Boy has this turned into something fine. Pulled the flimsy synthetic cork (which doesn't quite make sense given the evolution of this wine), and poured. Sulfur that I complained about from earlier incarnations has totally vanished, or maybe morphed into tar and a hint of boiled eggs (which is actually a good thing). Really nice tartness, kind of grapey. I think this may be the last bottle, which is sad.
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Very pretty fresh red and blue fruits, floral, capsicum (smiley) and tobacco notes, with lovely fine texture and very slightly astringent tannins. I'd say this still needs a year except for the synthetic neocork, which was rather loosey-goosey coming out of the neck. All things considered, this was very accessible and more or less exactly what I want from a Breton Chinon: feminine, floral and delicious. If I had more bottles I'd be getting to them soon.
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This wine has finally come into its own. Actually is a little fruity, with a strong tannic backbone, and a tart acidity. Some spice on the finish, nice depth.
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Loire (Wine Exchange (Orange, CA)): Shockingly opaque black purple. Roasted bell pepper, nectarine, and subtler mineral and lacquer notes. Medium bodied, with very good persistence. Interesting yet classic enough.
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This wine showed a lot bigger than I expected - the color is a dark, cloudy purple. There is already a large amount of sediment/sludge in the bottom of the glass. On the nose, this is primary - showing dark black berries, floral aromas, a bit of tomato leaf and some grapeyness. A fair amount of chalky minerality. This is very tannic at this stage and shows a lot more ripeness than I would expect. Overall, a very good wine, but one that should be held for 5 years.
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Had let this sit for a year, hoping it would settle down, but still incredibly sulphuric. Interesting, different sips had different rich aspects, for example, the classic cab franc floweriness came through once, but I think the only thing to do with the one remaining bottle is let it sit for a few years and hope for the best.
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Lovely wine. Had I had it blind, it would have guessed Bordeaux Cru Bourgeois. Great earthy nose. Ripest Cab Franc I've ever had. Loads of fine sediment, which was not expected for such a young wine. Must have been unfiltered. A classic Cab Franc and a good introduction to Loire red.
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Generally have loved this producer and like cab franc, but disappointed in this wine, especially at over $20. Chalky, peppery, flowery up front but fades fast. Just not quite enough fruit there. A little thin and weedy. Not undrinkable and not wholly unenjoyable, but sadly one dimensional. As Ann puts it, like the initial taste, but waiting for the fruitiness and instead it sort of fades away. Also the nose is a somewhat sewery, a descriptor I can actually use in a positive way, but here it sort of drags things down.
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12/11/2012 - EMichels wrote: 88 Points
Horsey; Nice solid black/purple fruit underneath;
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12/3/2010 - cab wrote:
Boy has this turned into something fine. Pulled the flimsy synthetic cork (which doesn't quite make sense given the evolution of this wine), and poured. Sulfur that I complained about from earlier incarnations has totally vanished, or maybe morphed into tar and a hint of boiled eggs (which is actually a good thing). Really nice tartness, kind of grapey. I think this may be the last bottle, which is sad.
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9/15/2009 - 5laton wrote: 91 Points
Very pretty fresh red and blue fruits, floral, capsicum (smiley) and tobacco notes, with lovely fine texture and very slightly astringent tannins. I'd say this still needs a year except for the synthetic neocork, which was rather loosey-goosey coming out of the neck. All things considered, this was very accessible and more or less exactly what I want from a Breton Chinon: feminine, floral and delicious. If I had more bottles I'd be getting to them soon.
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3/1/2009 - cab wrote:
Still good. None of the sulpher that tainted early trials. Great Loire red. Tart, a little tarry, angular, tasty.
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6/6/2008 - cab wrote:
This wine has finally come into its own. Actually is a little fruity, with a strong tannic backbone, and a tart acidity. Some spice on the finish, nice depth.
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4/21/2008 - cab wrote:
This was really good and I'm sorry it was the last bottle. The overwhelming sulpher has really faded, and there is a nice depth and fruitiness now.
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3/29/2008 - EMichels wrote: 90 Points
Wine Exchange - The Loire: Deep; Dark; Sticky nose; Inky; Heavy tannins; Strong; Long
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3/29/2008 - tcfishler wrote: 89 Points
Loire (Wine Exchange (Orange, CA)): Shockingly opaque black purple. Roasted bell pepper, nectarine, and subtler mineral and lacquer notes. Medium bodied, with very good persistence. Interesting yet classic enough.
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3/22/2008 - sivilli wrote:
This wine showed a lot bigger than I expected - the color is a dark, cloudy purple. There is already a large amount of sediment/sludge in the bottom of the glass. On the nose, this is primary - showing dark black berries, floral aromas, a bit of tomato leaf and some grapeyness. A fair amount of chalky minerality. This is very tannic at this stage and shows a lot more ripeness than I would expect. Overall, a very good wine, but one that should be held for 5 years.
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10/10/2007 - vulgar little monkey wrote:
This bottle showed fairly tannic. Only got a glass out of it before I left town will use the rest for cooking.
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7/7/2007 - cab wrote:
Had let this sit for a year, hoping it would settle down, but still incredibly sulphuric. Interesting, different sips had different rich aspects, for example, the classic cab franc floweriness came through once, but I think the only thing to do with the one remaining bottle is let it sit for a few years and hope for the best.
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12/17/2006 - jahlove wrote: 90 Points
Lovely wine. Had I had it blind, it would have guessed Bordeaux Cru Bourgeois. Great earthy nose. Ripest Cab Franc I've ever had. Loads of fine sediment, which was not expected for such a young wine. Must have been unfiltered. A classic Cab Franc and a good introduction to Loire red.
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5/25/2006 - cab wrote:
Generally have loved this producer and like cab franc, but disappointed in this wine, especially at over $20. Chalky, peppery, flowery up front but fades fast. Just not quite enough fruit there. A little thin and weedy. Not undrinkable and not wholly unenjoyable, but sadly one dimensional. As Ann puts it, like the initial taste, but waiting for the fruitiness and instead it sort of fades away. Also the nose is a somewhat sewery, a descriptor I can actually use in a positive way, but here it sort of drags things down.
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