Vinetasters: Châteauneuf-du-Pape (Skokie, IL): Served double blind. The nose on this feels a little dumb to start. There's a slight bit of brett, but it's restrained. This one shows a little more ripeness and alcoholic heat, but the palate seems a little watery at the same time. Lots and lots of tannin here. While this is still fairly good, it's not as complete as many of the other wines. My 8th, group's 8th.
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Cork came out in one piece even with a regular screwdriver. Definite orange rim to this aged wine. Very reticent when first opened ( 2 nights ago) with a typical CDP nose of leather and maybe a little blood. On the palate initially very pronounced tannins which softened with air. Wine peaked after about 4 hours after opening and with lots of decanting and swirling. Decent plum and other reddish fruit and a nice finish that lingered a few seconds. Finishing the rest of it after two days the fruit is less pronounced and the tannins are starting to dominate. But it was worthwhile drinking this wine, probably should have had it a few years ago.
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Tasted at the June 2012 IWFSC monthly dinner at The Racquet Club. Served with cheese course - Humboldt Fog, Munster Gerome, 5-year Gouda. Purchased on release. The color is reddish-brown. The nose shows plums. The palate still has some good, but balanced tannins and acidity with plum and cherry flavors. IMHO, the wine is fully mature or just past and should be drunk soon. Others thought that the wine actually needed more time, but I don't see any evidence of that. Drink up.
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Nice rusty color, light berry and iodine nose, mild fullness mouthfeel, earthy tightness, good time to open this if you have it still, lovely CNP, for a 23 yr old wine this holding up quite well. Enjoyed with a wegman's prime ribeye and seared fois gras....so maybe skewed to the upsize
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Medium red. Aged nose, bit of horse blanket and earth. all of the beautiful qualities an aged Southern Rhone should show. Even though the weight and glass style said Burgundy i was pretty sure this was a CdP. No real black pepper from the Syrah though. Great smooth finish. Excellent wine at a perfect place right now.
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Culinary Team Canada Dinner (Ray's House): Served along side the Bonny Doon. Originally I preferred the Bonny Doon, but as the wines opened up this one serged ahead.
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The color is very deep and dark. The only sign of age is a overall touch of amber. The nose shows Asian and baking spices, lavender, and blackberry Jello (?). The palate is thick and lush with tastes of dried herbs, minerality, and sweet black fruit. While the palate is lush, I do not find it to be seamless. It seems to be breaking apart a bit. After about 3 hours of air, a prominent alcohol note comes out. Overall I find this wine a bit simple for a good producer from a top vintage. Paired very well, however, with brisket.
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12/30/2019 - VB9 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Subdued nose, good moderately dark color with slightly browning edges with a medium to full complex body and a long complex aftertaste. 3.8/5
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9/16/2018 - acyso wrote: 88 Points
Vinetasters: Châteauneuf-du-Pape (Skokie, IL): Served double blind. The nose on this feels a little dumb to start. There's a slight bit of brett, but it's restrained. This one shows a little more ripeness and alcoholic heat, but the palate seems a little watery at the same time. Lots and lots of tannin here. While this is still fairly good, it's not as complete as many of the other wines. My 8th, group's 8th.
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11/4/2016 - ElAzul Likes this wine: 88 Points
Cork came out in one piece even with a regular screwdriver. Definite orange rim to this aged wine. Very reticent when first opened ( 2 nights ago) with a typical CDP nose of leather and maybe a little blood. On the palate initially very pronounced tannins which softened with air. Wine peaked after about 4 hours after opening and with lots of decanting and swirling. Decent plum and other reddish fruit and a nice finish that lingered a few seconds. Finishing the rest of it after two days the fruit is less pronounced and the tannins are starting to dominate. But it was worthwhile drinking this wine, probably should have had it a few years ago.
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6/13/2012 - Border Boss wrote: 88 Points
Tasted at the June 2012 IWFSC monthly dinner at The Racquet Club. Served with cheese course - Humboldt Fog, Munster Gerome, 5-year Gouda. Purchased on release. The color is reddish-brown. The nose shows plums. The palate still has some good, but balanced tannins and acidity with plum and cherry flavors. IMHO, the wine is fully mature or just past and should be drunk soon. Others thought that the wine actually needed more time, but I don't see any evidence of that. Drink up.
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1/28/2012 - NTR wrote: 92 Points
Nice rusty color, light berry and iodine nose, mild fullness mouthfeel, earthy tightness, good time to open this if you have it still, lovely CNP, for a 23 yr old wine this holding up quite well. Enjoyed with a wegman's prime ribeye and seared fois gras....so maybe skewed to the upsize
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7/6/2009 - PinotDude wrote:
Decanted, needed 1-2 hours of breathing to come together. Past its prime but very pleasurable
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1/19/2009 - David J Cooper wrote:
Medium red. Aged nose, bit of horse blanket and earth. all of the beautiful qualities an aged Southern Rhone should show. Even though the weight and glass style said Burgundy i was pretty sure this was a CdP. No real black pepper from the Syrah though. Great smooth finish. Excellent wine at a perfect place right now.
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2/22/2008 - lestergibo wrote: 93 Points
At its peak.
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2/1/2008 - DelYap wrote: 91 Points
Culinary Team Canada Dinner (Ray's House): Served along side the Bonny Doon. Originally I preferred the Bonny Doon, but as the wines opened up this one serged ahead.
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12/12/2006 - Jeff Leve wrote: 85 Points
One dimensional and probably slightly past its prime
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12/12/2004 - Jason wrote: 89 Points
The color is very deep and dark. The only sign of age is a overall touch of amber. The nose shows Asian and baking spices, lavender, and blackberry Jello (?). The palate is thick and lush with tastes of dried herbs, minerality, and sweet black fruit. While the palate is lush, I do not find it to be seamless. It seems to be breaking apart a bit. After about 3 hours of air, a prominent alcohol note comes out. Overall I find this wine a bit simple for a good producer from a top vintage. Paired very well, however, with brisket.
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