric. high acidity. almost no wood (they only use 5000+ liters „foudres“) intermixed with some spices and flowery aromas. especially the older vintages gave me some "burgundy vibes". there was some bottle variation (some oxidative bottles), especially with some warmer and better rated vintages such as 1995 and 1999…
the younger the wines got the more similar they became and were hard to distinguish. also hard to tell where the younger vintages will end up in future. highlights were 1991 and 1996 (both 94 points).
in the cellar they use as low intervention as possible. every grape gets fermented on its own. they choose oxidative or reductive ageing for each grape separately according to the characteristics of the grape.
the chateau is owned and ran by the family perrin (7 ppl).
Tasting note Beaucastel 1995:
maggi and intense saw dust, oxidative.
maybe flawed?
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2/28/2024 - bon vivant wrote:
Good fill, good looking cork, lots of sediment, benefited from 45 min of decant but somehow this was not as good as previous bottles. While it was enjoyed and serviceable it had something a bit lacking in both the aromatics as well as the mid palate. No oxidation or heat damage and the color was proper... I could not discern any flaws but strongly suspect something was a bit off here. Oh well no great wine only great bottles ...
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2/2/2024 - chitowncdpguy wrote:
Wow.
Two notes:
1) this had a lot of sediment, decant for sediment
2) while beautiful, it faded pretty quickly after being in the decanter around the 4 hour mark
This was absolutely fantastic. Smooth and gorgeous right after decanting and consistent until it started to fade. Simply beautiful, aromatic, at this point very elegant, and still quite vibrant.
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1/21/2024 - hargy wrote:
my last two bottles of this vintage and what a disappointment! - the first was spoiled although the cork was in perfect shape and the other was dead with the fruit completely gone
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12/12/2023 - David J Cooper wrote: 95 Points
Medium dark red. Black cherry, roasted beef, black pepper, saddle, and a distant hardwood fire. Warm and dry cherry, beef broth and black pepper flavours and a long dry rustic finish.
A very Northern Rhone style CdP.
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9/29/2023 - Collector1855 wrote: 94 Points
CdP blind tasting. Illuminating evening, while there were some nice and complex wines there were also quite a few misses. Issues revolved around either not aging well and becoming pruney, oxidative with cooked fruit aromas or just being too heavy/sweet/alcoholic. TN: This was lovely and light, red fruit, moderate alc, farmyard funk and earthy element.
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7/20/2023 - ElAzul Likes this wine: 93 Points
Cork was pristine, fill was very good. Some rusty color to the deep red color of the wine. The nose is replete with leather, iron/blood and dried cherries. On the palate the iron minerality is overlayed on the dried red cherry fruit and there is nice acidity to keep it all lively and spicy. The finish is smooth and really started showing after 24 hours opened including decant and separation of the fine sediment at the bottom of the bottle. This is classic CDP made in a lusty old school manner though it is missing the garrigue/herbs de Provence I usually associate with CDP. It is mature but will last another decade easily.
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6/3/2023 - steinersing wrote: 91 Points
some barnyard aromas and Barolo hints. holding up well.
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6/3/2023 - Collector1855 wrote: 94 Points
Tasted blind. Dark fruit with torrefaction, some plum as well as licorice. Rip but not overripe, not oxidative. Good balance and freshness for such an old CdP.
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5/3/2023 - François1986 wrote: 89 Points
Robe brique d'intensité moyenne
Nez austère de cheminée froide, tabac froid, quelques fruits rouges trop confiturés.
Bouche sur les notes tertiaires de pruneau et goudron.
Cuvée qui est maintenant je trouve très et trop austère.
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4/30/2023 - Nicolascosgrove wrote: 94 Points
Absolutely stunning.
Of course, no fruit left. We’re hanging around with black olives, more black olives and wet leaves.
Beautiful mouth, tannins are nowhere to be seen. Great length also, WOW!
Note : wife didn’t appreciate as much as I did, must be into more older wines.
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2/19/2023 - liber Likes this wine: 93 Points
23rd of 24, opened an hour, near perfect cork and level, impressive, energetic and beautifully balanced fruit and mineral, nicely layered, signs of fade after 20 minutes, last glass significantly less interesting being all ash and mineral, downside, drink up. F+ (18).
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2/12/2023 - Eric wrote:
ESTG does Southern Rhone and Provence (Seattle, WA, USA): Deep, dark, cranberry, masculine, intense, a bit of a coffee note. There is something funky and intense, not moldy, not TCA, but a bit herbal and off-putting at first. But we got past it. After 30 minutes in the glass this just explodes, complex, deep.
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1/31/2023 - short and confused wrote:
CNP was one of my gateway wines. Over the years, I have drifted towards more cool climate wines. I had a 1995 pegau recently which was disappinting but this beaucastel was really really good. What I remeber loving about CNP. and refined and light on its feet. Not overly extracted. In a great mature place.
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10/20/2022 - RVC_Wine Likes this wine: 95 Points
Boot leather, cigar box, thyme, pron intensity!, orange rind
Animal sweat, black plum, tobacco, roasted almond, damp cedar
Phenomenonal and intense
30 min decant
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10/20/2022 - RVC_Wine wrote:
Ehshsb
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10/2/2022 - soyhead wrote:
perhaps the best bottle of the half-case that i've had yet.
very smooth, with good albeit mellow red fruit, and an earthy core that ends with a nice sour note. Very pleasing. This specific bottle could still last but i see no reason why to wait, all the more so since not all bottles (will) show this well. in short, drink up.
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9/16/2022 - streethawk wrote:
Medium garnet with obvious bricking. On initial opening, lots of Bretty barnyard and bandaid aromas as well as some VA. With time in the decanter, tertiary notes of leather, forest floor, and dusty library emerge. Very herbal. I have a hard time identifying much fruit - perhaps some dried strawberry. The mid-palate is very hollow and while the finish is long, the tannins are still rather drying. Overall, as others have noted, I think ‘austere’ is an apt descriptor but it’s just not coming together for me in a harmonious way. Is it an off bottle or is it simply past peak? Hard to know for sure, but this is my last bottle. Based on this showing, my advice would be to drink any remaining bottles sooner rather than later.
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8/21/2022 - jonanator wrote: 94 Points
This last bottle was alive and well. Really good showing.
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8/13/2022 - soyhead wrote:
bottle showed good freshness and was much more alive than the '90 that preceeded it.
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8/10/2022 - cct wrote: 92 Points
Opened and decanted while drinking over several hours
At first pretty strong band aid more than horse brett. With a couple hours in the decanter, the brett blew off enough to a noticeable, but not disagreeable level leaving a lovely savory nose more than fruit driven nose with roasted meat, mushroom, Provencal herbs, and dark berry and raspberry fruits. On the palate, mid plus weighted and broad with sap and density without being heavy or clumsy on the palate. Savory more than fruit driven with the mourvèdre seemingly coming to the fore. This has power and structure, but also excellent sense of proportion and balance. Most of the tannins are resolved and good acid balance for CdP. It has the sternness of '95, but I kind of dig it. Drinking at peak. 92 once the brett blew off.
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6/18/2022 - mblatino wrote: 87 Points
Past peak.
Light and slightly orange color. Some sediment.
The nose is dusty dark fruit, forrest floor, mushroom and balsamic.
The taste was light. Elegant or maybe porous would be the word.
A rather short finish and quite tertiary all around.
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5/4/2022 - 559Cheers wrote: 91 Points
Maybe needs 5 or more years. Not all spectacular. Strawberries and barnyard, but have had better. Time can only tell, perhaps it will not improve.
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3/3/2022 - Rockland Likes this wine: 93 Points
Drinking beautifully, mature but not over the hill; expected some brickiness but none to be found.
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2/25/2022 - David J Cooper wrote: 95 Points
Light medium bright red. Medium intense nose, lots here, warm cherry, barnyard, nutmeg, thyme, roasted meat, and pepper. Warm dry cherry, beef broth, and pepper flavours and a long dry pepper finish.
I think this vintage of Beaucastel has always shown a great future and is now beginning to show it. I think it has so much structure it will continue to improve.
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2/6/2022 - windtalker Likes this wine: 94 Points
A tremendous showing.
Just a great clean mature bottle bouquet. Red cherries and iron, with a hint of lavender, further define the nose and palate. Tannins are resolved but still a spine of nice acidity holds up the wine. Lengthy and doesn't show the alcohol at all.
Not improving, probably, but no rush for a well stored bottle.
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1/3/2022 - Everything Ahead wrote: 91 Points
Still holding up well, but not likely to improve much from here ... Medium-bodied, nice texture after a short decant, spice/bay leaf/tree bark/pine aromas, some black cherry fruit on the palate. An elegant wine at this point and a nice pairing with duck confit and dried cherry chutney. I remember how tannic this was on release; time has treated it well, but it was never destined to be a truly great wine in this vintage.
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12/29/2021 - jonanator wrote:
Drinking really well still but I wouldnt wait too much longer
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12/11/2021 - MC2 Wines Likes this wine:
Q4 2021 Wine Club: The Return with Aged Rhone (Our apt): Wine #11: Red fruits and very pretty. Lots of raspberry. Again drinking very well. This was fun to get to check back in on (3 pennies)
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12/11/2021 - DH90 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Good color with amber edge but minimal separation. Tight initially but after 15 minutes it opened up to reveal a glorious aroma of dark black fruits (cherries), chocolate, spices, and a hint of eucalyptus. Nicely balanced with good length. Showed much better than we anticipated (had side by side with the 1989 and 1981 Beaucastel, which were both excellent although showing more age).
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12/10/2021 - Burgundy Al wrote: 91 Points
45th Birthday Celebration (Racquet Club - Chicago IL): Meaty and powerful with an Old School style of black fruit that gave a faint barnyard hint but stayed away from seeming dirty. Long, persistent finish.
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12/1/2021 - Ara Kafafian wrote: 91 Points
Not as profound as my last bottle but still holding nicely after 26 years, drink up.
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9/18/2021 - rocknroller wrote: 92 Points
Brad's Belated Big 6-0 Birthday Celebration (Brad & Marcia's Place, St. Paul, MN): Dark red color. I believe this got a quick splash for sediment. Drank a glass over 45 minutes next to a beautiful '89. This was a fair bit bigger, very spicy, strong garrigue notes, bold with some more stewed plum notes to go with the cassis and black cherry. Showing a little heat too. Not quite up to some past bottles.
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8/20/2021 - Ara Kafafian Likes this wine: 94 Points
I honestly had little hope that this was going to be remotely drinkable as I haven’t had much luck with Chateauneuf’s aged more than 10 years. I thought it would be past it’s prime. I was wrong. Still very fresh and ripe, some brick on the rim with silky smooth tannins, some sweetness, tobacco leaf red berry notes, medium body with a never-ending finish. No decanting required; I would push the drinking window further to 2026. Hats off to the Perrin family.
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8/2/2021 - glou.sf Likes this wine: 93 Points
Tasted blind. Very pretty nose with red fruit, savory notes, old leather, and tart berries. Medium acidity with quite integrated tannins, cassis, and red berry flavors on the palate. Nice finish. This is a very pleasant, mature CdP!
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7/12/2021 - jondrinkswine wrote: 89 Points
A little past it’s prime. This vintage hasn’t aged as well as some others and should be drank soon.
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5/16/2021 - François1986 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Robe vermillon d'intensité moyennement pâle.
Nez au démarrage de faible intensité, fruit noir, mûres, kirsch léger. Après quelques minutes, arômes de terres, animale, jus de viande léger et olive noire léger. Après 1 jour, les Prunaux d'Agen aux lards fumés sont clairement identifiables.
En bouche, fraicheur intacte avec des tannins qui sont savoureux. Cela manque maintenant de structure et la finale est relativement courte.
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4/24/2021 - pbaek wrote:
Fully mature and potentially past peak. On tertiary notes, animal farm, leather, garrigue. Good acidity. A good but not great Beaucastel. Time to drink up.
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3/7/2021 - Diogobelo wrote: 90 Points
A bit past its time. Less fruit than expected, austere, but still with some Beaucastel characteristics. Maybe wasn't cellared properly.
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2/28/2021 - jondrinkswine wrote: 91 Points
Very well stored bottle with a perfect cork and fill. In a really interesting spot with fruit just starting to fade and tertiary notes picking up. Reductive upon opening and needed about an hour decanting to shine. The nose exhibits prominent forest floor, a dried bouquet, garrigue and smoke. Fruit on the palate is mature with dried blackberries, raspberries and cherries. Quite a lot of pepper and spice.
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2/21/2021 - Wine_Bear Likes this wine: 93 Points
Wine was properly stored from purchase upon release until consumed.
Big beautiful bouquet of cherries, raspberries, blueberries. Touch of vanilla, spices, pepper. Lovely wine.
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12/29/2020 - englishman's claret wrote: 90 Points
The nose here is a little demure, with moderate intensity ripe raspberries, kirsch, and black pepper. More engaging and vibrant on the palate, though, showing garrigue, cracked peppercorn, mineral, and smoke. The tannins are almost completely resolved here, leaving an unexpected silky, supple mouthfeel that’s quite nice. Notwithstanding the fact that this seems to be on its way down (from half), it’s lively, elegant, and certainly there’s no shortage of mature CdP character.
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12/25/2020 - Kweiss7 wrote: 60 Points
Well past it’s prime and lost almost all it’s fruitiness. Opened up a bit after decanting for 2 hours, but main notes are dried fruit, particularly raisin.
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12/24/2020 - finediningnyc Likes this wine: 93 Points
Decanted for 90 min, after its reticent and tightly coiled initial taste. Near peak but with the stuffing to hold for at least 5 more years, dried black and red fruits, worn leather, animale, rosemary. Very good depth and complexity. Persistent finish. Beaucastel always a pleasure and with minimal price inflation, it’s almost a value wine now.
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11/13/2020 - Matt Scott Likes this wine: 93 Points
Decanted for thirty minutes. Hope chest, leather, cherries, olive leaves, stone and dried roses. A medium-long finish, and a fine, yet layered body that shows dimension. Silky tannins still show in a savory manner. Drink now - 2029.
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10/5/2020 - tazerowe Likes this wine:
This is a fine drink, with real mourvedre character - smoke and animal with herbs and that elusive Rhone garrigue. No real tannins on a medium frame, there is a classy texture to the wine. Not something I drink frequently, so a little hard to calibrate, but enjoyable and ready to go.
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9/11/2020 - no leashes wrote: 92 Points
Delicious red fruit, cassis, white pepper, a hint of barnyard, and spice flavors. Smooth and delicious. drinking perfectly.
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8/30/2020 - lars1014 Likes this wine:
Excellent wine in excellent condition. If you have a well stored bottle, this is an exciting wine to try.
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8/8/2020 - rlove wrote: 93 Points
Outshining my last bottle, which was plagued by Brett, tonight Beaucastel’s 1995 is clean with a mature nose of fading dark fruit, leather, Rosemary, and tar. Mostly resolved tannins and still bright acidity frame dark fruit and earth flavors. At peak and should hold for a few more years.
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7/30/2020 - Poisey wrote: 93 Points
Popped and poured. Drank along side an 05, 06 and 09. This seemed as young as the other three surprisingly. Very consistent profile. Excellent balance and length. Lots left to go in this 95 though it is drinking well now. not quite as good as the 09 but as good as the 05 and better than the 06. Drink now-2025.
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7/18/2020 - NI1234 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Last bottle - past it’s prime but drinking nicely after a double decant and 2 hours
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7/15/2020 - Aris1a Likes this wine: 93 Points
Drinking wonderfully. The cork was in perfect condition, and clearly this had been stores properly. (I recall purchasing this from a library release, so that might have a lot to do with the perfect condition of all the bottles that I purchased.)
Decanted for about 3 hours. Opens up with menthol, licorice, stone cherries, some pepper, new leather on the finish. Medium body, translucent dark red. Long finish. Wish I had more!!
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7/12/2020 - AWBryce wrote:
barnyard, blue fruits, still surprisingly youthful and long finish. palate is well balanced
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6/28/2020 - dfcrutcher Likes this wine: 89 Points
Light and fading, but still a pleasant wine.
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6/27/2020 - chablis28 wrote: 95 Points
Not sure why I passed over this btl so often since acquiring it in 2018? Drank tonight like I've owned and pampered it since release. Decided to simply open it 2 hours B4 dinner, pour a Burg glass and decide if it needed much air? It didn't. The nose and palate both were pretty open for business. Maybe slightly leaner for the first 30 minutes in my glass. By the time we started drinking it in earnest it was rocking! The corkwas only soaked 1/8" and while dry after dinner it came out nicely and in tack. An almost youthful semi opaque ruby red and very light bricking. Fill was high and sediment minimal, so no decant. Aromas of potpourri, underbrush and fading fruit. A mature resolved palate but eminently fresh. Layers of red fruit, more underbrush, mushroom, herbs, licorice and mineral. Most attractive is the sheer length on the finish and a lifted squirt of raspberry - cherry jam in the fruit profile. This is 100% ready to go and unlikely to improve at all. Classic old school CDP the way more CDPs should drink. Its big but not sloppy. 13.5% alc. A bargain for $80 just 2 yrs ago.
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6/11/2020 - Neecies Does not like this wine:
Dead. Really, REALLY dead. Brown, cloudy and swampy, it had been dead a LONG time.
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5/31/2020 - NI1234 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Needs 2 hrs decanting. Drink up!
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5/30/2020 - Leto South wrote: 93 Points
Decanted 2 hrs. Cork perfect. Ruby red, edge brown /white. Medium bq w mostly secondary aromas like barnyards, dried rose petals, dried cherry fruit, Medium+ body with fresh acidity, well integrated tannins, spicy strawberry jam (but slightly drying). Elegant, very well balanced. Long complex aftertaste. Still alive, but won't get any better.
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5/25/2020 - no leashes wrote: 91 Points
Drinking beautifully out of half bottle. Paired with grilled pork chop and worked perfectly.
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3/5/2020 - hprphf wrote: 92 Points
Zachy's La Paulee 2020; 3/5/2020-3/6/2020 (Le Bernardin Prive): Sour? Underlying wine is complex, spicy and slightly sweet. 92-93
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3/1/2020 - Gabsby Likes this wine: 91 Points
Garnet core with medium concentration and a light reddish rim. Visually the legs are very slow-dripping. The nose is developing, with its initial concentration of animal, barnyard aromas slowly peeling away with time to reveal notes of red cherries, boysenberries, leather, truffles, wet earth and peppercorn. Medium+ body with all aspects of the wine finely balanced on its resolved, silk-like tannins, fresh acidity, high alcohol and a medium+ to long finish. Thoroughly enjoyed this wine with 2 hours of decanting.
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2/29/2020 - Frutzzz Likes this wine: 85 Points
Very funky nose... earthy, forest floor
Silky/velvety smooth down the hatch, coats the gullet and tongue
Softened by age, low to medium acidity, reduced tannins
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2/12/2020 - rexmerlot wrote:
Didn’t score. Ruby red in color with signs of garnet. Question how this wine was stored. Normally would expect this wine to show more life. Very flat, little fruit showing. Notes were more of leather, tobacco and a little stewed fruit. Disappointing.
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1/25/2020 - bon vivant wrote:
Reviewing my previous notes I am starting to sound like a broken record as every bottle seems to be perhaps the best ever to date. ts becoing evident that the 1995 hot & dry vintage resulted in a classic Bo that is built for the long haul. There is no over ripeness, or headiness, just nice clean aged fruit with elegant spice & Garrigue notes and no funk or bret. At a great place for lovers of classic CNDP
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1/19/2020 - jonanator wrote:
This last bottle felt a little over the hill... could be bottle variation though, so I wont give this a score. This bottle just didnt feel correct, it was flat and didnt have any fruit left at all. I mostly got some barnyard, tea leaves, but not enough tertiary character to make it interesting.
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12/25/2019 - greedy wrote: 89 Points
Average at best. Not enough fruit to carry acid. Drink up.
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12/17/2019 - bobbylion Likes this wine: 92 Points
Although I have moved away from CDPs, this one is very enjoyable. PNP and it quickly gave notes of furniture polish, menthol and lots of red fruit. Earth and wet wood on the nose. Really very enjoyable.
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12/1/2019 - TGOT Likes this wine: 95 Points
F: dominant plum flavor.
A: low acid.
T: with well-integrated tannins.
A: low-to-medium alcohol.
B: solid-structure that has held up well to nearly 25 years of aging; supple & elegant.
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11/26/2019 - BillStensrud wrote:
Ready to drink. Needs to be decanted and filtered.
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11/16/2019 - eboracum wrote: 90 Points
This bottle has opened up a little compared with the bottle 3 years ago but was still more austere and acidic than I usually associate with CndP. The comment from across the table "is this Madiran?" was not totally inappropriate and viewed that way the wine had qualities. The nose was discreet but showed dark plum round fruit tinged with meat and some metallic rust with more air. The palate was medium/full bodied with some depth and savoury fruit, replay of the discreet aromatics from the nose, some depth and earthiness, smooth texture, lively acidity and residual structure. The problem with this showing was a mismatched pairing, venison in a slightly sweet red berry sauce, which would have gone beautifully with a more typically sweet fruited and opulent CndP, e.g. the 2000. Just about very good on its own terms.
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11/13/2019 - lolo66 wrote:
CDP with Age (Nice Matin): Decent and enjoyable but do not remember my notes...
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10/16/2019 - Will Devize wrote: 90 Points
A statuesque wine that tastes of plums and meat stock. Competent but somehow uninspiring. Not sure that middle-age has been kind here.
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9/2/2019 - Blauweiss Likes this wine: 93 Points
Benefits from a long decant, this one has a gorgeous nose with mostly secondary notes, such as leather, tar, dried cherries but also sweet red berries.
On the palate medium bodied, but very long with noticeable but also completely integrated tannin and a wide range of secondary flavours, such as dried derries, sweet figs, leather, Tobacco, tea. Lovely stuff, should be drunk now, no Point in waiting.
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5/6/2019 - dbenglis Likes this wine: 93 Points
Superb. Great price point. Classic CNDP. I felt drinking well now and the 1998 I drank same day could wait a few more years.
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5/4/2019 - rwerner Likes this wine: 92 Points
Still good life in this wine. Opened a 375 ml bottle I had in the cellar tonight. Wine opened in 15 minutes with excellent fruit and balanced tannins. If you have any this old I would suggest drink it now. One of my favorite CDPs. additional notes cork was in good shape with no seepage. I used an osso to open to avoid the breaking of the cork for anything over 7 years.
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4/28/2019 - Tony Molester Likes this wine:
This one followed by 7 days the 1993.
Much more open and enjoyable. Cork showed no seepage, soak was mid cork.
Decanted, some sediment. Decanted for about 3 h
Delicious fresh sweet red fruit, with a fresh acidity to balance the plush fruit.
Strawberry and clove. Savoury finish. A touch of brett that adds some interest.
We both really enjoyed this.
Drink up, delicious now and upside appears limited.
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4/19/2019 - David J Cooper wrote: flawed
Nasty. Corked.
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4/11/2019 - Neecies wrote:
Another Erik bottle, and another disappointment. Dry, crumbly cork, taupe-y color, thin body, old Rioja-ish. Not undrinkable but not at all what we know this wine can be.
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3/18/2019 - Neecies wrote: flawed
Corked.
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3/3/2019 - jeffjohnsonjj@hotmail.com wrote: 90 Points
Huge funk on the nose - a full Brett onslaught. Good CdP fruit behind it, but the Brett nose dominated the wine
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2/23/2019 - jonanator wrote: 96 Points
Need to keep my hands off of these. I expect these to drink well for at least 5 more years. Similar notes to last bottle. After 30mins, this is in a great place. They don't make them like this anymore.
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2/18/2019 - pbaek wrote:
In a good spot still. The tannins are fully resolved and this has turned into a good old-school Châteauneuf without reaching the highs that Beaucastel of yore can. Spicy with notes of brown fruit, leather, tobacco. Will keep.
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2/14/2019 - Brent25 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Clear pale garnet bordering on tawny; lots of sediment with big slow legs; clean medium nose of stewed figs, dried cranberries, old leather, soil, nuts, cinnamon, soy and vanilla; developed; dry; medium plus acidity; medium plus tannins; high alcohol; medium body; medium plus flavor intensity; pfn with addition of dried cherries, cocoa and black licorice; long finish; outstanding quality; drink now - not going to benefit from further aging; absolutely amazing wine!
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2/8/2019 - MLipton wrote: flawed
Unfortunately, this wine had (to my senses) a low level of TCA taint. It wasn't enough to totally spoil the wine but enough for me to think that it wasn't showing all it should.
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1/17/2019 - chbeaumont wrote: 91 Points
Brick red; meaty, expressive warm leather, hint of violets; has substance, structured, retains power; plenty on a purposeful finish. Lacks flair. Proper C9P. This remains a long distance tuner.
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1/6/2019 - mhudes Likes this wine: 91 Points
At Walter's house to watch NFL wildcard playoffs. From half bottle. PnP. Floral nose along with some cedar. Black raspberries on the palate with some of the usual Beaucastel funk which quickly blew off. I was expecting this to fade, but surprise! It picked up complexity and improved in tje short time it took us to finish it with minerals, some leather and CdP garrigue. Nice wine.
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1/6/2019 - Kiranonwine Likes this wine:
Drinking well but beginning to fade.
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1/4/2019 - Caruso Likes this wine: 89 Points
Well, the last bottle of 1995 Beaucastel for me. This has never been outstanding in my book (and some professional tasters) and though it shows still nice fruit, in contrast to most bottles of the 1998 vintage from my cellar, it is even more and more unbalanced- with the tannin winning the war against fruit. 5/12/16/6 -2019
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12/30/2018 - jonanator wrote: 96 Points
Best bottle of this wine yet! Decanted to separate the sediment then served after 30min. This was stupendous. Such a complete wine, it had wonderful perfumed aromas, depth on the mid palate, long finish. Had the characteristic big puff of barnyard when it was popped but blew off after an hour of air. Perfectly mature and no sense of being on the other side of the hill like some previous bottles. So fresh. This was just drinking perfectly and I couldnt ask for a better showing.
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12/28/2018 - 2mags wrote: 92 Points
Still drinking well. One hour decant. Leather, tar and menthol with muted fruit flavors. Velvety mouthfeel. Really enjoyable. Wish I had another bottle.
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12/23/2018 - SimonS wrote: 92 Points
Drinking perfectly if you like mature CNDP. Smooth and resolved, leather, tar and a little fruit. The lightweight year is apparent, but the wine is lovely if that is what is required. No point keeping, but based on this bottle, it seems to OK for a few more years.
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12/17/2018 - Zweder wrote: 93 Points
Weekly tasting group RWP #314; Mysterious theme: What could be Christmas wines….. (@ VD): Beautiful and mature bouquet with some pleasant barnyard and still dark berries and good garrgue. On the palate some earth, mushrooms and autumn impressions and beautiful acidity. Mature and soft tannin. A beautiful wine at its peak. No reason to wait any longer.
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11/20/2018 - KoalaHK wrote:
Drunk at Chiu Tang Hong Kong - Bright, ripe and sweet. A good bottle but not as weighty as I would like.
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11/18/2018 - rocknroller wrote: 95 Points
Monthly Tasting Group: Old Reds 2008 and Earlier (Tilia, Mpls): I can't say a lot more than I did in my last note from almost 5 years ago. This bottle was a pretty good facsimile. Small taste, thanks Dave D! A beautiful wine, what all CdP should aspire to. Leather, blue fruits, lavender, garrigue, cedar box, dried earth; medium body, ethereal, pristine red and blue fruits. A great bottle.
From 1/26/14: "This was another chart topper. Gorgeous nose with lots of delicious funk and earthiness, florals, dark raspberry, leather, sandalwood, spices, licorice. The palate is now beautifully integrated and nicely resolved. I can't help but think the decant was just about perfect here. Elegance on the palate with earth, minerals, raspberries and cherry, leather, licorice, medium-full body and long finish. Another WOTN candidate."
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10/15/2018 - liber Likes this wine: 91 Points
22nd of 24, opened 30 minutes, level ok, pulled through crumbly cork, merest hint of taint to wine but not corked, otherwise beginning to lose fruit and develop more tar and ash, but decent style and grace, drink up. Just F (17.5).
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10/10/2018 - jonanator wrote:
Second bottle that seems as though it is fading slightly. Still very good but definitely better a year ago. Time to drink up. The ‘98 was singing compared to this
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10/8/2018 - dbg wrote:
Cellared since release. Cork moist 15% up the sides, perfect fill. Ruby core, lightening and slight bricking at rim. Fragrant nose of cherry, leather, smoke, soy. Medium body, nice balance, flavors follow the nose, some sweet complex notes, medium finish. Excellent.
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9/15/2018 - winoma Likes this wine: 88 Points
Drink up - on its last legs but still elegantly balanced. One more bottle left.
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8/27/2018 - Balthasar wrote: 94 Points
Well stored since 1998. This has developed quite nicely and is now at peak. Nose is a nice melange of dark toned fruits and secondary/tertiary notes as liquorice, black truffles, leather, spices and mushrooms. Smooth, round and supple on the palate. Tannins are completely dissolved but structure is still alive. Not thick or heavy and with "only" 13.5% ABV it has rather gained an almost burgundian elegance and finesse.
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8/19/2018 - jonanator wrote:
Not quite up to par with previous bottles. Ever so slightly lacking the power and energy of previous bottles.
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8/19/2018 - Caruso Likes this wine: 90 Points
Ruby with broad orange rim. The cork is still in perfect condition. Perfectly cellared since release, this shows a nice nose of underbrush, herbal notes as lavender, mushrooms, black cherries and on the palate even tobacco. On the palate it seems this bottle has shed almost all of its tannin with enough acidity to keep the balance, but within 30 minutes to an hour the tannin strikes back because the wine looses its fruit. Decantation is really not recommended. It just blows away the rest of fruit. 1995 was a good but not a great vintage for CdP and this is true for Beaucastel as well. The standard cuvée is often inferior to the best of its competitors as e.g. Clos des Papes, maybe because of the fact that the best juice is going to the top cuvée Hommage a Jacques Perrin. Nevertheless the quality is high enough to keep its reputation intact. The 1995 Beaucastel should be drunk within a very few years if kept under perfect conditions since release, because there is really nothing to wait for, but still something to loose. 5/12/17/6 -2019+?
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7/30/2018 - sbt-wine Likes this wine: 95 Points
Phenomenal.a son pic!!!
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7/17/2018 - nstow wrote: 93 Points
3rd of 12. Lovely, complex farmyard, truffles, undergrowth, ripe damson fruit mellow leather and spices. Beautiful wine drunk with five spice duck fried rice and was perfect. 4+/5
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6/16/2018 - cct wrote: 92 Points
Starts out with some band aid and horse brett. Over time, the brett blew off and an outstanding mature wine revealed itself. Mushroom, black fruits, olives, rare game on the nose and palate. Structured yet not stern with more finesse than the Charvin, but less emotion. Still outstanding, and drinking very well right now. 92
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6/13/2018 - caliven wrote: 92 Points
Oenitheque 2015 bottle. Well aged, perfect condition, slightly off peak but still good. Perfect example of old vintage wine, slightly off peak in perfect condition.
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6/3/2018 - acyso wrote: flawed
Vinetasters: Beaucastel (1979-2006) (Skokie, IL): Served double-blind in a Beaucastel lineup. Corked. (My 12th, group's 12th.)
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4/29/2018 - liber wrote: flawed
21st of 24, pnp, perfect level, crumbly slightly smelly cork which slightly tainted the wine which though drinkable showed an uncharacteristic acid edge, so not marked.
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4/7/2018 - demiurg wrote: 93 Points
Consistent with previous note
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3/28/2018 - SonnyChiba wrote: 92 Points
Soft and elegant on the palate. Very good but was hoping for a bit more complexity.
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3/15/2018 - grossie wrote: flawed
Corked. A classic example of a corked wine, which was instructive to those who weren't familiar but pissed me off
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3/11/2018 - Caruso wrote: 90 Points
From a textbook cellar and cellared since release: Ruby with broad orange rim. Nose of herbs reminding cough syrup, animal skin, rust, earthy notes and hints of berry fruit. On the palate smooth with not fully shed but mellow tannin and enough acidity to balance everything and nice length. Nevertheless it obvious fades away and it is the last chance to get this, let's say over the next one or maybe two years, with a excellent score, at least if the bottles from my cellar are any indication. 5/12/17/6
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3/5/2018 - Neecies Likes this wine:
Erik's. Stunning pairing with Warren's '01. Both perfect bottles, of which the '95 wins for me with it's grander display of tertiary qualities. I own a bottle too--can only hope mine's this good.
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3/3/2018 - WST Likes this wine: 92 Points
Bellingham blind tasting party; great champagne, loire whites, old nebbiolos, CdP, & a Bdx (Samish Hill, Bellingham, WA): This from Erik. An ex-cellar release. Another beauty. Not nearly as advanced as one might expect, it splits its time between secondary and tertiary. Raspberries and rust, leather, iodine, garrigue. Two great Beaus drunk side by side, I preferred the '01 by a hair.
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3/2/2018 - benny wrote: 95 Points
Quite mature. Mellow and soft. A great wine.
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2/10/2018 - Caruso Likes this wine: 92 Points
Ruby to brick red with orange rim. Iron, cherries and blackberries, herbal scents, leather. With time animally notes. Smooth on the palate though there is still considerably tannic backbone. I feel that it loses more and more of its intensity and even complexity, though it is still far superior to the 1998. Drink it up in the near term. This bottle was cellared under textbook conditions since release. 2018-2020?
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2/3/2018 - Jeffrey Silver wrote: 95 Points
Stunning mature wine. Decanted for 45Min. Leather,dark chocolate come across the nose. 75min into this btl I would say that dark chocolate prevails. Lovely wine that matches good asian food perfectly.
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1/16/2018 - beatles wrote: 93 Points
From PB. Cool, calm and collected – and slowly opening for business. It has lost its hard edges, but it is still quite a strict version of the genre.
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12/30/2017 - Brent25 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Garnet with watery rim; nose of old leather, lavender, dried cherries and cedar, pfn with addition of black licorice and cinnamon; integrated tannins; medium finish with cracked fall leaves and pronounced leather; silky, thinning mouthfeel, but still elegant; gracefully aging film star who’s retained her seductive charms
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12/16/2017 - Poisey wrote: 92 Points
Gamey with sweet red strawberry, earth, hoisin, roasted meat and white pepper notes. Balanced and long. Seamless and vibrant with great acidity. Drink now-2023.
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12/14/2017 - asgerG wrote: 91 Points
Vinklubben 1983's yearly X-mas dinner (hos Bo): DnP. Garnet red, wide yellowish rim, 5. Discrete spicy bouquet having the sweetness of maturity. Harmonious palate, tannins almost resolved, spicy elegant finish. Drink now-onwards. A bit dissapointing with regards to the somewaht subdued bouquet, otherwise delicious.
Asger
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12/9/2017 - Yassine23 Does not like this wine:
Well made but too much blood in there. Bottle is in condition but just not to my taste in this vintage. Might taste again later
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12/8/2017 - SlimShaney wrote: 89 Points
Light and looks aged. Thrown a few blocks of sediment like a run away baseball into a fearful crowd.
Elegant. Tinged fruity. Tootie fruity.
89 maybe 90 at a push but want something bolder. And hate blocky sediment.
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11/27/2017 - Zweder wrote: 92 Points
RWP #269 (@ My place): Just a few short notes. Chocolate, cocoa, red berries, plums, garrigue, soft acidity and tannin. A mature and delicious wine.
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11/24/2017 - Jeffrey Silver Likes this wine: 96 Points
Absolutely Lovely 😊 Wine. Decanted for 90min.
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11/19/2017 - hargy Likes this wine: 91 Points
not a blockbuster and not for the long haul but delicious nonetheless - fully mature and drink over the next three or four years
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11/19/2017 - Caruso Likes this wine: 92 Points
This bottle showed the same characteristics as described 03.07.2016, though it showed some more animalic scents in the beginning, which vanish largely after ca. 30 min. This bottle even seemed a bit lower in scent intensity. Therefore a lower rating. Since this bottle was stored at textbook conditions, the cork wasn't even slightly soaked and the filling was like twenty years ago, my advice is to drink it up in the near term.
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11/7/2017 - Brent25 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Ruby with opaque core; nose of cassis, forest floor and leather jacket; pfn with addition of cocoa, cinnamon and pepper; balanced; medium mouthfeel; medium plus finish; fascinating wine at 22 years old
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10/22/2017 - jonanator wrote: 94 Points
Tons of barnyard funk upon opening, but once that blew off, this was stellar. Fully mature now, this is drinking very well. Plenty of complexity, wet forest, plenty of ripe red fruit, dark berries, very earthy. This will hold for a while.
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10/16/2017 - wineamateur Likes this wine:
Amazingly fresh despite its age. The fruit bursts from the glass. And there's a bit of that trademark Beaucastel Panda-Cola, somehow never tipping over from the sublime to the vulgar. Quite pronounced acidity but everything is in exquisite balance; nicely resolved tannins; long dreamy finish shows off the purity of the fruit. Nothing forced here. Lovely
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9/25/2017 - Zweder wrote: 93 Points
Weekly tasting group RWP #264: Southern Rhône 12 x 2010 (@ VD): In the bouquet barnyard, tobacco and autumn forest. On the palate a beautiful and complex wine with maturity, good acidity, autumn forest impressions, beautiful freshness and still a nice bite. 93+
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9/23/2017 - AllRed wrote: 93 Points
4th Saturday group uptown tasting (R&D's): Double blind. A bit funky at first, along with a dark fruit profile and spice qualities. Lighter on the palate though, with red fruit, pepper and earth tones. Balanced across the palate, finishing with good length. Fully mature.
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9/23/2017 - no leashes wrote: 92 Points
Again delicious and drinking beautifully out of half bottle. Lots of red fruit, some earth and lavender to round out the flavors. Smooth and delicious.
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8/14/2017 - DBenke wrote: 92 Points
Nice fruit. Knows a little muted but earthy
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7/25/2017 - rlove wrote: 88 Points
A nose dominated by Brett, with barnyard and bandaid aromas followed by sweet berry and earth. Barnyard and cherry on the palate with welcome acidity and resolved tannins. Not an ideal showing.
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7/11/2017 - MC2 Wines Likes this wine:
Chateau de Beaucastel Dinner (Ai Fiori (Langham Hotel on 5th Ave)): Dark fruits which are moving from dried to even a bit faded in the wine. Leather. Menthol/mint. It's in a really nice spot right now - I'd say this is just about perfectly aged. Very much enjoyed.
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6/19/2017 - nstow wrote: 93 Points
2nd of 12. Deep garnet. Full bodied and complex; farmyard,leather, spices round mellow plum and damson fruit. Well balanced. Drunk with barbecued Toulouse sausage and couscous with roasted veg and was excellent match. Long finish. Many years left. 4+/5
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5/14/2017 - sylviap wrote:
Excellent. Went beautifully with Osso buck and pasta dishes. Bouquet, palate and finish all great.
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4/14/2017 - Vini Ciclismo Likes this wine: 93 Points
medium red with an earthy hue.
smooth, well balanced classic CNDP fragrance, dark fruits and spice with a hint of game.
tastes silky and well balanced. a well preserved bottle, gently aged with fruit to the fore but with the classic spice and complexity. possibly on the light side but drinking beautifully.
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4/12/2017 - OenophilistMN Likes this wine: 94 Points
From Art's cellar. Wine was in gorgeous shape, decanted through a screened funnel and left to sit for 60 minutes or so. Color going from crimson in the bowl to amber to orange on the rim. Nose of deep red fruits, a bit of cedar and the CdP brett (which I like). Wine is now integrated, with soft tannins and it might be just on the wrong side of its peak. Still quite enjoyable even though others have suggested it is well past its prime. I believe CdP, particularly Beaucastel, ages very well indeed.
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3/2/2017 - wineguru57@yahoo.com.au wrote: 86 Points
Alas a lot of brett. Would have been an excellent wine if not for this. Beaucastel eliminated brett soon after this vintage
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2/20/2017 - Yagil wrote: 89 Points
Chateau de Beaucastel vertical tasting (Wine-Route, Hashalom Rd branch): medium intensity translucent red-brown
light mature fruity nose
light bodied, lean structure, lacks complexity, soft tannins, as if diluted, weakest of the night..
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2/15/2017 - senior_ap Likes this wine: 92 Points
Everything you want an aged CdP to be. Brothy, beefy, unctuous, good structure (which will see it last many more years) savoury with a delicate sweet finish. I find huge variation in Beacastels with various vintages - often I'm amazed the wines are from the same producer. This 1995 was a very good effort indeed. Bravo.
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1/28/2017 - Chiantihound wrote: 91 Points
Little soak into cork. Ruby red and clear. Unlike previous bottle looked quite young. Solid nose of wet gravel. Palate is well balanced with medium to long finish. Overall was surprised that it was as youthful as it was. My previous bottle had more bricking, more developed secondary aromas. Still solid.
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1/3/2017 - rsbeck wrote: 94 Points
Popped, poured, consumed over the next hour. Similar to previous notes, but this one opened up very quickly. Last bottle, should continue to cruise on this drinking plateau for awhile. Lovely bottle of wine.
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12/16/2016 - pbaek wrote:
After all these years in the cellar, the 1995 is singing now. Gone are the hard edges, the tannins are almost fully resolved and voila, here is beautiful wine with true Provençal character: thyme and lavendar, fruit in brown nuances, mint and a lovely mineral core. This is a 'clean' Beaucastel, there's no farm notes or dirt, quite elegant actually. So happy to have cellared this.
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12/6/2016 - OenophilistMN Likes this wine: 89 Points
Brought by Art to our CdP tasting. It was the youngest of the group, and the WOTN. Crimson bowl, amber rim. Brett, deep red fruit and some cedar on the nose. Very fragrant compared to the others. Ripe dried Queen Anne plums in the mouth. Tannins all but gone. Nice balance, long finish.
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12/5/2016 - winemaker Likes this wine: 91 Points
This will hold for several more years. Pretty structured compared to the 1994, 1996 and 1997 in the same flight.
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11/19/2016 - dbg wrote:
Excellent.
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11/18/2016 - 14frimaire wrote:
A beautiful showing. Lovely proportion, depth, and complexity.
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11/3/2016 - LFCHALA wrote: 93 Points
95 vs 96. 1995: elegant and delicate. 1996: intense and persistent. In common: fine wines. We were in 5 of which 3 preferred 1996. I liked most of the 1995 vintage
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10/14/2016 - Nanda wrote: 94 Points
Out of 375. Full, rustic, complex nose has meaty, earthy mature black fruit with roasted herbs, tar, old leather and spice. Palate has medium-to-full body with mature, suave dried and savory black fruit. Impeccable balance as fresh acids carry the fruit and fine tannins provide necessary grip. I'm sure this will hold on, but it's in a beautiful (peak?) place today.
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9/19/2016 - rmalloy wrote:
Initially, tasted like subdued Beaucastel, with muted saddle leather, barleywine, and black cherry flavors. I was ready to discount this wine as past its prime. (And let me be clear: this wine IS past its prime.) But it evolved, with a short decant, into something more interesting.
Rubber, playdoh, .... A little...spicy? Like paprika, but greener. Black olive. Wine turning to weirdness. Yet the tannins are still huge.
This wine will interest fans of old wine generally or Beaucastel specifically. If you're just looking for a good CdP, the Beaucastel wines from the 2000s are better bets.
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8/31/2016 - beatles wrote: 94 Points
@Peter with T (Charlottenlund): Third or fourth time tasting this, and the last couple of times has been great; this seems to have finally come around as almost a Beaucastel of old; rich, broad, sauvage, yet here in the1995 still a firm core and a mineral note, that I like. Will keep, but it is finally open for business.
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8/29/2016 - Wine Ratings Likes this wine: 91 Points
Leather, wet leaves, and barnyard - a tertiary lovers dream! Unlike the Solanera from last week, however, these strong notes of aging make sense given the vintage. The savouriness didn't stop there: herbs, mushroom, smoke, bacon, meat, and coffee all made appearances, among others. Fruits were somewhat few and far between, consisting mostly of stewed cherry/plum, figs, and prunes - really in the back seat to all else though. Tasting on the second night provided much of the same, if not leaning even more towards savoury/meaty. Structurally, the tannins and acidity were present but now perfectly tamed allowing the flavours to do their work. Though still exceptionally tasty, there wasn't quite as much balance here as I found in the '98. I would attribute that primarily to age, of course, though it also made me feel like this '95 was perhaps a year or two past its prime (could also be a bottle that was less than fresh, though hard to tell without another for comparison). Even so, it didn't disappoint - Beaucastel Chateaneuf has yet to be unseated as my favourite.
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8/23/2016 - chitowncdpguy wrote:
Really gorgeous. The nose is dominated by cigar box with a little bit of barnyard. The palate is rich and smooth, some red berry fruit, some licorice, a lot of earth, mineral, and a little more barnyard. Long and smooth on the finish.
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8/12/2016 - ozyloy Likes this wine: 94 Points
Slow ox for 2 hours in bottle. Drank over the next 3 hours.
Appearance: Dark garnet in glass, with bricking at the edges. Lazy, luscious legs. Plenty of fine sediment (due to air travel, I did not have time to stand this bottle at length before opening).
Nose: Cherry, raspberry, garrigue, sweet spices, leather, barnyard, hay, savoury meat. Faint hints of mineral, cheese and black pepper. Complex and developed. Barnyard dominated initially upon pouring, but settled down nicely after some air time to harmonise with the many other notes.
Palate: Medium(+) acidity, medium mouth-coating body, medium flavour intensity, medium fine-grained tannins. Cherry, prune, sweet spices, earth, herb. Medium(+) finish.
This wine is in a fantastic place right now. Paired beautifully with lamb chops. Feels like it has the structure for more aging, but I think it may not have enough fruit to go for more than another half-dozen years.
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8/7/2016 - PSUSteve Likes this wine: 92 Points
30 minute decant. This is mature, soft and smooth with only a little funk and earth on the finish even two hours later. Fruit is taking a back seat to rust, spice and leather.
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7/24/2016 - bon vivant wrote: 94 Points
This has really come into a sweet zone and required much less decanting than the bottle i posted on in 2014- used a small carafe style and within an hr this was humming along nicely. There is a seamless softness and elegance here that compliments the spice notes very well. The finest to date on this relatively late maturing vintage.
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7/3/2016 - Caruso Likes this wine: 93 Points
brick-red with slightly orange rim. Cherries, blood, rust, earth, grass, red currant, hints of citrus (grapefruit?) and spices. Generous with round tannins, medium bodied with medium intensity and great poise. Bottles stored at 14°-15°C (57-59 F) are fully mature now with a plateau of maybe 5 more years. Airing isn't usefull. The wine developes beautiful within some minutes in the glas and the opened bottle.
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6/20/2016 - Vinum Deorum wrote: 88 Points
Good but not great. This wine is medium-bodied, with melted tanins. It was not very focused, and I had the sensation it did lack balance. Red berries and spices aromas. Moderate length. It lacks depth and roundness, as well as tension. Not bad at all though, but I could not help but being a bit disappointed given the estate's high reputation..
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6/16/2016 - RKatzDO wrote: flawed
Damn.. corked.. 1st bottle out of 8.
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5/20/2016 - KeithAkers wrote: 92 Points
Birthday Celebration Chateauneuf-Du-Papes (Bill's, Wilmette IL): Nose: The nose was wide open from the get-go with black rasberries, licorice, hoison sauce, garrigue, black cherries, leather notes, and peppery tones to boot. The nose has shed some of it's cleanliness and is more resembling a classic Beaucastel profile.
Taste: Medium bodied with medium acidity and silky tannins. The structure is clearly there, but it is showing that this is a more mature wine along with black raspberries, garrigue, licorice, leather, and peppery tones.
Overall: This is completely my speed and much of the things that I love about Beaucastel. It has taken a while, but this is certainly moving in the more savory and funky side that comes with aging Beaucastel.
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3/27/2016 - gretsch2holton Likes this wine: 90 Points
Some wood aromas. Very ripe and typical deep CdP flavors. Enjoyed with beef. Also good with grilled chx. T enjoyed too.
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3/21/2016 - wineordeath Likes this wine: 90 Points
This was a good bottle though i have had some duds from the same case. Now fully mature. Slightly medicinal mature grenache just dominates the nose. Olives, touch of leather, stewed plums. Palate is medium weight and silky smooth. Solid, classic CDP.
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3/5/2016 - lexwine Likes this wine: 90 Points
Still young
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2/24/2016 - Hodby wrote: 87 Points
Medium-dark red-garnet. Aromatics rather primary, of plum, dried cherry, mushroom (very much how I remember it on its release !) On arrival, medium tannin and medium acidity; built well for more aging but where is this thing going ? Plum wine fruit and beef broth in the mouth, a little drying with bitterness on the finish. Unusual for a Beaucastel, to be so primary and undeveloped twenty years after fermentation, and to be so not interesting to drink at that age. Four hours on the table, didn't budge from its presentation one inch. Bottle #3 of four.
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2/14/2016 - mpdonnel Likes this wine: 91 Points
From 375ml. Ruby color, fading a bit at rim. Stewed red fruits, baking spices, leather on the nose. A bit of barnyard as well. Strawberry and spice on the palate. More tannin than expected, but not harsh. A bit thin on mid palate and medium length finish. I'd give this another year or two to see if everything comes together, though drinking well today.
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2/7/2016 - eboracum wrote: 89 Points
I held back opening the rest of these bottles of '95 because a bottle opened in the early '00s was as tight as a drum though full of substance albeit inexpressive. This bottle still seemed too young and aromatically somewhat closed. Colour quite pristine with a subdued nose of savoury red and dark fruit. The medium/full bodied palate showed more red and dark fruit, smooth texture, fresh acidity and backbone which had lost its asperities but there was not a lot of complexity and the subdued aromatics led to a lack of flavour expansion on the palate and an impression of mediocre length. Will it ever open up as it should? Good but not (yet?) worthy of the Beaucastel name and a hyped vintage.
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2/6/2016 - Wine Canuck wrote: 94 Points
Chris' Housewarming (Hamilton, ON): Really nicely mature CdP, showing a very rustic note of old leather, roast chestnut, farmyard, baked red plums, strawberry, roasted meat, cured meat, and cranberry. the palate enters on lovely sweet red fruit, great red fruited acid and a long rustic finish.
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2/6/2016 - Dave Canada wrote: 94 Points
Wow....sweaty, leather....roasted nuts, sweat cassis, plum, spice, black fruit...really powerful fruit.
Palate is really pretty....Xmas cake, spice, baked fruit, licorise, plums, ...within Chateauneuf it is quite blanaced.
Finish is long.....great wine
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1/25/2016 - Vini Ciclismo Likes this wine: 93 Points
Double magnum.
In perfect condition. Spice, red berry, hints of tar and licorice, plums and dried herbs. A classic chateauneuf.
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1/18/2016 - nstow Likes this wine: 93 Points
1st of 12. Quite light in colour and still cherry red. Very complex with lots of layers of flavour. Red berry fruits and spicy farmyard, animal and undergrowth. Middle lacks some depth but still very impressive. 4+/5
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1/2/2016 - cooberp wrote:
I think this wine achieved what its makers were aiming for, and it's impressively complex, but just not my vibe. Starting to brick. Smells like cherry brandy mixed with barbecue sauce, and a dash of paprika and herbs. Middleweight, with a tough of sourness lingering on the aftertaste. Not sure why I can't get into this.
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12/28/2015 - starrynight Likes this wine: 91 Points
Much better than the first bottle drunk 4 months ago.
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12/26/2015 - WendyB wrote:
Strange bottle - came across as a simple, 5 year old cotes du rhone. Decanted an hour before, consumed over several hours. No obvious signs of accelerated aging or flaws, just tasted very simple and pleasant. Slight increase in complexity and depth by the very last sip.
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12/24/2015 - martcouz wrote: 91 Points
Comme un vieux porto..
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12/13/2015 - Will Devize wrote: 91 Points
Very tight. Surprisingly clean for Beaucastel. Nice sleek fruit. Needs a long decant or more time in bottle.
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11/15/2015 - Brownvino wrote: 91 Points
The wine looks ruby colored. The legs are medium. There is light sediment in the bottle. The body is light/medium. The wine has linear texture. The wine finishes medium. The wine has low acidity.
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11/13/2015 - jonanator wrote: 95 Points
This was absolutely gorgeous on this night. The texture was silky and smooth. This is drinking at peak now and it is stunning. One of my favourite wines of the year. This was very clean and ready to go after 15 mins in a decanter. There was some initial barnyard funk, but that quickly blew away. This is in such a good place right now, really tough to ask for anything more. There were herbs, garrigue, but still plenty of ripe red berry on the palate. I think this will hold for many years at this point, but if you have a bottle, there is no reason to wait. Phenomenal.
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10/19/2015 - jnewman77 Likes this wine:
Beautiful Chateauneuf, pretty much at its peak now, but doesn't seem to be near decline. Gamy and earthy with rosemary, balsamic notes, and plum/dried berry fruits. The palate is still plush and lovely. Excellent with pork.
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10/9/2015 - Xavier Auerbach wrote: 92 Points
A private dinner (Restaurant Aan de Poel **, Amstelveen, NL): Creamy, rich, really very fresh, no brett at all, velvety, cherries, good tannic structure, stalks, lively, well-integrated tannins, attractive but a bit monolothic, clean flavours, good length, hint of cocoa.
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10/3/2015 - Marc wrote: 90 Points
Fully mature - very tertiary. Marmite, balsam, prune, earth, leather and tree bark aromas are echoed on the tannic palate. Plenty of black tea notes on the finish. Some hint of tawny port oxidative character that is perfectly in keeping with the age of the wine. Generous alcohol. Touch of mocha. Huge character. My impression is that this vintage is further developed than the 90 and 89. This is a 20 year old wine that delivers plenty of aged character. Whether or not it is better than it was in its youth is a good question. My suggestion would be to drink this now for its character, if not elegance. Slightly burly.
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9/29/2015 - grizzlymarmot wrote: 95 Points
Initial nose a little meaty and mild tobacco, settled to medium red fruit with time. Flavors follow the nose with a superbly fresh fruit showing. I really enjoy a wine that can have all the fruit flavor without the fruit sweetness. Top quality tart finish
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8/8/2015 - liber wrote: 94 Points
20th of 24, decanted an hour, not quite top form, but still excellent and pipped Hermitage Chapelle 95. Fine plus (18/20).
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7/16/2015 - Xavier Auerbach wrote: 92 Points
A private dinner (Restaurant Bonham's, Mayfair, London, UK): Fully mature but lively appearance; warm and vinous nose, mature and harmonious, roasted chestnuts, warm spices, vestiges of fruit, hint of game, touch of nuttiness; mature but lively palate, medium weight, excellent balance, sturdy tannic foundation carried by ripe acidity, lovely nuance to the flavours, thinning a bit but not drying out; good length, medicinal character on the finish.
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6/20/2015 - no leashes wrote: 92 Points
Beautiful red fruit, earth and tobacco, and a hint of smoke. Decanted one hour, drinking nicely.
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6/1/2015 - Sennma wrote: 91 Points
20+ CDP Dinner (Bristol): Bottle was in excellent condition/clean. Warm fruit and perfectly resolved. Drink up as I think this doesn't have the legs for more aging.
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5/24/2015 - rhh wrote: 91 Points
Cinammon,cloves, orange. Long finish. Happy that I am well stocked
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5/20/2015 - Yagil wrote: 91 Points
Ety & Hanan Shahaf daughter's wedding (Liron) (Mishmar Hanegev (and on the way)): P&P from a magnum in a minibus on the way to Ety & Hanan's daughter wedding (Liron)
It's a pity that this great wine wasn't decanted ahead.
Very dark red colour.
Gorgeous nose with lots of delicious funk and earthiness, florals, dark raspberry, leather, sandalwood, spices, licorice.
The palate was on an inferior level compared to the nose. Lean and dry on the palate with earth, minerals, raspberries and cherry, leather, licorice, medium-full body and medium finish.
Can further age many large, especially when in large formats.
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5/10/2015 - Milos Likes this wine: 93 Points
Dark red cherry ans strawberry fruit, barnyard, the usual brett; nicely balanced; just entering prime time but still has many years to go yet; classic.
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5/3/2015 - christyler Likes this wine: 93 Points
A great showing. Decanted 3 hours, and it still took an hour for it to hit its stride at the restaurant. Beautiful mellow texture. Nice S Rhone spiciness but drinking like a pinot.
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4/24/2015 - redders Likes this wine: 93 Points
Jeroboam Club 30th anniversary dinner from Jeroboam
mid mature colour with some bricking. Gorgeous nose of garrigue and mature fruit. Very clean. Lot of depth and restraint, very classy and a great example of mature Beaucastel with lots of life ahead although in a great place now.
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4/24/2015 - KristianT wrote: flawed
Corked :(
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3/21/2015 - vivt Likes this wine: 92 Points
I opened it up for my meal it smelled old but cleared out. clear rim neeeded 15 minutes to open up. in itally red/black fruit long finish next taste alittle earthier. I havent had l havent had my meal yet. complex alive I will love it with my lamb chop.
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2/24/2015 - mukden wrote: 90 Points
YES-vite. So, this has aged a lot since I drank it in 2010; it now seems quite old, brick coloured (maybe just this bottle?). Had good aging, characteristic of old CNF;very nice. But, a tiny bit tired, like it has seen a bit too much of life and is not the better for it. Drink it now.
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2/23/2015 - dbg wrote:
Stored in temp controlled cellar since release. Pop and pour, perfect cork and fill. Dark red core, lightening and slight bricking at rim. Nose of cherry, leather, smoke, soy and animal notes. Medium body, nice balance, flavors follow the nose, some sweet complex notes, medium finish. Should continue to drink well for another 5+ years. Excellent.
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2/16/2015 - jerhardt wrote: 93 Points
After all this time, this wine has finally started to come around and has really blossomed into something nice. Light and elegant, but still maintaining hints of it's Beaucastel animale heritage. Drink over the next few years.
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2/1/2015 - dlduchon wrote: 93 Points
Tasted from magnum. Tannins have been aged out and this is a smooth, clean vintage that is very user friendly. Ready to drink but no hint of beginning to decline. This is not my favorite style of Beaucastel but it is an excellent wine nonetheless.
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12/28/2014 - pbaek wrote:
While the tannins are mostly resolved now, the 1995 Beaucastel still comes across as young with a lot of restraint and not quite ready yet. Time in a decanter helps. This is Beaucastel in the more polished, clean mold - upright in style, dark toned fruit, lavender and tobacco notes. Lacks the dirty, rustic marks that I like in older Beaucastel, lacks character. Needs a few more years to fully open up.
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11/29/2014 - rsbeck wrote: 94 Points
Popped, poured, consumed over next two hours. Another beautiful bottle. Nice from the pop, but really opened and revealed its charms in the second hour. Tannin in this bottle is completely resolved. Such a lovely and seamless tapestry of subtle notes and nuances. This has aged wonderfully, but seems like it may be in the final plateau of its optimum drinking window. Still, based on my experience with other vintages, I'm guessing this will hold for years. Perfect with Duck Confit.
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11/15/2014 - bon vivant wrote:
Had this SbS with the 1990 & 1998 and this (as expected) was the less opulent bottle. 3 hr decant seemed to work well and the rich dark and very deep aromatics where captivating and classic. This showed very well perhaps the finest bottle to date from this vintage, so this is definitely now in the drinking zone. Dark fruit with a good back bone of herbs & tobacco and spice. The mouth feel a little more austere and the tannins on the finish a little more angular and noticeable but that was more a result of the comparison to the other 2 bottles. Overall and on it's own this showed well and a bottle that generally seems to be under rated.
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11/7/2014 - Highlander wrote:
Decanted for 3 hours. Excellent CnP. While this is short on fruit, it has great depth of flavor. Typical aged CnP flavors, this list goes on and on. Much more complex than my notes from a year ago... with a one hour decant. Garnet color, clear. This was most enjoyable with a cheese plate.
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10/27/2014 - nzinkgraf wrote:
this is the real wild one of the bunch. i may have said that about the '97, but that seems pedestrian to the iodine and chocolate and brett combo that we get here. charcoal. crazy wine. there must be other expressions out there of '95 Beaucastel, but this one has me intrigued.
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10/16/2014 - Dimitris wrote: flawed
opened two bottles and where both flawed
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9/14/2014 - Neras Likes this wine: 90 Points
Initially a too much brett foe my taste. This slowly takes of, and underneeth is a surprisingly fresh and fruity wine in good balance. But I could do without the brett.
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9/7/2014 - Fosgrove wrote: 87 Points
Thin and sour. Seems past it. But I've never really been convinced of this wine
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9/4/2014 - mnh wrote: 89 Points
Very little Brett compared to last two bottles. Fruit a little short but decent complexity and a pleasure to drink
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8/25/2014 - mattyboy_ Likes this wine: 93 Points
Everything fully resolved. Perfumed sweet fruit and sweet spices with a potpourri of dried herbs and dried flowers. Drinking extremely well. Rich while maintaining freshness. Kept improving showing more depth as we consumed it over the evening. Full of character. No barnyard detected, bottle showing good provenance.
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8/25/2014 - thomaskeil Likes this wine: 91 Points
Decanted a couple of hours (some benefit). I had one of these about 10 years ago and it was completely shut down. Much better this time, especially on the palate where this showed some nice textural complexity. The nose was 'clean', featuring red berries and some dark fruit, garrique, leather and spice. Medium weight fruit that had a round sensation that met will with the flinty acidity, spice notes, and soft gritty tannins. Nice finish. Good poise from entry to finish. Not a long aftertaste, but this paired well with red wine risotto with parmesan sauce and truffle butter.
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8/17/2014 - PeterMole wrote:
After decork much barn, a bit flat nose and taste. After 2-3 hours caraf that has all gone, and remains a beautiful, complex, almost sweet great wine. Tannins integrated. If you love fruit, sell this wine. If you love umami, drink it.
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8/16/2014 - Jeffrey Silver Likes this wine: 93 Points
After 2hrs decanting. The wine looks garnet colored. The legs are slow. There is moderate sediment in the bottle. It smells like cranberry, red currant, mineral and bell pepper. It tastes like blackberry, vanilla and green beans. The body is full. It has a has silky texture. The wine finishes long and has medium acidity. Truly enjoyable wine and drinking very well today. Enjoy!!
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6/14/2014 - kantmakem Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very big wine with rich red fruit flavors and tannins that are still holding up.
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5/25/2014 - lexwine Likes this wine: 89 Points
The 20 years of life were showing in this bottle. Tannins all evolved and mellowed but the wine did presente structure and lots of finesse. Dark colour, turning brownish, very suave bouquet but lacking fruit in the mouth. After all, a great example on how these Beaucastel live long. Given the vintage, this was probably fantastic 3/4 years ago. Now in a fading phase.
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4/24/2014 - europat55 wrote: 93 Points
Generous nose reminiscent of other Beaucastel bottles I've had. Gorgeous palate. Great balance.
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3/23/2014 - Longnose Gar wrote: 93 Points
Perfect cork. Lots of minerality with well balanced hints of barnyard and licorice. Burgundy drinkers would appreciate. You could drink it on a summer afternoon. Subtle with plenty of life.
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3/20/2014 - aagrawal wrote: 85 Points
Bonham's and Butterfield Pre-auction tasting (San Francisco, CA): Not too much of a nose; palate is showing a bit alcoholic and unbalanced. 85-86
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2/27/2014 - hadwin Likes this wine: 89 Points
WES - Château de Beaucastel (LSE Holborn): Medium intense. Some colour change at the edge. Not fully clear. Lovely lifted perfume on the nose with sweet red fruits but not much complexity. Rich, smooth, tannic and drops off quicker than one would like.
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2/27/2014 - tendring Does not like this wine: 82 Points
Wine Education Service - Château de Beaucastel (LSE): A reserved nose but there's obvious development.
Dusty fruit and high acidity.
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2/18/2014 - edjBoca wrote: 94 Points
This took hours in the decanter to fully open. About 3 hours decant. Then, about 2 hours open after that before it really sang. Everyone really enjoyed this a lot. Another testament to the age vilify of these wines. Unique CDP!
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2/1/2014 - chitowncdpguy wrote:
Classic. Amazing wine.
Lots of bricking and the flavor profile is totally secondary with meat, earth, mineral, some spiciness, and a nice licorice flavor. Just slight hints of barnyard. Smooth and nicely balanced. In an awesome place right now.
Opened the bottle about 2.5 hours before dinner but did not decant.
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1/26/2014 - rocknroller wrote: 95 Points
Monthly Tasting Group: CDP's and Southern Rhones (Cafe Lurcat, Mpls, MN): Very dark red color. This had a 3hr decant. Drank 1 glass over 45+ minutes. This was another chart topper. Gorgeous nose with lots of delicious funk and earthiness, florals, dark raspberry, leather, sandalwood, spices, licorice. The palate is now beautifully integrated and nicely resolved. I can't help but think the decant was just about perfect here. Elegance on the palate with earth, minerals, raspberries and cherry, leather, licorice, medium-full body and long finish. Another WOTN candidate.
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1/12/2014 - burgbob wrote: 93 Points
From magnum, after 2-3 hour decant emerged a spicy, deep and elegant red that was missing some of the barnyard and funk that comes with many vintages of this wine. Lovely balance and precision, good concentration. No hurry to drink well stored bottles.
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1/10/2014 - the player wrote: 89 Points
Not as good as previous bottles. Crimson color, bricking throughout the wine, earthy nose, barnyard, raisiny with cherries, spices. Medium bodied palate, slightly astringent tannins even after two hours on the decanter. Not very spectacular.
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1/8/2014 - UTPK wrote:
Decanted 3 hours. Still took some time to open up in the glass. This has a less pronounced animal nose than many other older vintages of Beaucastel. Quite clean actually. Nice sweet attack with full bodied fruit, Grenache component shines though with age, and less mouverdre (the green tinge is almost gone). Nice spot!
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1/4/2014 - demiurg wrote: 93 Points
Drank without decanting. Clear, ruby colour. Harmonious, but powerful. Still has some time, but is perfect to drink right now.
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12/31/2013 - Papies wrote: 93 Points
We had 3 very consistent bottles. Glad to hit a good streak here after a couple of odd bottles. We decanted and served and the wine was open and ready from pretty much the start.Light red fruit, light floral, good spice edge and a good earthy feel. A well made and classic CdP at a good time in its drinking window. 93
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12/30/2013 - Tgood wrote: 94 Points
Bricking med dark ruby, faded kirsch, a little Provençal spice and forest floor/black tea, glorious thick caressing mouthfeel w huge thick legs to vouch. This liquid velvet is what sets it apart from others that get the aromas and flavors right
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12/25/2013 - PeterMole wrote:
Opened and carafed to accompany filet (see the 1998 bottle). Upfront barn. Left in the caraf till the next day
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12/25/2013 - mclanew Likes this wine: 93 Points
This was delicious, feminine style of cdp with lots of subtlety and complexity. Red fruits, tobacco, leather. Very well integrated and structured.
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12/15/2013 - spillwine wrote: 91 Points
Apogée, typique animalité
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12/8/2013 - Papies wrote:
This was beyond bottle variation as the wine was actually with 2 corks back to back (prob an error by the machine) and the second cork was in full contact with the wine. the wine was a bit flat and uninteresting so another bottle variation issue we have to say...
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12/5/2013 - Alex H wrote: 90 Points
A bomb of horse sweat, chicken poop and damp leather saddle with garrigue round purple berries and plums. On point and textbook for a Cdp. As good an example as I would like and showing sous bois as well. Nothing to fault but is definitely within it's drinking window.
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11/24/2013 - Longnose Gar wrote: 93 Points
Barnyard and stinky cheese on the nose. Plenty of acidity combined with leather. Light compared to modern CDP styles. Special.
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11/23/2013 - Highlander wrote:
Gave it an hour in the decanter after using the Vinturi.....the wine opened up slightly with time, but more so with warming up. I am still not convinced this wine is up to the normal Beaucastel offerings. Lighter, still lacking the depth of fruit I have come to know from this estate. The tannins were there but the fruit was masked somehow. Not a bad wine, rather it was smooth and enjoyable but just not a stand out. This is the second bottle I have had like this in the last two years.
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10/27/2013 - PASimon wrote: 93 Points
I don't have much experience with aged CDP but this wine was fabulous! The cork looked like it went in the bottle last week - no seepage, even up the sides. We did not give it much time to open up and it didn't really need it. The subtle mulling spices and dark fruit overtones that draw me to CDP were still there - just in the background rather than "in your face." I did not get the "meat/syrah" thing as much - but I did get a solid dose of leather and earth. I'm not doing this justice....but it was BALANCED and fantastic!
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10/12/2013 - VoteferPedro wrote:
decanted and consumed after an hour. Clean smell of herbaciousness and a core of pure fruit in the middle with long finish. Deliscious and outstanding
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10/6/2013 - Papies wrote:
Requires decanting. Like 1 hour. Bottle variation? definitely NOT the quality of wine we had before twice.
On open it had this acidic sharp feel that took its time to mellow. It did not go away fully which sort of casts a worrying shadow ont he longevity of this batch of wines. Still a good wine nonetheless. Quite a bit of cloudy in colour, lots of fine sediment. A bit worried.. will not rate this time round.
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9/27/2013 - peterk wrote: 92 Points
Dark fruit, some earth, beautifully integrated, still young. But my last bottle!
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9/1/2013 - BurgAndy wrote:
Wow, this was drinking youthful, pristine, and light. Dark red purple color with aromas of soil, spice, and grape skins. Seamless on the palate with mature dark fruit, integrated wood, and garigue. This was almost Burgundian in terms of mouthfeel and balance, but very southern Rhone in flavor profile. This put on some weight with air but was actually rockstar right out of the gates. No rush to drink this one -- I think it'll only further mellow and evolve over the next 10 years. I'll hold the few left that I have. Don't drink much CdP nowadays -- maybe I should reconsider?
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8/17/2013 - pbaek wrote:
Still a wine of restraint and structure but without the hard tannins that were so pronounced early on. The fruit is in the brown end of the spectrum and there is soft tertiary flavors underneath. There is refinement and gentleness here, a far cry from today's over done Chateauneufs. Very good now, probably with more to come.
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8/2/2013 - Chuck Miller wrote: flawed
Last bottle, alas it was corked.
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7/14/2013 - PeterMole wrote:
Cork as new. Tawny color. But then: now I know for the first time really what is meant with BARN. Next day this was mostly gone, but left was a not very complex, nice smooth, medium bodied Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Wonder what the next bottle will bring.
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6/17/2013 - johnh1001 wrote: 92 Points
Alliance dinner. Classic nose of spiced meat, dark fruit, herbs, earth. The palate matched with some chocolate notes and was rich and creamy. Medium finish with great silk.
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6/16/2013 - Longnose Gar wrote: 93 Points
Cork was in perfect shape. Decanted and drank right away with marinated sirloin steak. Rust color of a classic aged CDP. Nose is mild and a mix of swimming pool and dead animal. Body is surprisingly light compared to modern CDPs. Well integrated cherry and leather on the palate. Surprisingly fresh acidity still. Low alcohol compared to recent vintages. Not a monster wine but rather delicate and special. Should be great for several more years. Would buy again.
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6/15/2013 - liber Likes this wine: 95 Points
18th bottle and on top form, deepish red, surprisingly little development, usual classy complex nose with nice integration of fresh plummy fruit,meat and "sweaty saddle", fullish, not in least over extracted, persistent, good grip, fine balance, refreshing and lifting acidity, oozes class, fully mature but with long life on this form. V Fine (18.5/20).
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6/15/2013 - johndefi Likes this wine: 93 Points
Was a favorite of the night. Did not come across as super complex, but very well made and balanced.
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5/30/2013 - dbg wrote:
Stored in temp controlled cellar since release. Pop and pour, perfect cork and fill. Dark red core, minimal lightening at rim. Opens with cherry, leather, smoke, soy and animal notes. Medium body, nice balance, flavors follow the nose, some sweet complex notes, medium finish. Drinks well over the course of the evening. Fruit has faded some the next day, so a bit lean and acidic. Should continue to drink well for another 5+ years. Excellent.
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5/29/2013 - AtoZ wrote: flawed
Shot. Dark brown. Did not drink. Cork looked brand new.
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5/18/2013 - kingcanute99 wrote: 90 Points
- Ruby color - Tasted surprisingly young to me still. Color is still quite red, and still some acidity up front. That yields to savoury flavours including some clear mushroom tones that very nicely complimented a braised beef dish with dinner. Less intensity than i expected - closer to medium bodied than what you'd get in a more recent vintage. A good wine, maybe never a great one, but wow is it ever built to last - drinking and looking like new even late in its second decade. Bravo on durability, moderate applause on intensity of taste.
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5/3/2013 - Rouppe Likes this wine: 93 Points
Drinking this wine was an experience. After 18 year, still vivid, bright red/purple color. Never sensed such a peperish smell and the wine opens up after 5 - 10 min. The wine is nicely balanced, you taste the complexity. It combines extremes: fruity but not sugarish, masculine but not rough, complete and firm but also elegant. The wine is not too heavy, the legs are medium. I expected the taste to remain in my mouth long afterwards but this was not the case. Nevertheless, clearly something special.
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5/1/2013 - mattyboy_ wrote: 93 Points
McCarthy & Schiering - Chateau de Beaucastel Tasting (Seattle Wine Storage): Roses, maraschino cherry, brett, forest floor, pepper. A very nice perfume with persistence. Very clean and pure flavors on the palate with good delineation. Very clean finish with good length.
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4/23/2013 - Chrishavens Likes this wine: 95 Points
This is why I spend on and drink chateau Neuf
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3/15/2013 - Thirsty1 Likes this wine:
Drank last night at Bourbon Steak. It was decanted for about an hour before we started drinking and I am in agreement with many of the other notes. Very animalistic. Showing a little brick around the edge but very well put together for a 18 year old. Barnyard, dried cherry and leather. A bit reserved and I was expecting more of the smoked meat character I had before. Great balance and structure - cork was in perfect shape. I enjoyed this with steak tartare. I think I prefer Pegau.
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3/9/2013 - djdaqm Likes this wine: 94 Points
Don's 45th (Home): Decanted 2 hours before consuming. Starting to brick in color. On the nose there is some smokiness. Rather gentle on the palate in both flavor and mouth feel. Some leather and mild fruitiness. It's more subtle than I was expecting, with less concentration overall, and should be drunk with food that doesn't overpower it.
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3/9/2013 - 14frimaire wrote:
I thought this was marred by VA, though my guests liked it. It blew off a bit, but only a bit. Interestingly, there was no Mr. Ed this time.
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3/9/2013 - ldorf wrote: 96 Points
Fantastic and still getting better.
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2/9/2013 - Neras Does not like this wine: 91 Points
Too animalistic for my taste, but beyond doubt a well-made and surprisingly fresh wine, given the age. Needs 2-3 hours decant.
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2/2/2013 - the player wrote: 91 Points
Same as previous notes, medium bodied, dominant earthiness and barnyard, very animalistic with some red berries and white pepper notes. Very nice indeed.
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1/21/2013 - BradKNYC wrote: flawed
A disappointing evening of Beaucastel 1995 - 2005. (Snooth.): First bottle was corked, a backup bottle was heat damaged.
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1/18/2013 - Tgood wrote: 93 Points
Youthful side of med ruby; clean nose of raspberry and black cherry with a little earth and garrigue. Remarkable freshness for a wine of voting age redemonstrating the value of cellaring. A splash of licorice and persisting polymerized tannic presence make for a fine drink and I am in no real hurry work through my remaining bottles.
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1/15/2013 - Winevestor Likes this wine: 94 Points
This continues to be one of my favorite Beaucastels. Good stanky nose and really open in the mouth with fine tannins, good acidity, heather, leather, raisins and soy. Great juice.
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1/2/2013 - the player wrote: 91 Points
Excellent, needs an hour or two of aeration. Same as previous notes, obvious aging on the rim, medium bodied, peppery red fruits, barnyard / earth and spices, decent finish. Very nice indeed.
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11/22/2012 - rsbeck wrote: flawed
After so many great bottles, I finally hit a dud.
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11/22/2012 - DrT999 wrote: 90 Points
Thanksgiving dinner wine; well-liked by all
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11/22/2012 - gdbarton1@gmail.com wrote: 86 Points
Very dark purple with bright color. Big nose with over dried ripe black fruit nose. Medium bodied, clean ripe dried black fruit dry closed short tart finish. Disappointing, tasted past its prime, poor fruit and balance.
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11/20/2012 - the player wrote: 92 Points
Very nice earthy, tarry red fruits after a 2 hour decant / aeration, medium bodied, nice finish. Same notes as previous bottles. Very good value wine.
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11/18/2012 - tooch wrote: 92 Points
1990s Rhones at Domaine (Domaine Wine Storage - Chicago, IL): Drank really well. Great red fruit, funky notes, and a nice earthy blend. The palate was rich and energetic - great red fruit, savory herbs, iodine, and floral notes blended so nicely together.
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11/2/2012 - pilot360 wrote: 93 Points
Opened and let decant x 1 hour - Beautiful elegant battle of wine with nose of briar, herbs wood char, leather. High toned. Palate is medium with pleasing acidity, loads of tart cranberry, spice and light tannins.
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10/29/2012 - sooper65 wrote: 90 Points
Selected by Gerry... tasty and earthy, but still merely good.
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10/29/2012 - Kris G wrote: 88 Points
one dimensional, already very evolved (tasted blind)
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10/27/2012 - gr8claret wrote: 93 Points
Decanted the wine a good 1.5 - 2 hrs before drinking. Dark brooding red in color. Inviting nose of dark fruit, pepper, spice and licquorice. Big mouthfeel with plenty of fruit and tannin; cherry, raspberry, cloves. Good balance. Excellent wine.
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10/19/2012 - 14frimaire wrote:
Top of the bottle snapped off clean, without sabering, but the contents were fine. Seemed a little tired, but good old fashioned Beaucastel saddle leather and some stink. After double decanting and then putting the half-full bottle in the fridge overnight, the remnants were unchanged the next day.
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10/11/2012 - David J Cooper wrote: 94 Points
Dark red. Lots of tar in the front of the nose, smoked meat, dark fruit and herbs. Very nice rich but dry dark fruit flavours and a long dry balanced finish.
In this blind tasting it was hard to pick this out as the classic CdP that it is.
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10/11/2012 - Jeff Leve wrote: 91 Points
Tight, required extensive effort to find the aromatics. Still tannic and on the austere, or severe side of the style range. With a few hours of air, the wine softened and showed ample, spicy, red berries, but it never softened. Fans of old school, less than ripe wines will probably enjoy this a lot more than I did.
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10/5/2012 - godx wrote: 90 Points
Bill's Monthly Lunch - October 2012 (Vancouver, BC): Medium to dark red. The nose here fooled many people with its tar and sweet fruit profile and lead to guesses of nebbiolo which given the aromas, is hard to argue with. Rich plummy flavours in an old school style of CdP with mainly resolved tannins but solid acidity. Drinking well now but no rush. Excellent.
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9/28/2012 - tooch wrote: 91 Points
Friday Afternoon at Domaine (Domaine Wine Storage - Chicago, IL): Drank alongside the 1994, this was far more primary. The fruit had a deeper pitch to it and the wine was less funky overall. The palate was packed full with dark fruit, subtle tobacco, tilled soil, and game. This probably has more life left than the 1994, but wasn't as approachable for my palate. Still great stuff.
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9/2/2012 - the player wrote: 91 Points
Decanted and drank over 2 - 3 hours. Much more classical than the 2000. At opening bretty and earthy nose shielding the fruit and after 30 minutes the nose opened up to red currants, berries and cherries. Light garnet color, evident signs of maturity, this medium bodied wine enters ever so lightly on the palate caressing it with soft red fruits, leather and scorched earth, whilst retaining its animal elements and grip. Decent finish, the massive tannins of past now fully resolved on the palate. Fully mature wine although lacking a bit of complexity but drinking very nicely.
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7/11/2012 - kingkanu wrote: 90 Points
Quite aseductively fruity nose, only a tad of meatiness there when coaxed. It's a good mouthful of flavours, some dark and red fruits, a bit more meat and leather, signs of future development, star anise and coriander seed, it's got a great freshness still, almost zippy on the finish and makes it very moreish, some tannin still to resolve. Ready to drink and plenty of life ahead.
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6/24/2012 - rocknroller wrote: 93 Points
Monthly Tasting Group: Loads of CDP's and more (Meritage, St. Paul): From Magnum. This was a treat. Nose has lovely funk, earthy, leather, anise, garrigue, asian spice, cherry, mineral. The palate is elegant and soft, well integrated, balanced and drinking very well. Some thought this was corked; sorry, no way. Delicious. 93+pts.
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5/27/2012 - JAKurek wrote:
From magnum, unfortunately rather closed from this format. Nose not giving up a whole lot, tannins still rather firm. Been open for nearly 5 hours at this point and still hasn't really budged. If you have this in mag format, I would sit on it longer, one thing I can get is plenty of structure and i think it has enough fruit last.
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5/26/2012 - kultcha wrote: 92 Points
Dark red with some slight bricking. Tons of barnyard, bandaid and grilled meat on the nose. Big, round and smooth palate showed some forrest floor, blood, grilled meat, tobacco, anise and a little bit of fig. Smooth tannins, nice structure and decent finish. Could keep aging but definitely on the heading towards the tertiary side now, so for my palate its definitely time to drink not hold.
Had this on its on as no one had room for cheese, etc. after the rest of the meal.
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5/24/2012 - cliffkol wrote: 93 Points
Chateauneuf du Pape, France - Tasted at Domaine: Excellent, classic Beaucastel. Nose of forest floor, barnyard, cigar, meaty, prunes. On the palate the barnyard and forest floor step forward, with flavors of dried fruits, plums and figs, cigar smoke, meaty. In its prime and drinking great. (Doris felt the wine might be after-prime)
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5/22/2012 - amateurwino wrote:
Tasted double-blind. I guessed a modern Northern Rhone.
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5/22/2012 - Flavito wrote: flawed
Corked
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5/17/2012 - rsbeck wrote: 94 Points
Consistent with previous notes. Lovely, classic Beaucastel.
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3/31/2012 - grapist wrote: 93 Points
Much more open than the 2001, but still quite austere and very similar in structure and character. Should continue to improve for many years.
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3/30/2012 - pbaek wrote:
Still shockingly young, the 1995 Beaucastel is in a good spot right now becaused the tannins have softened and melted into the wine. Compared to the last bottle I opened in 2009, this bottle was quite tucked in with a very upright structure making me think of the more polished, clean Beaucastels from the late 90s that lacks the Rhone funk that I like a lot. Here I'm finding fruit in the brown end of the spectrum, dates and figs, together with provencal herbs and licorice. Gentle and smooth, this is not a heavyweight, which is good. Drinking well now with more to come I think. 10+ years left.
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3/25/2012 - rsbeck wrote: 94 Points
Pop and pour, ready to go. Another tasty bottle. Seems fully mature, but could improve further. In a great drinking window now.
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3/24/2012 - Milos wrote: 93 Points
Dark red; red fruit, cherry, wood barnyard, the usual brett; intense palate, balance; just starting to develop secondary flavours; many years to go yet; classic Beaucastel. (93)
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3/11/2012 - AtoZ wrote: 93 Points
After 45 minutes decant was lovely with lamb. Elegant. Mature. Not OTH.
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2/19/2012 - Mingmong wrote: 92 Points
Pepper, paprika, musky, barnyardish on the nose. Meaty, iron, strong firm red currants. And bitter tea leaves on the finish.
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2/18/2012 - Alex H wrote: 91 Points
Leather saddle, leaf compost and sous bois. Meaty, ferrous and like a Pommard. Calf leather. Very well developed. Some dried tobacco leaves intermixed with dusty cherries finishing with Licourice. Rustic yet elegant. A fine wine.
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2/11/2012 - DougLee wrote: 91 Points
Decanted for one hour and consumed over the next 3. Medium garnet color. Nose of garrigue, strawberry, white pepper, earth. Surprisingly, still somewhat unyielding on the palate at first, but over the evening unpacked layers of blackberry, pepper, brambles, and sweet grip. Acidity low-to-moderate, tannins filed off, texture spare and satiny. Finish moderately long and marked by tangy red fruit. Enjoyable and nicely-integrated wine which could definitely age further. The last sips were the best.
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1/26/2012 - rsbeck wrote: 94 Points
Pop and pour. Another tasty bottle - went perfectly with grilled duck.
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1/15/2012 - vacqueyras84190 wrote:
fresh and elegant, focussed; pure pleasure, incredibly young for its age
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1/14/2012 - Anthony Lombardi wrote:
Dark garnet. One hour decant. Deep, elegant nose showing black pepper, black fruit and savory notes. Full bodied. Clean bottle with rich black fruit on entry, yielding to licorice and black pepper through the mid palate. This bottle shows a soft and luxurious mouthfeel at the moment. Long finish with some red berries showing. Round and delicious.
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1/7/2012 - rsbeck wrote: 94 Points
Popped, breathed in bottle 90 minutes, consumed over next two hours. Continues to evolve positively, knitting together beautifully and still improving in the glass until the final sip. In a nice drinking window now and will likely continue to improve.
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1/4/2012 - sooper65 wrote: 90 Points
good and honest - would NOT have spotted this as being GREAT had it been blind. Mid-weight, some truffle flavours, certainly well balanced.... and tasty...just not GRRREAT. And it should be!
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1/1/2012 - saturnaisland wrote: 89 Points
Nice smooth plummy and dark fruit flavours, with some depth and elegance. However, lacked the complexity I have come to expect from this wine. Seemed a bit simple.
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12/27/2011 - rupertg wrote: 92 Points
Still dark. Lovely wood and spice nose with fruit still emerging in the mouth. Complex and delightful. Not tired yet.
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12/13/2011 - Zweder wrote: 93 Points
Carmine with a slightly brown rim. Beautiful mature, elegant and complex bouquet with barnyard, garrigue and leather. On the palate very juicy fruits, tannin which is beautifully soft and also still offers a pleasant bite. Beautiful acidity. A beautiful, warm and complex wine. Just a little bit drying in the finish. At its peak now and will probably stay on this level for another few years, but I would drink it before 2015.
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12/3/2011 - Weston3220 Likes this wine:
Vertical of Beaucastel [94-08 minus cpl yrs] (Vancouver, BC): A: Med Intensity, Developing
Leather/Funk, Peppery not subtle
T: High Acid, Med+ Intensity, Med+ Finish
Intensely Focused, the brightness is so youthful. Leather/Spice, Youthful leather tho. Coffee, Vegetal/Cooked Not Raw
Conc: So Youthful/Concentration is there but not 'massive'
This has another 15years of life!
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11/19/2011 - vacqueyras84190 wrote: 90 Points
a point, just ready, a touch lighter and explosive than expected and very fresh but much pleasure
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11/17/2011 - RussK wrote: 92 Points
RUSSK WW at Il Mulino in Surfside. GSM no BB. Still tight. Air helps
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10/27/2011 - svdheijden wrote:
- Aromas of ethanol.
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10/16/2011 - Dave Dalluge wrote: 93 Points
Three Dinners: This was absolutely rocking from the moment the cork was popped. Beautiful nose of dark fruit complimented by surprisingly clean and elegant aromas. Equally great in the mouth, with perfect balance and great texture. If this bottle is representative, then the '95 has finally entered a great, early drinking window.
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9/25/2011 - KPB wrote: 93 Points
This bottle is outstanding, a reminder of the classic Beacastel profile. Mahogany red, limpid, aromas of blackberry, fresh hay, sweaty leather, herbes de Province. Rich, mature, great acidity lifts this wine and frames it, long mineral finish.
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9/14/2011 - coremill wrote: 93 Points
Purple color, just starting to brick. Lovely wild nose of grenachey cherry fruit, balsamic, garrigue, animale, and pepper. Meaty and peppery and animalistic, with sweet fruit liqueuer balanced by a fair bit of remaining velvety tannin structure. Finishes long and peppery. Great, and perhaps not yet at peak although it's getting close.
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9/2/2011 - Fur in the glass Likes this wine:
Didn't find a lot on the nose but this had good bottle age on it. Silky but strong integrated and all around nice drinking experience.
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8/26/2011 - BigJul wrote:
Superbe bouquet, somme toute discret, mais qui respire l’élégance. Aucunement bretté. Superbe finesse. Arômes de prune, de vieux cuir et d’épices riches. Mon préféré de la vague, et de loin. A fait la quasi-unanimité! Facilement identifié, puisque c’était mon offrande.
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8/22/2011 - KapohoKid wrote: 92 Points
Lots of dark juicy fruit after a couple hours of opening up. Delicious with roasted Chicken
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8/19/2011 - SimonG wrote:
Casa Ray 2: More dark red fruited and pepper scented. Quite chewy, with a touch of dryness. Darker and younger than the 94, a touch of pruneyness but this has put on weight and texture since I last tasted it four years ago. **(*1/2) possibly a shade higher with time.
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8/14/2011 - beachbum wrote: 92 Points
Starting to drink, very dark and horsey for 3 hours, then more fruit showed up. Has a long time to run.
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8/12/2011 - Tree512 wrote: 92 Points
Finally starting to drink well. Masculine, dark and brooding with excellent depth. Dark red, almost plummy fruit, loads of structure, iodine and other minerals, and good complexity. Not particularly long. Will continue to improve and drink well for a very long time.
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7/8/2011 - Sleepy Dave wrote:
Twisted: Alcohol :: 13.5%
Wow, this is still pretty youthful compared to the slightly tired 1988. Popped and poured, very tight but with aggressive swirling, it started to reveal a very nice, complex bouquet of roasted meat, red cherry fruits and hint of perfume floral tone along with gentle aromas of barnyard, dried herb and spices with no sign of brett, simply lovely with loads of CDP essence. Palate is very well delineated, lively and complex too, some tannin kick in at the back that show slight rough edge. Medium length finish. This is indeed very good but simply lacks of finesse to be great. Buy - Maybe.
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7/2/2011 - Papies wrote: 94 Points
A trip around France in 9 wines (The Papies, Elizabeth St, London): Another great show from this lovely wine. Consistent with earlier TN [ Floral, elegant, jasmine and red fruit. Beautiful expressive nose. Balanced and in secondary phase. More cherry on the palate. Lots of depth]
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6/12/2011 - rsbeck wrote: 93 Points
Popped, breathed in bottle 5 hours, consumed over next hour. Consistent with previous notes. With lots of air, it opens up beautifully and is wonderful. Fabulous with grilled Lamb.
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4/30/2011 - Lorien wrote: 85 Points
Disappointing, boring and in my opinion, down hill from here...
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4/23/2011 - SteelerFan wrote: 92 Points
Much better than the prior reviews led me to expect. Smooth, well-integrated tannins wtih cassis, mild barnyard and cedar. Very nice nose. A bit lighter than most Beaucastel's, but drinking very nicely and very enjoyable.
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4/7/2011 - StewartWent wrote: 88 Points
I don't have much experience with 15yr+ CDP but I reckon this should have showed better. Pleasant with soft spicy fruits but seems mature and underpowered. Absolutely nothing wrong with this but somewhat underwhelming. Does this stuff normally age well?
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3/19/2011 - City Wine Journal wrote: 90 Points
Retail bottle held a couple years. I enjoyed the wine but not my favorite vintage. Opened 1 hour, decanted for 90 minutes, very quiet nose, eventually developing a tobacco and dried herb nose. Medium bodied, mouth watering, a touch austere and not all the major CdP complexities over the 3 hours, but at the end it was still a treat to drink. Other vintages will show better Beaucastel and CdP qualities than 1995. 88points.
Update: 24 hours later, the wine continued to develop and show better than the first night. Lean, taut, brighter and a longer finish. Improved, call it a 90.
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3/6/2011 - WST wrote: 91 Points
No formal notes. Very different from the last bottle 6 mos ago. In July, the '95 was clean, beautiful, but atypical of Beau; fruit driven, devoid of funk. Last night's bottle had plenty of mouvedre and brett driven barnyard notes, as well as secondary aromas of leather, iodine, black pepper.
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3/5/2011 - Chaz Bham wrote: 92 Points
Characteristic nose, readily identifiable by many tasters this evening. First time sampling the 95, really enjoyed it, especially the balance of this year compared to some others. This particular bottle appears well stored, showing no signs of advanced age, really humming along nicely. I'll refrain from the description- its just Beaucastel !
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2/22/2011 - Papies wrote: 94 Points
Chateau de Beaucastel Tasting with Marc Perrin (The Sampler, London): Floral, elegant, jasmine and red fruit. Beautiful expressive nose. Balanced and in secondary phase. More cherry on the palate. Lots of depth. This is a great wine and very good value. In general at the moment 1995 CdP ( Vieux Telegraph too) is superb.
Marc Perrin notes that this was a very difficult wine wine young
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2/17/2011 - edjBoca wrote: 93 Points
This is still young in the magnum format. It drank really well with a 5 hour decant.
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2/7/2011 - IAMVLAD wrote: 80 Points
PERHAPS MY LEAST FAVORITE BEAUCASTEL [TIED with the 94]. some experienced wine drinkers tried it and the opinions ranged from fruit is gone to there will be no fruit left when the tnnins finally retract. either way, i have never liked this wine and still don't. glad that few are left.
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2/7/2011 - jfm wrote: 88 Points
Fruit is still there but it's lacking a bit of the complexity that I favor in older CdP. Enjoyable but will be drinking my other two bottles soon since I don't believe this will get any better
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1/31/2011 - bulldurham wrote: 87 Points
This wine has distinguished itself in the past much more admirably. Opened it at our dinner table in a local restaurant and allowed it to sit for a while. But, it just never excited the three of us. While it was pleasant enough with our meal, it just did not rise to our expectations of a Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Very bland from the consumers perspective.
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1/29/2011 - Winevestor wrote: 93 Points
I just love Beaucastel - it is so distinctive. This is my first 1995. I was happy to have a whiff of Brett / barnyard along with heather and red fruit. On the palate, a medium body, bright flavors and a long finish. Not the biggest Beaucastel, but a very typical one. The tannins are fine, but they are there and the wine is drinking beautifully now. It is at its plateau, but will be wonderful for another ten years at least. I like older wines for the developed complex flavors. This is a good price point, as you can still get it at the same price as the current vintage. Nothing like being able to buy a mature bottle (from a reputable source) and not have to wait the ten years. Having said that, this wine has been with me for twelve years and I originally paid $40/bottle.
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1/9/2011 - suburbanfrog wrote: 89 Points
Opened and let sit a couple of hours. The first couple of minutes in the glass showed a nose of limberger cheese changing to a hint of barnyard and then with time showing lovely red and dark fruit aromas having lost the funky aromas. On the pallate the tannins had softened quite a bit, but were still there. The pallette showed less fruit than the nose, but a pleasant wine that was aging gracefully and showing more flavors of earth than fruit. Even though it was a nice wine and I enjoyed it, I could not justify giving it a classic score. It did not entice me to want to savour every sip, however I did want to take my time to enjoy the interesting nose.
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1/4/2011 - sooper65 wrote: 89 Points
Clarendon syndicate at Peat Spade - must have been a root day coz none of the wines showed very well.
This bottle was plain dreary - still yet to be remotely impressed by this supposed "great" wine.
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12/24/2010 - mukden wrote: 91 Points
YES.still seems young, very light colour, like rayas. Only a small amount of ageing. Presumably a good way to go. The mystery that is beaucastel continues.
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12/19/2010 - rsbeck wrote: 93 Points
This time, I popped and let breathe in bottle for 4 hours, removing it from temp controlled cellar at the two hour mark, poured after four hours open and then consumed over the next three hours. Much better showing! This confirms my suspicion that this is going to age positively for quite awhile. With four hours of breahting in bottle and three hours in the glass, I was able to follow the evolution of this vintage. With lots of air, this is a classic, beautifully balanced Beaucastel with loads of personality. This was part of a mini-vertical with the 1998 and 2001 and for my palate, with equal amounts of air, the 1995 gives more pleasure. For my palate, at this point, the 1998 and 2001 are too thick, monolithic and lacked enough acid to bring them into balance. Also, both the 1998 and especially the 2001 had over ripe raisin flavored overtones and -- for my palate -- too much residual sweetness. The 2001 had the most powerful aroma but, though it was strong, it was also rather simple and the raisin overtones are not to my liking. If you have some of these 1995's, give them lots of air to enjoy now and I think you can feel confident of your reward if cellaring bottles of good provenance.
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12/13/2010 - pepeelvis wrote:
drinking well
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12/12/2010 - rsbeck wrote: 90 Points
Pulled from 55º cellar popped, breathed in bottle 90 minutes. This seems to be going through a new phase. It is still a little on the tannic side, but it's mellowing and the fruit seems to be holding well. More enjoyable to my palate now than it was a couple of years ago and seems to be slowly maturing. I'm going to guess that as this wine evolves, it will continue to be more and more enjoyable.
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12/4/2010 - Goldstone wrote: 90 Points
Lunch with Pierre Perrin, Chateau Beaucastel (Chez Patrick, 26 Peel Street, Central, Hong Kong): Blood red, deep but fully translucent colour. Nose is more reticent and high-toned than the preceding 1988...nail varnish remover, freshly sawn box-wood and all very young. Palate is very nice and in a higher league......sharp red fruits getting a bit dusty, sharp almost cola-ish acidity and zing, black cherry, some temple smoke and prunes but mixed with cherry stones on the finish, leaving an impression of unharmonised youth. Young. Needs food. Still considerably tannic. Dry on the end. There are hints of resonance on the finale. Seems asleep. Is currently lost midway between the opulent youth of the 2007 and the feminine charm of the 1988.
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11/25/2010 - KeithAkers wrote: flawed
something was off on this. A bit pruney and thin with some balsamic notes as well as classic beaucastel notes. Didn't seem like a representative bottle
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11/21/2010 - Rick-again wrote: 92 Points
pleanty of Beaucastel barnyarn going on...good fruit and integarted tannins...drinking well now
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11/12/2010 - indiscriminate palate wrote:
Berserkerfest very brief retrospective notes (PDH NYC): Very savory, with great acid and mouthfeel. Compared to the 1990, this is a bit bigger, more “pure” (less funky), but a very good wine.
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11/12/2010 - coremill wrote:
plenty of funk, plenty of dark fruit. tannins mostly resolved, but this could last quite a while still. this was very good.
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10/11/2010 - KPB wrote: 88 Points
If you ask me... Bring back the Brett! This bottle is squeaky clean, which is sort of like what i imagine sex might be in a medical laboratory, with white-coated doctors watching and carefully controlled sterile conditions. It just lacks excitement. Medium ruby with a darker core, nose is simple, showing black raspberries but not much else. Flavorful, but in a bland way.
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10/11/2010 - ekenneth wrote: 94 Points
It's not a typical Beaucastel. There's a medium body, firm acid, red fruit and a texture more like a musar or daumas gassac than the usual dark, brooding, black tea and saddle leather Beaucastel. And it was much better the second day; with a silky texture and a little more depth on the palate. This suggests to me that it may continue to develop for some time.
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10/10/2010 - nittanyjack wrote: 88 Points
I thought this wine was past its prime, but was surprised to find it coming to life the second day. This was my last bottle and I wouldn't buy any more of this.
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10/10/2010 - french16 wrote:
Very austere and strict.
Maybe a hint of TCA or Brett. Some floral notes along a mix of dark/red fruits. Abrupt finish.
I think this bottle was off.
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9/18/2010 - edge wrote: 90 Points
This wine is still closed and tannic. After two hours it started showing its potential. Leave it for another two or three years.
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9/4/2010 - MC wrote:
A decant helped this one show better than the bottle a few days ago. A little thin compared to the best vintages, but with an hour in the decanter it is very nice. A-
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9/1/2010 - Villon wrote: 91 Points
Le nez et le style rappelle à s’y méprendre au Beaucastel 1990, signe que les vieux vins évoluent vers une certaine neutralité, perdant de leur distinction (bon, ici on à quand même affaire au même domaine!). Un peu plus de matière que le 90, mais plus animal, limite brett. 90-91
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8/31/2010 - MC wrote:
Good, but not great. B+
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8/24/2010 - hutch wrote: 94 Points
From 375. Crazy upon opening. Soy, earth, leather on a fascinating nose. Lots going on. Already mature, but not old. Still showing a regal sense, with a great structure. This is pretty special stuff. Corked and retried and couple hours later, and it wasn't the same. Still showing a nobility, and still changing, but those amazing aromatics had faded. I would definitely want to check this out if I could get it in a 750, and I don't even think I'd be in any rush to open them. Upon opening, 94-96, after two hours, 90-93.
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8/11/2010 - saturnaisland wrote: 93 Points
Aromas of subdued plummy fruit and mediterranean spice. Very smooth and mellow. Medium bodied. Rich plummy fruit flavours with garrigue and hints of iodine. Mellow tannins. Went well with steaks. Faded a bit after 2 and a half hours.
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7/24/2010 - WST wrote: 94 Points
Beautiful bottle, maybe at or close to peak. Not a barnyard funkbomb like my last '96. The '95 has much more fruit than funk, but nice aromas and flavors of leather, iodine, black pepper, garrigue and minerality to mix things up. Still a bit alcoholic, but the tannins are settling down, and it's a big enough wine that it didn't detract.
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7/24/2010 - GMatt wrote: 92 Points
First taste of this one. A huge wine. I can see why it's acquired a reputation as difficult and closed, but now it seems to be hitting its stride. Thick Damson, Sloe, blueberry - those dark intense fruits. Some sweet coffee and even chocolate. A dense, big wine. No harsh tannin, though some tannin grips the finish. That finish is long, and consistent with the body of the taste, though it opens into a little more blackberry. The only negative is a some hot aromatics, especially on the nose - reminiscent of a young Musar - something that a better qualified person might be able to pin down with a technical term - something volatile in the acohols or phenolics which is reminiscent of glue-iness or boiled sweets which intrudes - a little overcooked in some way. But it's instructive to put this next to the Beau '97 which is probably on the downslide now - '97 is losing its fire and becoming a mellow chocolatey old Grenache flavour. This still has loads of kick and fire - a fiery middle age. Drink now, but watch to see where it's going: CdP is always a tricky one - Grenache dies young, but the other components of a Beaucastel can last forever - it's a question of when your own favourite harmony happens. (Decanted 45 mins, consistent for the next 2 hours).
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6/14/2010 - winelovr2001 wrote: 93 Points
Showing awesome, fully mature
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5/29/2010 - pepeelvis wrote:
starting to hit its stride, this wine is drinking beautifully but should have plenty of life left
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5/22/2010 - Ewagner001 wrote:
With rose
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4/25/2010 - dre wrote:
3 Decades of Chateau Beaucastel with Tomas Perrin. (Ambrosia Event Center. Victoria, BC.): Showing a lot of age on the nose. Tones of leather, spice and black tea.
The palate is much the same with worn saddle, black tea and earth showing nicely. The fruit intensity is slipping a touch but over all it is very pretty. Long medicinal note on the finish.
Drink now - 2016.
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4/25/2010 - MSUTIGES wrote: 92 Points
A well made Chateauneuf du Pape, full body, long finish, but beginning to show its age. Drink now-2012
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4/19/2010 - Faryan wrote: 92 Points
Mini Beaucastel Vertical (81-01) with 86 Sauternes (Bethesda, MD): the most bruising and forward of the wines tonight, this wine has kick in the mouth but is atypical in the sense that it is not as complex, rather, it is a bit more monolithic with a strong dose of pepper on the nose and a wallop of tannin on the finish. It probably could have benefited from decanting, but my impression was that the wine will never be as Burgundian as the 94 or 81, but may appease the more hedonistic drinker. Give it 5+ years regardless. 92.5+pts
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4/18/2010 - KingSlacker999 wrote: 94 Points
Perfect amount of funkiness and fruit. Bit of leather, iodine, herbs. Needs at least an hour of air to come together, drinking very well right now. Good long finish. Nicely integrated tannins. Could improve even more in a year or so.
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3/27/2010 - 14frimaire wrote:
Much funkier than the last bottle. Plenty of brett and leather, and a fair amount of fine sediment. Opened up after maybe an hour in a decanter. Classic, old-school Beaucastel, only about 13% abv, if I remember the label correctly.
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3/25/2010 - austinwinesalon wrote:
Definitive Rhone (Fabi and Rosi European Kitchen Austin, Texas): [Decanted for three hours] This wine drank surprisingly well, maybe because of the decanting--I had drunk this wine three weeks previously and it was not nearly as complex, though I and others thought it still needs time. It had the tell-tale Beaucastel barnyard nose, was a bit astringent and medicinal, was fairly tannic, and had a basil note, with some white pepper, smoked pork, close, and rosemary. It's interesting that the 1998 seems to be the more forward vintage of Beaucastel and shows much more fruit and minerality--the 1995 will be better in 5-10 years.
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3/12/2010 - PSUSteve Likes this wine: 92 Points
MGS brought to WMMC. Tannins still present and needed 45 minutes to an hour to open up. I noticed plum and earthy notes on palate. Long finish.
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3/12/2010 - mgstull Likes this wine: 94 Points
Medium red with hint of brick at the rim. Closed at first but opened after 1/2 hour with layered notes of plum and five spice. Fully mature but integrated tannins suggest this can last a few years longer.. Long finish.
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2/13/2010 - JJL wrote: 89 Points
5th Annual Big Bottle Party (Jeff's House, Warren, NJ): From DM - Garrigue nose, light cherry palate, spice, bit acidic.
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2/7/2010 - barberaboy wrote: 92 Points
From mag on superbowl nite. I had not liked this wine a few years ago. However, with time time, I have liked it more and more. Tonite it had a pleasing nose and was balanced on the palate had a wonderful finish. There were no harsh tanins. My guests drank the mag down and asked for more. If I had brought this to a wine dinner, I think it would have been well recieved. I don't see an up side to further aging and will drink my mags... cheers
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2/6/2010 - Chuck Miller wrote: 88 Points
From a friend's stash as opposed to mine. Much better than my recent bottles, without the obtrusive tannins. Nice nose with just a touch of animale.
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1/23/2010 - nittanyjack wrote: 86 Points
I think this wine is past its prime. While the nose has nice but subtle CDP character, the fruit is pretty much gone. I'm having a hard time appreciating this wine at this age. I have one left...will have to drink it soon.
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1/19/2010 - HamishR wrote: 87 Points
Decent but a bit drying out. Nice complexity, a bit short on the finish.
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1/16/2010 - LWI wrote: 88 Points
Rather dry and herbaceous. Moderate length and moderate body. Ok, but do not defend its price tag.
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1/13/2010 - Chuck Miller wrote: 84 Points
At 12 years old, this remains a boring, tannic, underfruited wine with no hint of what makes Beaucastel great, let alone makes it 'Beaucastelly'. I'm going to bury the remaining bottles for a few more years, but with little hope it will even be good, let alone great.
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1/13/2010 - MC wrote:
I feel like this is coming around a bit. Similar to previous notes, I don't think it will be a great one, but a very good one. Plenty of time left. A-
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1/10/2010 - Rick-again wrote:
not as crazy about this bottle maybe it was a bit off though it had complexity and layers
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1/4/2010 - ldorf wrote: 92 Points
Very good, great... still needs time.
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12/10/2009 - cgrimes wrote: 92 Points
NSMFOW December '09--BYO Yankee Swap (The Grapevine, Salem, MA): Deep ruby, almost purple color. Nose of briary fruits, plum, barnyard, leather. Palate of blackberry, some cassis, plum, leather, tar, earth with nice tannins. Good finish. Balanced and concentrated. Great wine.
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12/6/2009 - chitowncdpguy wrote:
What an amazing wine. Clearly outstanding, maybe classic.
Decanted 5 hours. Dull ruby color in the glass, a little bricking, left a fair amount of fine sediment in the bottle.
Medium intensity nose of dark cherries, barnyard, and garrigue. On the palate, cranberries, cherries, licorice, lots of barnyard still, earthy, spicy. Long smooth finish.
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11/15/2009 - ldorf wrote: 92 Points
Opens very strong from this .375 and continues to be great, but not outstanding. After 10 minutes is was perfect... after 40 minutes it had tapered off. Still very good, but ...
I am going to drink one of the .750 s, but think those probably need more time.
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10/23/2009 - pbaek wrote:
I've patiently been waiting for the 1995 Beaucastel to shed its tannins and come around. I decanted this bottle 4 hours before dinner (I put the stopper back in to preserve the aromas). Dark red, almost black. Provencal herbs, licorice, animal fur, leather and ripe plum aromas soaring from the glass. Captivating bouquet, hard not to keep the nose in the glass. Quite smooth on the palate, the tannins have softened considerably. Flavors of licorice, black olives, lavender, thyme, tar, fig, ripe black plum. Complex without being cumbersome. This is Beaucastel the way I like it. By no means heavy or overdone, on the contrary - good balance and focus. Late kick from the tannins on the back end would suggest plenty of years left. Beau vin.
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10/23/2009 - salil wrote: 86 Points
Tasty but not particularly complex or interesting; quite disappointing for a Beaucastel with fairly simple red fruited flavours over earth and hints of leather, grainy tannins on the back end and a medium length finish.
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10/21/2009 - d'Artagnan wrote: 91 Points
Petit coté funky qui évoque les brets mais qui disparaitra avec l'aération.
Un Beaucastel plutôt viril, avec une bonne trame tannique, ce vin a encore de longues années devant lui. Droit, bien équilibré et complet, un peu austère mais très satisfaisant.
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9/21/2009 - wineandski wrote: 93 Points
Took about an hour in decanter, then another half hour in the glass to open up.
Outstanding wine, medium to deep bodied; more than you expect. A wine with real finesse-not a blockbuster
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9/12/2009 - wineismylife wrote: 90 Points
Paul Does Dallas - Berserker Style (Eden, Dallas, TX): WIML89-90?
Tasted September 12 , 2009 at an offline.
Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of licorice, peppermint and berries. Flavors of red berries. Light to medium acidity, integrated tannins, medium body. Drink over the short to medium term.
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9/12/2009 - KimberlyDo wrote: 91 Points
Cork showed a little deterioration. The wine was very good with tobacco and earthy aromas and flavors. A touch browning was evident.
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9/8/2009 - David J Cooper wrote:
Dark red. Lots of sweet fruit in the nose with a bit of cocoa and mint. Lots of fruit in the nose and mouth probably a bit darker then I like or remember. A big sweet wine.
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9/5/2009 - CamWheeler wrote: 89 Points
Strongly bretty aromas with some pepper and five spice as well. Interesting texture, with good length. I liked it but your opinion will probably vary based on your brett tolerance.
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8/23/2009 - markjanes wrote: 72 Points
Tasted with 95 Pegau... overall younger appearing than the Pegau with less bricking at rim (red to brick) and a similar depth of color (low to moderate) and similar amount of extraction at the rim (moderate -). On the nose very tight and closed with some red fruits... a hint of dried Provincial herbs, and some evidence still of oak barrique aging... no Brett or sour fruit. On the palate moderate + acidity and a very bitter ascent into a fairly broad midpalate and a smooth transition into a bitter finish... shows maybe a half percent more alcohol. Wine is balanced with short length, low intensity and complexity. There is finesse in the wine even though it has major textural issues at both the beginning and end of the palate... adequate expression of place. The wine didn't improve with decanter time and was basically undrinkable the next day. I've had several bottles of the 95 and never had a good one... they have either been like this or had a cooked aspect to the fruit... couldn't detect any classic flaws here (though there are a few I know I have a high threshold for) and am starting to wonder about the quality of this vintage for Beaucastel though it seems from previous notes there have to be some good bottles of this wine out there.
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8/19/2009 - darvid wrote:
Healthy deep medium ruby with some browning. T-zone (tapenade, tobacco and thyme) nose. Good news is that the grouchy phase this wine displayed a couple of years ago (marauding Mourvedre, inexpressive, with tannin and acid blocking the fruit) has passed, and this is perfectly pleasant to drink. Unfortunately it's not yet blossoming, hasn't developed the complexity of which it is capable, and seems a bit soft in the midpalate. Try again in a year or two.
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8/13/2009 - pjaines wrote:
The Hide Bar with some CT Forum members (The Hide Bar, London): Surprisingly lighter than I was expecting. Elegant nose of dry herbs, chocolate, dirt. In the mouth very fine grained tannins mixed with smooth fruit with notes of bitter chocolate, meat and herbs. Decent follow through. To be honest was expecting a little bit more bang for my buck, but pretty decent stuff here. I'm not sure if I'll bother buying younger Beaucastel after tasting this - it obviously needs years and years until it is ready. This one was still a pup.
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8/8/2009 - Rick-again wrote: 92 Points
what a nice wine good CdP noce, lots of spice and dark fruits, still some tannins, decanted and drank over a few hours ...continued to get better. Day 2 one glass left and it was rockin. dark core and an orangish rim ..should coninue to get better
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7/5/2009 - zimmy07 wrote:
this bottle was off a bit. A bit oxidized and old. Could not get around the metallic aftertaste. disappointing
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6/21/2009 - hutch wrote: 90 Points
Drank from a split. Very nice, but a little disapointing given my hopeful expectations. Pretty tannic at first, it did soften up with a little time. But not very complex or having any wow factors. Didn't taste old though, just a decent CDP.
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6/12/2009 - InternationalWineReport wrote: 93 Points
Ripe and fleshy, with loads of black cherry, plum, licorice, and anise flavors gliding across a silky palate. Velvety on the finish. - JD93
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6/4/2009 - Ricky99 wrote: 92 Points
Softer and more feminine than I expected, but very tastt
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5/29/2009 - trankin wrote: 89 Points
Definitely enjoyed less than previous bottles. Showed OK but certainly not impressive. No signs of any flaws; maybe my palate is just changing. A tad monolithic.
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5/22/2009 - humagne wrote: flawed
Herbaceous, medicinal nose, not enjoyable. On the palate, however, one can feel the power and structure underlying. Probably an off bottle.
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5/9/2009 - ldorf wrote: 91 Points
I should have read Teddemop's comments prior to opening. I had this ine early: 1997/8, and it was really good, but needed time... it still needs time. After 1 1/2 hours decanted it just started to show up like you expect. The good news is I have much more and will hold a minimum of 5 more years before I touch another.
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4/17/2009 - winefool wrote: 94 Points
Shockingly good. Huge garrique and pepper character - a wonderful wine. 94-95 pts.
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4/15/2009 - noppakit s. wrote: 90 Points
This is my 2nd tasting of 1995 ( Last bottle was in 2003 and it was very delicious at that time )
At this moment...It's getting old but very nice, stronger than 1996. ( tasting last few months ) Classic, soft, smooth and good finish.
I have to buy some more bottles to drink whenever I wanna feel the real Chateauneuf du Pape.
Beaucastel is always there when I need a good feeling. 90-91/100
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4/5/2009 - teddemop wrote: 93 Points
Still backwards and rustic, yet fun to drink and showing some of its stuff. Overshadowed by a bottle of the 90. won't touch another for a few years
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3/28/2009 - Honey Badger wrote: 90 Points
Almost too clean and pretty for Beaucastel, fairly reticent overall so it may be in a closed phase but it was certainly nice to drink. It was decanted for about an hour and then consumed over the course of another hour but it changed very little, if you have some, its good now but its probably worth holding on to for a while.
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3/21/2009 - KeithAkers wrote: 92 Points
Beaucastel Vertical 81-01 (Gurnee IL, Jordan's house): nose: really good and tart nose of red cherries, red currants, red fruits, raspberry compote, with a touch of licorice tones and some black fruits. Really good depth and there is more of a cleanliness to this that the previous beaucastels didn't have
taste: good tannins with a nice medium feel of red and dark cherries, bits of leather, spice tones and a good helping of garrigue and licorice. A nice richness to it with tart tones that work very well together
overall: great balance and feel, this is starting to enter a really good place. In a somewhat in between stage it'll be interesting to follow this as it gets older to see if it becomes a bit more "dirty" as it has a good purity and clean feel to it right now
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3/9/2009 - CamWheeler wrote: flawed
Cooked
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3/6/2009 - keelegl wrote: 92 Points
Black licorice jumping from the glass with plenty of red berries and a welcome tobacco/leather note. Still tight on the med. bodied palate just started to open up after 2 hours of air. Plenty of grip and finish showing this wine has a long life ahead of it. Will try again in another 3-5 years.
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3/4/2009 - oakland.cory wrote: 84 Points
Tasted this blind from a 1/2 bottle that was opened the night before, so take it with a grain of salt. Red to pink to orange with a clear rim. This wine is definitely showing some age with lots of orange tones and it is throwing a good amount of sediment. I guessed early 1980's Bordeaux, but it's definitely French. Maybe a bit oxidized, has some bacon fat on the nose and some old, soft wood. Little fruit left but there are some tannins still there. Maybe the full bottles have some remaining structure?
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2/8/2009 - AllRed wrote: 92 Points
From magnum. Deep color, with a very wild, animalistic quality on the bouquet. Well-balanced, with flavors of dark fruit, meat and spice. Long finish.
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2/6/2009 - G SQUARED wrote: 92 Points
This bottle might have had some storage issues as it was not the same beautiful wine remarked about in my last tasting note. Ruby red color, medium length, and lacking in fruit. Still the best wine of the lunch by far so it's score has an extra 2 points added for the lack of credible competition.
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1/27/2009 - blanquito wrote: 86 Points
Disappointing, it probably needs more time. I got more cow-shit on the nose than any other wine I can think of. Gamey and unique. 86 pts.
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1/4/2009 - mnh wrote:
Totally disapointing. Opened 2 bottles and both poor. Not corked but otherwise flawed, probably Brett
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1/2/2009 - Jaytee wrote:
Opened too soon, this wine has miles to go. Very earthy, meaty scents - substantial in the mouth, with a fairly aggressive tannic finish.
Paired with rare rack of Australian lamb, the tannins were somewhat tamed and the wine smoothed out a bit.
While offering some enjoyment now, I really don't believe it is showing all of its charms. Five more years before I open another.
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1/1/2009 - David J Cooper wrote:
Medium red, not as dark as the 98. Very much more traditional Southern Rhone nose. Lots of raspberry, black pepper and earth. Great flavours but not as rich as the 98. Lots of tannin left. There is enough fruit here though after 13 years to hope for more improvment. Just a beautiful Beaucastel. Not in anyway hard or rough. Even when drank next to the voluptuos 98 this was excellent. I see Gilman and Fass both hate this wine. They must have had bad bottles.
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12/31/2008 - JOsgood wrote: 95 Points
The balance of this wine really stood out. Touches all areas of the palate. Great finish. Loved it.
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12/20/2008 - KeithAkers wrote: 93 Points
nose: classic beaucastel nose filled with spice, black fruits, garrigue, bits of roast beef, dark red cherries, leather, bits of barnyard, and some black licorice tones along with bits of pepper. just starting to mature on the nose, but there is still a primary aspect to it. as it develops in the glass, tones of roasted meats and game begin to develop.
taste: a good amount of pepper, garrigue, spice, black fruits, red cherries, leather, anise, and bits of roasted game. Great medium feel with good tannins
overall: an adolescant. While this is starting to mature, it isn't fully at that next level. it's hard to compare it to the amazig 90, but it doesn't seem as evolved as both of the 90s that I've had. There is still a primary aspect to this as the secdonary flavors start to creep in
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12/17/2008 - DaleW wrote:
Showing fairly young, big dark fruits, light tannins. ok acidity. Good
length, depth, develops in glass a lot. I enjoy this and think it has
a long future
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12/5/2008 - G SQUARED wrote: 95 Points
Dinner at l'Ecusson with Rusty and the Harbison's. This wine rocked!!!!!! Beautiful nose of brown spices. In the mouth this wine ust kept gaining more and more complexity as the evening wore on. Alost a cherry, chocolate, cinnamon dessert with just the right amount of sweetness as to not be candied. What a lovely wine and plenty of great years left on this. wish I had a case to try one every few years.
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11/11/2008 - no leashes wrote: 95 Points
Absolutely stunning, decanted for 1-1/2 hours, beautifully balanced, wonderful cherry, earth, tobacco, smoke, cassis and mineral flavors. Well textured, this wine lingers on the finish for a long time. Delicious!
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11/1/2008 - winelovr2001 wrote: 93 Points
Hiding its age well, this Beaucastel shows some barnyard on the nose but it is not overpowering. Lots of garrigue, tar, truffles, and raspberry. Should hold another few years before tasting again.
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11/1/2008 - cdunn wrote: 87 Points
Consistent with notes from others, this wine was totally closed on the nose after having been decanted for 2 hours. On the palate, it is medium bodied, very clean, velvety texture, but again gave very little in terms of flavor. I really question if this wine's fruit will ever come forward. Thsi wine was served double blind to some very experienced Rhone (and Beaucastel) enthusiasts, and no one had a clue as to what it was.
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10/20/2008 - Nutty08 wrote: 91 Points
Trip to France; 10/13/2008-10/24/2008 (Burgundy, Rhone Valley (Chateauneuf-du-Pape), Paris): Big expressive nose with plenty of mature notes: leather, cigar box. Palate still tannic and firm, with some dark fruits and earthiness. Medium finish with some flint and mineral after a flash of earth and tobacco. Very nice now, but still seems rather young and still quite tannic. Hopefully will keep improving as the tannins integrate.
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10/19/2008 - VDLT Wine Likes this wine:
Diane's dinner party. Needed time to develop. Overall, lacks the lift and majesty of the 1990 but great expression of Mourvedre. Lovely coating texture helps to maintain the finish extensively. Diminishing pleasure probably was due to palate fatigue rather than fading of the wine.
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10/18/2008 - ScottG wrote: 93 Points
Brought to dinner at Crush in Seattle. Opened and decanted at the restaurant. Nice from the get-go with improvement in complexity over the meal- Still a nice core of cherry fruit, but wrapped with herbs, earth, licorice, and still some tannic backbone. Medium bodied and good with food. Drinks nice but in no hurry whatsoever.
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10/12/2008 - cct wrote: 94 Points
Opened and recorked two days prior to tasting.
Darker and younger appearing than the '94, with black cherries, black licorice, cassis, and raspberries on the nose. Richer, darker and denser on the palate. Full bodied, with blackberries, dark plums, blood, white pepper, and a lot less savory notes than the 94. Really beautiful with tons of time in hand. A long smoky finish, with mushroom earthy notes on the back end. Going to be a great wine. 94 pts.
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9/13/2008 - antiwood wrote:
Dusty bramble, blackberry jam, spices. Balanced. Relatively light bodied although retains a sense of balance. Tannins are very fine and the acidity give this a fresher rather than fruit driven feel. Long drying finish. This is showing more fruit than a bottle from last week and I'd trust this to age nicely ... needs 5 more years?
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9/6/2008 - beachbum wrote: 92 Points
375ml popped and poured into the burg GC glasses and it was saddle horse city. I loved it, but it did need some food. It was great nose and taste, but the back end was a bit drying, not with tannin but with acidity. I'd say ready to go from this size.
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9/3/2008 - Tree512 wrote: 89 Points
Nice but not nearly where it should be - still closed and not a ton of fruit. Keep holding and hope it blossoms later.
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8/25/2008 - 14frimaire wrote:
Pig Roast (Solace - NYC): Developing nicely, and this was from magnum. Medium body, clean, black fruits, earth, olive.
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8/24/2008 - Keith Levenberg wrote: 87 Points
Pig Roast (Solace): Pretty good, don't think I would have guessed Chateauneuf.
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8/6/2008 - KPB wrote: 89 Points
Attractive nose is dominated by cherry syrup, leather, tobacco. But although the fruit here is ripe, the very harsh tannins dominate and the overall impression is of an unbalanced wine. Hard to see the tannins fading before the fruit. Not a great success for Beaucastel.
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7/25/2008 - The Klipper wrote: 86 Points
Eh.
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4/20/2008 - jolson wrote: 93 Points
Medium Dark red color with just a hint of rust color on the edges. Nose was fantastically complex with tobacco, leather, animal and just a bit of plum/raisin. Flavor was very rich blackberry, plum and cherry with what was described by another as "iron" in the background. Longer than normal finish and a silky mouthfeel, decanted 4 hours.
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4/17/2008 - Kevin_C wrote: 91 Points
Deep red fading to the rim. Stewed fruit, blood, alcohol heat. Good amount of glycerin. Fancy in the glass. A touch of sweetness at the very tip of the tongue leading to a full mouth coating but DRY finish. Yet slightly interesting that engages you for another taste. A food wine.
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4/15/2008 - JScott wrote:
Closed in a brief sample, score withheld.
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3/29/2008 - mimik wrote: 92 Points
Ottawa offline with DoktaP and Bman (Bocado's in Ottawa): Impressive. Sophisticated, aristocratic wine with complex wild cherries and strawberry rhubarb notes and some muted raspberry and blackberry notes. Rustic and a little austere. Lots of glycerin-like feel on the palate with a caramel and tobacco finish. More time to come around? Who knows.
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3/29/2008 - vinaigre wrote: 92 Points
Ottawa Offline: DoctaP and the MWP (Restaurant Bocado's): Decanted 3 hours before. From magnum.
Deep ruby red. Typical nose of CDP 13 years young. Red fruits, raspberries, strawberries, thyme, leather and earth. Nice balance and texture with and moderate finish.
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3/16/2008 - WST wrote:
Way too young; palate is shut down tight; nose offers some red fruit, saddle, moist earth, but only with coaxing. This will be beautiful, but not anytime soon.
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3/11/2008 - Terkel wrote: 96 Points
Châteauneuf-du-Pape prestige cuvées. (FOF): Red color with a orange hue. An extremely layered nose with horse, farmyard, manure, earthy red fruit, strawberry and raspberry, roses and cigar box. Very elegant and refined. Very delicious on the palate with raspberry, strawberry and roses first. More rustic on the midpalate with pepper, milk chocolate and tobaco. There is a note of horse going through the palate end-to-end. Very delicate, with superb balance, a striking acidity and mouthwatering tannins. This gave me a clear mental picture of a refined farmer sitting on his horse and a rose through the buttonhole - classic Beaucastel.
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3/11/2008 - CLDWLL wrote:
with clare and chris at kitchen a bistro
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3/8/2008 - Zweder wrote: 94 Points
Beautiful complex bouquet. Toasted oak, barnyard, spices, strawberries etc. The taste is very complex as well and all in perfect harmony. The wine is still very powerful and a promise for the future.
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2/24/2008 - Gregory Dal Piaz wrote: 93 Points
A last call with the Astorettes (Cafe Loup): This is such a change of speeds with it's classic mourvedre notes of leather, earth, and roast meat adding complexity and depth to the very sweet herbal fruit that recalls dried tomato and, strawberry jam, and bramble. This is positively mouthfilling and has gained considerable weight over the past few years. there is a great core of cherry fruit and a wonderfully intense level of spice that leads to a long finish. Certainly lean and cool for Beaucastel but that is how I prefer them anyway, trading some of the ripeness for this level of freshness and detail. 2008-2018
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2/18/2008 - MC wrote:
Similar to last note.
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2/6/2008 - d'Artagnan wrote: 88 Points
Février 2008: dégustation verticale du Château Beaucastel (Steaf Frites Saint Paul (avenue Laurier)): Nez animal, cuir, bretts? poivre. La texture en bouche est agréable mais le profil aromatique est aussi bretté. Bonne fraicheur, c'est un bon vin qui souffre de la comparaison, quoique le côté animal\bretts diminue avec l'aération. Tanins un peu secs. 88 pts
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2/3/2008 - ScottG wrote: 93 Points
Tasting like it is starting to open up nicely. Opened and left of the counter for about 2-3 hours before drinking. Really nice resolved flavors, some tannins on the finish, but not anything like what I was expecting from some previous notes and vintage generalizations. Just a lovely drink right now for a nice beau with medium complexity. A really good wine, but not a great Beau like the 89, 90, 98...
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1/2/2008 - beachbum wrote: 92 Points
Yum - matuiring out of 1/2. Showing the complex Beau nose with some horse. Black red fruit, complexity with long finish. With Swedish meatballs.
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12/1/2007 - CallahanCellar wrote: 94 Points
This was drinking great. Had with grilled pork and fava beans with chard. The tannins were mellow, the mouvedre was almost sweet. The complexity, balance, and long finish were what one looks for in a great CDP.
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11/26/2007 - cellarid wrote:
good, not great. probably needs a few more years for the aromatics to come out more.
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11/23/2007 - win wrote: 87 Points
SWILL Southern Rhone Tasting: Seemed a little off.
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11/23/2007 - wineismylife wrote: 91 Points
SWILL November Tasting - Southern Rhone (win's house in Southlake, TX): WIML91+?
Tasted November 23, 2007. Opened and served immediately. Raspberry color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Tight nose giving way to some notes of raspberries, cherries, berries and flowers. Same on the palate giving way to some simple flavors of berries, cherries and a touch of bitters on the finish. Medium acidity, medium to firm tannins, medium to full body. Hold. I'll drink my next bottle in 2015.
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11/17/2007 - CLDWLL wrote:
Low expectations (for the vintage...not the producer) can be a good thing. With recent tasting notes suggesting that this wine had "turned a corner", I decided to pop one to see. Suprise, suprise. Youthful ruby red in color. The wine opens with bright, clean red berry fruit - no sign of Beau funk/Brett. With some air the profile turns darker. Black currant, plum fruit with herbs, earth, minerals, and pepper all wrapped in some light smoke. The attack is smooth. The wine is meedium bodied. Palate is dark and not quite as interesting as the nose. Tannins are firm but not harsh. Finish is persistent. . If the fruit holds up and the tannins resolve, this could become very interesting. Hard for me (with little experience) to make this call, but I do believe this does get better with a bit more bottle time. A pleasant suprise. Not the austere, tanninc beast I expected to find. Not flashy either - but I'm not one for flash!
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11/8/2007 - kris.h wrote: 94 Points
It's been about 2 years since I tasted this wine. Last time, the wine was very tannic, brooding, and closed down. Not giving much. Tonight, it was much different. The nose had dark berries and a bit of a barnyard characteristic but nothing that I would call Brett. The palate was full bodied and sweet with a lush finish. This wine has really come around since the last time and I suspect it is nearing what will be a very wide plateau of drinkability.
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11/7/2007 - jivey wrote: 89 Points
Backstreet - Soft cranberry, cement, subdued fruit finish. Always seem to be hit and miss for me with this wine.
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11/7/2007 - kstoddard wrote: 90 Points
eRobert Parker Offline - Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Amarone (Backstreet Wine Salon, Phoenix): Raspberry, cherry, white pepper and earth. Lighter and more rustic than the '95 Hommage à Jacques Perrin. Drying tannins but has the acidity and freshness of it's big brother. Nice smooth finish.
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10/28/2007 - Ricky99 wrote: 91 Points
very closed even after decanting.. never really woke up
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10/27/2007 - Rechrom wrote: 94 Points
Really pretty. Nose reticent at open, but blossomed to cherry notes. No barhyard at all on the palate, just clean and beautiful fruit. Good length. Very slight bricking at rim, but still young.
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10/21/2007 - beachbum wrote: 92 Points
out of 375, decanted for an hour, this wine was singing. No real bricking the dark redish tinge seems ready to drink. Scents of black tar, sweat and sweet cherry matched up with the grilled rib steak. The wine is smooth and silky, with the older beaucastel fruit still holding up on a very stong spine. The tannins are soft but it is the acids which keep this on track. Very nice, with some upside potential out of fulls. Blew away a clos des papes I had a few weeks ago.
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10/9/2007 - Siggy wrote: 93 Points
Third time I've had this. Tasted side-by-side with the 1985 (see TN), this showed much blacker fruit, pepper, minerals, and kirsch. Opened and steadily integrated with air. The secondary flavors (earth, leather) are beginning to emerge. Ripe, fine tannins. Seems to be at the beginning of a nice long drinking window. Delicious stuff.
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9/29/2007 - SimonG wrote:
Remmington Norman Offline in aid of Pebbles Project (Le Colombier, London): Some vanilla but otherwise clean nose, again possibly slightly lactic. Full, quite grippy. Slightly light on the finish. Good but underwhelming.
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9/14/2007 - 14frimaire wrote:
My bottle, hand-carried back from France and stored professionally is on the early side of ready-to-go.
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8/6/2007 - br wrote:
big, complex mixed bowl of funk, dark fruit, tannin, licorice, gazpacho and meat. medium finish. fantastic nose that kept on changing. a treat.
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4/23/2007 - MC wrote:
from memory with dinner last night. good color - still young. was at cellar temperature, but still not giving much on the nose even after an hour. good fruit, austere, but feels like it will evolve into a very good (but not great) Beaucastel. i would put it a notch ahead of what i remember of the last 95 Pegau I had. needs a few years and some time in decanter. B+/A-
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3/28/2007 - winenutnyc wrote:
exactly as the notes below suggest.
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3/7/2007 - PhDP wrote: 90 Points
Rhône Sud (groupe du mercredi, Bruxelles, Belgium, chez PhDP): Moyenne du groupe: 15,4/20
Nez discret
Bouche en finesse et en précision, concentration moyenne, a encore de l'avenir, strict, crayeux, pointe de sécheresse, encens.
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1/11/2007 - burningstarIV wrote: 89 Points
Consistent notes. 50+4+12+16+7=89
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1/2/2007 - Ricky99 wrote: 92 Points
Not as much as I expected but wonderful complexity and grace...
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11/20/2006 - BradKNYC wrote:
Roy Hersh comes to town- Raveneau, Donnhoff, Pegau, Beaucastel & more ensue. (Il Corso): I found this to be a somewhat atypical showing for the wine as the fruit really came off as being ultra ripe and roasted in similar fashion to the '89, but not as intense. While it usually has a roasted quality to it, I've never experienced such exuberance in the '95. Pretty clean for a Beaucastel, I seem to recall that this was the vintage the cleaned things up, but there's still a little game in there. No Brett, though. There is a slight roughness to the tannins at the back end that were also a touch drying. I've had a better bottle or two, but this is a very nice showing. Solid A-.
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11/12/2006 - beachbum wrote: 93 Points
from 375ml I have always found this wine solid, and not giving that much. Well it seems that it has turned a corner. Still black cherry color. Initial nose of red fruit, violets with hints of horse saddle, which came and went over the 2 hours I had this in the big Somm burg glass. Wow, back to the Beaus that I like. It still has some crunchy red fruit, cherry pit along with slightly elevated acids that tighten the palate, but it is starting to mature and soften. Goes down very silky, with tannins still on the back end. With my lamb chops it drank beautifully. Still, I might prefer it in say 2 years, maybe longer out of regular bottle. Will last for another 10.
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10/20/2006 - La Cave d'Argent wrote: 89 Points
Tasted unblinded from the Vintage Wines, Ltd. wine bar. Bright disc. Medium garnet robe with brick rim. Clean, moderately intense nose showing predominant clove, dust, tobacco and roasted herb aromas. Full-bodied on the palate, with low acidity and relatively soft tannins. The palate is similar to the nose, with the addition of a core of red fruit. Medium, fairly smooth finish. This wine is still not showing much...Will it ever blossom? I would probably give it another couple of years before re-tasting.
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9/29/2006 - jakob.krummenacher@gmail.com wrote: 90 Points
A bit light without much concentration. Very refined but pleasant. Slight dark and red berry fruit with lingering acidity. Short aftertaste and frankly very weak for a Chateauneuf. It's probably because of the bottle size (375 ml). Drink now.
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8/26/2006 - cct wrote: 95 Points
"triple decanted" First early AM , then rebottled then retasted early afternoon and put back in the decanter, then bottled for transport and decanted upon arrival.
Thanks RM
A medium deep ruby with big legs. The nose was a blast of garrigue, dark cherries and leather. Red and black licorice, sage, anise, perfumey. A fabulous nose I slightly preferred to the 98 I recently tried. Others liked both similarly, but the two wines are different animals for sure. Both delicious in different ways. Full bodied and rich. Cherry liqueur, pine, white pepper, minerals, creosote, and anise. Fabulous and just singing. Needs lots of time, but a very bright future IMHO. 95+.
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8/25/2006 - rmodak wrote: 92 Points
Took ages to open up. Don't be fooled by its brickish color. Initially restrained tight wine opened to reveal black raspberry, iron, raisins, loads of garrigue, with tannic finish. Will undoubdetly be better in 5 years.
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8/14/2006 - Mlermontov wrote: 93 Points
Trip Notes (Vilnius and London): this still needs time but way more open than the one i had 6 month ago or so... animal notes, rich and ripe fruit, lovelly middle, leather and tobacco, great minerality, tar, long finish...beaucastel is always such a treat!
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5/20/2006 - Russell Faulkner wrote:
Beaucastel Offline (Snow on the Green - London): Much more 'blocky' tannin, less balanced than the 1994, strict. ~88 pts.
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5/17/2006 - PhDP wrote: 91 Points
1995 (groupe du mercredi, Bruxelles, Belgium, chez GV): moyenne du groupe: 17.1/20
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5/9/2006 - Siggy wrote: 94 Points
Tasting Group Dinner - 12 Years of Beaucastel (JP's American Bistro, Minneapolis): Loads of garrigue. Great nose. Black cherry, kirsch, tar, and leather on the palate. Quite tannic and structured; still very young. I thought this could have been the 2001. WOTF.
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5/5/2006 - spidersva wrote:
Nothing special, pretty disappointing. It was up against a 2000 California Cab that was very good.
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4/8/2006 - pepeelvis wrote: 95 Points
excellent. Can certainly improve with a few more years but very very drinkable
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4/6/2006 - Siggy wrote: 94 Points
Wow, this was a seriously juicy, delicious Beaucastel. The wine has emerged from the hard shell it was in 3 years ago, when I opened my last bottle. Youthful ruby/purple, with a touch of amber at the rim. I didn't pick up any brett or barnyard -- just loads of Granache fruit, with minerals and saddle leather on the midpalate. The secondary characteristics have really begun to show themselves. Still tannic, but the tannins are sweet and give a nice grip on the finish. Approachable now and should drink well for at least 10-15 more years.
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2/27/2006 - KPB wrote: 90 Points
An attractive wine; far better than the one sampled last November. Color is a medium ruby, perhaps just a hint of amber on the rim. The nose is striking, with a profound aroma of ripe raspberry fruit, red current syrup, spices and leather. But the wine needs to be consumed with food; the tannins are still quite pronounced and result in a rather dry palate: sweet and long, but oaky. Seems unlikely to me that the fruit will still be alive if and when these tannins ever fade, so I would consume this during the next five years or so.
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2/26/2006 - michaelgor wrote: 90 Points
STG does Beaucastel: tight... hot... quite a lot of barnyard... later it opens to some fruit ..plum... black raspberry a nice palate... saddle leather on the somewhat short finish rather dilute compared to other Beaus we have tasted
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2/26/2006 - Eric wrote: 91 Points
Seattle Tasting Group does Beaucastel (Issaquah, WA): Charcoal with some heat, very sharp, horsey. Lots of olive on the palate. A little muddy at first and especially compared to the other wines in the flight. This is very nice though, opening up, with leather and black, brooding personality.
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2/12/2006 - Chuck Miller wrote: 88 Points
At a horizontal tasting of 11 1995 Chateauneuf (not blind). Would never have picked this out as Beaucastel blind. A little flat, definitely closed and not showing much right now. No flaws, good wine, but hopefully the best is a few years down the line.
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1/30/2006 - burningstarIV wrote: 89 Points
Lively ruby color flecked with garnet. Deep, penetrating nose of smoked meat, horse, blackberries, and black currants. Medium-bodied in the mouth with ample acidity and sweet blackberry flavors. Finishes smooth and meaty. 50+4+12+16+7=89
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12/31/2005 - trankin wrote: 94 Points
Some New Year's Wines (Y&M's): Notes from memory. Decanted less than an hour before pouring. Deep dark red color. Beautiful nose of dark fruits, some earthy tones, a touch of alcohol. Still tightly wound, opened a bit as the evening progressed. Still very young and clearly will develop beautifully for some time to come. Wonderful dark fruits, white pepper, some earthiness, all in a tight but big package. Went wonderfully with the pork confit we served. Very enjoyable. Makes me very glad I just bought a 6-pack of this.
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12/19/2005 - Mlermontov wrote: 92 Points
the TASTE offline (Taste (80th and 3rd)): my mistake - i thought i had this one before but i had the '94! that explains everything!!!!
When the wine was just poured it had it all - the animalistic power, the raw meat smell, the fruit...BUT withing 5 minutes it closed...comepletly...almoust nothing on the nose and just bare body... it started to open a bit later but by then the glass was empty :)
still it was a good classy wine.
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11/25/2005 - andrewstevenson.com wrote: 84 Points
A good, fairly mature garnet, though there’s very little difference in the appearance of the 2001, 1998 and 1995. On the nose, there is some slightly acidic farmyard and a bit of blueberry fruit, but it’s really quite closed. Quite light on the palate, and here too it seems very closed. This isn’t terribly impressive by comparison with the others. Good/Very Good.
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11/25/2005 - KPB wrote: 88 Points
This bottle was either heat damaged at some point or relatively closed; it showed as rather light and a bit dry with aromas of red currents and leather. A pleasant bottle but nothing special, at least right now. Heat damage is a possibility; the entire case has worried me since I received it (almost ten years ago) and one bottle was a leaker.
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9/10/2005 - Dteng wrote: 93 Points
I just love this producer. I figured it's time to try it at the 10 year mark. Another beauty. Ruby with perhaps the slightest bricking at the edges. Out of the bottle it was tight as expected. With an hour of aeration, lovely aromas of black cherry, earth, tar and cassis. I detected no funk or horse. Incredibly pure and clean from entry to finish. I was initially going to open this with Craig Vanderah when his family came to visit but only opened the 01...something about having too much wine... ;) Anyway, by contrast, this was more elegant and balanced, still with potential, but not as much of a bruiser as the 01. Nonetheless, a terrific drink. Hold for another 5-7 years if you are short on inventory.
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8/12/2005 - Eric wrote:
43 bottles of Château Beaucastel with Bob Parker (Mark's Duck House, Falls Church, VA): Tannic, dusky and dark, not giving much at all right now.
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8/11/2005 - Zweder wrote: 94 Points
Monthly Tasting Group HWS #004; Southern Rhône (By AW): A very complete wine! Bouquet is very intense and complex, wit barnyard and good wood. Starts soft with a little sweetness. Spicy, sweet again and what the French call garrique; the smells and tastes you get when walking through an unused piece of land full with all sorts of spices (In my opinion). Everything perfect in its place and a very long aftertaste. What a pleasure to drink this!!
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1/19/2005 - KPB wrote: 92 Points
Black/red, slightly amber rim. Just starting to open up; nose is dominated by red currents, ripe plums, spices; then gamey aromas: leather, fresh bread, sweat. On the palate the wine is still a bit tight but has a very long finish with a distinctive brett aftertaste – camembert cheese or fresh straw. Slightly less rich and higher acidity than their best years. Needs another few years to hit its peak. 92+.
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11/14/2004 - Rupert wrote: 92 Points
This wine is super and it's super now. Bretty tones but loads of smoky fruit.
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4/18/2004 - La Cave d'Argent wrote: flawed
Tasted at a Beaucastel vertical at the home of Amy Weinberg. Sadly, the bottle was horribly corked.
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4/17/2004 - Eric wrote: 91 Points
Seattle Tasting Group does 22 years of Phelps Insignia (Bellevue, WA, USA): On opening this wine I was blown away by the horse stink when I put my nose to the bottle. However this blew off and shows much more pine resin and roasted meat. On the palate this is VERY tight and dry, not giving up much right now. Tough to evaluate and far too early to drink this monster.
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4/2/2004 - Vino Me wrote: 92 Points
This estate was started in 1549 and has the reputation as the being the finest in the Southern Rhone Valley. Surprisingly, the property sat vacant and unfarmed for over 100 years until it was replanted in 1909. Today the estate is one of the largest in the area with 131 hectares of vineyards. All 13 permitted grape varieties are grown although it is Mourvèdre for which Beaucastel is known. It usually comprises 1/3 of the final blend. Another interesting aspect of the winemaking at Beaucastel is the use of the "á chaud" vinification method where the grapes are rapidly heating to extract color and aroma and eliminate bacteria. I found this wine to be typically Beaucastel. A nice deep rich red color. Earthy with spice and red fruit notes. Medium to full bodied and still in need of time (especially from magnum) although it was drinking well. Perhaps a little closed still. Round finish and firm tannins. 92 points.
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3/6/2004 - La Cave d'Argent wrote: 89 Points
Consumed at Chive restaurant with Ken Johnson, Kathy Swinyer, Frank Noble and Mike Stewart. Bottle provided by Ken Johnson. Similar impression to 12/18/03. This wine is simply not ready.
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12/18/2003 - La Cave d'Argent wrote: 89 Points
Tasted unblinded at the home of Frank Noble, who provided the bottle from his personal cellar. Bright disc. Deep ruby/garnet robe with pink rim. Clean but somewhat closed nose, showing aromas of blackberries, licorice and dry earth. Medium-bodied on the palate, with medium acidity, ample dry tannins and similar flavors as for the nose. Medium, slightly astringent finish. Needs time.
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11/16/2003 - beachbum wrote: 93 Points
Tasted at the 2003 Ritchees presale. All I can recall is the density, tannic structure and lovely fruit. This is way to young and not that pleasant right now. Will be better than 83, but must wait still.
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9/12/1998 - beachbum wrote: 94 Points
with sandra right from the bag. Good wine with a long future
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