Very smooth but still has lots of fruit. The other reviewers must not have much experience with aged wine. It may be just past it’s prime, but only just.
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Definitely in the middle of fading. I am convinced Chimney Rock wines are meant to be drunk in the first 3-6 years from release. Each one was vibrant and fresh upon the first year of release, but years later have fallen out of balance as they have aged. The fruit has not remained, while the higher alcohol and tannin remain steadfast.
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We had a wonderful dinner with friends and opened 1998-2002 Chimney Rock Elevage wines. This wine was noticably more oxidized/browner than the other vintage. It also showed more tannins and was probably the least favorite of the evening (the 2001-2002 were consumed first). But oddly, some glasses tasted very dry and full of tannin and one was very fruity. We were sure that we'd just mis-identified the wine, but with a re-pour from the properly labeled decanter, it was still quite fruity - maybe the glass?! If you've got any, drink it now.
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11/15/08: Brick red color is much the same as it was with last bottle 2 years ago. All other indications are that this wine will hold nicely for the next 5 years plus, but at peak now so plan to drink remaining bottles in next year or so. The nose is elegant with chocolate, cherry, plum, eucalyptus, light vanilla oakiness. This is a well made wine with good acidity, medium bodied but with lots of layers and structure, and a lush sophisticated mouthfeel,and soft tannin. The taste is red fruit, earth, eucalyptus, mocha and coffee. The finish is long and with cream, mocha and spice.
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Elegant cuvee with calssic Stags Leaps herbal notes of mint accompanying cassis/currant profile. More acidic than tannic. Has aged well but don't see it getting any better.
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Decanted 1 hour. Light to medium body. Bright cherry and red fruit. Acid was not terribly well integrated. No complexity or depth. Not the Elevage I remember...
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Drinking great right now, but almost seems like its still young. I think this vintage will continue to age very well. Classy nose with mocha overtones and mint undertones. What a great wine to drink, the texture is soft/smooth and a nice long finish. The mouth feel is what originally drew me to this wine when newly bottled and that aspect just continues to improve. This is an almost universally enjoyed wine whenever its opened up at our table.
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Not a huge wine but soft and well crafted, palate of blueberries, plum, currant, raisin, mocha, anise, cinnamon and slight hints of cedar, finishing with medium length, noticeable high acid levels would have let it age many more years
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5/19/2018 - markakin wrote: 90 Points
Very smooth but still has lots of fruit. The other reviewers must not have much experience with aged wine. It may be just past it’s prime, but only just.
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8/31/2014 - toddvh wrote: 93 Points
Delicious, still has some time left. Good structure, complex, great wine.
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12/26/2013 - lhrawls wrote: 91 Points
extraordinary
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5/6/2010 - tkoby11 wrote: 82 Points
Definitely in the middle of fading. I am convinced Chimney Rock wines are meant to be drunk in the first 3-6 years from release. Each one was vibrant and fresh upon the first year of release, but years later have fallen out of balance as they have aged. The fruit has not remained, while the higher alcohol and tannin remain steadfast.
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11/29/2009 - RJandGB wrote: 75 Points
We had a wonderful dinner with friends and opened 1998-2002 Chimney Rock Elevage wines. This wine was noticably more oxidized/browner than the other vintage. It also showed more tannins and was probably the least favorite of the evening (the 2001-2002 were consumed first). But oddly, some glasses tasted very dry and full of tannin and one was very fruity. We were sure that we'd just mis-identified the wine, but with a re-pour from the properly labeled decanter, it was still quite fruity - maybe the glass?! If you've got any, drink it now.
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8/26/2009 - neuchgolfer wrote: 95 Points
Loved it... was worried that it was past his time, but it was just perfect.
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4/17/2009 - Marc S wrote: 78 Points
Not really my favorate. I think this is past its peak.
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11/16/2008 - enosnob wrote: 93 Points
11/15/08: Brick red color is much the same as it was with last bottle 2 years ago. All other indications are that this wine will hold nicely for the next 5 years plus, but at peak now so plan to drink remaining bottles in next year or so. The nose is elegant with chocolate, cherry, plum, eucalyptus, light vanilla oakiness. This is a well made wine with good acidity, medium bodied but with lots of layers and structure, and a lush sophisticated mouthfeel,and soft tannin. The taste is red fruit, earth, eucalyptus, mocha and coffee. The finish is long and with cream, mocha and spice.
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10/2/2008 - DT-Mills wrote: 75 Points
May be past peak
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8/14/2008 - MJTed wrote: 90 Points
Elegant cuvee with calssic Stags Leaps herbal notes of mint accompanying cassis/currant profile. More acidic than tannic. Has aged well but don't see it getting any better.
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2/24/2008 - Phin wrote: 85 Points
Decanted 1 hour. Light to medium body. Bright cherry and red fruit. Acid was not terribly well integrated. No complexity or depth. Not the Elevage I remember...
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1/26/2008 - Taylor56 wrote: 88 Points
After peak - drink up.
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12/21/2007 - Leigh - GrapeRadio wrote: 91 Points
Drinking great right now, but almost seems like its still young. I think this vintage will continue to age very well. Classy nose with mocha overtones and mint undertones. What a great wine to drink, the texture is soft/smooth and a nice long finish. The mouth feel is what originally drew me to this wine when newly bottled and that aspect just continues to improve. This is an almost universally enjoyed wine whenever its opened up at our table.
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11/3/2007 - sailcappy wrote: 94 Points
Smooth, subtle and absoultly delicious, Drank with a flank steak stuffed wit procutto, spinach and parmesan. Perfect.
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10/20/2007 - JacksonLee wrote: 89 Points
muted, soft, didn't open up even on the 2nd night. some hint of eucalyptus in the palate
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2/16/2007 - heyjude wrote: 94 Points
had at Restaurant Latour at Crystal Springs for a reasonable $86, wife love it too.
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12/6/2005 - cookie7 wrote: 91 Points
Brick red color. Aromas of black cherries. Mocha and Eucalyptus on the long lingering finish. Very enjoyable.
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9/1/2005 - duchamp wrote: 92 Points
Not a huge wine but soft and well crafted, palate of blueberries, plum, currant, raisin, mocha, anise, cinnamon and slight hints of cedar, finishing with medium length, noticeable high acid levels would have let it age many more years
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