This bottle was more advanced than the one I had 2 years ago. Was nice yet still needed extended decant time. This had about 2 hrs and I don't think was enough. Lots of sediment. Nice drinking experience, old world, but give this some time to unfurl.
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In a really good place right now. Don’t see much improvement going forward so drink up. A beautiful glass of CDP. Opened a few hours before drinking, not decanted, which worked perfectly.
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Surprized to see that this still drinks well. There is a lot of cooked fruit, pruny notes pointing to the ripeness of the vintage, a little oxidative eve, but still drinkable if you dont mind this style. Too much for my palate, but it was popular at the table.
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Still going strong. Opened about 30 minutes before drinking. Probably would have benefited from being opened about 2 hours before. Went perfectly with roasted goat at Tar & Roses in Santa Monica.
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Kleur: Helder oranjebruin. Duidelijke verkleuring. Aroma / bouquet: Wow. Opvallend tertiair. Gaat dit nog goed komen? Eerste en - ook daarna - overheersende aroma's zijn die van maggi, madeira en zoete ketjap. Smaak / Afdronk: Indrukwekkend. Verfijnde en complexe powerwijn. Geconcentreerd, subtiel bittere en drop-achtige tannines en een extreem lange afdronk. Algemeen / potentieel: Prachtige, gerijpte Ch9dP. In de neus 'bejaard' maar in de mond opvallend jeugdig. Of is dat bittertje het begin van het einde? Hoe dan ook: NU drinken. Deze wijn wordt vanaf nu NIET beter. 50 + Kleur: 5 + Aroma / bouquet: 12 + Smaak / Afdronk: 17 + Algemeen / potentieel: 8 = 92/100
Google Translate:
Color: Bright orange-brown. Clear discoloration. Aroma / bouquet: Wow. Striking tertiary. Is this going to be okay? First and - afterwards - predominant aromas are those of maggi, madeira and sweet soy sauce. Taste / Finish: Impressive. Sophisticated and complex power wine. Concentrated, subtly bitter and liquorice-like tannins and an extremely long aftertaste. General / potential: Beautiful, matured Ch9dP. In the nose 'elderly' but in the mouth remarkably youthful. Or is that bitterness the beginning of the end? Anyway: drink NOW. This wine will NOT be better from now on. 50 + Color: 5 + Aroma / bouquet: 12 + Taste / Finish: 17 + General / potential: 8 = 92/100
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Completely agree with "mpenzi divai" on this bottle... May be past prime, but still a lot of magic from this wine. Dark plums, cherry cola, chocolate, and yes, stewed fruit/prunes. Lot's of sediment. Agreeing that this needs to be drunk now.
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You need to appreciate wines past their prime a bit to fully appreciate this wine. Surprising amber orange at the rim, overtones of stewed prunes, beefy on the palate, long rich finish mingling with the over-oxidized flavor profile. Yet, complex dark berry fruit mixes with the beef/leaf flavors leading to a surprising long, satisfying delicious finish. Lots of sediment. Drink now in my opinion. Later note: May 2018 drank my second and and last bottle: roughly same flavors minus stewed notes and more intense fruit and with years of life ahead. Same cold storage after purchase--go figure.
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Orange rim, very evolved nose, bacon, cèpes de Bordeaux... Very juicy roasted meat, ripe red cherries, very sweet and sappy wine, lenght of 45 seconds, looked much older than the Quartz 2005, but still great mature Chateauneuf!
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My last bottle from the case, and as it so often happens, this was showing really strong. Fully mature, with an exotic, concentrated, kirsch filled blast of fruit, the jam, garrigue, spice and underbrush side also came out nicely. This is not a wine I'd hold for further aging, but it has been a fun ride since release.
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Drank at the P&G What can I say, I love the 07 but the 03 is too much. We waited for a number of hours for it to settle down but it was just too extracted and too alcoholic. Not for me.
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The wine looked older than its true age. The fragrance, flavors, textures, are of a mature wine. Silky, lush, exotic and fully mature, while I really liked the wine, I am happy to have only few bottles remaining, as this needs to drunk up over the next few years.
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This is getting on in age. A bit of Madeira or Sherry in the aroma, but also roses, copious cherries, and a great rusticity. This is a huge wine in both fruit and alcohol. It reminds me of Port, or a cherry cough syrup but not quite as smooth. For those who like a big boned wine.
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Super ripe strawberries, bacon fat, very animal, sandalwood... very ripe red berries, sappy, nice lenght, animal, farmyard... great mature Chateauneuf!
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SQN vs C9duP and some extra's (@ PC): Beautiful bouquet with good garrigue and red forest fruits. Same on the palate. Lovely fresh acidity. Also chocolate and some celery. Personally I think this bottle is at its peak now and possibly even a little past it. The fresh acidity will keep the wine alive for several more years, but I think that overall the wine will not improve anymore. Probably wise to drink it this or next year and not wait until 2022 which the drinking window in CT indicates. Still a great wine now. I scored it 95.
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Well, I'm a glutton for punishment I guess... Pruned, raisiny, slightly bitter- again... I notice copious amount of sediment in the bottle too (can't remember if this was the case with the others)- I now grudgingly believe that these were heat damaged in some fashion before I purchased them- very unfortunate but this bottle, like the others, = no good.
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I read the two reviews below. I more agree with the most recent, simply because I had a bottle of this wine that was virtually unpalatabe - hot fruity, etc. In an attempt to clear out '03, I decided to have this wine tonight and drink over a few hours. WHile I agree that there is decent glycerine on the finish, this abates in the first hour or two, but sadly so does the fruit. My assesment here - pop and pour - this is a second bottle at a dinner party - it doesn't open up much, but the fruit on the palate, sadly (but really) is the best thing it has going for it. The finish in the first two hours bested the finish a moment ago. Drink now, etc. 2003 just an iffy year.
Explosive nose of brown sugar, gamey, very animal, black prunes, farmyard, bacon fat, soy sauce…. Taste of very sweet ripe cherries, very very long and very fresh finish, more freshness than a few years ago, fantastic bottle !!
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Nose is dominated by cherry, garrigue and licorice. The palate is powerful but very alcoholic. Finish just is burning alcohol. Wine is out of balance and will probably not improve.
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--- COLOR: Brick-garnet, translucent NOTE: Not nearly the same religious experience as other well-traveled adventurers have noted in recent posts. It is good, solid, but seems to be past its peak. The nose is crushed dried leaves, raspberry, garrigue, cherry tobacco, oiled leather. The mouth has a nice level of glycerin buttressed by significant red cherry and raspberry fruit, more cherry pipe tobacco, cinnamon and nutmeg. The finish features the same red fruit but fades quite fast, which really takes this down 2-3 points. It's good, but not great. If this is a typical bottle and you like your CDPs fruity, then drink up now!
DECANT: 1-3 hours GLASS USED: Pinot Noir TASTE: 9.3 COST: 103 VALUE: 3.0 TRY AGAIN: now - 2015 PAIRING: New York Strip Inquiries can be addressed to troypeterson@usa.net ---
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Almost overpowering perfume of garrigue, tobacco, and smoke followed by intense palate of dark ripe cherry with complex overtones of the fragrance. Very long and luxurious finish. Spectacular and unforgettable.
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Garrigue, spice box, licorice, kirsch notes, with sweet ripe, pure, polished, dark red berries, Long, and intense, there is no touch of heat or jammy sensations in the finish.
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Ruby. Wow killer nose of berries and herbs with intensity and precise delineation. Palate is rocking with medium-to-full body. Waves of red fruit, herbs and spice. Very polished, precise and long. Terrific stuff. 94-96 points.
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Woooooooooow, exposive nose of very ripe black cherries, ripe strawberries, hint of vanilla, but at the same time, some minerality and freshness in the nose... super power and delicious crispy taste, very well interated... great great wine, everybody was screaming at the wine (served blind)!!
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Great nose with several layers of dark berries, herbs and spices. Quite delicate nose, still. On the palate quite complex and resembling the nose impressions. Tertiary notes were the nicest, because it had that slight overripeness to it. Perhaps the hot vintage?! Full bodied, for sure. Even though the alcohol was high, to my surprise it was no bother. I believe RP would term it "opulent". Nice experience, altogether, and I guess further cellaring may not add much.
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Flawed according to Sunesen… this was to me a way more splendid/exuberant nose of old jam that promulgates into a beautifully structured mouth offering layers after layers of delicate and velvety notes of red berries underlined by some smoked caramel. The final goes long in the mouth by it’s not extremely young.
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With a perfume that explodes in your face the moment the wine hits the glass, powerful aromas of fresh, pure, ripe cherries, kirsch, minerality, herbs, pepper, licorice, black raspberry, earth, spice, pepper and garrigue scream for your attention. The wine offers intense depth of flavor, concentration, balance, length and purity of fruit. The long, clean, spicy, cherry packed finish feels luxurious on your palate. Popped and poured, 2003 Usseglio Deux Freres does not need decanting. There is no hurry to drink it, but if you have some, it's a great time to be tasting it. Even though the label reads 15% alcohol, there is no sensation of heat.
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Explosive nose of red cherries jam, nice volatile acidity, leather, oriental spices... very ripe raspberries, very ripe tannins, at the same time light and refreshing, but with a very very long aftertaste... the top of the evening!!
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Completely mature, consistent with a bottle we had in Europe a few months ago. Still power and it did not deteriorate over the 2 hours we drank it but still seams almost past its peak - drink up. Beautiful mature notes. Ripe. Bottle looked prefect in fill and cork.
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Full bodied, ripe, with tannins fully integrated. Red berries (e.g., cherry) on the pallet followed by licorice, tar, tobacco with glycerin. Just lovely tonight!
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ugh. well this was literally a "bitter" disappointment. before i go on, i must say this wine got marginally better as it sat in the glass but it really was like drinking a stewed concoction of prunes, raisins, and tomatos with a long albeit bitter finish. certainly hot from alcohol; certainly disjointed; certainly nothing like the '03 mon aieul- and downright yucky compared to the '06 janasse VV from the other night. what to rate this wine? I don't really know. will it integrate over time in the bottle? tought to say. I have generally defended the '03 vintage (the '03 pegau is one of my all time favorite CDPs) and the "bad ones" have been diluted, raisiny or simple (or a combination of all 3)... this wine was a different animal.
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Wow, night 2 and this is rockin along. Color is deep muddy inky purple. Nose is prototypical CdP, some VA, red meat, dank earth, white pepper (obvious once you look for it), dark plummy fruit. Comes on really strong in the midpalate and keeps on cranking up, more of that dark plum/prune, peppery spice, some sharp acidity, a touch of heat still, and this goes on and on and on in the mouth, coating the teeth. I do think it will benefit from a few more years of cellaring.
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Pre-Christmas Cab/Rhone Dinner at JJL's: This was similar to the last time I had this. A really big wine that probably needs a long time to come together. Preferred the Mon Aieul this night.
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The 2003 Usseglio Deux Frères has a dark garnet/purple color. This is a very densely concentrated wine with considerable alcohol. Flavors of figs, plums, mineral, chocolate, raisins, cherry liqueur, prunes, roasted meats and garrigue. The wine has shed a good portion of its tannins, but still needs time to burn off the alcohol. Nice core acidity and fairly well-balanced considering the high alcohol. For me, the heat and raisiny/pruney flavors are the detriments to this wine. Perhaps this will improve with time, but still falls short of expectations. Hold for another 3 years before drinking. (92 points - 8/14/09)
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Explosive nose of black cherries jam, roasted meat, licorice, oriental spices, tobacco leaves, and a hint of nice volatile acidity... absolutely enormous in the mounth with very ripe black fruit, prunes jam with a good refreshing acidity and extremely long in the mounth... absolutely great wine!!!
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The white pepper of Rhone Grenache hits you immediately as you bring the glass to your nose. Secondary scents are strawberry and sweet watermelon. The tannins are rather good for a Grenache, but I thought the acidity was a little strong, as was the alcohol, which really began to show after two hours. The fruit was initially very strong and included blackberry, cherry and plum, which was supported by some sweet spices including cinnamon and licorice. There was a little burn from the alcohol at the end. The wine started to oxidize into brown alcohol after about 3 hours. I have to admit I was not a huge fan of this wine and it was at its best after an hour decant but before 2 hours. I felt like I was drinking 12 year-old scotch with a shot of grenadine. I much preferred the '00. This wine has the potential, but the alcohol is too much now. Give it another 5 years.
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Wineflock - Worldwide Grenache (Boka): Full deep briar earthy black fruit nose. Big spicy black fruit with some well-integrated oak. Showing much better than the last example of this I had. 94+ pts.
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Worldwide Grenache (Boka - Chicago): OMG, what a killer nose. Layers of rich, toasty, ripe black fruit. Spice and herbs add complexity. Wow -- just delicious on the palate. Full bodied, ripe and quite young. Starts out tight but reveals more and more. Decadent, opulent . . . very new world in feel. Loved it.
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Wineflock - Big Wintery Reds (My house): Group #7, My #7 - Full deep ruby color. Pale nose of dusty black fruit. Sour black cherry with some spice - bright and acidic with a round tight frame. 90 pts. I was fairly shocked when this was unveiled given its reputation and other scores. No obvious flaws with this bottle but I have to wonder whether it was truly representative.
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Waouwwwww.... this is clearly the wine of the night... Extremely concentrated nose of jammy cherries, leather, oriental spices, gamey, some refreshing volatile acidity... the aromas literally jump out of the glass and fill the room... in the mounth, the cherries and meat taste is extremely concentrated, with some integrated and ripe tannins... previous bottles have shown too young, too tannic compared to the beautifull Mon Aueil 2003... but now that the 2 frères shows more maturity... it is like a Mon Aieul on steroids!!!
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Very dark. Nose is fragrant with black fruits, forest loam, coffee, orange peel, white chocolate, hints of shellac. Rich, ripe fruit (plums), soft tannins, noticably hot. Rereading my TN from 18 months back, I still find the licorice, but diminished... Finish is a bit unbalanced.
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Took to Hatfield's in West Hollywood, CA. Absolutely lovely. No decanting and, to tell you the truth, I liked it better w/ about 15 minutes of air than I did after it had been open for 2 hours. Big, round, rich. Wonderful.
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Very strong nose of black cherries and "pruneaux", with coffee and mokka... Twice as concentrated and powerfull than the Mon Aieul, tannins are present here but very ripe, silky and totally integrated... this wine still requires a couple of years to reach his peak... potentially it could be even better than the Mon Aieul, but for today drinking the Mon Aieul was THE perfect bottle!!
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Châteauneuf-du-Pape prestige cuvées. (FOF): Dark red color with a brick red hue. Nuanced nose with notes of cherry, raisin, port, orange peal, nail polish and chocolate. On the palate it is similarly layered with cherry, strawberry and other red berries first. On the midpalate it has port and sweet tobaco. It remains elegant underneath the power and concentration. The modern style warmth and smoothness is there but it is also rustic and has character, a truly unique wine.
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Impenetrable black/ruby. Nose presents with an overlay of high-toned red fruits -- red current syrup -- and darker, woody aromas. I get hints of licorice, tar, complex herbal notes, coffee. Powerful, rich, long finish, with substantial tannins and acidity; flavors of strawberries with balsamic vinegar, black licorice. Impressive wine that should improve for a few years (hard to imagine the very distant future for something like this)
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12/30/2023 - essenceofreal wrote: 91 Points
Decent but not as good as previous bottles.
This bottle was more advanced than the one I had 2 years ago. Was nice yet still needed extended decant time. This had about 2 hrs and I don't think was enough. Lots of sediment. Nice drinking experience, old world, but give this some time to unfurl.
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6/10/2023 - Nothung Likes this wine: 94 Points
In a really good place right now. Don’t see much improvement going forward so drink up. A beautiful glass of CDP. Opened a few hours before drinking, not decanted, which worked perfectly.
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6/2/2023 - Collector1855 wrote: 90 Points
Surprized to see that this still drinks well. There is a lot of cooked fruit, pruny notes pointing to the ripeness of the vintage, a little oxidative eve, but still drinkable if you dont mind this style. Too much for my palate, but it was popular at the table.
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2/7/2021 - Justinneal654 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Crazy delicious. Want more. So good with the lamb.
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12/7/2019 - Nothung Likes this wine: 92 Points
Still going strong. Opened about 30 minutes before drinking. Probably would have benefited from being opened about 2 hours before. Went perfectly with roasted goat at Tar & Roses in Santa Monica.
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12/24/2018 - Hamersly wrote: 95 Points
Fully mature, beautiful and silky.
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11/16/2018 - WildeMeeuw Likes this wine: 92 Points
Kleur: Helder oranjebruin. Duidelijke verkleuring. Aroma / bouquet: Wow. Opvallend tertiair. Gaat dit nog goed komen? Eerste en - ook daarna - overheersende aroma's zijn die van maggi, madeira en zoete ketjap. Smaak / Afdronk: Indrukwekkend. Verfijnde en complexe powerwijn. Geconcentreerd, subtiel bittere en drop-achtige tannines en een extreem lange afdronk. Algemeen / potentieel: Prachtige, gerijpte Ch9dP. In de neus 'bejaard' maar in de mond opvallend jeugdig. Of is dat bittertje het begin van het einde? Hoe dan ook: NU drinken. Deze wijn wordt vanaf nu NIET beter. 50 + Kleur: 5 + Aroma / bouquet: 12 + Smaak / Afdronk: 17 + Algemeen / potentieel: 8 = 92/100
Google Translate:
Color: Bright orange-brown. Clear discoloration. Aroma / bouquet: Wow. Striking tertiary. Is this going to be okay? First and - afterwards - predominant aromas are those of maggi, madeira and sweet soy sauce. Taste / Finish: Impressive. Sophisticated and complex power wine. Concentrated, subtly bitter and liquorice-like tannins and an extremely long aftertaste. General / potential: Beautiful, matured Ch9dP. In the nose 'elderly' but in the mouth remarkably youthful. Or is that bitterness the beginning of the end? Anyway: drink NOW. This wine will NOT be better from now on. 50 + Color: 5 + Aroma / bouquet: 12 + Taste / Finish: 17 + General / potential: 8 = 92/100
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8/3/2018 - ovenmitt wrote:
Completely agree with "mpenzi divai" on this bottle... May be past prime, but still a lot of magic from this wine. Dark plums, cherry cola, chocolate, and yes, stewed fruit/prunes. Lot's of sediment. Agreeing that this needs to be drunk now.
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4/1/2018 - mpenzi divai Likes this wine: 90 Points
You need to appreciate wines past their prime a bit to fully appreciate this wine. Surprising amber orange at the rim, overtones of stewed prunes, beefy on the palate, long rich finish mingling with the over-oxidized flavor profile. Yet, complex dark berry fruit mixes with the beef/leaf flavors leading to a surprising long, satisfying delicious finish. Lots of sediment. Drink now in my opinion. Later note: May 2018 drank my second and and last bottle: roughly same flavors minus stewed notes and more intense fruit and with years of life ahead. Same cold storage after purchase--go figure.
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3/30/2018 - ovenmitt wrote: flawed
Flawed.... something is not right with this bottle. Doesn’t seem like taint, but???
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3/17/2018 - Philippe_C wrote: 96 Points
Orange rim, very evolved nose, bacon, cèpes de Bordeaux... Very juicy roasted meat, ripe red cherries, very sweet and sappy wine, lenght of 45 seconds, looked much older than the Quartz 2005, but still great mature Chateauneuf!
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2/3/2018 - Lipsman wrote: 93 Points
A big boned CdP that is showing early maturity. It is smooth and enjoyable. Drink sooner than later.
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9/7/2017 - Lype Likes this wine:
Attractive bouquet, the palate is spicy yet light, silky and elegant, a refined excellent wine, drinking well now.
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5/18/2017 - Jeff Leve wrote: 94 Points
My last bottle from the case, and as it so often happens, this was showing really strong. Fully mature, with an exotic, concentrated, kirsch filled blast of fruit, the jam, garrigue, spice and underbrush side also came out nicely. This is not a wine I'd hold for further aging, but it has been a fun ride since release.
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12/14/2016 - RayOB Does not like this wine: 80 Points
Drank at the P&G
What can I say, I love the 07 but the 03 is too much. We waited for a number of hours for it to settle down but it was just too extracted and too alcoholic. Not for me.
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10/17/2016 - wineguy75 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Very balanced and pleasant fruit throughout and on finish. A little pepper on the front. Medium bodied. Latter half of drinking window. Good QPR.
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10/8/2016 - Opusone99 wrote: 93 Points
Superbe C9P bien costaud!
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9/5/2016 - Jeff Leve wrote: 95 Points
The wine looked older than its true age. The fragrance, flavors, textures, are of a mature wine. Silky, lush, exotic and fully mature, while I really liked the wine, I am happy to have only few bottles remaining, as this needs to drunk up over the next few years.
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8/25/2015 - Lipsman wrote: 88 Points
This is getting on in age. A bit of Madeira or Sherry in the aroma, but also roses, copious cherries, and a great rusticity. This is a huge wine in both fruit and alcohol. It reminds me of Port, or a cherry cough syrup but not quite as smooth. For those who like a big boned wine.
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11/22/2014 - steinersing wrote: 94 Points
very elegant and smooth - very well crafted.
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10/16/2014 - dcwino wrote: flawed
Drinking Rhones at Capella (The Grill Room at Capella Hotel Georgetown): Nice appearance but very oxidative note. Very pruney and very 2003. Even no oxidative note, this is very ripe.
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7/25/2014 - Philippe_C wrote: 95 Points
Super ripe strawberries, bacon fat, very animal, sandalwood... very ripe red berries, sappy, nice lenght, animal, farmyard... great mature Chateauneuf!
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7/24/2014 - Zweder wrote: 95 Points
SQN vs C9duP and some extra's (@ PC): Beautiful bouquet with good garrigue and red forest fruits. Same on the palate. Lovely fresh acidity. Also chocolate and some celery. Personally I think this bottle is at its peak now and possibly even a little past it. The fresh acidity will keep the wine alive for several more years, but I think that overall the wine will not improve anymore. Probably wise to drink it this or next year and not wait until 2022 which the drinking window in CT indicates. Still a great wine now. I scored it 95.
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6/24/2014 - jonnyoro wrote: flawed
Well, I'm a glutton for punishment I guess... Pruned, raisiny, slightly bitter- again... I notice copious amount of sediment in the bottle too (can't remember if this was the case with the others)- I now grudgingly believe that these were heat damaged in some fashion before I purchased them- very unfortunate but this bottle, like the others, = no good.
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4/10/2014 - mchrist wrote: 89 Points
I read the two reviews below. I more agree with the most recent, simply because I had a bottle of this wine that was virtually unpalatabe - hot fruity, etc. In an attempt to clear out '03, I decided to have this wine tonight and drink over a few hours. WHile I agree that there is decent glycerine on the finish, this abates in the first hour or two, but sadly so does the fruit. My assesment here - pop and pour - this is a second bottle at a dinner party - it doesn't open up much, but the fruit on the palate, sadly (but really) is the best thing it has going for it. The finish in the first two hours bested the finish a moment ago. Drink now, etc. 2003 just an iffy year.
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1/18/2014 - Philippe_C wrote: 98 Points
Explosive nose of brown sugar, gamey, very animal, black prunes, farmyard, bacon fat, soy sauce…. Taste of very sweet ripe cherries, very very long and very fresh finish, more freshness than a few years ago, fantastic bottle !!
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1/1/2014 - humagne wrote: 85 Points
Nose is dominated by cherry, garrigue and licorice. The palate is powerful but very alcoholic. Finish just is burning alcohol. Wine is out of balance and will probably not improve.
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12/1/2013 - tp096255 Likes this wine: 93 Points
---
COLOR: Brick-garnet, translucent
NOTE: Not nearly the same religious experience as other well-traveled adventurers have noted in recent posts. It is good, solid, but seems to be past its peak. The nose is crushed dried leaves, raspberry, garrigue, cherry tobacco, oiled leather. The mouth has a nice level of glycerin buttressed by significant red cherry and raspberry fruit, more cherry pipe tobacco, cinnamon and nutmeg. The finish features the same red fruit but fades quite fast, which really takes this down 2-3 points. It's good, but not great. If this is a typical bottle and you like your CDPs fruity, then drink up now!
DECANT: 1-3 hours
GLASS USED: Pinot Noir
TASTE: 9.3
COST: 103
VALUE: 3.0
TRY AGAIN: now - 2015
PAIRING: New York Strip
Inquiries can be addressed to troypeterson@usa.net
---
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11/26/2013 - themki wrote: 99 Points
Almost overpowering perfume of garrigue, tobacco, and smoke followed by intense palate of dark ripe cherry with complex overtones of the fragrance. Very long and luxurious finish. Spectacular and unforgettable.
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10/23/2013 - Jeff Leve wrote: 98 Points
Garrigue, spice box, licorice, kirsch notes, with sweet ripe, pure, polished, dark red berries, Long, and intense, there is no touch of heat or jammy sensations in the finish.
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9/22/2013 - Nanda wrote:
Ruby. Wow killer nose of berries and herbs with intensity and precise delineation. Palate is rocking with medium-to-full body. Waves of red fruit, herbs and spice. Very polished, precise and long. Terrific stuff. 94-96 points.
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8/8/2013 - Philippe_C wrote: 100 Points
Woooooooooow, exposive nose of very ripe black cherries, ripe strawberries, hint of vanilla, but at the same time, some minerality and freshness in the nose... super power and delicious crispy taste, very well interated... great great wine, everybody was screaming at the wine (served blind)!!
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4/29/2013 - madflyfisher Likes this wine:
Great nose with several layers of dark berries, herbs and spices. Quite delicate nose, still. On the palate quite complex and resembling the nose impressions. Tertiary notes were the nicest, because it had that slight overripeness to it. Perhaps the hot vintage?! Full bodied, for sure. Even though the alcohol was high, to my surprise it was no bother. I believe RP would term it "opulent". Nice experience, altogether, and I guess further cellaring may not add much.
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2/11/2013 - cr84 wrote: 94 Points
Flawed according to Sunesen… this was to me a way more splendid/exuberant nose of old jam that promulgates into a beautifully structured mouth offering layers after layers of delicate and velvety notes of red berries underlined by some smoked caramel. The final goes long in the mouth by it’s not extremely young.
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12/15/2012 - Lipsman wrote: 94 Points
Loads of fruit, cherries, deep flavors, long on the palate. Tobacco, smoke.
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8/6/2012 - Jeff Leve wrote: 98 Points
With a perfume that explodes in your face the moment the wine hits the glass, powerful aromas of fresh, pure, ripe cherries, kirsch, minerality, herbs, pepper, licorice, black raspberry, earth, spice, pepper and garrigue scream for your attention. The wine offers intense depth of flavor, concentration, balance, length and purity of fruit. The long, clean, spicy, cherry packed finish feels luxurious on your palate. Popped and poured, 2003 Usseglio Deux Freres does not need decanting. There is no hurry to drink it, but if you have some, it's a great time to be tasting it. Even though the label reads 15% alcohol, there is no sensation of heat.
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5/20/2012 - MikeZ wrote:
another failure...so far 3 bottles have been either flawed, stewed, uninteresting...take your pick, underwhelming at best
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5/19/2012 - Philippe_C wrote: 99 Points
Explosive nose of red cherries jam, nice volatile acidity, leather, oriental spices... very ripe raspberries, very ripe tannins, at the same time light and refreshing, but with a very very long aftertaste... the top of the evening!!
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4/26/2012 - phenricsson wrote: 97 Points
Completely mature, consistent with a bottle we had in Europe a few months ago. Still power and it did not deteriorate over the 2 hours we drank it but still seams almost past its peak - drink up. Beautiful mature notes. Ripe. Bottle looked prefect in fill and cork.
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1/14/2012 - pmeeno wrote: 98 Points
Full bodied, ripe, with tannins fully integrated. Red berries (e.g., cherry) on the pallet followed by licorice, tar, tobacco with glycerin. Just lovely tonight!
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9/27/2011 - jhoffberger wrote:
Strong acetone component. Had this before and I am assuming this is an off bottle.
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12/29/2010 - jonnyoro wrote:
ugh. well this was literally a "bitter" disappointment. before i go on, i must say this wine got marginally better as it sat in the glass but it really was like drinking a stewed concoction of prunes, raisins, and tomatos with a long albeit bitter finish. certainly hot from alcohol; certainly disjointed; certainly nothing like the '03 mon aieul- and downright yucky compared to the '06 janasse VV from the other night. what to rate this wine? I don't really know. will it integrate over time in the bottle? tought to say. I have generally defended the '03 vintage (the '03 pegau is one of my all time favorite CDPs) and the "bad ones" have been diluted, raisiny or simple (or a combination of all 3)... this wine was a different animal.
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7/26/2010 - Biskuit wrote: 93 Points
Wow, night 2 and this is rockin along. Color is deep muddy inky purple. Nose is prototypical CdP, some VA, red meat, dank earth, white pepper (obvious once you look for it), dark plummy fruit. Comes on really strong in the midpalate and keeps on cranking up, more of that dark plum/prune, peppery spice, some sharp acidity, a touch of heat still, and this goes on and on and on in the mouth, coating the teeth. I do think it will benefit from a few more years of cellaring.
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12/22/2009 - JJL wrote: 89 Points
Pre-Christmas Cab/Rhone Dinner at JJL's: This was similar to the last time I had this. A really big wine that probably needs a long time to come together. Preferred the Mon Aieul this night.
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8/14/2009 - rthun wrote: 92 Points
The 2003 Usseglio Deux Frères has a dark garnet/purple color. This is a very densely concentrated wine with considerable alcohol. Flavors of figs, plums, mineral, chocolate, raisins, cherry liqueur, prunes, roasted meats and garrigue. The wine has shed a good portion of its tannins, but still needs time to burn off the alcohol. Nice core acidity and fairly well-balanced considering the high alcohol. For me, the heat and raisiny/pruney flavors are the detriments to this wine. Perhaps this will improve with time, but still falls short of expectations. Hold for another 3 years before drinking. (92 points - 8/14/09)
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4/26/2009 - Philippe_C wrote: 99 Points
Explosive nose of black cherries jam, roasted meat, licorice, oriental spices, tobacco leaves, and a hint of nice volatile acidity... absolutely enormous in the mounth with very ripe black fruit, prunes jam with a good refreshing acidity and extremely long in the mounth... absolutely great wine!!!
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4/5/2009 - JJL wrote: 89 Points
The white pepper of Rhone Grenache hits you immediately as you bring the glass to your nose. Secondary scents are strawberry and sweet watermelon. The tannins are rather good for a Grenache, but I thought the acidity was a little strong, as was the alcohol, which really began to show after two hours. The fruit was initially very strong and included blackberry, cherry and plum, which was supported by some sweet spices including cinnamon and licorice. There was a little burn from the alcohol at the end. The wine started to oxidize into brown alcohol after about 3 hours. I have to admit I was not a huge fan of this wine and it was at its best after an hour decant but before 2 hours. I felt like I was drinking 12 year-old scotch with a shot of grenadine. I much preferred the '00. This wine has the potential, but the alcohol is too much now. Give it another 5 years.
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2/12/2009 - winefool wrote: 94 Points
Wineflock - Worldwide Grenache (Boka): Full deep briar earthy black fruit nose. Big spicy black fruit with some well-integrated oak. Showing much better than the last example of this I had. 94+ pts.
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2/12/2009 - Nanda wrote: 97 Points
Worldwide Grenache (Boka - Chicago): OMG, what a killer nose. Layers of rich, toasty, ripe black fruit. Spice and herbs add complexity. Wow -- just delicious on the palate. Full bodied, ripe and quite young. Starts out tight but reveals more and more. Decadent, opulent . . . very new world in feel. Loved it.
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12/22/2008 - winefool wrote:
Wineflock - Big Wintery Reds (My house): Group #7, My #7 - Full deep ruby color. Pale nose of dusty black fruit. Sour black cherry with some spice - bright and acidic with a round tight frame. 90 pts. I was fairly shocked when this was unveiled given its reputation and other scores. No obvious flaws with this bottle but I have to wonder whether it was truly representative.
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12/20/2008 - Philippe_C wrote: 100 Points
Waouwwwww.... this is clearly the wine of the night... Extremely concentrated nose of jammy cherries, leather, oriental spices, gamey, some refreshing volatile acidity... the aromas literally jump out of the glass and fill the room... in the mounth, the cherries and meat taste is extremely concentrated, with some integrated and ripe tannins... previous bottles have shown too young, too tannic compared to the beautifull Mon Aueil 2003... but now that the 2 frères shows more maturity... it is like a Mon Aieul on steroids!!!
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9/19/2008 - KPB wrote: 90 Points
Very dark. Nose is fragrant with black fruits, forest loam, coffee, orange peel, white chocolate, hints of shellac. Rich, ripe fruit (plums), soft tannins, noticably hot. Rereading my TN from 18 months back, I still find the licorice, but diminished... Finish is a bit unbalanced.
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4/22/2008 - SWatson wrote: 96 Points
Took to Hatfield's in West Hollywood, CA. Absolutely lovely. No decanting and, to tell you the truth, I liked it better w/ about 15 minutes of air than I did after it had been open for 2 hours. Big, round, rich. Wonderful.
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4/6/2008 - Philippe_C wrote: 98 Points
Very strong nose of black cherries and "pruneaux", with coffee and mokka... Twice as concentrated and powerfull than the Mon Aieul, tannins are present here but very ripe, silky and totally integrated... this wine still requires a couple of years to reach his peak... potentially it could be even better than the Mon Aieul, but for today drinking the Mon Aieul was THE perfect bottle!!
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3/11/2008 - Terkel wrote: 95 Points
Châteauneuf-du-Pape prestige cuvées. (FOF): Dark red color with a brick red hue. Nuanced nose with notes of cherry, raisin, port, orange peal, nail polish and chocolate. On the palate it is similarly layered with cherry, strawberry and other red berries first. On the midpalate it has port and sweet tobaco. It remains elegant underneath the power and concentration. The modern style warmth and smoothness is there but it is also rustic and has character, a truly unique wine.
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11/5/2007 - mlhla wrote:
Brilliant
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1/17/2007 - KPB wrote: 93 Points
Impenetrable black/ruby. Nose presents with an overlay of high-toned red fruits -- red current syrup -- and darker, woody aromas. I get hints of licorice, tar, complex herbal notes, coffee. Powerful, rich, long finish, with substantial tannins and acidity; flavors of strawberries with balsamic vinegar, black licorice. Impressive wine that should improve for a few years (hard to imagine the very distant future for something like this)
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11/11/2006 - mfkidd wrote: 96 Points
Wine of the night ahead of '03 Buccella, '03 Tourette and '03 Mitolo G.A.M. Wonderful.
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