Another great showing for this wine despite lack of time settling and warming up. Cork in good condition for a change. Not decanted. The wine opened up nicely in the glass showing great complexity, rich texture and outstanding ripeness. Aromas covering the full spectrum from overripe fruit, "garrigue", spices, coffee and chocolate. Sufficient acidity to keep fresh. This wine continues to amaze me!
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This wine showed so well last night. Cork in excellent condition. Intense, very ripe fruit with the expected "garrique" components. Nicely balanced, not over the top, intense lingering Syrah dominated fruit. Drink over next couple of years.
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The harmony in this wine, at age 21, grabs you like a tight jazz quartet at bar time: Seamless, resonant, and impressively distinct. I recently had the 1990 Vieux Telegraphe, and this wine strikes similar chords (albeit with less complexity): sweet black fruits, garrigue, scorched earth, and a long lingering finish of spice, stony minerality, and balanced southern Rhône fruit. I suspect it will not decay in the near term, but even if well cellared it should be drunk in the next 3-5 years.
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A significantly better bottle of this wine, which leads me to agree with the people stating that the wine is not ( significantly) past its peak yet. No acetaldehyde this time, great texture, nice fruit, clean and long finish. Exactly what I was hoping for. Drink soon though...
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While it clearly peaked a few years ago, it is still very pleasant. There has already been a drop in fruit on the nose, which has taken on a much more evolved character. Also a whiff of acetaldehyde, showing that the decline has been going on for a while. for those who take; yes it has a very deep near opaque hue. significant alcohol level as you would expect with the presence of Grenache but still pleasant. Currently dominated by a garrigue, cloves, alcohol, slightly jam mix that will please most wine drinkers. It was probably a very nice wine some 5-8 years ago. I will drink the rest within the next year.
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Very very good. Not over the hill, spot on balance between fruit, tertiary, Brett, garrigue. Consistent aswell, So far 5 bottles from a case all the same. No noticeable cork taint or oxidisation. Highly recommended for those who love rustic, mature, complex wine. No rating given as 100 point scale does not appeal to me.
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Lots of wines for a 25/50 Party (Lori & Mike's 25/50 Party): My last bottle of this in the cellar. Prior bottles had a lot Brett, but this one was pretty clean. Ruby/purple in color. The nose has black cherries, some slight funk and earthiness. Medium bodied. On the palate, nice cherries and layers of earthiness. Nice acidity. This is drinking well and fully mature at this point. This was one of the better bottles of this I have opened.
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This Languedoc has held up very nicely through the last 13 years since I bought it for $18. Still tastes a lot like it did on release actually, maybe a bit softer and less intense, but the same flavors of tar, blueberry, black pepper, brine and dark minerals. The dominant force in the wine is its spicy fruit, and the fruit is savory and brambly, showing off the Syrah in the blend. Lots of lively acidity keeps it fresh. The bouquet is really the best part, very floral with a beguiling earthy-herby undertone. Not complex nor deep, but highly enjoyable. 87-88.
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Sad to see this go. I bought a case upon release and it was good every time. Even 12 years in this is still full of flavor. Licorice and garrigue with a syrupy consistency. If only this wine were still available in the US or at least on the west coast I would buy it regularly.
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Still kicking. A bit of the fruit has diminished but the herbal, licorice and olive flavors are all there. Long finish. Slight hint of oxidation I don't recall from earlier bottles, perhaps age related. I really wish this wine were still easy to obtain in the US.
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Deep ruby/garnet core, medium pale ruby rim. Intense, if not particularly aromatic nose, quite developed with liquorice, earth, herbs, hint of chocolate. Full bodied on the palate with slightly chewy tannins and moderate acidity. Showing earthy dark fruit, herbal notes, some attractive savouriness and a slightly firm medium/good length finish. Quite tasty if lacking in precision and a bit ungainly.
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This has taken about a decade, but it all of the tannins are finally resolved. Its mellow, sweet and meaty. A great value and went well with the lamb stew tonight.
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I was shocked how good this was. This bottle was poorly stored on the floor of our kitchen for a decade. I opened it as a pop-and-dump because I was certain that it was bad. Wow! It was great. Wine of the night! Not over the hill at all, smooth and delicious - without the dreaded Brett.
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Very impressive deep red with slim yellow rim, 6. Sunny mature style, loads of dark berries, not tertiary notes. Some tannin and fine finish. Could maybe be more expressive but very much alive and I suspect it will develop even further. Then higher score. Drink now - 2015.
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Still stormin. This continues to be a very pleasurable wine. No sense of being on a downward trajectory. Rich cherry and herbal nose. Tart cherry, chocolate and garrigue flavors. Nice mouthfeel. What a bargain this was.
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Dark red to rim. Medium intensity nose of sweet cherry, dark berries, tar and smoke, plus a hint of herbs. Full body, nice balance, ripe fruits, roasted meats on the palate, well integrated tannins, long finish tapering off to raisiny sweetness mixed with smoky tannins. Over a few hours, some raspberry notes start to appear in the mix. Excellent.
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Popped and poured. The nose is initially dominated by strong stable and meat aroma's. The palate is rich, with plums and dark fruits, intermingled with kirsch, spices and refreshing acidity. Let's see how this evolves over the next few hours. Over the course of the evening this became fruitier, deeper en complexer on both the palate and the nose. A very serious, delicious dead ringer for a good CDP, rather than a Cote Rotie some people compare this with. Probably the best value in wine I've ever bought. Still got two.
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Deep with a garnet rim. Evolved nose with black olive, putty, sandalwood, black cherry and plum. Good intensity of fruit with full, ripe tannins. Good length with mediterranean herbs and raisined fruit lingering. Good but not quite as good as one 2 months back. Drinking best now.
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bright candied fruit, too candied, lavender, medium body, medium length, very good-excellent but not in the mood for it, mellows a bit after an hour to become a little smokier and complex, better; even better the next day, mellower and more complce
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Very saturated, medium dark red. While this smelled and felt off initially, with hours of slow oxygenation and especially a day in the fridge it uncoils, showing the power and depth I recall from several years ago. Very mediterranean nose of warm spices enlivening ever-sweetening fruit. The sweetness really carries through to the flavors, which present themselves with importance if not much elegance. But this is a wine of the South first and foremost, and a fantastic one at that.
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Deep ruby core, pale bright ruby rim. Ripe nose, plums, spice, hints of chocolate and minerals. Medium + bodied with ripe plums, chocolate and minerals. Maybe a touch over-ripe with a slight note of raisins. Slightly harsh tannins, but sufficient acidity and vanilla notes on a good length finish. Enjoyable now, will probably improve.
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the oak has integrated for the most part, now an accent not the heart of the mix. Nice smoky blackberry Syrah fruit, big but with a sense of sprightliness. I drank my others too early. This is quite pleasing now, with leather and grilled meat aromas over the deep dark fruit. Good finish
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6/25/2022 - Cikgoo Likes this wine: 93 Points
Solid
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4/22/2020 - vagrantone Likes this wine: 91 Points
Another great showing for this wine despite lack of time settling and warming up.
Cork in good condition for a change. Not decanted.
The wine opened up nicely in the glass showing great complexity, rich texture and outstanding ripeness. Aromas covering the full spectrum from overripe fruit, "garrigue", spices, coffee and chocolate. Sufficient acidity to keep fresh. This wine continues to amaze me!
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5/16/2019 - humagne wrote: 93 Points
Gettin better and better. Showed well with some maturity and sweetness but not at all tired. Good to drink but no hurry.
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3/7/2019 - vagrantone Likes this wine: 91 Points
This wine showed so well last night.
Cork in excellent condition.
Intense, very ripe fruit with the expected "garrique" components.
Nicely balanced, not over the top, intense lingering Syrah dominated fruit.
Drink over next couple of years.
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1/6/2019 - SMWSLT Likes this wine: 93 Points
The harmony in this wine, at age 21, grabs you like a tight jazz quartet at bar time: Seamless, resonant, and impressively distinct. I recently had the 1990 Vieux Telegraphe, and this wine strikes similar chords (albeit with less complexity): sweet black fruits, garrigue, scorched earth, and a long lingering finish of spice, stony minerality, and balanced southern Rhône fruit. I suspect it will not decay in the near term, but even if well cellared it should be drunk in the next 3-5 years.
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12/6/2017 - cweiss wrote:
Best bottle I've had so far. Sweet fruit, with just enough rusticity and structure.
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12/5/2017 - vagrantone Likes this wine: 90 Points
A significantly better bottle of this wine, which leads me to agree with the people stating that the wine is not ( significantly) past its peak yet. No acetaldehyde this time, great texture, nice fruit, clean and long finish. Exactly what I was hoping for. Drink soon though...
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4/10/2017 - vagrantone Likes this wine: 88 Points
While it clearly peaked a few years ago, it is still very pleasant. There has already been a drop in fruit on the nose, which has taken on a much more evolved character. Also a whiff of acetaldehyde, showing that the decline has been going on for a while.
for those who take; yes it has a very deep near opaque hue. significant alcohol level as you would expect with the presence of Grenache but still pleasant. Currently dominated by a garrigue, cloves, alcohol, slightly jam mix that will please most wine drinkers. It was probably a very nice wine some 5-8 years ago. I will drink the rest within the next year.
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9/1/2016 - Owen97 Likes this wine:
Very very good. Not over the hill, spot on balance between fruit, tertiary, Brett, garrigue. Consistent aswell, So far 5 bottles from a case all the same. No noticeable cork taint or oxidisation. Highly recommended for those who love rustic, mature, complex wine. No rating given as 100 point scale does not appeal to me.
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6/4/2016 - finewinebuff57 wrote: 91 Points
Principally Syrah with some Grenache. Serious and very good indeed. I'd say only approaching its peak and will last.
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8/9/2015 - Loren Sonkin wrote: 91 Points
Lots of wines for a 25/50 Party (Lori & Mike's 25/50 Party): My last bottle of this in the cellar. Prior bottles had a lot Brett, but this one was pretty clean. Ruby/purple in color. The nose has black cherries, some slight funk and earthiness. Medium bodied. On the palate, nice cherries and layers of earthiness. Nice acidity. This is drinking well and fully mature at this point. This was one of the better bottles of this I have opened.
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9/4/2013 - blanquito wrote: 87 Points
This Languedoc has held up very nicely through the last 13 years since I bought it for $18. Still tastes a lot like it did on release actually, maybe a bit softer and less intense, but the same flavors of tar, blueberry, black pepper, brine and dark minerals. The dominant force in the wine is its spicy fruit, and the fruit is savory and brambly, showing off the Syrah in the blend. Lots of lively acidity keeps it fresh. The bouquet is really the best part, very floral with a beguiling earthy-herby undertone. Not complex nor deep, but highly enjoyable. 87-88.
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7/6/2012 - dfeiner wrote: 91 Points
Sad to see this go. I bought a case upon release and it was good every time. Even 12 years in this is still full of flavor. Licorice and garrigue with a syrupy consistency. If only this wine were still available in the US or at least on the west coast I would buy it regularly.
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8/3/2011 - dfeiner wrote: 90 Points
Still kicking. A bit of the fruit has diminished but the herbal, licorice and olive flavors are all there. Long finish. Slight hint of oxidation I don't recall from earlier bottles, perhaps age related. I really wish this wine were still easy to obtain in the US.
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5/14/2011 - dfeiner wrote: 90 Points
This is still really fine. Lots of garrigue in the nose and that licorice, herb and black fruit taste. Wish I could get more.
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4/9/2011 - Paul D wrote: 86 Points
Deep ruby/garnet core, medium pale ruby rim. Intense, if not particularly aromatic nose, quite developed with liquorice, earth, herbs, hint of chocolate. Full bodied on the palate with slightly chewy tannins and moderate acidity. Showing earthy dark fruit, herbal notes, some attractive savouriness and a slightly firm medium/good length finish. Quite tasty if lacking in precision and a bit ungainly.
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2/16/2011 - CerveloGuy wrote:
This has taken about a decade, but it all of the tannins are finally resolved. Its mellow, sweet and meaty. A great value and went well with the lamb stew tonight.
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12/15/2010 - PortFanatic wrote: 91 Points
I was shocked how good this was. This bottle was poorly stored on the floor of our kitchen for a decade. I opened it as a pop-and-dump because I was certain that it was bad. Wow! It was great. Wine of the night! Not over the hill at all, smooth and delicious - without the dreaded Brett.
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8/23/2010 - humagne wrote: 90 Points
Still primary fruit, pepper and spices. Powerful and long, with melted tannins. This is getting drinkable now.
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12/5/2009 - asgerG wrote: 89 Points
Very impressive deep red with slim yellow rim, 6. Sunny mature style, loads of dark berries, not tertiary notes. Some tannin and fine finish. Could maybe be more expressive but very much alive and I suspect it will develop even further. Then higher score. Drink now - 2015.
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7/5/2009 - cweiss wrote:
Dong Khahn. Still very big. Bold grenache flavors. Quite good though certainly not elegant.
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5/19/2009 - dfeiner wrote: 90 Points
Still stormin. This continues to be a very pleasurable wine. No sense of being on a downward trajectory. Rich cherry and herbal nose. Tart cherry, chocolate and garrigue flavors. Nice mouthfeel. What a bargain this was.
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1/10/2009 - dbg wrote:
Dark red to rim. Medium intensity nose of sweet cherry, dark berries, tar and smoke, plus a hint of herbs. Full body, nice balance, ripe fruits, roasted meats on the palate, well integrated tannins, long finish tapering off to raisiny sweetness mixed with smoky tannins. Over a few hours, some raspberry notes start to appear in the mix. Excellent.
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4/19/2008 - dfeiner wrote: 92 Points
See last note. This was more of the same. Drinking amazingly well right now.
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4/7/2008 - dfeiner wrote: 91 Points
Wow. 10 years after vintage and still fresh and totally enjoyable.
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4/2/2008 - Jozefs wrote: 93 Points
Popped and poured. The nose is initially dominated by strong stable and meat aroma's. The palate is rich, with plums and dark fruits, intermingled with kirsch, spices and refreshing acidity. Let's see how this evolves over the next few hours. Over the course of the evening this became fruitier, deeper en complexer on both the palate and the nose. A very serious, delicious dead ringer for a good CDP, rather than a Cote Rotie some people compare this with. Probably the best value in wine I've ever bought. Still got two.
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2/2/2008 - Art_Vandelay wrote: 90 Points
Deep with a garnet rim. Evolved nose with black olive, putty, sandalwood, black cherry and plum. Good intensity of fruit with full, ripe tannins. Good length with mediterranean herbs and raisined fruit lingering. Good but not quite as good as one 2 months back. Drinking best now.
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12/14/2007 - dbg wrote:
bright candied fruit, too candied, lavender, medium body, medium
length, very good-excellent but not in the mood for it, mellows a
bit after an hour to become a little smokier and complex, better;
even better the next day, mellower and more complce
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12/12/2007 - tcfishler wrote: 92 Points
Very saturated, medium dark red. While this smelled and felt off initially, with hours of slow oxygenation and especially a day in the fridge it uncoils, showing the power and depth I recall from several years ago. Very mediterranean nose of warm spices enlivening ever-sweetening fruit. The sweetness really carries through to the flavors, which present themselves with importance if not much elegance. But this is a wine of the South first and foremost, and a fantastic one at that.
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10/10/2006 - Paul D wrote: 85 Points
Deep ruby core, pale bright ruby rim.
Ripe nose, plums, spice, hints of chocolate and minerals.
Medium + bodied with ripe plums, chocolate and minerals. Maybe a touch over-ripe with a slight note of raisins. Slightly harsh tannins, but sufficient acidity and vanilla notes on a good length finish.
Enjoyable now, will probably improve.
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3/3/2006 - dbg wrote:
excellent
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2/20/2006 - DaleW wrote: 91 Points
the oak has integrated for the most part, now an accent not the heart of the mix. Nice smoky blackberry Syrah fruit, big but with a sense of sprightliness. I drank my others too early. This is quite pleasing now, with leather and grilled meat aromas over the deep dark fruit. Good finish
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2/19/2006 - johnleeper wrote: 91 Points
Dark fruits, smoke, earth and some spice.
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12/9/2005 - johnleeper wrote: 90 Points
Excellent Syrah. Dense texture with dark fruit still very dominant.
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11/11/2005 - dbg wrote:
excellent
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