Lovely on the first night, with a deep red ruby color and pleasing berry aromas. Extremely luscious mouthfeel and tasting cherry and chocolate, as well as some smoke. Faded considerably on second night, but this bottle came in a suspect shipment about a year ago, so could have had a bit of oxidation.
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Burnt violet; initially robust nose dominated by the cabernet and sangiovese overlaying graceful blend; this wine satisfies on its own merit (away from food); aereation pattern suggests early peaking but a gentle decline. 50/5/13/17/6
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Unusual blend with the Sangioese taking front stage. Dark red fruit on the nose. Black fruit, vanilla and spice on the palate with well integrated tannins. A fun, one time bottle while away from the state monopoly store selection.
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Bottle arrived with a slight leak from the cork, so jumped on this 2 days later after letting it settle from the delivery. Nose was uninspired, but perhaps I had too much fear that the leak was more severe. Actually tasted young and noticed heavy cherry flavors on the pallatte. Deteriorated over a couple hours in the bottle (probably due to leak). Better than I expected given the leak and soft cork, but expect bottle number 2 (arrived in better condition) to score a couple points higher.
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Tasted 7-18-09. 38% Cab Sauv, 34% Sangiovese, 20% Merlot, 8% Syrah. Dense nose, somewhat impenetrable at first.. although the syrah is a minor percentage it stands out in the aromas, & arrives as an ultra-ripe Aussie-style one. Palate impression is better & has more interest value, with deep fruit, showing cassis, spice, plum, currant. A well-integrated red blend that is wants to be a super-Tuscan. The sangio does not stand out much, nor the merlot. Overall fun & enjoyable, but not deeply memorable. Was expecting something more exceptional & had high hopes, but the bottle is "fine", not amazing or exciting, & the QPR is lacking.
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This Phenomenon was phenomenal. Drank side-by-side with a terrific Bibona super Tuscan, and this one won hands down for its rich nose of black fruit, oak and vanilla, and palate of black fruit, leather and chocolate. Integrated round tannins and a long, long finish made us crave another bottle. Uncorked at a great Italian restaurant, it even had the staff raving. If I can find some more, we'll add some more to the cellar.
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Very well balanced with fruity nose and softened tannins. Need about 20 minutes to open up. This is not a heavy wine and goes very well with food. The taste is on the sweet berry side and does not contain the darky more murky flavors found in very mature cabs or some of the classisc french wines.
I will buy a few more bottles for dinner parties as this wine will satisfy a wide variety of palettes.
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This is best Phenomenon since the 2001. Fabulous nose of vanilla and red and black fruits. Lots of raspberry and blackberry fruit. A little heat is noticeable. Needs time to integrate.
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7/5/2020 - Rbtrage wrote: 91 Points
Enjoyed with friend chicken lunch in Bryant Park with college friends. Not ideal pairing but cant complain in this challenging time.
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1/24/2015 - 1961Vintage Likes this wine: 94 Points
Wine of the night. from Magnum. Simply superb in every way. Has several years of enjoyment left.
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11/30/2012 - Johnny C NYC wrote: flawed
Somewhat overtly medicinal - not enjoyable; unlike my first bottle, and I don't see this in other reviews, so I assume a flawed bottle. No score.
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10/7/2011 - carlsport wrote: 89 Points
Lovely on the first night, with a deep red ruby color and pleasing berry aromas. Extremely luscious mouthfeel and tasting cherry and chocolate, as well as some smoke. Faded considerably on second night, but this bottle came in a suspect shipment about a year ago, so could have had a bit of oxidation.
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6/23/2011 - Backdoctor wrote: 92 Points
Was WOTN at a dinner with friends
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12/2/2010 - Johnny C NYC wrote: 91 Points
Burnt violet; initially robust nose dominated by the cabernet and sangiovese overlaying graceful blend; this wine satisfies on its own merit (away from food); aereation pattern suggests early peaking but a gentle decline. 50/5/13/17/6
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11/24/2010 - dontime wrote: 90 Points
Unusual blend with the Sangioese taking front stage. Dark red fruit on the nose. Black fruit, vanilla and spice on the palate with well integrated tannins. A fun, one time bottle while away from the state monopoly store selection.
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9/29/2010 - carlsport wrote: 87 Points
Bottle arrived with a slight leak from the cork, so jumped on this 2 days later after letting it settle from the delivery. Nose was uninspired, but perhaps I had too much fear that the leak was more severe. Actually tasted young and noticed heavy cherry flavors on the pallatte. Deteriorated over a couple hours in the bottle (probably due to leak). Better than I expected given the leak and soft cork, but expect bottle number 2 (arrived in better condition) to score a couple points higher.
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7/18/2010 - Johnny Reno-Rosa wrote: 90 Points
Decanted for 30 min before serving. Excellent complement to a beef roast.
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7/23/2009 - clava wrote: 88 Points
Tasted 7-18-09. 38% Cab Sauv, 34% Sangiovese, 20% Merlot, 8% Syrah. Dense nose, somewhat impenetrable at first.. although the syrah is a minor percentage it stands out in the aromas, & arrives as an ultra-ripe Aussie-style one. Palate impression is better & has more interest value, with deep fruit, showing cassis, spice, plum, currant. A well-integrated red blend that is wants to be a super-Tuscan. The sangio does not stand out much, nor the merlot. Overall fun & enjoyable, but not deeply memorable. Was expecting something more exceptional & had high hopes, but the bottle is "fine", not amazing or exciting, & the QPR is lacking.
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5/19/2009 - Snoman wrote: 92 Points
This Phenomenon was phenomenal. Drank side-by-side with a terrific Bibona super Tuscan, and this one won hands down for its rich nose of black fruit, oak and vanilla, and palate of black fruit, leather and chocolate. Integrated round tannins and a long, long finish made us crave another bottle. Uncorked at a great Italian restaurant, it even had the staff raving. If I can find some more, we'll add some more to the cellar.
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8/2/2008 - PapaBoomBoom wrote: 92 Points
Very well balanced with fruity nose and softened tannins. Need about 20 minutes to open up. This is not a heavy wine and goes very well with food. The taste is on the sweet berry side and does not contain the darky more murky flavors found in very mature cabs or some of the classisc french wines.
I will buy a few more bottles for dinner parties as this wine will satisfy a wide variety of palettes.
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1/17/2008 - TFAH wrote: 90 Points
This is best Phenomenon since the 2001. Fabulous nose of vanilla and red and black fruits. Lots of raspberry and blackberry fruit. A little heat is noticeable. Needs time to integrate.
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