Festival of Phil (Phil's place, Putney, Sydney): From Coravin. Orange peel, earth, baked red fruit, a little garrigue quality. Chewy, savoury, baked red fruits, tight chalky tannins, alcohol warmth on the finish. Better than last time I tasted this but <shrugs>
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Tasted over 1hr -nearly opaque dark red purple, no bricking -expressive ripe plummy faint black pepper no overt maturity -med acidity, med+ weight thick textured faded raspberry plum cough syrup, finishes with some cooked fruit element and a little heat that accentuates the residual med/med- tannins -still evolving though probably not going to improve much, not nearly as cooked/hot as many other '07 southern Rhones though
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Phil's Coravin exploration (Phil's place, Putney, Sydney): From Coravin. Rich, ripe, alcohol, spice, dense, baked earth, ripe red berries, slight reductive notes. Savoury, juicy, fruit is a bit lacking annoyingly, tannins are talc textured and persistent, alcohol blockiness. I'm thinking a good decant and half an hour in the fridge will help this a lot...
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Lies. This wine is still a a baby. Mature? Oui que non. Hold this for another 5 if you have it. I think Yves Gras and his son make some of the best Southern Rhone wine for the Euro hands down. Blackberry smoke, ember, crushed garrique, and dark brooding fruit leapt from the glass. Have something hearty to eat for this wine. It is a blockbuster, and a bargain. Full body, high octane pleasure yet with grace and structure than a usual CDP. Just love it. Very fine.
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Raspberry and an earthy note on the nose. On the palate, black cherry, black currant, raspberry, sweet strawberry, and notes of anise, cinnamon, clove, earth, iron, and something like caramel on the long finish, with moderate tannins and strong acidity. This evolves on the palate like few other wines, and it's outstanding on its own, but paired with dark chocolate it is extraordinary: I would score this 94 for the wine, 97+ with bitter chocolate! My wife loved this, and asked why I didn't have more, alas. This was a rare bargain at about $30, but there is no more available. The Cellartracker drinking window is far too short - this has at least five to ten good years ahead of it.
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Stefan Krimm 27.10.2019 Tiefdunkles Braunrot, schmaler Rand; im Duft dicht, würzig, trockene Kräuter, Schwarzkirsche mit Anklängen an Amarena, Backpflaume und Pflaumensaft, Spur Leder intensive, dichte Noten von Schwarzkirsche, Brombeere, Lakritze und ganz leicht karamellisierter Backpflaume, schöne Spannung, kräftige Tannine, feine Bitternoten, schöner Körper, sehr langer Nachhall mit mentholigen Anklängen. Ein beachtlicher Gigondas, zusammen mit Tourade Font des Aieux an der Spitze des Jahrgangs. 93-94 27.10.2019 Deep dark brown-red, narrow rim; in the nose dense, spicy, dry herbs, black cherry with hints of Amarena prune and plum juice, hint of leather; on the palate intense, dense notes of black cherry, blackberry, liquorice and slightly caramelized prune, good tension, strong tannins, fine bitter notes, beautiful body, very long finish with menthol notes.A remarkable Gigondas, together with Tourade Font des Aieux one of the best of the vintage. 93-94
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Vier Jahre nach der ersten Flasche fügt sich der Wein deutlich besser zusammen: Saftige Beerenfrucht, erdige und würzige Noten, das anfangs sehr reichliche mittelkörnige Tannin sanft abgeschmolzen, gute Länge, leckerer, trinkiger Wein!
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Celebrating Fat Tuesday at the Lehman's. Opened 2 hours prior to serving. Purple in color. Fruity in the nose. Berries on the palate. Spices and herbs lingering in the background.. Good finish. A very nice wine that is currently peaking. It vanished quickly.
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Showing the best of my bottles. Quite big, but hid the alcohol (15%) better than earlier ones. More balanced as well. Came across with some bramble and blackberries. Quite nice at this point or for a few more years. A couple of the guys thought it was a Côte Rôtie.
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Decanted for 2-1/2 hours before back into the btl and the frig for about another 30 minutes prior to dinner. Served around 55 degrees. Silky, but fresh and focused. A modern producer by reputation and from the overripe 2007 vintage no less but, very pleasing to my traditional leaning palate. Just as I'm in the process of swearing off most southern Rhones and, especially the 07 vintage, I trip into a btl I love??? No weighty, jammy, oaky, high octane aspects at all. The higher altitude may be in positive play here. Just prototypically great southern Rhone ala Vieux Don Jon. At 15% Alc it's twice the Alc of a Moselle Kabinett but you have no sense of that here. The acidity keeps this fresh and enjoyable. Compelling; red raspberry, pepper, pine needles, meat, cedar, herbs and minerally flavors along with garrique. I'm sure this will age well but resolved and open for business right now. A rare, balanced, SR from the 2007 vintage. Got the semi undiscovered, hard to pronounce Gigondas discount at $32. Drinks well above that. 93pts + Hell, I might even buy some more Gigondas!
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Huge dark brooding fruit nose with explosion of figs, raisins, currants, cherries, strawberries, touch of mint filling the mouth, long viscous finish --lovely! Should last a decade more
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The initial heat on the nose blew off in ~ 10 minutes. Aroma of standing over a Hibbing iron ore mine (for those of you from Minnesota, you'll know what I mean!). Shows the opulence of the vintage but is well balanced with acidity and freshness. Boysenberry and blackberry fruit. Rich, elegant and never cloying. Will benefit from more time in bottle.
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An den ersten beiden Tagen hatte ich diesen Wein fast abgeschrieben: Alkohollastig, fügte sich irgendwie nicht richtig zusammen. Überraschender Weise am 3. Tag deutlich verwandelt mit stimmiger Balance zwischen Frucht-, Pfeffer- und Kräuteraromen und süßlichen Tanninen. Kann wohl tatsächlich noch reifen...
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Stemmy, herbal nose with some richer, spicy, roasted fruit with a dash of black olives. The sweetness and extraction are in balance. Overall, this is pretty solid and could be much better if this wasn't marred by a sharp spike of alcoholic heat on the nose and finish.
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Om doften suger tag i en med mörka mustiga bär, balanserad kännbar träkärna och en floral överton är det inget i jämförelse med vad smaken åstadkommer. Härlig slösaktig njutning, har en touch av moget annars är det sömlöst, balanserat med ett pikant slut som mynnar ut i en lång stram träbärton. Trist att det är sista flaskan, det här skull inte skada att ha källaren full av.
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Forgot to write notes on this great btl. The details are sketchy but to say this was lovely and drinking way above the $32 I paid for it. Pop & pour no problem. Silky, but fresh with complex Rhone flavors and aromas. Remember it having a minerally core too. Only one left. Should have bought more. Maybe I'll track down some 10s. A modern producer by reputation and from the ripe 2007 vintage no less but, very pleasing to my traditionally leaning palate. Go figure, on that night, I loved it!. No weighty, jammy, or oaky aspects at all. Just prototypically great southern Rhone. Happly, most people have never heard of or tasted Gigondas. Thus, a $70 plus wine for just $32.
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Nice, although didn't think it was as notable as the last bottle 18 months ago. Had with pasta dinner, need to drink with something different next time.
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I like this somewhat forward aromatic dark plum colored wine with slight bricking: almost chewy licorice, chocolate, espresso, burnt earth flavors, emerge quickly with well integrated tannins and continue through moderately long finish. Needs some air time to show well, but is drinking well now and appears will develop further or mellow some with a few years age-but doubt i would prefer that more mellow version.
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- Brick color and aromas of phenolic, blackberry and raspberry - Really liked this wine. Wish I had more. Initial aromas of alcohol blew off after 10-15 min. Vey good balance.
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Drunk as the second wine at Christmas dinner, following a very elderly but still powerful 1982 Branaire-Ducru - poor choice on my part as the Santa Duc suffered by comparison. From memory: bright nose of cranberry, raspberry, and spice. Palate wonderfully integrated and smooth, with berry and honey flavors blending seamlessly into velvety tannins and a long finish. Wish I had another.
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Drunk as the second wine at Christmas dinner, following an old, dodgy, but still powerful 1982 Branaire-Ducru - bad choice on my part since the Santa Duc suffered greatly by comparison. From memory, bright nose with a lot of cranberry, red fruit, and spice. Palate well integrated with berries and remarkable, smooth, persistent tannins. I'm not doing it justice - it really deserved more attention than we were able to give it.
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Drank one of David's tonight and loved it just as much as my btl from earlier this year. Will it be even better with age, yes, but I dare you keep your hands off these. Popped and poured.
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Tried it just to see what is going on. I've been drinking through several 07 CdPs lately and for me (with glowing exception of Pegau) more than I would like have been a mess for me.
Served with homemade Kalua pig a la Kono's Haleiwa, Maui onion kettle chips, cole slaw and homemade Caorlina BBQs sauce. A great pairing FWIW.
Opaque deep purple ruby. A pure, dark and deep stony nose of dark stony fruits, black olives, violets, and some heme- rare meat. Deep and powerful but not at all heavy. This has excellent depth and poise,. It's quite structured but not taciturn, and no hint of flab or bloominess that I feared. Deep, focused, perfumed and very enjoyable. Young, but still approachable, and I will comfortably let these sit in the cellar with little worry about their ability to develop. Very well done. 92 its
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2012 - Gathering with the boys (Bistro du Vin @ Zion Road): Alcohol :: 15% Opened for 3hrs and drank for next 2hrs. Dark purplish ruby. I have had this wine for twice before and this bottle was as good as previous one. Highly expressive, almost explosive aroma of garrigue, kirsch, blackcurrant, sweet raspberry and lots of spices: clove, star anise and smoke. Savory entry with firm structure coated the palate and offer excellent mid palate depth. Medium level of silky tannin for the bite, but it is very well integrated already compared to previous bottles that I had 1 & 2yrs ago. Layered, complex and muscular yet very fresh and focus with light rustic touch. Savory infused long finish. This has lots of energy. Should be even better in 3yrs time. 89-90+
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Decanted about 30 minutes before the first sip. At 15% it's twice the Alc of a Moselle Kabinett but you have no sense of it. The acidity keeps this fresh and lively while the vintage endows it with compelling raspberry, pepper and minerally flavors. This is really a great wine with a big meat dish or on it's own. I'm sure this will age but a lot fun right now too. Paid $32 and happy to have a couple more for down the road.
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This is one the greatest southern-Rhone wines out there - at least in this price-range (less than 30 euros). Just perfect full-bodied Grenache-Syrah, and starting to open up from its slumber. Maybe year or two more, but quite drinkable all-ready. This is the first time I've tasted Santa Duc 2007, and it's the best Gigondas I've ever had. Like a living flame of black pepper and tabasco - with chocolate and clove. Robert Parker was right after all - this really had the 94 points potential hidden beneath it's tannic shell.
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I have my doubts about the style of the 2007 southern Rhones (too ripe for me, perhaps), but this Gigondas is in a good place. Very black pepper-spicy, not overly big, heavy, extracted, or sweet like many 2007, but rather dry, fresh and balanced. Dark fruited for a grenache, with good concentration. Drinkable now but will hold/improve for 5+ years. B+/A-.
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A big wine. In the best of senses. Broad shouldered but in one place. Rich sweet black berries, but with structure. Went perfect with some bbq ribs and a roquefort on a lazy friday eve.
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Nice start but there is absolutely bothersome aftertaste. It starts around 5-7 seconds in and lasts until about 15-18 seconds in. Huge disappointment. I have a second bottle. Looks like I will save this for a party where no one will notice but it is a shame to waste this...
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WOW. That one hits you like a ton of bricks. I had to wait till the 15% alcohol blew off. It amazingly enough was not all that annoying, but I'm getting a little sensitive to alcohol on the nose. I could still enjoy this, but it got a lot better once it blew off. Dark, dark purple in the glass. Big black berries and fruits on the nose, with something floral floating around too. Enough tannins to guarantee longevity (and then some), but I like tannins, and these were charming. The acidity was well masked by the fruit, but there was enough there to work with food too. Amazing QPR for the appellation.
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Tested at 70 deg F on a well-aired bottle, 2 to 3 hrs. Nose of paint, perfume, hints of fruit and spice. In the mouth floral with a slight paint taste and spicy, warm deep neutral dark berry fruit with hints of a meaty-gamey flavor. Finishes of same. Dry. Body medium, acid medium, tannin medium plus.
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big blue and black fruits. pop and pour into a Riedel Oregon Pinot glass. 30 minutes of air. blue and black fruits. light pepper on the nose. cinnamon. rustic herbal nose and a little roasty oak. very nice.
DAY 2. ripe red and purple fruits. so herbal on the palate today. in the nose pepper and smoke and roast. exotic spice box. palate shows stewed red fruit, high side of medium acid. not Med+ acid. really fun guts to this wine.
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UWS 2010-01 (@ JB): Not so many notes. Full bodied. A lot of fruits; dark as well as red. Garrigue. Young a great pleasure. This will probably age well as well.
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The basic cuvée (Gigondas) of the Santa Duc estate with a varietal composition of 75 % Grenache, 10 % Mourvèdre, 10 % Syrah and 5% Cinsault. The wine was aged for 18 months in large oak barrels. Dense inky-red color and a complex nose of dark red fruit, leather, Provençal herbs and earth. Rich and voluptuous wine with a very nice fruit extraction, good depth and velvety tannins (at present). High alcohol level (15 %), yet very well masked. Lengthy, spicy finish. Although still young, the wine is deliciously drinkable now, but has also a good ageing potential.
De basis-Gigondas van het domein Santa Duc, met een samenstelling van 75 % Grenache, 10 % Mourvèdre, 10 % Syrah en 5% Cinsault. De wijn rijpte gedurende 18 maanden op grote eiken foeders. Dichte, inktachtige rode kleur en een complex bouquet van donkerrood fruit, leder, Provençaalse kruiden en aardse tonen. Rijke, volmondige wijn, met een prima fruitextractie en dito diepgang, en fluweelzachte tannines (op dit ogenblik). Het hoge alcoholgehalte (15 %) is perfect geïntegreerd. Lange, kruidige finale. Hoewel nog zeer jong, is deze wijn al perfect drinkbaar, maar men kan hem evenzeer nog meerdere jaren wegleggen.
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A little too much for me.. seemed kind of hot at first and although it settled down this may be too extracted / concentrated / alcoholic. Won't buy more. At home with duck ragu pasta.
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Robert Kacher Tasting (Taj, Boston MA): I'm surprised this was at the tasting, as I imagine it's pretty easy to sell. Beautiful grenache nose. Raspberry liquor, herbs, very rich and hedonistic. This is so good. I'd have a tough time laying off of any of these. 90-92
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beautiful perfume of white flowers intermixed with crushed rocks and blue as well as black fruits, medium to full body, supple tannin, and a velvety, opulent finish.
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5/4/2024 - Vaughanwallace wrote: 93 Points
Needed a good decant. Still big and a little sweet and confected. Big red berries, some tertiary characteristics. Funky on the nose.
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9/2/2023 - Vaughanwallace wrote: 93 Points
Still full of life. Big red fruit. Raspberries, cola, touch of green undergrowth. Just goes on and on. Still got another 5 years at least.
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8/12/2023 - kingkanu wrote:
15%, but not too hefty, drinking well but has some heat to finish
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9/17/2022 - Vaughanwallace wrote: 94 Points
Full bodied Grenache. No sign of ageing. Particularly good on the second day.
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8/19/2022 - chatters wrote:
Festival of Phil (Phil's place, Putney, Sydney): From Coravin. Orange peel, earth, baked red fruit, a little garrigue quality. Chewy, savoury, baked red fruits, tight chalky tannins, alcohol warmth on the finish. Better than last time I tasted this but <shrugs>
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6/10/2022 - Vaughanwallace wrote: 94 Points
In great shape. Drinking really well
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3/26/2022 - Vaughanwallace wrote: 94 Points
Big but not out of control. Big red fruit but still very tannic. In good shape.
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8/8/2021 - Vaughanwallace wrote: 93 Points
Plush fruit. Almost sweet. Still tastes young and primary.
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5/29/2021 - Vaughanwallace wrote: 95 Points
Big and rich but drinking so well. Sour cherries and leather notes. Just great
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4/20/2021 - Cote d'Or wrote:
Tasted over 1hr
-nearly opaque dark red purple, no bricking
-expressive ripe plummy faint black pepper no overt maturity
-med acidity, med+ weight thick textured faded raspberry plum cough syrup, finishes with some cooked fruit element and a little heat that accentuates the residual med/med- tannins
-still evolving though probably not going to improve much, not nearly as cooked/hot as many other '07 southern Rhones though
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3/17/2021 - pmik wrote: 91 Points
Vinnørd
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2/16/2021 - chatters wrote:
Phil's Coravin exploration (Phil's place, Putney, Sydney): From Coravin. Rich, ripe, alcohol, spice, dense, baked earth, ripe red berries, slight reductive notes. Savoury, juicy, fruit is a bit lacking annoyingly, tannins are talc textured and persistent, alcohol blockiness. I'm thinking a good decant and half an hour in the fridge will help this a lot...
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7/31/2020 - etyc wrote:
This is high octane alright... Not sure where this will go - frankly, I'm actually afraid that the alcohol will outlast the fruit!
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6/20/2020 - TXRhoneRanger wrote: 96 Points
Lies. This wine is still a a baby. Mature? Oui que non. Hold this for another 5 if you have it. I think Yves Gras and his son make some of the best Southern Rhone wine for the Euro hands down. Blackberry smoke, ember, crushed garrique, and dark brooding fruit leapt from the glass. Have something hearty to eat for this wine. It is a blockbuster, and a bargain. Full body, high octane pleasure yet with grace and structure than a usual CDP. Just love it. Very fine.
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4/2/2020 - RichardP wrote: 94 Points
Raspberry and an earthy note on the nose. On the palate, black cherry, black currant, raspberry, sweet strawberry, and notes of anise, cinnamon, clove, earth, iron, and something like caramel on the long finish, with moderate tannins and strong acidity. This evolves on the palate like few other wines, and it's outstanding on its own, but paired with dark chocolate it is extraordinary: I would score this 94 for the wine, 97+ with bitter chocolate! My wife loved this, and asked why I didn't have more, alas. This was a rare bargain at about $30, but there is no more available. The Cellartracker drinking window is far too short - this has at least five to ten good years ahead of it.
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10/27/2019 - skmcom wrote: 94 Points
Stefan Krimm 27.10.2019
Tiefdunkles Braunrot, schmaler Rand; im Duft dicht, würzig, trockene Kräuter, Schwarzkirsche mit Anklängen an Amarena, Backpflaume und Pflaumensaft, Spur Leder
intensive, dichte Noten von Schwarzkirsche, Brombeere, Lakritze und ganz leicht karamellisierter Backpflaume, schöne Spannung, kräftige Tannine, feine Bitternoten, schöner Körper, sehr langer Nachhall mit mentholigen Anklängen. Ein beachtlicher Gigondas, zusammen mit Tourade Font des Aieux an der Spitze des Jahrgangs.
93-94
27.10.2019
Deep dark brown-red, narrow rim; in the nose dense, spicy, dry herbs, black cherry with hints of Amarena prune and plum juice, hint of leather; on the palate intense, dense notes of black cherry, blackberry, liquorice and slightly caramelized prune, good tension, strong tannins, fine bitter notes, beautiful body, very long finish with menthol notes.A remarkable Gigondas, together with Tourade Font des Aieux one of the best of the vintage.
93-94
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9/22/2019 - Vaughanwallace wrote: 93 Points
Delicious GSM blend. Full bodied. In excellent condition. Drinking well now.
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1/18/2019 - PVJC Likes this wine: 93 Points
Really good although a bit faded and over the hill
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1/14/2019 - wurzel68 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Vier Jahre nach der ersten Flasche fügt sich der Wein deutlich besser zusammen: Saftige Beerenfrucht, erdige und würzige Noten, das anfangs sehr reichliche mittelkörnige Tannin sanft abgeschmolzen, gute Länge, leckerer, trinkiger Wein!
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12/15/2018 - win_fried wrote: 93 Points
Agree with previous review. Very good drinking window. Quite Chateauneufish.
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5/18/2018 - JGinMO wrote: 92 Points
Found this lively with good earth tones, very good drinking window.
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2/13/2018 - mhudes Likes this wine: 91 Points
Celebrating Fat Tuesday at the Lehman's. Opened 2 hours prior to serving. Purple in color. Fruity in the nose. Berries on the palate. Spices and herbs lingering in the background.. Good finish. A very nice wine that is currently peaking. It vanished quickly.
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12/28/2017 - Alexroy wrote: 92 Points
Dark burgundy showing some age. Rich fruitcake nose. Smooth, dark fruit, tannic, long. Great.
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12/1/2017 - pmik wrote: 91 Points
Excellent!
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10/21/2017 - Alexroy wrote: 92 Points
(Day 2) Bold red fruit, smooth, lovely, drinking perfectly.
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8/19/2017 - portman63 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Showing the best of my bottles. Quite big, but hid the alcohol (15%) better than earlier ones. More balanced as well. Came across with some bramble and blackberries. Quite nice at this point or for a few more years. A couple of the guys thought it was a Côte Rôtie.
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3/10/2017 - chablis28 wrote: 93 Points
Decanted for 2-1/2 hours before back into the btl and the frig for about another 30 minutes prior to dinner. Served around 55 degrees. Silky, but fresh and focused. A modern producer by reputation and from the overripe 2007 vintage no less but, very pleasing to my traditional leaning palate. Just as I'm in the process of swearing off most southern Rhones and, especially the 07 vintage, I trip into a btl I love??? No weighty, jammy, oaky, high octane aspects at all. The higher altitude may be in positive play here. Just prototypically great southern Rhone ala Vieux Don Jon. At 15% Alc it's twice the Alc of a Moselle Kabinett but you have no sense of that here. The acidity keeps this fresh and enjoyable. Compelling; red raspberry, pepper, pine needles, meat, cedar, herbs and minerally flavors along with garrique. I'm sure this will age well but resolved and open for business right now. A rare, balanced, SR from the 2007 vintage. Got the semi undiscovered, hard to pronounce Gigondas discount at $32. Drinks well above that. 93pts + Hell, I might even buy some more Gigondas!
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2/6/2017 - Dar3 wrote: 92 Points
Better slightly chilled
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12/29/2016 - Rollerball wrote: 92 Points
Burly, briary, and enjoyably big and rustic next to the Grand Veneur 2007 CdP.
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12/17/2016 - Vaughanwallace wrote: 93 Points
Full bodied yet still smooth and in balance. A little spice. A little plummy. Good at a lower temperature.
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6/5/2016 - Rollerball wrote: 92 Points
Outer bull. A blissfully neutral twenty-five point shot.
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11/27/2015 - EllisWine Likes this wine: 92 Points
Huge dark brooding fruit nose with explosion of figs, raisins, currants, cherries, strawberries, touch of mint filling the mouth, long viscous finish --lovely! Should last a decade more
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10/18/2015 - HC wrote: 92 Points
Classic, mature and beautifull Gigondas!
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7/26/2015 - SMagowan Likes this wine:
No score - just can't remember. I do remember that we all liked it a lot and it was gone in a heartbeat.
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2/3/2015 - maxima wrote: 88 Points
Un peu trop extrait et capiteux en ce moment.
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12/2/2014 - pigdaddy wrote: 88 Points
decanted one hour. heady, ripe & richly-fruited, showing lots of wood & extract; feels like a style requiring near-term consumption w/robust food.
"stew" of butter beans, chorizo, roasted corno di toro peppers, w/ricotta & tomato marmalade mousse; cavalo nero salad w/roasted sunchokes & pumpkin, lemon & pecorino
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11/30/2014 - minndavid60 Likes this wine: 93 Points
The initial heat on the nose blew off in ~ 10 minutes. Aroma of standing over a Hibbing iron ore mine (for those of you from Minnesota, you'll know what I mean!). Shows the opulence of the vintage but is well balanced with acidity and freshness. Boysenberry and blackberry fruit. Rich, elegant and never cloying. Will benefit from more time in bottle.
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11/15/2014 - Rico100 wrote: 91 Points
Very nice - even better on day 2.
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11/9/2014 - theodore3 Likes this wine: 89 Points
its good but I find it to be a bit flat - not very exciting or fresh.
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10/6/2014 - Rico100 wrote: 91 Points
Drinking well now. Nice fruit and balance.
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9/12/2014 - wurzel68 Likes this wine: 88 Points
An den ersten beiden Tagen hatte ich diesen Wein fast abgeschrieben: Alkohollastig, fügte sich irgendwie nicht richtig zusammen. Überraschender Weise am 3. Tag deutlich verwandelt mit stimmiger Balance zwischen Frucht-, Pfeffer- und Kräuteraromen und süßlichen Tanninen. Kann wohl tatsächlich noch reifen...
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8/26/2014 - blanquito wrote: 87 Points
Stemmy, herbal nose with some richer, spicy, roasted fruit with a dash of black olives. The sweetness and extraction are in balance. Overall, this is pretty solid and could be much better if this wasn't marred by a sharp spike of alcoholic heat on the nose and finish.
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6/13/2014 - Rollerball wrote: 90 Points
Decanting for an hour revealed some of the beautiful fruit lying beneath the alcohol and tannins.
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3/21/2014 - Svenssonsmakaren wrote: 92 Points
Om doften suger tag i en med mörka mustiga bär, balanserad kännbar träkärna och en floral överton är det inget i jämförelse med vad smaken åstadkommer. Härlig slösaktig njutning, har en touch av moget annars är det sömlöst, balanserat med ett pikant slut som mynnar ut i en lång stram träbärton. Trist att det är sista flaskan, det här skull inte skada att ha källaren full av.
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3/20/2014 - jannevaro Likes this wine: 92 Points
Really soft and silky delicatesse.
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3/13/2014 - chablis28 wrote: 94 Points
Forgot to write notes on this great btl. The details are sketchy but to say this was lovely and drinking way above the $32 I paid for it. Pop & pour no problem. Silky, but fresh with complex Rhone flavors and aromas. Remember it having a minerally core too. Only one left. Should have bought more. Maybe I'll track down some 10s. A modern producer by reputation and from the ripe 2007 vintage no less but, very pleasing to my traditionally leaning palate. Go figure, on that night, I loved it!. No weighty, jammy, or oaky aspects at all. Just prototypically great southern Rhone. Happly, most people have never heard of or tasted Gigondas. Thus, a $70 plus wine for just $32.
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12/28/2013 - bonedoc wrote:
2007 Gigondas tasting: Great combo of earth, fruit, funk, acidity. Balanced and delicious. 91-93
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12/22/2013 - drum-wine Likes this wine: 92 Points
Decanted and aired for about 1.5h- it was worth waiting!
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8/24/2013 - PVJC Likes this wine:
Nice, although didn't think it was as notable as the last bottle 18 months ago. Had with pasta dinner, need to drink with something different next time.
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8/18/2013 - Ken63 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Consistant with previous ratings. Drinking very nice now
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4/15/2013 - Ken63 Likes this wine: 92 Points
I like this somewhat forward aromatic dark plum colored wine with slight bricking: almost chewy licorice, chocolate, espresso, burnt earth flavors, emerge quickly with well integrated tannins and continue through moderately long finish. Needs some air time to show well, but is drinking well now and appears will develop further or mellow some with a few years age-but doubt i would prefer that more mellow version.
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1/20/2013 - dberan wrote: 92 Points
- Brick color and aromas of phenolic, blackberry and raspberry - Really liked this wine. Wish I had more. Initial aromas of alcohol blew off after 10-15 min. Vey good balance.
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12/26/2012 - tautlinehitch Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drunk as the second wine at Christmas dinner, following a very elderly but still powerful 1982 Branaire-Ducru - poor choice on my part as the Santa Duc suffered by comparison. From memory: bright nose of cranberry, raspberry, and spice. Palate wonderfully integrated and smooth, with berry and honey flavors blending seamlessly into velvety tannins and a long finish. Wish I had another.
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12/25/2012 - tautlinehitch Likes this wine: 91 Points
Drunk as the second wine at Christmas dinner, following an old, dodgy, but still powerful 1982 Branaire-Ducru - bad choice on my part since the Santa Duc suffered greatly by comparison. From memory, bright nose with a lot of cranberry, red fruit, and spice. Palate well integrated with berries and remarkable, smooth, persistent tannins. I'm not doing it justice - it really deserved more attention than we were able to give it.
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11/8/2012 - chablis28 wrote: 93 Points
Drank one of David's tonight and loved it just as much as my btl from earlier this year. Will it be even better with age, yes, but I dare you keep your hands off these. Popped and poured.
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9/8/2012 - shormi wrote: 91 Points
very smooth and fruity.
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7/30/2012 - cct wrote: 92 Points
Tried it just to see what is going on. I've been drinking through several 07 CdPs lately and for me (with glowing exception of Pegau) more than I would like have been a mess for me.
Served with homemade Kalua pig a la Kono's Haleiwa, Maui onion kettle chips, cole slaw and homemade Caorlina BBQs sauce. A great pairing FWIW.
Opaque deep purple ruby. A pure, dark and deep stony nose of dark stony fruits, black olives, violets, and some heme- rare meat. Deep and powerful but not at all heavy. This has excellent depth and poise,. It's quite structured but not taciturn, and no hint of flab or bloominess that I feared. Deep, focused, perfumed and very enjoyable. Young, but still approachable, and I will comfortably let these sit in the cellar with little worry about their ability to develop. Very well done. 92 its
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3/28/2012 - Sleepy Dave wrote: 89 Points
2012 - Gathering with the boys (Bistro du Vin @ Zion Road): Alcohol :: 15%
Opened for 3hrs and drank for next 2hrs. Dark purplish ruby. I have had this wine for twice before and this bottle was as good as previous one. Highly expressive, almost explosive aroma of garrigue, kirsch, blackcurrant, sweet raspberry and lots of spices: clove, star anise and smoke. Savory entry with firm structure coated the palate and offer excellent mid palate depth. Medium level of silky tannin for the bite, but it is very well integrated already compared to previous bottles that I had 1 & 2yrs ago. Layered, complex and muscular yet very fresh and focus with light rustic touch. Savory infused long finish. This has lots of energy. Should be even better in 3yrs time. 89-90+
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12/27/2011 - Lessthanzero wrote:
What can I say? This is good sh!t. See my other note.
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12/16/2011 - PVJC wrote:
Really nice Gigondas, and drinking well. Just the right fine-grained earthiness. Wish I had bought even more.
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11/27/2011 - bsreid wrote: 92 Points
really enjoyed this wine with Vietnamese food. Tight berries with limited tannins. great food wine.
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9/3/2011 - johbev wrote:
Dracks på landet av Kati
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6/29/2011 - chablis28 wrote: 93 Points
Decanted about 30 minutes before the first sip. At 15% it's twice the Alc of a Moselle Kabinett but you have no sense of it. The acidity keeps this fresh and lively while the vintage endows it with compelling raspberry, pepper and minerally flavors. This is really a great wine with a big meat dish or on it's own. I'm sure this will age but a lot fun right now too. Paid $32 and happy to have a couple more for down the road.
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6/29/2011 - JN wrote: 94 Points
This is one the greatest southern-Rhone wines out there - at least in this price-range (less than 30 euros). Just perfect full-bodied Grenache-Syrah, and starting to open up from its slumber. Maybe year or two more, but quite drinkable all-ready. This is the first time I've tasted Santa Duc 2007, and it's the best Gigondas I've ever had. Like a living flame of black pepper and tabasco - with chocolate and clove. Robert Parker was right after all - this really had the 94 points potential hidden beneath it's tannic shell.
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6/18/2011 - redfeet Likes this wine: 92 Points
This wine was very nice. Wish I had another bottle.
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5/16/2011 - Ramberg wrote: 89 Points
A very good wine.
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4/1/2011 - blanquito wrote:
I have my doubts about the style of the 2007 southern Rhones (too ripe for me, perhaps), but this Gigondas is in a good place. Very black pepper-spicy, not overly big, heavy, extracted, or sweet like many 2007, but rather dry, fresh and balanced. Dark fruited for a grenache, with good concentration. Drinkable now but will hold/improve for 5+ years. B+/A-.
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4/1/2011 - Omar Khayyam Likes this wine: 90 Points
A big wine. In the best of senses. Broad shouldered but in one place. Rich sweet black berries, but with structure. Went perfect with some bbq ribs and a roquefort on a lazy friday eve.
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3/19/2011 - Lessthanzero wrote: 92 Points
same as before
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2/25/2011 - Sundbyberg wrote: 92 Points
Excellent, especially considering the price (circa 20 euros). Opened and drank over 2 days. No problem.
Pefect alternative to a more expensive CDP.
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2/22/2011 - fluddy wrote: 85 Points
Nice start but there is absolutely bothersome aftertaste. It starts around 5-7 seconds in and lasts until about 15-18 seconds in. Huge disappointment. I have a second bottle. Looks like I will save this for a party where no one will notice but it is a shame to waste this...
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2/2/2011 - cpsmith33 wrote: 88 Points
similar commentary as last bottle. nice dry earthy bottle...meaty flavors...decent fruit..needs time.
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1/16/2011 - WineScoundrel wrote: 90 Points
Shhh! Be vewy, vewy quiet. She's fast asleep.
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1/6/2011 - Lessthanzero wrote: 92 Points
WOW. That one hits you like a ton of bricks. I had to wait till the 15% alcohol blew off. It amazingly enough was not all that annoying, but I'm getting a little sensitive to alcohol on the nose. I could still enjoy this, but it got a lot better once it blew off. Dark, dark purple in the glass. Big black berries and fruits on the nose, with something floral floating around too. Enough tannins to guarantee longevity (and then some), but I like tannins, and these were charming. The acidity was well masked by the fruit, but there was enough there to work with food too. Amazing QPR for the appellation.
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12/18/2010 - cpsmith33 wrote: 88 Points
nice nose and good fruit, smooth finish...meaty, herbal flavors too...solid but i dont know, i guess i was expecting a bit more
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9/30/2010 - linuhage wrote: 90 Points
Köttig och mörkfruktig. Typiska Rhône-örter. Förvånansvärt balanserad trots sina 15 %.
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9/24/2010 - HenryW wrote: 86 Points
Nose of violets and dark berries. Palate is dominated by bitter chocolate notes and rather disjointed at this point in time.
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9/23/2010 - KriLis wrote: 88 Points
Dark, smooth fruit, but a bit heavy on the alcohol. Young and will need a bit of aeration before serving.
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8/17/2010 - dynowine wrote: 90 Points
Tested at 70 deg F on a well-aired bottle, 2 to 3 hrs. Nose of paint, perfume, hints of fruit and spice. In the mouth floral with a slight paint taste and spicy, warm deep neutral dark berry fruit with hints of a meaty-gamey flavor. Finishes of same. Dry. Body medium, acid medium, tannin medium plus.
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7/14/2010 - edman wrote:
Inte i närheten av nittiofyra pinnar som rp utlovat. Måste vara ett sämre ex.....godkänt, knappt. återkommer.
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5/17/2010 - unrelenting wrote: 90 Points
Not a great value Gigondas but it has a nice earthy palate.
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4/21/2010 - nzinkgraf wrote:
big blue and black fruits. pop and pour into a Riedel Oregon Pinot glass. 30 minutes of air. blue and black fruits. light pepper on the nose. cinnamon. rustic herbal nose and a little roasty oak. very nice.
DAY 2. ripe red and purple fruits. so herbal on the palate today. in the nose pepper and smoke and roast. exotic spice box. palate shows stewed red fruit, high side of medium acid. not Med+ acid. really fun guts to this wine.
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3/25/2010 - Zweder wrote: 90 Points
UWS 2010-01 (@ JB): Not so many notes. Full bodied. A lot of fruits; dark as well as red. Garrigue. Young a great pleasure. This will probably age well as well.
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2/24/2010 - huse wrote: 91 Points
The basic cuvée (Gigondas) of the Santa Duc estate with a varietal composition of 75 % Grenache, 10 % Mourvèdre, 10 % Syrah and 5% Cinsault. The wine was aged for 18 months in large oak barrels. Dense inky-red color and a complex nose of dark red fruit, leather, Provençal herbs and earth. Rich and voluptuous wine with a very nice fruit extraction, good depth and velvety tannins (at present). High alcohol level (15 %), yet very well masked. Lengthy, spicy finish. Although still young, the wine is deliciously drinkable now, but has also a good ageing potential.
De basis-Gigondas van het domein Santa Duc, met een samenstelling van 75 % Grenache, 10 % Mourvèdre, 10 % Syrah en 5% Cinsault. De wijn rijpte gedurende 18 maanden op grote eiken foeders. Dichte, inktachtige rode kleur en een complex bouquet van donkerrood fruit, leder, Provençaalse kruiden en aardse tonen. Rijke, volmondige wijn, met een prima fruitextractie en dito diepgang, en fluweelzachte tannines (op dit ogenblik). Het hoge alcoholgehalte (15 %) is perfect geïntegreerd. Lange, kruidige finale. Hoewel nog zeer jong, is deze wijn al perfect drinkbaar, maar men kan hem evenzeer nog meerdere jaren wegleggen.
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2/19/2010 - nzinkgraf wrote:
Arthritis Foundation Connoiseurs' Room (Pfister Hotel, Milwaukee): cinnamon impression on blue fruit. impressive herbal palate. this wine lays the intrigue at my feets.
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2/19/2010 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
Black pepper and mint. Big fleshy fruit. Well done, ugly label.
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1/11/2010 - kcho wrote:
drinking very well indeed..;
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1/7/2010 - ChinonRouge wrote:
Regrettably, I didn't get more than a taste. Wife and friends drank it. Thus, can't score it.
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12/8/2009 - AtoZ wrote: 89 Points
A little too much for me.. seemed kind of hot at first and although it settled down this may be too extracted / concentrated / alcoholic. Won't buy more. At home with duck ragu pasta.
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12/5/2009 - pmik wrote: 91 Points
Drank with Santa Duc 2004. The 2007 is fresh and with more fruit. Better. Nice and vibrant.
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10/14/2009 - hutch wrote: 91 Points
Robert Kacher Tasting (Taj, Boston MA): I'm surprised this was at the tasting, as I imagine it's pretty easy to sell. Beautiful grenache nose. Raspberry liquor, herbs, very rich and hedonistic. This is so good. I'd have a tough time laying off of any of these. 90-92
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6/6/2009 - jivey wrote: 91 Points
beautiful perfume of white flowers intermixed with crushed rocks and blue as well as black fruits, medium to full body, supple tannin, and a velvety, opulent finish.
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