Opened last night and finished tonight. Can't say I'm really too impressed. This seemed hard from start to finish, with little charm or flesh. Dark cherry was somewhat in evidence, but not enough to matter. This still looks young and seems to have some tannin; could it simply need more time? The drinking windows on CT don't suggest as much, but stranger things have happened I suppose. 4-11-13-6: 84/100.
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Restrained and unsweet fruit. Minerals, berries, herbs and a hint of cinnamon/clove; noticeably acidic but not overly acidic. Does not overpower with fruit or sweetness -- a good thing. Medium to lighter in weight. Opens up in glass over an hour. Nice wine. A good wine with food.
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This bottle is outstanding with its spicy cherry fruit, earthiness, smooth tannins, and bright acidity. It has a medium finish and it fully mature. However, it should continue to age well for several more years.
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This wine has earthy, spicy red fruit, plus good minerality and acidity. I don’t really detect any oak or perhaps it is just a little bit of oak that is well integrated. It is light to medium bodied and a delight to drink right now.
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My first de Villaine red, I'm chagrined to say. I have never been in love with Mercurey dating back 40 years to early experiences that were too earthy for me, almost dirt floor-like. Funny how these silly prejudices endure. But you can't say no to anything with this label and it was a gift from my brother so I had nothing to lose but my preconceptions.
Unsurprisingly given the pedigree it's very good. Some early rusticity did appear but yielded quickly to airy pinot red berry fruit, restrained minerality (that tasting term didn't exist in the late ''70s), a welcome burst of sweet cherry toward the finish and taut acid structure that makes this appealing and quite refreshing.It's funny now but every time I get the sensation of refreshment, I instinctively grab the bottle to see the labeled ABV. 12.5%. It's tempting to say global warming will make this style of Burgundy (lean but evident fruit, balanced, acid-driven) effectively obsolete. I'm not so sure...
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A lighter weight red burgundy, but an excellent style. On the palate, a dominate acid base with spice, citrus and fruit well balanced. A hint of oak. An excellent earthy fruit and spice finish that is not too sweet. A type of a richness in a lighter body and not too ripe style of wine. A wine that will match with food.
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This has been open 24 hours, and seemed better when first opened. Tonight, it is tight and austere, with a very earthy, less fresh, less fruity profile. Nevertheless, I think this needs time to soften and show more charm. 4-11-14-7: 86/100.
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Pinot Noir (SFWTC): Red fruits, a bit of thin acid; palate has light tannins but slightly gritty, red fruits, nice medium to medium-plus acid; short-medium finish. Good but at the level of a Bourgogne and overpriced for what it is. 88-89
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Bu en succ avec le conseiller avec les 2 autres rouges Digoine et La Fortune sur 2014. Assez léger ici aussi mais plus de fruit que la Fortune. Belle fraicheur, Minéral et poivré avec une finale de longueur moyenne, bien.
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2014 de Villaine Wines with Winemaker Pierre de Benoist (Dig Wines, San Francisco): Light muddled red. Fragrant and herbal, menthol, and soil. Very light, ferrous, much leaner than the Digoine. The barest hint of upfront sweetness, but not at all about the blacker fruit. Hard to taste after Digoine, much grainier finish and more acidic. More like a thin, generic Bourgogne than the others. My least favorite red.
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2/28/2024 - MicklethePickle wrote: 84 Points
Opened last night and finished tonight. Can't say I'm really too impressed. This seemed hard from start to finish, with little charm or flesh. Dark cherry was somewhat in evidence, but not enough to matter. This still looks young and seems to have some tannin; could it simply need more time? The drinking windows on CT don't suggest as much, but stranger things have happened I suppose. 4-11-13-6: 84/100.
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6/27/2022 - davidb18 Likes this wine: 92 Points
excellent. Balance of fruit, minerals and herbs. Softened by the cellar time. And years to go.
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1/18/2022 - davidb18 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Restrained and unsweet fruit. Minerals, berries, herbs and a hint of cinnamon/clove; noticeably acidic but not overly acidic. Does not overpower with fruit or sweetness -- a good thing. Medium to lighter in weight. Opens up in glass over an hour. Nice wine. A good wine with food.
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11/22/2021 - Wining around the world wrote: flawed
Second bottle in a row oxidised and undrinkable
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10/4/2021 - JM_MadTown Likes this wine: 91 Points
Same notes as my last bottle. It has lots of spicy cherry fruit, good minerality and a medium finish. Very enjoyable.
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9/1/2021 - JM_MadTown Likes this wine: 91 Points
Another nice bottle of this wine. Lots of spicy cherry fruit and minerality plus a medium finish.
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7/12/2021 - JM_MadTown Likes this wine: 92 Points
This bottle is outstanding with its spicy cherry fruit, earthiness, smooth tannins, and bright acidity. It has a medium finish and it fully mature. However, it should continue to age well for several more years.
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5/8/2021 - JM_MadTown Likes this wine: 89 Points
This wine has earthy, spicy red fruit, plus good minerality and acidity. I don’t really detect any oak or perhaps it is just a little bit of oak that is well integrated. It is light to medium bodied and a delight to drink right now.
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4/19/2021 - bevetroppo Likes this wine: 89 Points
My first de Villaine red, I'm chagrined to say. I have never been in love with Mercurey dating back 40 years to early experiences that were too earthy for me, almost dirt floor-like. Funny how these silly prejudices endure. But you can't say no to anything with this label and it was a gift from my brother so I had nothing to lose but my preconceptions.
Unsurprisingly given the pedigree it's very good. Some early rusticity did appear but yielded quickly to airy pinot red berry fruit, restrained minerality (that tasting term didn't exist in the late ''70s), a welcome burst of sweet cherry toward the finish and taut acid structure that makes this appealing and quite refreshing.It's funny now but every time I get the sensation of refreshment, I instinctively grab the bottle to see the labeled ABV. 12.5%. It's tempting to say global warming will make this style of Burgundy (lean but evident fruit, balanced, acid-driven) effectively obsolete. I'm not so sure...
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8/30/2020 - davidb18 Likes this wine: 92 Points
A lighter weight red burgundy, but an excellent style. On the palate, a dominate acid base with spice, citrus and fruit well balanced. A hint of oak. An excellent earthy fruit and spice finish that is not too sweet. A type of a richness in a lighter body and not too ripe style of wine. A wine that will match with food.
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6/21/2020 - Mculfsson Likes this wine: 90 Points
Very nice pinot in the lighter style, full of clear but discreet red fruit. I think it will hold another few years.
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8/27/2018 - cos65 Likes this wine:
Light ruby
Juicy refreshing acidity and Red fruits, but finishes a bit chunky and rustic. Tasty now, i worry this could lose its charm with time?
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10/8/2017 - pinotwok Likes this wine: 89 Points
Ein leichter, filigraner Wein, Walderdbeere, florale Noten, etwas Pinot-Würze. Am Gaumen noch nicht ganz integriert, braucht noch ein paar Jahre.
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9/25/2017 - MicklethePickle wrote: 86 Points
This has been open 24 hours, and seemed better when first opened. Tonight, it is tight and austere, with a very earthy, less fresh, less fruity profile. Nevertheless, I think this needs time to soften and show more charm. 4-11-14-7: 86/100.
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3/25/2017 - aagrawal wrote: 89 Points
Pinot Noir (SFWTC): Red fruits, a bit of thin acid; palate has light tannins but slightly gritty, red fruits, nice medium to medium-plus acid; short-medium finish. Good but at the level of a Bourgogne and overpriced for what it is. 88-89
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3/23/2017 - fcxj wrote: 86 Points
Stem and earth nose, expressive. Palate bit too rustic for my liking.
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9/6/2016 - maxima wrote: 89 Points
Bu en succ avec le conseiller avec les 2 autres rouges Digoine et La Fortune sur 2014.
Assez léger ici aussi mais plus de fruit que la Fortune.
Belle fraicheur, Minéral et poivré avec une finale de longueur moyenne, bien.
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4/23/2016 - drwine2001 wrote:
2014 de Villaine Wines with Winemaker Pierre de Benoist (Dig Wines, San Francisco): Light muddled red. Fragrant and herbal, menthol, and soil. Very light, ferrous, much leaner than the Digoine. The barest hint of upfront sweetness, but not at all about the blacker fruit. Hard to taste after Digoine, much grainier finish and more acidic. More like a thin, generic Bourgogne than the others. My least favorite red.
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