Decanted for sediment (a fair amount), returned to bottle and enjoyed over two hours. My last one of these was nearly five years ago, and if this bottle is representative, it's past its apogee and is on the long, downhill slide. More elegance than power, with wisps of balsamic threading the red/dark red fruits. Good freshness, flowing lines, and a lovely sense of place. A joy. Sadly, just one remains; will open in the coming 2-3 years for my preferences. Easily recommended
Very rich yet. Almost overwhelmingly so before it gets a lot of air in it. Complex nose with potpourri, wood, camphor, dried fruits and on and on. The fruit is still bright yet showing a lot of complexities. It might be transitioning into secondary phases but its a bit difficult to discern right now with the power still present. The acidity initially seemed overwhelmed by the richness but you really see how this opens when it lets itself show. Plenty of tannin of course. Its got that lava rock quality I get from Aglianico so often. Charcoal and plum. I liked this best on night two when the balance and complexity really put on a show. Still very good on night three if less expressive. Has thrown a decent amount of sediment. A terrific wine coming into its own. Long life ahead of it. I'd say in another five years this will be where you want it.
Really quite an interesting wine that changed quickly after decanting. Nose at 1st was quite earthy and musty then turned mellower after about 30 minutes. Deep ruby red flavors of smoke, tar and almost a syrupy like finish with tremendous varieties on the end.
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Decanted, poured, and consumed immediately. Really luscious. Velvety texture. Pencil shavings and mushroom on the nose at first, evolving to tart balsamic. Pretty fiery on the palate but tannins are pleasant. Long, undulating finish. Peaked at a 93 but faded quickly so I docked it a point.
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My second one in as many years, and it just continues to impress. Full-bodied, and certainly full-flavored, but not yet at the apogee of its complexity - call it an equal mix of primary and secondary fruit at this stage. Eminently gulpable, so beware; seriously though, give this 90 minutes or so of air in decanter, and get ready for the brilliant show. The winegrowing there today is all natural, and even though I'm not certain of the practices during this period, I'm guessing they were the same. Should drink at this top level another 10-15 years - and this isn't even the riserva! highly recommended
Drank at home with the Perlman-Gabels while making homemade pizza. Pizza was meh but the wine was brilliant. Really beautifully balanced and in its prime drinking window. Dark fruits and full bodied.
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The tannins are still green which affected my fully appreciating the fruit. I don't think it deserves Parker's 95 but the wine is still young. I will have to wait another year or two to see if the wine settles down.
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Tuesday Night Double Blind $40+ (Bin 75): Very dark, opaque core, highly extracted with thin garnet rim, some age; tar, dark, ash, tobacco, slight prune, cedar; powerful palate, ripe, some age, blackberry, Italian, sweet, some juicy fruit, not that astringent; called '06 Montevetrano.
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The nose radiated dark earth, stone and minerals, with a tart cherry and herbal notes rounding out the fruit. On the palate, soil laden, sour red fruits with rich, focused concentration flowed across the senses. The tannins were chewy, but not overwhelming, leaving an impression of austere elegance. It finished with palate staining dark red fruits and tannin, which slowly faded, yet never seemed to disappear. Day two was even more enjoyable as this wine darkened even more, while also taking on undergrowth and notes of mushroom, which continued to accentuate the experience.. Earthy, so very Italian, and enjoyable to the last drop.
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Its surprising to me to be the first entry for this wine. Perhaps its not easy to find in other parts of the country. I felt that this compares very well with Nebbiolo and that its drinking quite well at the moment. While perhaps it will continue to improve, there is not any overwhelming tannic sense at this stage. The nose is of candied cherry. The taste of softer cherries with a mild acidic bit and some candied spice. Very much enjoyed.
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Opened and decanted for 1 hr. dark fruit and earthy nose. dark fruit attack with soft but sour tannins kicking in on mid palate through finish. will be 90+ pointer if sourness calms down over time.
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4/17/2024 - gordoyflaca Likes this wine: 93 Points
Earthy old school and pure sour cherry. Nice.
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2/2/2024 - Tim Heaton Likes this wine:
Decanted for sediment (a fair amount), returned to bottle and enjoyed over two hours. My last one of these was nearly five years ago, and if this bottle is representative, it's past its apogee and is on the long, downhill slide. More elegance than power, with wisps of balsamic threading the red/dark red fruits. Good freshness, flowing lines, and a lovely sense of place. A joy. Sadly, just one remains; will open in the coming 2-3 years for my preferences. Easily recommended
https://www.ItalianWine.blog
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1/22/2022 - WetRock wrote:
Very rich yet. Almost overwhelmingly so before it gets a lot of air in it. Complex nose with potpourri, wood, camphor, dried fruits and on and on. The fruit is still bright yet showing a lot of complexities. It might be transitioning into secondary phases but its a bit difficult to discern right now with the power still present. The acidity initially seemed overwhelmed by the richness but you really see how this opens when it lets itself show. Plenty of tannin of course. Its got that lava rock quality I get from Aglianico so often. Charcoal and plum. I liked this best on night two when the balance and complexity really put on a show. Still very good on night three if less expressive. Has thrown a decent amount of sediment. A terrific wine coming into its own. Long life ahead of it. I'd say in another five years this will be where you want it.
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3/4/2021 - gamlingman Likes this wine: 91 Points
Really quite an interesting wine that changed quickly after decanting. Nose at 1st was quite earthy and musty then turned mellower after about 30 minutes. Deep ruby red flavors of smoke, tar and almost a syrupy like finish with tremendous varieties on the end.
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1/9/2021 - guido23 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Decanted, poured, and consumed immediately. Really luscious. Velvety texture. Pencil shavings and mushroom on the nose at first, evolving to tart balsamic. Pretty fiery on the palate but tannins are pleasant. Long, undulating finish. Peaked at a 93 but faded quickly so I docked it a point.
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7/30/2020 - nschmidt Likes this wine: 93 Points
Drank at Barbara's 88th. Loved by all. Full bodied dark fruits.
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9/19/2019 - Tim Heaton Likes this wine:
My second one in as many years, and it just continues to impress. Full-bodied, and certainly full-flavored, but not yet at the apogee of its complexity - call it an equal mix of primary and secondary fruit at this stage. Eminently gulpable, so beware; seriously though, give this 90 minutes or so of air in decanter, and get ready for the brilliant show. The winegrowing there today is all natural, and even though I'm not certain of the practices during this period, I'm guessing they were the same. Should drink at this top level another 10-15 years - and this isn't even the riserva! highly recommended
https://www.italianwinereviews.com
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8/14/2019 - JJKinch wrote: 92 Points
Dark fruit (cherry, blueberry), nice garrigue, tobacco, spice, slight herbal. Slight smoke. Good acidity. Lingering finish. Really enjoyable.
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7/29/2019 - K&J Likes this wine: 94 Points
Simply put, this is awesome juice! Stole the quote from Robert Parker but it applies.
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8/2/2018 - nschmidt Likes this wine: 94 Points
Drank at home with the Perlman-Gabels while making homemade pizza. Pizza was meh but the wine was brilliant. Really beautifully balanced and in its prime drinking window. Dark fruits and full bodied.
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5/28/2018 - JOsgood wrote: 91 Points
Drinking very young and quite well. Nice integration of the fruit here. Should live a very long life.
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5/28/2018 - the godfather wrote:
Drinking really young, would like a taste in 10 years
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10/11/2016 - Rezy13 wrote:
Tuesday Night Double Blind $40+ (Alpharetta, GA): Dark core with large crimson rim, some age; nutty, oak, chestnut, soy, fennel, dried fruit, brown sugar; grainy tannin, cedar; solid.
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1/1/2015 - K&J Likes this wine: 93 Points
Still quite tannic. Probably should wait for another 2-3 years before it is approachable.
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8/13/2014 - K&J Likes this wine: 92 Points
The tannins are still green which affected my fully appreciating the fruit. I don't think it deserves Parker's 95 but the wine is still young. I will have to wait another year or two to see if the wine settles down.
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7/22/2014 - Rezy13 wrote:
Tuesday Night Double Blind $40+ (Bin 75): Very dark, opaque core, highly extracted with thin garnet rim, some age; tar, dark, ash, tobacco, slight prune, cedar; powerful palate, ripe, some age, blackberry, Italian, sweet, some juicy fruit, not that astringent; called '06 Montevetrano.
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5/18/2014 - Eric Guido Likes this wine: 93 Points
The nose radiated dark earth, stone and minerals, with a tart cherry and herbal notes rounding out the fruit. On the palate, soil laden, sour red fruits with rich, focused concentration flowed across the senses. The tannins were chewy, but not overwhelming, leaving an impression of austere elegance. It finished with palate staining dark red fruits and tannin, which slowly faded, yet never seemed to disappear. Day two was even more enjoyable as this wine darkened even more, while also taking on undergrowth and notes of mushroom, which continued to accentuate the experience.. Earthy, so very Italian, and enjoyable to the last drop.
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11/9/2013 - Steven A wrote: 90 Points
- It's overly tannic with a medium/full body. Fleshy texture with a long finish - Big tannins
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8/28/2013 - tb_baltimore Likes this wine: 92 Points
Its surprising to me to be the first entry for this wine. Perhaps its not easy to find in other parts of the country. I felt that this compares very well with Nebbiolo and that its drinking quite well at the moment. While perhaps it will continue to improve, there is not any overwhelming tannic sense at this stage. The nose is of candied cherry. The taste of softer cherries with a mild acidic bit and some candied spice. Very much enjoyed.
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6/15/2013 - APMX Likes this wine: 89 Points
Opened and decanted for 1 hr. dark fruit and earthy nose. dark fruit attack with soft but sour tannins kicking in on mid palate through finish. will be 90+ pointer if sourness calms down over time.
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6/18/2011 - 560 B&W wrote: 93 Points
June 18, 2011
Still needs time
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