Stone, graham cracker, black pepper, black raspberry, touch of olive. I agree with others, that this wine deserves praise, but keep in mind this is a new world style through and through. This is a dense, hedonistic beast (and if you’re expecting otherwise, you will be disappointed and I will default to the comments of violistus).
This wine still has 5+ years.
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I'm a Bandol freak, so I was thrilled when I learned this was an homage to that appellation and to Tempier. This was a huge disappointment. Of course, I was drinking this with an open mind, taking it for what it is, and with a genuine like for Washington wines influenced by the Northern Rhone (i.e. Gramercy Cellars), but this wine was SWEET. I thought it was flabby, lacking any tannic spine, and it was extremely fruity. There was loads of candied fruit, both red and purple, and a strong scent of lipstick and violets. It was rich and broad, lazy and flat, with too much oak and cream. I would have guessed there was a lot more Grenache in the mix.
Completely different experience than the Wine Spectator review! Not an olive in sight, and not a rebuy for me.
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Pulled this dusty bottle out from the back of the cellar. What a delight! Still solid and rich with stone fruit flavors and robust tannins to balance. A commemorative bottle from B. Leighton that does its honor proud. Thank you to the winery for this treasure to enjoy on my birthday.
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Brennan Leighton keeps on making great Pacific NW wines. I love the boldness and earthiness. Still several years of life and will only get better. Drink now through 2025. I agree with other review that the wine warrants better scores.
PS. Try his Olsen Bro’s. Syrah. 2016 is killer. At $40, a steal for this limited production winery.
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CT scores are way too low on this guy. Pro scores much more realistic. delicious Rhone blend. suave tannin glide across the palate. Wonderful red fruit at its core with a bit of citrus and herbs/menthol on the back end. Showing no signs of fading. decanted 1 hour and drank over the next 2
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A co-fermeted, 33 days at least on the skin. Brendon helped plant the vineyard. Made for his wife and all the other people, supposed to be a Domaine Tempier look alike. Dark and red fruit, and pretty I am being told. More powerful to me. Big mid palate, but works it out.
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Definitely doesn't flag as a Grenache, nor is this soft by any means. Pretty serious fruit, nice acid, and it paired well with both garbanzo beans with a hint of Middle East spices and the coconut cake dessert we had.
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Dark ruby. Dark fruits and sweet spices on the nose. Add licorice on the palate. Easy to drink, but I get that processed feeling I’ve been getting from most of C. Smiths 13 and 14 releases. I hope it’s not a trend. His wines used to be some of the best values out there.
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Wonderful light rustic red blend paired with Korean pork tenderloin. Ripe cherry and plum nose. Delicate cherry and apricots flavors with a blackberry finish. Moderate tannins balance it out. Looking forward to the next bottle from the cellar.
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This wine is listed here as grenache however it is actually a blend of 70% mourvedre, 25% grenache, and 5% syrah. This is a big, concentrated wine with tons of dark fruit and secondary notes of ash, dried herbs, and a bit of funk thrown in there as well.
A bit jammy at the moment but then again this is very young and rambunctious right now. I have a 2nd bottle and will try to give it a good couple of years before touching that one. I expect the fruit will tame down somewhat and more secondary flavors will emerge.
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4/13/2022 - deetz Likes this wine: 93 Points
Stone, graham cracker, black pepper, black raspberry, touch of olive. I agree with others, that this wine deserves praise, but keep in mind this is a new world style through and through. This is a dense, hedonistic beast (and if you’re expecting otherwise, you will be disappointed and I will default to the comments of violistus).
This wine still has 5+ years.
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2/27/2022 - tannictongue Likes this wine:
This is not my favorite offering from Brennon but still. Wry tasty.
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10/25/2020 - violistus Does not like this wine: 84 Points
I'm a Bandol freak, so I was thrilled when I learned this was an homage to that appellation and to Tempier. This was a huge disappointment. Of course, I was drinking this with an open mind, taking it for what it is, and with a genuine like for Washington wines influenced by the Northern Rhone (i.e. Gramercy Cellars), but this wine was SWEET. I thought it was flabby, lacking any tannic spine, and it was extremely fruity. There was loads of candied fruit, both red and purple, and a strong scent of lipstick and violets. It was rich and broad, lazy and flat, with too much oak and cream. I would have guessed there was a lot more Grenache in the mix.
Completely different experience than the Wine Spectator review! Not an olive in sight, and not a rebuy for me.
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9/4/2020 - VinZen wrote: 90 Points
Pulled this dusty bottle out from the back of the cellar. What a delight! Still solid and rich with stone fruit flavors and robust tannins to balance. A commemorative bottle from B. Leighton that does its honor proud. Thank you to the winery for this treasure to enjoy on my birthday.
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7/10/2020 - tannictongue Likes this wine: 92 Points
Brennan Leighton keeps on making great Pacific NW wines. I love the boldness and earthiness. Still several years of life and will only get better. Drink now through 2025. I agree with other review that the wine warrants better scores.
PS. Try his Olsen Bro’s. Syrah. 2016 is killer. At $40, a steal for this limited production winery.
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9/28/2019 - VinZen Likes this wine: 89 Points
Good sub for a pinot noir when facing salmon. Dry, lots of stone fruit and terroir. Light but firm body with a dusty finish.
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5/23/2019 - TallMikeWine Likes this wine: 90 Points
Nice...full body, rustic. Lots to say. Probably try another one in a year. A good 3-5 left for sure.
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5/13/2019 - ChrisWagner Likes this wine: 91 Points
Very nice. Glycerin prevalent. Tootsie rolls for days.
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1/27/2019 - wiscgrad wrote: 93 Points
CT scores are way too low on this guy. Pro scores much more realistic. delicious Rhone blend. suave tannin glide across the palate. Wonderful red fruit at its core with a bit of citrus and herbs/menthol on the back end. Showing no signs of fading. decanted 1 hour and drank over the next 2
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8/30/2018 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
Full and with a solid mid palate. Rounded.
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8/30/2018 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
A co-fermeted, 33 days at least on the skin. Brendon helped plant the vineyard. Made for his wife and all the other people, supposed to be a Domaine Tempier look alike. Dark and red fruit, and pretty I am being told. More powerful to me. Big mid palate, but works it out.
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3/19/2018 - THECORKDORK Likes this wine: 90 Points
Lighter than expected. Ripe blueberries, smashed herbs, cocoa. Good steak wine!
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2/16/2018 - tombiro Likes this wine: 88 Points
Definitely doesn't flag as a Grenache, nor is this soft by any means. Pretty serious fruit, nice acid, and it paired well with both garbanzo beans with a hint of Middle East spices and the coconut cake dessert we had.
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1/7/2018 - Teknsteel Likes this wine: 88 Points
Dark ruby. Dark fruits and sweet spices on the nose. Add licorice on the palate. Easy to drink, but I get that processed feeling I’ve been getting from most of C. Smiths 13 and 14 releases. I hope it’s not a trend. His wines used to be some of the best values out there.
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1/1/2018 - Jamesgold Likes this wine: 95 Points
Hit of the New Year’s Party.
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3/10/2017 - VinZen Likes this wine: 87 Points
Wonderful light rustic red blend paired with Korean pork tenderloin. Ripe cherry and plum nose. Delicate cherry and apricots flavors with a blackberry finish. Moderate tannins balance it out. Looking forward to the next bottle from the cellar.
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10/6/2016 - 3daywinereview.com wrote: 84 Points
Underbrush, fruits and spice. Simple wine not that exciting.
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9/2/2016 - brown57 Likes this wine: 92 Points
This wine is listed here as grenache however it is actually a blend of 70% mourvedre, 25% grenache, and 5% syrah. This is a big, concentrated wine with tons of dark fruit and secondary notes of ash, dried herbs, and a bit of funk thrown in there as well.
A bit jammy at the moment but then again this is very young and rambunctious right now. I have a 2nd bottle and will try to give it a good couple of years before touching that one. I expect the fruit will tame down somewhat and more secondary flavors will emerge.
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