Nose is dominated by blackberry, but sensed tar and alcohol as well. Dark red color, almost opaque. Palate has a core of blue dark fruit and oak, tannins were stiff after 90 minutes. A lot going on here. Has several good years ahead
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This wine needed a decent. But after 60-90 mins, the cab franc came out. Some barnyard funk on the nose, red fruit, espresso. Wine was tannic and tight, some red fruit and green bell pepper. Likely could have used 2-3 more years in bottle.
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V-spin for 5 minutes based on these tasting notes, and although still somewhat grippy after being open for an hour, the 2016 Firebelle was delicious with pasta in a tomato meat sauce. Seems as though it will continue to improve each year.
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Red fruit and eucalyptus on the nose. I know it may not match, but I get more blackberry and blueberry on the palate. The finish is medium with plenty of tannins. I’ll try the next bottle in 6 months. I got this bottle on the open market for half the price I paid directly to the winery. The QPR is solid at that price point.
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Solid, decent but not all the way home for this price point.
I am still working on Day 2 of the bottle as I write but had been expecting more. Definitely softened up on Day 2 but still quite one dimensional with almost no nose to speak of
I am not well versed in Merlot but observe that other offerings (e.g., Duckhorn's standard bottling) are just as good at half the price.
I want to like this more and rate this higher but just can't right now.
More bottles await ....
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Compared to the other wines tonight this was very mediocre (Colgin, Maiden). Thinner, brighter, mid palate a little thin. fresh juicy fruit. Ok, this is young, but still, should have more depth, complexity. Peninsula Hotel Yarom event
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Amazing! Dark, hints of licorice, black cherries & raspberries. Medium body. Def a Firebelle in honor of the late Ruth Bader Ginsberg. To you Notorious!
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Dark cherry, plum, Cassis, black forest, aniseed, espresso, and a whiff of tobacco. The aromas were enticing, yet the palate showed a slightly less exciting story. This medium-bodied wine showed good fruit concentration and spicy notes yet the mid-palate was missing depth and I kept going back to the glass trying to get more from the glass. Like driving a Cadillac in 3rd gear on a highway :). The tannins were silky and smooth along with a slightly spicy finish, this was just lacking structure and persistence to score higher. The blend was 67% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Petit Verdot. 2016 was such a great year I am surprised by how this came out, maybe an off bottle but I doubt it, at $40 I would buy by the case, but not at $225 CAD. WA gave this 94+, WS 90, I believe the latter is more reasonable. 91 for today
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Ripe red cherry, plum, touch of loam and smoke on nose. Grainy tannins, good acidity, big mouthful of red and black fruit, chocolate, decent clean finish. Tasted at the winery
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2/1/2024 - Inforred Likes this wine: 92 Points
Nose is dominated by blackberry, but sensed tar and alcohol as well. Dark red color, almost opaque. Palate has a core of blue dark fruit and oak, tannins were stiff after 90 minutes. A lot going on here. Has several good years ahead
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11/19/2023 - xboomer Likes this wine: 93 Points
So much better than a year ago. I highly recommend this one
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8/6/2023 - Winedude10 wrote: 94 Points
Dark red, Red fruit nose and taste, very little tannin. Starting to drink now, but can hold for at least five or more.
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6/9/2023 - wdcwineguys Likes this wine: 92 Points
Getting much better. Oak is strong on the nose, black cherry, gravel. Needs about 30 minutes of air to really open up. Drink or hold.
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1/14/2023 - TRueNOLA Likes this wine: 92 Points
This wine needed a decent. But after 60-90 mins, the cab franc came out. Some barnyard funk on the nose, red fruit, espresso. Wine was tannic and tight, some red fruit and green bell pepper. Likely could have used 2-3 more years in bottle.
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12/23/2022 - Still moving Likes this wine:
V-spin for 5 minutes based on these tasting notes, and although still somewhat grippy after being open for an hour, the 2016 Firebelle was delicious with pasta in a tomato meat sauce. Seems as though it will continue to improve each year.
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6/18/2022 - JGinMO wrote: 92 Points
Already showing nice secondary flavors at this young age. Promising.
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5/17/2022 - Troon wrote: 91 Points
Red fruit and eucalyptus on the nose. I know it may not match, but I get more blackberry and blueberry on the palate. The finish is medium with plenty of tannins. I’ll try the next bottle in 6 months. I got this bottle on the open market for half the price I paid directly to the winery. The QPR is solid at that price point.
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1/15/2022 - RCS73 wrote: 90 Points
Solid, decent but not all the way home for this price point.
I am still working on Day 2 of the bottle as I write but had been expecting more. Definitely softened up on Day 2 but still quite one dimensional with almost no nose to speak of
I am not well versed in Merlot but observe that other offerings (e.g., Duckhorn's standard bottling) are just as good at half the price.
I want to like this more and rate this higher but just can't right now.
More bottles await ....
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12/14/2021 - cubswinws wrote:
Pop n pour. Just so so. Resealed and will try again on day #2
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11/13/2021 - cubswinws Likes this wine: 90 Points
Nice blend. Drinking well. Medium depth and length. Seems to be more of a short term wine.
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5/19/2021 - peternelson wrote: 89 Points
Compared to the other wines tonight this was very mediocre (Colgin, Maiden). Thinner, brighter, mid palate a little thin. fresh juicy fruit. Ok, this is young, but still, should have more depth, complexity. Peninsula Hotel Yarom event
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3/12/2021 - KAT9 wrote: 90 Points
So so. Not good QPR. Funky, earthy, barnyard. Hint of fruit underneath. Balance on the palate, but not enjoyable. Decent finish.
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2/23/2021 - xboomer wrote: 92 Points
Drank at Southern Highlands with Palmer and Ron. Ron really liked it. I wasn't sure. Nose seem to be small.
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11/27/2020 - Hooman Likes this wine: 92 Points
Nice splash, just not worth the cash!
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9/19/2020 - Lawino7 wrote: 95 Points
Amazing! Dark, hints of licorice, black cherries & raspberries. Medium body. Def a Firebelle in honor of the late Ruth Bader Ginsberg.
To you Notorious!
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7/5/2020 - Alexander Smith Likes this wine: 91 Points
Dark cherry, plum, Cassis, black forest, aniseed, espresso, and a whiff of tobacco. The aromas were enticing, yet the palate showed a slightly less exciting story. This medium-bodied wine showed good fruit concentration and spicy notes yet the mid-palate was missing depth and I kept going back to the glass trying to get more from the glass. Like driving a Cadillac in 3rd gear on a highway :). The tannins were silky and smooth along with a slightly spicy finish, this was just lacking structure and persistence to score higher. The blend was 67% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Petit Verdot. 2016 was such a great year I am surprised by how this came out, maybe an off bottle but I doubt it, at $40 I would buy by the case, but not at $225 CAD. WA gave this 94+, WS 90, I believe the latter is more reasonable. 91 for today
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4/29/2019 - hfindlay wrote:
Ripe red cherry, plum, touch of loam and smoke on nose. Grainy tannins, good acidity, big mouthful of red and black fruit, chocolate, decent clean finish. Tasted at the winery
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3/23/2019 - Sonoma-W Likes this wine: 95 Points
Great! Excellent bright fruit, drinking well already
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