Opaque purple - black. Very aromatic pencil box, tobacco, cherry, plum, alcohol. Concentrated fruit (Ei "raisins, turpentine, prune"). Dry and well balanced. Not particularly complex. Don't think there is more development coming here, but it is quite good and a nice complement for a grilled tenderloin.
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As good as it’s been but still about the tannin, leather and bounce a quarter off-the-ass tight. After 15 years it’s not going to get better. Some cranberry notes and a pretty dry finish. At least it’s clean (no TCA) which has plagued this wine in the past.
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Still quite tannic…probably can use another year or three to fully soften…but then, I’d assume there would be little left to enjoy. It’s a big wine no doubt and has its moments but the high alcohol and lack of fruit leave me feeling like there’s not much for me here.
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Well this wine continues be mediocre. Flaccid flavors and an overwhelming old barrel mold-like flavors dominate on opening but after a night everything mutes down and there’s not much there there. Drink now.
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Black with a deep ruby rim. Intense nose of black tea, sweet spice, and black cherry. Full bodied and chewy on the palate with ripe tannins on the finish.
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From my posting on Instagram: In Vino Veritas (in wine there is truth; people speak the truth when they are drunk), bottle #88 of my cellar sacrifices. A 2006 Montefalco Sagrantino from Tabarrini. A friend of mine in my wIne club introduced me to this grape and wine and I’m glad he did. This is a very big wine, and not for the faint of heart. To me, it’s probably bigger than Barolo and has that for foresty smell to it, so you must like that too. Makes me glad I have three vintages of it! 😀🍷🍷👍👍 #wine #winelover #winelovers #sagrantino #MontefalcoSagrantino
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Decanted for 2hr. Was pretty hot initially, but mellowed with decanting. Ruby color with obvious bricking, big legs as expected for 15% abv. Woody forest floor nose with leather hints. Tart cherry, red fruit up front with big, chewy tannins that haven't diminished much in 15yrs. Cocoa powder, chalky finish. I'm skeptical the tannins will mellow much with age, but this is what we liked about Sagrantino. Drinking well now.
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Very nice on the nose. A pleasant mix of yeasty bread, red candied fruits, and wet slate. More restrained on the palate with the tannins obviously still holding strong. It's still very dry, but not too much to be enjoyed with good fatty foods. Going to wait a few more years on the next bottle.
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My last bottle of a case purchased on release, and I dare say, it's just now entering its preferred (for my palate) window. This PnP was better after 90 minutes open. Medium-bodied, mostly red fruited, with high-ish acidity, fine tannins, and a med+ finish. The nose outshines the palate, though in another 3-5 years, that may well reverse. A good wine that struggles to exceed the 'very good' milestone, but I really don't care given its honest pleasures, and the very modest price I paid years ago. A welcome sense of place, and grape, in a balanced, and transparent package. The 15,0% abv. is fully integrated. Drink now thru 2028. A blend of secondary and tertiary aromas and flavors. Easily recommended+
*edit* aromas are full throttle at 5 hours open, lovely
At its peak or maybe beyond but still drinking okay with nicely opened, perfumy nose of lavender and wet sous bois. The fall short point is a pretty solid wall of tannin that dries the teeth and palate but there is a nice cherry and brush flavor up front of the drying notes. Plenty of acidity and some gritty length but I’d put in the short list for consumption.
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A Fine Set of Wines with Friends, Both Old and New (Los Olivos, CA): Age continues to serve this wine so well. Dusty plum notes, licorice, and orange peel, with a thread of smokiness woven in. Lovely, harmonious and thoroughly enjoyable, a fine example of a complex, rustic winner that complements if not exceeds the heights of more "elegant," refined reds.
Note: I use a scale on which 85 represents a very good wine.
Although reasonable, I did not find this wine to be particularly enjoyable. Monolithic without much subtlety. I should note that I let it breathe and decanted it for a few ours. Although it improved over time, it never became very good. I have a half bottle in the fridge, which I will revisit tomorrow or the next day.
Edit: Better after a few days in the fridge. Major sediment. Be careful when decanting.
Perhaps this wine needs some time in the bottle . My cellar tends to be slow, and so a few more years may matter. I will see.
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In the bouquet dark berries and rustic impressions. Also some soy and currants. On the palate dark berries and a firm dose of oak. No more notes unfortunately. No score.
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I don't think I've ever seen a blacker wine--so dark it took a strong downward light to see red around the rim. Based on this bottle, I do not recommend judging by the first sip directly after opening--the taste was squinty-sour, enormously tannic, and thin. After putting another bottle (of something else) on standby, I decided not to put the Sagrantino down the drain, out of curiosity to see if some air would help it. After just a half-hour it was a different wine. Still black as night, but the sourness had vanished, the tannin smoothed out and, while still a bracing drink, was a much more drinkable glass.
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Lovely aromas of black cherries, plums, dried oregano, new leather, menthol, earth, and some flowers. Plums, tart cherries, black cherries, earth, a touch of bitter herbs on the palate. Nice acidity, firm, powdery, but accessible tannins (pair with the proper food), good finish. Really nice wine. I gave away my other bottle. I wish I didn’t.
Six months has made a big difference. This bottle shined after a brief decant, in contrast to a bottle with you in January, which, while enjoyable, remained quite backward. Dusty plum, licorice, orange peel, vanilla. Lovely rusticity.
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Another very tasty showing for this wine. Yes, its tannic, but with food provides excellent structure and balance. Nice ripe dark plum and dark cherry fruit, slightly bitter edge, notes of leather and tar. Really nice wine.
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Musky nose of dried plum, quite restrained in terms the fruit but very alcoholic and strong. A touch of VA, not distracting. Still tight and tannic, though the massive structure does complement food well. Intense, clean black fruit, licorice and muted floral tastes well up in the mouth. Nice, rustic typicity on display. Lingering finish. No discernible oak. Give several hours of air, and enjoy with acid-laden dishes, roasted meats and the like.
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#9 from a case, and unlike anything before it, just tremendous. No sign of age, still a dark ruby core. The nose is the star here, it's probably as complex as all the bottles that came before it - put together. Not sure if that's a sign of peak maturity, bottle variation, or what, but really, I couldn't get my nose out of the glass. For my palate, the tannins are perfectly resolved (note: I always have wine with food/meals), the acidity lifting but not cutting. Medium>Full body, with excellent typicity of grape and place. I was not expecting such greatness from a bottle that heretofore has been anywhere from good>very good. Absolutely lovely. The 15,0% abv is fully resolved. recommended
Held since release. PnP, served non-blind; my first wine of 2017, off to a great start!
I agree with those who suspect that this is the sort of wine that is perpetually coming together without ever actually doing so. The tannins are, as has been noted, punishing without food. However, the color of the wine and the fruit are more mature, with riper fruit and some pleasant funk. Unfortunately, the tough tannins strangle a lot of the finish. I suspect the fruit in this wine will be dead long before the tannins finally work themselves out.
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Consistent with prior notes; quite correct with another 5-8 years, easy. Served side by side with a new world wine costing twice as much, there really was no contest here - one was made for food, the other, for cocktail parties; the cocktail wine was more than half full at the end of the night, the Tabarrini, gone. An excellent value. The 15,0% was integrated a long time ago. recommended
PnP, served non-blind.
https://italianwine.blog/
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Incense, black cherries and brambles, dark roasted coffee beans, dark chocolate. Still pretty tannic, but enough juice and stuffing to make it a wonderful drink right now. Salute!
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As others have mentioned and I noted 3+ years ago, there are substantial tannins here. But nice fruit and some barnyard fund alongside. This is paired best with something that go up against that, like a grilled, peppered steak. On night two it seemed to put on too much weight and get a little sloppy and grapey. Perhaps a few more years for this one, but maybe not.
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Tight as a baby's a$$, this had a ton of teeth scraping tannin to go with the requisite Italian leather and cherry. It either needs time or it will never resolve. ??????
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Had this over 3 nights. A tannic monster on the first couple of nights - not easy to drink. Softened up on the third night, but still too young. I like what's underneath, but the pleasure is limited today. I'd put this away for 10 years and try again. 89-92+
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Amazing how young this wine still is. Lots of tannins with rough edges . Much better on second night. Ripe fruits shown through with blueberries, plum, blackberries , rose petals, mild leather, stone and earth noted
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Camphor and barnyard on the nose. On the palate, blackberry, tobacco, and tar, with savory herbal notes and strong drying tannins on the medium to long finish. This improves with air, and it should hold and improve for some years yet. This seems to be barely at the beginning of its drinking window, and is probably best decanted at this stage.
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Open an hour before serving, then consumed over three hours. Dark, dense and brooding black fruit aromas showing good spice, but some protruding new oak. Same fruit profile on palate, while still showing the firm structure I commonly associate with Sagrantino. I have a couple of bottles left and will wait a few more years before opening another.
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Consistent with the bottle in July, very good. Aerated to decanter for 2 hours, returned to bottle and served 6 hours later; completely open, rounded, sweet core of balsamic, herbs and dark, juicy fruit. Medium+ body, medium+ finish. Kind of surprised just how well this is showing at this early stage. 9 bottles remain that I'll likely drink over the coming 5-6 years. 15,0% abv (fully resolved); 2/3 black-fruited, 1/3 red. Superb with a Sangiovese braised beef short rib. recommended
Served non-blind.
https://italianwine.blog/
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Deep dark blackberry, plum, prune, cassis; brooding concentrated black fruits, tar, black cherry liqueur; dark dried rose petals, perfumy, beautiful aromatics; leather, sweet pipe tobacco, molasses, hint of vanilla. wet forest floor; full body, huge tannins, good acidity with coffee grounds and cherry liqueur in the long finish. Very nice, complex, big gun.
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Read down to the BONNYDOONEER, a perfect description. Must be enjoyed with heavy Italian food, something beefy in Tomato or Milanese style. Delicious and tannic.
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{no. 2 from a case} Decided to check on this as it's been a few years. The 15,0% abv is already resolved, the tannins are nearly there, too. More importantly, fruit, acid and tannin are all in good harmony, though the next 2-3 years should prove very beneficial for a more complete secondary expression (this is still fairly primary on night #1). solid build, and good balance throughout, both suggest the best years for this are yet ahead.
Interestingly, night #2, with half the bottle stored in the fridge overnight, was excellent, and exceeded expectations. Herbal, solidly cut, with very clear varietal expression and excellent sense of place. Thru 2023. recommended
PnP, aerated to decanter 30 minutes, served non-blind over two nights.
https://italianwine.blog/
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Big, muscular and fruit forward. Tannins are strong and high alcohol content (15%) left a cloying feeling on the palate. Very interesting wine that needs more time in the cellar. Try again after 2016.
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Very dark intense dark cherry colour, deep, very intense nose, lots of raspberry, blackberry, tarry, tobacco, leather, licourice. Firm, initially mouth-filling sweet blackberry, plummy fruit, very dry on the finish, firm dry tannins, long juicy finish. Complex with tobacco, dried fruit and some wood notes on the finish. Very tasty. Different and interesting.
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I enjoyed this when popped and poured. Great acidity and tart red fruits, violets, spice. A big, full wine. As the wine was open the oak was much more noticeable and overpowered the whole package.
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I'm generally OK with tannic wines more than most, but I really think this needs time. I love the balance of the acid and fruit, with the earthiness and dark fruits, but the tannin is a bit much. Love the power and I think it will stay...but hope to open my next bottle after 2016.
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Great wine, still young but showing layers of dark cherry fruits, coffee and cacao, earth and minerals. On first taste it seems to have 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 stages of flavor. Thick, intense, and dark, ultimately the tannins are rather drying, and it clearly could use more time. Upside potential very good.
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Really liked this wine, went great with the spaghetti carbonara we had. Medium fruit flavors, with some earthy/musty tones. Firm but not overpowering tannins. Not sure why but I didn't get the "rip your face off" impression from the tannins that others have commented about. I would say this is drinking pretty well right now.
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Wow, this is fantastic. This is my first Sagrantino and I'm pretty blown away. Smokey plum with leather, licorice and strong tannins. But the fruit is not shut down by the tannins. Very enjoyable and not subtle at all. Consumed over 3 hours after a 3 hour decant.
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Tried over two nights and the tannins are just too drying and there is a near bitterness in the finish. It is a dark, brooding wine full of dark fruit, violets, earth, and mineral tones. I think it has the stuffing to lay down, so I'm thinking 3-7 years before opening another one.
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Didn't really know what to expect on this one. Drank this along side 3-4 other nice bottles at the CIA in Napa. The biggest impression that it left was of a different mineral character like clay. It almost had a "sandy" quality. I can't say I've ever had a wine like this before but I did like it.
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One of the worst things I've ever put in my mouth. Despite its high 15% alcohol, the body and texture manage to be watery and thin. The acid is disjointed and the bitter, gritty tannins swarm about aimlessly. I kept this open for four days in the hope that it would resolve, but it was as equally bad at the end as at the start, so most of it went down the drain. Yuck.
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Dark full body, loads and loads of tannins, very young wine. Will take another four to five years. Good value. Crushed rose petals, graphite, sour cherries, quince and leather
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First of a case. After a quick review of the tn's here, I decided to open a bottle this morning for a dinner tomorrow night. Slow-O 24 hours, then aerate to decanter 5 hours before dinner tomorrow. Initial impressions: holy cow, are we in for a treat. Bright ruby core, thick watery edge. From a glass nearly two meters away, the perfumes waft thick through the air. Upon closer inspection, black tea, camphor, anise, blackberry, charcoal. Very deeply pinned aromas of crushed red floral, herbs roasting on an open fire, and on, and on. Serious stuff here, if the nose is any guide to what the palate may hold. And I think it is. (to be cont'd tomorrow night)
Update: I decided to keep this in the bottle up until serving time, having had a total of 33 hours after I had first removed the cork. In retrospect, I don't think I'd have gained anything by aerating to decanter. The nose continued to gain complexity, beauty. By the time the wine was served, it was in a very good place. But, the wine is in desperate need of development. Make no mistake, this has the stuffing to age and do so very gracefully. I think I'll check back in 2-3 years, though I'll suspect it hasn't moved very much. This will likely hit peak in another 6-7 years and remain there for a decade after that. Brilliant stuff, and worked famously with coffee braised short ribs.
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Drank over two days. This is just a massive wine. The nose is exotic with cinnamon, flowers, and dark fruit. The palate is massively tannic however not harsh tannins. Full bodied and rich hard to drink more than one glass. Well made but likely not my favorite varital.
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Oooof! This is a tannic block of monster juice. Like others have said, it definitely needs some time, but I'm thinking it will turn into something pretty fine. Not saying it won't drink now - cause who doesn't like their tounge walked on by some size twelve jack boots, but I think those other mystery bottles are gonna sit Down at least five.
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Slightly restrained on night 1, this wine was bursting with fruit and vivre when I revisited it two nights later. Thick and chewy, and yet silky at the same time. Absolutely delicious.
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Purchased as Garagiste's Mystery Wine #26. Consumed over two days. Dark, dark red. Red and black fruits on the nose, palate is dominated by the mouth sucking, head-imploding tannins. I love it. Needs several years in the bottle to tame the beast within.
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5/21/2023 - Atwellian wrote: 90 Points
Opaque purple - black. Very aromatic pencil box, tobacco, cherry, plum, alcohol. Concentrated fruit (Ei "raisins, turpentine, prune"). Dry and well balanced. Not particularly complex. Don't think there is more development coming here, but it is quite good and a nice complement for a grilled tenderloin.
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2/28/2022 - guitarguy wrote: 86 Points
Still pretty tight with drying tannin, cherry wood and leather. Drink any time.
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2/8/2022 - MObiker wrote: flawed
Corked
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12/29/2021 - jayw wrote:
Fully body, heavily tannic without any nuance. It's fine with steak or other high-fat food, but too expensive at the price.
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11/9/2021 - guitarguy wrote: 88 Points
As good as it’s been but still about the tannin, leather and bounce a quarter off-the-ass tight. After 15 years it’s not going to get better. Some cranberry notes and a pretty dry finish. At least it’s clean (no TCA) which has plagued this wine in the past.
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10/5/2021 - jpp10780 wrote: 88 Points
Still quite tannic…probably can use another year or three to fully soften…but then, I’d assume there would be little left to enjoy. It’s a big wine no doubt and has its moments but the high alcohol and lack of fruit leave me feeling like there’s not much for me here.
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7/9/2021 - guitarguy wrote: 84 Points
Well this wine continues be mediocre. Flaccid flavors and an overwhelming old barrel mold-like flavors dominate on opening but after a night everything mutes down and there’s not much there there. Drink now.
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7/3/2021 - dougsmith Likes this wine: 92 Points
Black with a deep ruby rim. Intense nose of black tea, sweet spice, and black cherry. Full bodied and chewy on the palate with ripe tannins on the finish.
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4/4/2021 - Gr8penut Likes this wine: 90 Points
From my posting on Instagram: In Vino Veritas (in wine there is truth; people speak the truth when they are drunk), bottle #88 of my cellar sacrifices. A 2006 Montefalco Sagrantino from Tabarrini. A friend of mine in my wIne club introduced me to this grape and wine and I’m glad he did. This is a very big wine, and not for the faint of heart. To me, it’s probably bigger than Barolo and has that for foresty smell to it, so you must like that too. Makes me glad I have three vintages of it! 😀🍷🍷👍👍 #wine #winelover #winelovers #sagrantino #MontefalcoSagrantino
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3/26/2021 - Rousanne Likes this wine: 90 Points
Decanted for 2hr. Was pretty hot initially, but mellowed with decanting. Ruby color with obvious bricking, big legs as expected for 15% abv. Woody forest floor nose with leather hints. Tart cherry, red fruit up front with big, chewy tannins that haven't diminished much in 15yrs. Cocoa powder, chalky finish. I'm skeptical the tannins will mellow much with age, but this is what we liked about Sagrantino. Drinking well now.
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11/29/2020 - VinCrush Likes this wine: 89 Points
Very nice on the nose. A pleasant mix of yeasty bread, red candied fruits, and wet slate. More restrained on the palate with the tannins obviously still holding strong. It's still very dry, but not too much to be enjoyed with good fatty foods. Going to wait a few more years on the next bottle.
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4/26/2020 - Tim Heaton Likes this wine:
My last bottle of a case purchased on release, and I dare say, it's just now entering its preferred (for my palate) window. This PnP was better after 90 minutes open. Medium-bodied, mostly red fruited, with high-ish acidity, fine tannins, and a med+ finish. The nose outshines the palate, though in another 3-5 years, that may well reverse. A good wine that struggles to exceed the 'very good' milestone, but I really don't care given its honest pleasures, and the very modest price I paid years ago. A welcome sense of place, and grape, in a balanced, and transparent package. The 15,0% abv. is fully integrated. Drink now thru 2028. A blend of secondary and tertiary aromas and flavors. Easily recommended+
*edit* aromas are full throttle at 5 hours open, lovely
https://www.ItalianWine.blog
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3/16/2020 - guitarguy wrote: 90 Points
At its peak or maybe beyond but still drinking okay with nicely opened, perfumy nose of lavender and wet sous bois. The fall short point is a pretty solid wall of tannin that dries the teeth and palate but there is a nice cherry and brush flavor up front of the drying notes. Plenty of acidity and some gritty length but I’d put in the short list for consumption.
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2/16/2019 - JonnyG Likes this wine: 93 Points
A Fine Set of Wines with Friends, Both Old and New (Los Olivos, CA): Age continues to serve this wine so well. Dusty plum notes, licorice, and orange peel, with a thread of smokiness woven in. Lovely, harmonious and thoroughly enjoyable, a fine example of a complex, rustic winner that complements if not exceeds the heights of more "elegant," refined reds.
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11/9/2018 - John Nezlek wrote: 84 Points
Note: I use a scale on which 85 represents a very good wine.
Although reasonable, I did not find this wine to be particularly enjoyable. Monolithic without much subtlety. I should note that I let it breathe and decanted it for a few ours. Although it improved over time, it never became very good. I have a half bottle in the fridge, which I will revisit tomorrow or the next day.
Edit: Better after a few days in the fridge. Major sediment. Be careful when decanting.
Perhaps this wine needs some time in the bottle . My cellar tends to be slow, and so a few more years may matter. I will see.
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9/13/2018 - Zweder wrote:
In the bouquet dark berries and rustic impressions. Also some soy and currants. On the palate dark berries and a firm dose of oak. No more notes unfortunately. No score.
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6/21/2018 - Italiana Likes this wine:
I don't think I've ever seen a blacker wine--so dark it took a strong downward light to see red around the rim. Based on this bottle, I do not recommend judging by the first sip directly after opening--the taste was squinty-sour, enormously tannic, and thin. After putting another bottle (of something else) on standby, I decided not to put the Sagrantino down the drain, out of curiosity to see if some air would help it. After just a half-hour it was a different wine. Still black as night, but the sourness had vanished, the tannin smoothed out and, while still a bracing drink, was a much more drinkable glass.
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4/12/2018 - rmh66 wrote: 90 Points
Lovely aromas of black cherries, plums, dried oregano, new leather, menthol, earth, and some flowers. Plums, tart cherries, black cherries, earth, a touch of bitter herbs on the palate. Nice acidity, firm, powdery, but accessible tannins (pair with the proper food), good finish. Really nice wine. I gave away my other bottle. I wish I didn’t.
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11/28/2017 - guitarguy wrote: 86 Points
Pot full of drying tannins with nose of underbrush, wood and leather. Dried cherry flavors and leather.
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10/21/2017 - BradleyDavis wrote: flawed
Corked. Dammit.
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5/29/2017 - JonnyG Likes this wine: 92 Points
Six months has made a big difference. This bottle shined after a brief decant, in contrast to a bottle with you in January, which, while enjoyable, remained quite backward. Dusty plum, licorice, orange peel, vanilla. Lovely rusticity.
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5/18/2017 - thebonnydooner wrote: 91 Points
Another very tasty showing for this wine. Yes, its tannic, but with food provides excellent structure and balance. Nice ripe dark plum and dark cherry fruit, slightly bitter edge, notes of leather and tar. Really nice wine.
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3/26/2017 - Fugu Me Likes this wine:
PnP. Gorgeous nose, tannins still quite firm. Bracing acidity. Overall pretty much exactly what I want from a Sagrantino.
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1/14/2017 - JonnyG Likes this wine: 91 Points
Musky nose of dried plum, quite restrained in terms the fruit but very alcoholic and strong. A touch of VA, not distracting. Still tight and tannic, though the massive structure does complement food well. Intense, clean black fruit, licorice and muted floral tastes well up in the mouth. Nice, rustic typicity on display. Lingering finish. No discernible oak. Give several hours of air, and enjoy with acid-laden dishes, roasted meats and the like.
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1/1/2017 - Tim Heaton Likes this wine:
#9 from a case, and unlike anything before it, just tremendous. No sign of age, still a dark ruby core. The nose is the star here, it's probably as complex as all the bottles that came before it - put together. Not sure if that's a sign of peak maturity, bottle variation, or what, but really, I couldn't get my nose out of the glass. For my palate, the tannins are perfectly resolved (note: I always have wine with food/meals), the acidity lifting but not cutting. Medium>Full body, with excellent typicity of grape and place. I was not expecting such greatness from a bottle that heretofore has been anywhere from good>very good. Absolutely lovely. The 15,0% abv is fully resolved. recommended
Held since release. PnP, served non-blind; my first wine of 2017, off to a great start!
https://italianwine.blog/
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11/17/2016 - Italiana wrote:
Be sure to have this with food--something rich like a strong cheese--to balance the tough-as-nails tannins in this wine.
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10/5/2016 - ilcalmo wrote: 88 Points
I agree with those who suspect that this is the sort of wine that is perpetually coming together without ever actually doing so. The tannins are, as has been noted, punishing without food. However, the color of the wine and the fruit are more mature, with riper fruit and some pleasant funk. Unfortunately, the tough tannins strangle a lot of the finish. I suspect the fruit in this wine will be dead long before the tannins finally work themselves out.
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10/5/2016 - Tim Heaton Likes this wine:
Consistent with prior notes; quite correct with another 5-8 years, easy. Served side by side with a new world wine costing twice as much, there really was no contest here - one was made for food, the other, for cocktail parties; the cocktail wine was more than half full at the end of the night, the Tabarrini, gone. An excellent value. The 15,0% was integrated a long time ago. recommended
PnP, served non-blind.
https://italianwine.blog/
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8/16/2016 - jkoenen wrote: 91 Points
Incense, black cherries and brambles, dark roasted coffee beans, dark chocolate. Still pretty tannic, but enough juice and stuffing to make it a wonderful drink right now. Salute!
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5/6/2016 - tward Likes this wine: 88 Points
As others have mentioned and I noted 3+ years ago, there are substantial tannins here. But nice fruit and some barnyard fund alongside. This is paired best with something that go up against that, like a grilled, peppered steak. On night two it seemed to put on too much weight and get a little sloppy and grapey. Perhaps a few more years for this one, but maybe not.
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2/2/2016 - guitarguy wrote: 88 Points
Tight as a baby's a$$, this had a ton of teeth scraping tannin to go with the requisite Italian leather and cherry. It either needs time or it will never resolve. ??????
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1/27/2016 - pifcho wrote: 90 Points
Had this over 3 nights. A tannic monster on the first couple of nights - not easy to drink. Softened up on the third night, but still too young. I like what's underneath, but the pleasure is limited today. I'd put this away for 10 years and try again. 89-92+
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10/17/2015 - ravbik wrote: 93 Points
Amazing how young this wine still is. Lots of tannins with rough edges . Much better on second night. Ripe fruits shown through with blueberries, plum, blackberries , rose petals, mild leather, stone and earth noted
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5/27/2015 - Tim Heaton wrote: flawed
Absolutely riddled with VA, undrinkable. Damn corks.
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2/26/2015 - RichardP wrote: 92 Points
Camphor and barnyard on the nose. On the palate, blackberry, tobacco, and tar, with savory herbal notes and strong drying tannins on the medium to long finish. This improves with air, and it should hold and improve for some years yet. This seems to be barely at the beginning of its drinking window, and is probably best decanted at this stage.
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1/16/2015 - Burgundy Al wrote: 89 Points
Open an hour before serving, then consumed over three hours. Dark, dense and brooding black fruit aromas showing good spice, but some protruding new oak. Same fruit profile on palate, while still showing the firm structure I commonly associate with Sagrantino. I have a couple of bottles left and will wait a few more years before opening another.
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11/21/2014 - Tim Heaton Likes this wine:
Consistent with the bottle in July, very good. Aerated to decanter for 2 hours, returned to bottle and served 6 hours later; completely open, rounded, sweet core of balsamic, herbs and dark, juicy fruit. Medium+ body, medium+ finish. Kind of surprised just how well this is showing at this early stage. 9 bottles remain that I'll likely drink over the coming 5-6 years. 15,0% abv (fully resolved); 2/3 black-fruited, 1/3 red. Superb with a Sangiovese braised beef short rib. recommended
Served non-blind.
https://italianwine.blog/
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11/1/2014 - Easter Everywhere wrote:
black fruit, ripe, smoky, very tannic!, give time, could be good
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9/6/2014 - peternelson wrote: 93 Points
Deep dark blackberry, plum, prune, cassis; brooding concentrated black fruits, tar, black cherry liqueur; dark dried rose petals, perfumy, beautiful aromatics; leather, sweet pipe tobacco, molasses, hint of vanilla. wet forest floor; full body, huge tannins, good acidity with coffee grounds and cherry liqueur in the long finish. Very nice, complex, big gun.
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8/9/2014 - tc from santee Likes this wine: 92 Points
Read down to the BONNYDOONEER, a perfect description. Must be enjoyed with heavy Italian food, something beefy in Tomato or Milanese style. Delicious and tannic.
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7/4/2014 - Tim Heaton Likes this wine:
{no. 2 from a case} Decided to check on this as it's been a few years. The 15,0% abv is already resolved, the tannins are nearly there, too. More importantly, fruit, acid and tannin are all in good harmony, though the next 2-3 years should prove very beneficial for a more complete secondary expression (this is still fairly primary on night #1). solid build, and good balance throughout, both suggest the best years for this are yet ahead.
Interestingly, night #2, with half the bottle stored in the fridge overnight, was excellent, and exceeded expectations. Herbal, solidly cut, with very clear varietal expression and excellent sense of place. Thru 2023. recommended
PnP, aerated to decanter 30 minutes, served non-blind over two nights.
https://italianwine.blog/
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5/25/2014 - MichaelMA wrote: 91 Points
Nice bottle of wine. Good depth and weight. Nice red fruit.
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3/30/2014 - jbouchy wrote: 88 Points
Big, muscular and fruit forward. Tannins are strong and high alcohol content (15%) left a cloying feeling on the palate. Very interesting wine that needs more time in the cellar. Try again after 2016.
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2/27/2014 - thebonnydooner wrote: 91 Points
Very dark intense dark cherry colour, deep, very intense nose, lots of raspberry, blackberry, tarry, tobacco, leather, licourice. Firm, initially mouth-filling sweet blackberry, plummy fruit, very dry on the finish, firm dry tannins, long juicy finish. Complex with tobacco, dried fruit and some wood notes on the finish. Very tasty. Different and interesting.
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12/18/2013 - Al Ehrhardt wrote:
I enjoyed this when popped and poured. Great acidity and tart red fruits, violets, spice. A big, full wine. As the wine was open the oak was much more noticeable and overpowered the whole package.
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12/2/2013 - Bauman Likes this wine: 90 Points
Look for this one again. Excellent for the price.
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11/27/2013 - wirelesswine wrote: 91 Points
I'm generally OK with tannic wines more than most, but I really think this needs time. I love the balance of the acid and fruit, with the earthiness and dark fruits, but the tannin is a bit much. Love the power and I think it will stay...but hope to open my next bottle after 2016.
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11/24/2013 - kungfubaby Likes this wine: 92 Points
Great wine, still young but showing layers of dark cherry fruits, coffee and cacao, earth and minerals. On first taste it seems to have 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 stages of flavor. Thick, intense, and dark, ultimately the tannins are rather drying, and it clearly could use more time. Upside potential very good.
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11/11/2013 - hdchappy Likes this wine: 92 Points
Really liked this wine, went great with the spaghetti carbonara we had. Medium fruit flavors, with some earthy/musty tones. Firm but not overpowering tannins. Not sure why but I didn't get the "rip your face off" impression from the tannins that others have commented about. I would say this is drinking pretty well right now.
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6/27/2013 - fournet wrote:
No score. Just too young to opine. Ton of tannins, decent amount of fruit, and chewy texture.
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5/20/2013 - normfly Likes this wine: 89 Points
Tasted twice; Puckering tannins suck the fruit out of the wine. Lay down for ... a while. PS: I've had MUCH better Sagrantino eg Paolo Bea and Caprai.
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3/29/2013 - redrhonewine Likes this wine: 93 Points
Wow, this is fantastic. This is my first Sagrantino and I'm pretty blown away. Smokey plum with leather, licorice and strong tannins. But the fruit is not shut down by the tannins. Very enjoyable and not subtle at all. Consumed over 3 hours after a 3 hour decant.
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1/19/2013 - tward wrote:
Tried over two nights and the tannins are just too drying and there is a near bitterness in the finish. It is a dark, brooding wine full of dark fruit, violets, earth, and mineral tones. I think it has the stuffing to lay down, so I'm thinking 3-7 years before opening another one.
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12/12/2012 - Marc_Iadarola Likes this wine: 90 Points
Didn't really know what to expect on this one. Drank this along side 3-4 other nice bottles at the CIA in Napa. The biggest impression that it left was of a different mineral character like clay. It almost had a "sandy" quality. I can't say I've ever had a wine like this before but I did like it.
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10/23/2012 - Wicker Parker wrote:
One of the worst things I've ever put in my mouth. Despite its high 15% alcohol, the body and texture manage to be watery and thin. The acid is disjointed and the bitter, gritty tannins swarm about aimlessly. I kept this open for four days in the hope that it would resolve, but it was as equally bad at the end as at the start, so most of it went down the drain. Yuck.
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10/12/2012 - ravbik wrote: 92 Points
Dark full body, loads and loads of tannins, very young wine. Will take another four to five years. Good value. Crushed rose petals, graphite, sour cherries, quince and leather
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8/17/2012 - Tim Heaton wrote:
First of a case. After a quick review of the tn's here, I decided to open a bottle this morning for a dinner tomorrow night. Slow-O 24 hours, then aerate to decanter 5 hours before dinner tomorrow. Initial impressions: holy cow, are we in for a treat. Bright ruby core, thick watery edge. From a glass nearly two meters away, the perfumes waft thick through the air. Upon closer inspection, black tea, camphor, anise, blackberry, charcoal. Very deeply pinned aromas of crushed red floral, herbs roasting on an open fire, and on, and on. Serious stuff here, if the nose is any guide to what the palate may hold. And I think it is. (to be cont'd tomorrow night)
Update: I decided to keep this in the bottle up until serving time, having had a total of 33 hours after I had first removed the cork. In retrospect, I don't think I'd have gained anything by aerating to decanter. The nose continued to gain complexity, beauty. By the time the wine was served, it was in a very good place. But, the wine is in desperate need of development. Make no mistake, this has the stuffing to age and do so very gracefully. I think I'll check back in 2-3 years, though I'll suspect it hasn't moved very much. This will likely hit peak in another 6-7 years and remain there for a decade after that. Brilliant stuff, and worked famously with coffee braised short ribs.
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6/25/2012 - NittanyLion wrote:
Pleasantly surprised by this wine. Needs a lot of air - and I enjoyed it most as an after dinner meditazione wne.
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6/13/2012 - fdub wrote: 91 Points
Drank over two days. This is just a massive wine. The nose is exotic with cinnamon, flowers, and dark fruit. The palate is massively tannic however not harsh tannins. Full bodied and rich hard to drink more than one glass. Well made but likely not my favorite varital.
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5/16/2012 - bwillia wrote: 95 Points
This is as impressed as I've been with a wine in a long time. Granted its young but what amazing power!! I wish I had ten cases of this!
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4/24/2012 - ovenmitt wrote: 89 Points
Oooof! This is a tannic block of monster juice. Like others have said, it definitely needs some time, but I'm thinking it will turn into something pretty fine. Not saying it won't drink now - cause who doesn't like their tounge walked on by some size twelve jack boots, but I think those other mystery bottles are gonna sit Down at least five.
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4/22/2012 - mikeaukenbals wrote:
heavy tannins as expected. took a while to open. don't pop anymore for 2-3 years at the soonest.
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4/16/2012 - Tintin wrote: 92 Points
Slightly restrained on night 1, this wine was bursting with fruit and vivre when I revisited it two nights later. Thick and chewy, and yet silky at the same time. Absolutely delicious.
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3/25/2012 - monist wrote: 88 Points
Oak; opens over a day or two. Pair with red meat -- lamb?
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2/15/2012 - Fugu Me wrote:
Purchased as Garagiste's Mystery Wine #26. Consumed over two days. Dark, dark red. Red and black fruits on the nose, palate is dominated by the mouth sucking, head-imploding tannins. I love it. Needs several years in the bottle to tame the beast within.
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11/1/2011 - EAV wrote:
needs time
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4/9/2011 - Zweder wrote:
Platter tasting (By UG): Very juicy red as well as black fruits. A lot of bitterness and sticky tannin. This wine can use another 4+ years of ageing.
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1/29/2011 - rjm_va Likes this wine: 91 Points
Big flavor, not as overtly tannic as earlier vintages. Guessing several years of cellaring will only have grand effects.
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