Wow, this wine was absolutely superb. The cork was perfect, the sediment was very heavy, and the wine was sublime. While slowly decanting the wine, I poured it through a double paper coffee filters; the filters were heavily impregnated with sediment and the empty bottle's neck and base were caked as well. I let the wine air in the decanter for three hours before pouting. Cherry is the dominant taste, aged cherry that would go very, very well with red licorice or cherries covered with rich dark chocolate. The wine's fragrance is complex; the finish is layered and lingers; and the wine's tannins are nonexistent. I can't overstate how good this wine is.
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Unfortunately, this bottle has seen better days. The ullage is worse than it should have been for a 25-year old wine, top shoulder with a half saturated cork. Upon opening I was concerned by the nutty, sherry notes, but I let the bottle sit to air for several hours before serving. The color was decent, medium ruby with some bricking, but the wine is clearly oxidized. This was an auction purchase so I'm not sure if the poor showing is a reflection of how this bottle was treated, or just the fact that this may be well beyond its drinking window. In any case, not good.
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Popped and poured an hour before drinking. Dark fruit (cherry), strong tobacco, earth, tannins, good acidity. Bright. Lingering finish. Really enjoyable.
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Was a bit worried about the age - but for no reason. A wonderful nose, restrained and mature, but clearly an energetic wine, very much alive and kicking. In the mouth, sour cherries, even a tiny bit “hostile”. But also fresh and sweet, and with still gripping tannins. Overall a beautiful mature sangiovese. Will remain at top level for up to 5 years I would guess. But remember: it’s all about the cellaring, mine was kept in stellar conditions.
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Given a short decant, this was in a really good place - the quintessence of smooth, perfectly resolved fine red wine. A nice earthiness to counterbalance Sangiovese's inherent acidity. Slipped down oh so easily.
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Warm nose of mushrooms, soy sauce, worn leather and cassis. Full bodied with integrated tannins and energy. Chocolates on the palette which is most pleasing. Wish it had better length but in any case a very delicious, earthy and perfumed wine now.
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Amazing is the right word, I think. I have always been skeptical towards the raging potential of sangiroves, but this wine proves me wrong every time. A super-Tuscan from pure Sangiovese, but aged in (some) new oak. You will have a hard time detecting oak in this wine. Intriguing nose dominated by sweet cherries, some nutty tones (almost verging on marzipan), coated by Mediterranean herbs (thyme and basil). Sweet attack in the mouth, high acidity, a nice core of sweet cherry fruit framed by hefty tannins. This wine has not moved in almost 20 years, it is almost like I remember my first bottle from this vintage. Maybe the fruit is somewhat toned down, and the tannins have become more prominent, but I am not sure. However, a great wine that is best with some good meat.
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Amazingly Young colour for a wine almost 20 years old. Deep aromas of dark cherries With a hint of chocolate and Wood. Full bodied for a Sangiovese, Nice concentration, long aftertaste dominated by cherries, chocolate and Wood. Somewhat harsh tannins, perhaps the oaking has been too rough. Keps well for 3 hours in the glass, develops more mature aromas of dried fruit as time passes. This wine has kept incredibly well for a Sangiovese. Went very well With a simple entrecote.
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"Found" when reistrering my cellar. Incredibly young colour, only a hint of browm rim. Starts out With Clear aromas of dark cherries and a hint of Wood (oak). Full bodied, high acidity, raher rustic tannins. Nice fruit (cherries) in the total taste curve, long and dry aftertaste. After 4 hours the wine becomes more dried fruits and tobacco. A bit too Heavy oak. Still, amazingly youthful, I thoutght it would be over the top in light of my experience With aging sangiovese.
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Drank 2 bottles of this wine in the past month. Purchased from a British Merchant House which sourced them from a private British cellar. Little bottle variations between the 2; not decanted nor breathed beforehand and poured straight from bottle to glass. Colour still very healthy red/purple, no sign of browning edge. Nose typical of aged Sangiovese with musky/stewed red fruits and violets. Palate was initially dominated by acidity, but with time in glass, and food (poached pig offal, trotters, mushroom), the acidity subsided somewhat and indeed was deemed necessary to cut into the simple yet wholesome meaty taste, and the red fruit was brought out nice. Nice medium/full(aging somehow makes Sangiovese fuller in body) and sufficiently long finish.
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The nose was wonderfully expressive, displaying a mix of ripe red fruits, spice and sweet herbs. On the palate, I found soft, silky textures contrasted by tart berry and spice with hints of resolved tannin. It finished with great persistence of fruit and hints of leather strap. What a beautiful and mature Sangiovese.
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Decanted. Surprisingly light sediment. Poured a glass immediately. Nice ruby color with light browning at the edges. Berry aroma, but disappointingly faint. Berry flavored, medium body palate that seems to be fairly well balanced, although acids may be a bit high. Aftertaste is nice, but relatively short. May be slightly over the hill. Plan to follow over the next 48 hours. Day 2: Nose seems better developed, but otherwise about the same as yesterday. Day 3: no further change.
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Un nez qui évoque le Chianti...terre noire humide, cuir, prunes, cannelle Un vin de corps moyen, terreux, assez austère, avec un bel équilibre, une finale harmonieuse, pas très complexe, mais bien fait. 89 pts
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Medium ruby, med. + concentration, not much fading; red macerated cherry, dried and fresh herbs, hint of coffee grounds and slight truffle; candied and slightly sweet strawberry; ample dry tannins, medium body, medium+ acidity; sweet tangy red fruits in the finish. Very nice, accessible, fairly fresh still with ripe sweet small red berries.
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Opened 2 hrs before serving. After opening the bottle, the total absence of aromas at the nose puzzled me. Only after 1 hr few aromas began little by little to emerge. The nose has never been as open as I was expecting, anyway. Some red fruit, tar, but definitely I cannot define it intense. Much better on the palate, with a marked acidity and firm tannins, which are unbalancing a little the wine at the moment. Medium finish. A little disappointing Compared to my expectations.
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You can tell the this wine has a very good structure. Good Caramel coloring and decent nose. Mostly earth tones. However, this bottle was a little long in the tooth. I should have drank it 2 -3 years ago.
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Carmine color. Fresh bouquet with red fruits and some earthy impressions. On the palate red forest fruits and firm acidity which is a bit up front. Forest floor. The tannin is firm and a bit drying in the finish. Mature and concentrated, beautiful wine with still a future of a few years.
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Opened and poured. Ruby, lighter on the rim. Nose of raspberry, plum & oak. Cherry, raspberry and spice w nicely integrated tannins on the palette. This bottle was far better than the last two tasted from this vintage so may be entering a nice drinking window (prior ratings 88 & 88). Tasted with the '97 which was easily a better example of Cepparello (rated 94 pts) and likely the best vintage of Cepparello of this decade.
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Caroline Wine Shop - Italy-Tuscany (Carolines Wine Shop): Again captivating aromas of ripe plums, blackberry and a touch of hazelnuts. A full-bodied wine, the tannins are resolved and work nicely to give structure with its lively acidity. Supple and smooth, long finish. Part of my note is unreadable!
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A fair bit of toasty oak dominating the nose along with some liquorice and spice. The palate is medium bodied with a earthy texture. The tannins are standing out at the moment but I think that they may come around with time. This is very much a wine to enjoy alongside food.
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Quite a bit of cocoa on the nose. Tart cherry fruit with some grainy tannins mixed in. Karen really liked the wine and I did with our flank steak dinner. Now, an hour later, the nose has dropped off and the fruit faded. Perhaps it is a little early to drink this wine? Not the same depth and quality of the 96 from a week ago.
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Delicate, not too strong nose with oriental spices and raspberry compote. Clearly more present and dominant on the palate. Soft long finish with a clear raspberry trace.
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NobleRottersSydney - Sangiovese night (Lucio's, Paddington): Crimson red. Almost citric qualities on the nose, with even a touch of cinnamon or woodspice. Surprisingly light at this age, I find it a little woody and perhaps disjointed. Savoury, though. Hard to call – a wine requiring some time?
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7/9/2023 - Mark van Delft Likes this wine: 92 Points
Nicely aged 100% Sangiovese: raisin, cherry, leather, tobacco, black fruit, fig, medium body, nice finish - 92. Q-crew Poell event V&F
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1/2/2023 - ajabati Likes this wine: 95 Points
Wow, this wine was absolutely superb. The cork was perfect, the sediment was very heavy, and the wine was sublime. While slowly decanting the wine, I poured it through a double paper coffee filters; the filters were heavily impregnated with sediment and the empty bottle's neck and base were caked as well. I let the wine air in the decanter for three hours before pouting. Cherry is the dominant taste, aged cherry that would go very, very well with red licorice or cherries covered with rich dark chocolate. The wine's fragrance is complex; the finish is layered and lingers; and the wine's tannins are nonexistent. I can't overstate how good this wine is.
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5/14/2022 - GrapeScott wrote: 82 Points
Unfortunately, this bottle has seen better days. The ullage is worse than it should have been for a 25-year old wine, top shoulder with a half saturated cork. Upon opening I was concerned by the nutty, sherry notes, but I let the bottle sit to air for several hours before serving. The color was decent, medium ruby with some bricking, but the wine is clearly oxidized. This was an auction purchase so I'm not sure if the poor showing is a reflection of how this bottle was treated, or just the fact that this may be well beyond its drinking window. In any case, not good.
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2/1/2021 - JJKinch wrote: 92 Points
Popped and poured an hour before drinking.
Dark fruit (cherry), strong tobacco, earth, tannins, good acidity. Bright. Lingering finish. Really enjoyable.
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5/7/2020 - Thomas123 wrote: 92 Points
Was a bit worried about the age - but for no reason. A wonderful nose, restrained and mature, but clearly an energetic wine, very much alive and kicking. In the mouth, sour cherries, even a tiny bit “hostile”. But also fresh and sweet, and with still gripping tannins. Overall a beautiful mature sangiovese. Will remain at top level for up to 5 years I would guess. But remember: it’s all about the cellaring, mine was kept in stellar conditions.
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2/20/2020 - NickA Likes this wine: 92 Points
Given a short decant, this was in a really good place - the quintessence of smooth, perfectly resolved fine red wine. A nice earthiness to counterbalance Sangiovese's inherent acidity. Slipped down oh so easily.
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12/6/2019 - Hanibal Likes this wine: 92 Points
Perfect time to drink if you still have....delicious stuff no reason to wait
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5/10/2018 - Chaochao Likes this wine: 90 Points
Warm nose of mushrooms, soy sauce, worn leather and cassis. Full bodied with integrated tannins and energy. Chocolates on the palette which is most pleasing. Wish it had better length but in any case a very delicious, earthy and perfumed wine now.
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8/17/2017 - dagij wrote: 92 Points
Amazing is the right word, I think. I have always been skeptical towards the raging potential of sangiroves, but this wine proves me wrong every time. A super-Tuscan from pure Sangiovese, but aged in (some) new oak. You will have a hard time detecting oak in this wine. Intriguing nose dominated by sweet cherries, some nutty tones (almost verging on marzipan), coated by Mediterranean herbs (thyme and basil). Sweet attack in the mouth, high acidity, a nice core of sweet cherry fruit framed by hefty tannins. This wine has not moved in almost 20 years, it is almost like I remember my first bottle from this vintage. Maybe the fruit is somewhat toned down, and the tannins have become more prominent, but I am not sure. However, a great wine that is best with some good meat.
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4/13/2017 - sean7711 wrote: flawed
Bought for $50 in NY.. questionable provenance and was flawed from the start. Tasted like gasoline- oh well!
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2/9/2017 - dagij Likes this wine: 90 Points
Amazingly Young colour for a wine almost 20 years old. Deep aromas of dark cherries With a hint of chocolate and Wood. Full bodied for a Sangiovese, Nice concentration, long aftertaste dominated by cherries, chocolate and Wood. Somewhat harsh tannins, perhaps the oaking has been too rough. Keps well for 3 hours in the glass, develops more mature aromas of dried fruit as time passes. This wine has kept incredibly well for a Sangiovese. Went very well With a simple entrecote.
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2/8/2017 - dagij wrote: 90 Points
"Found" when reistrering my cellar. Incredibly young colour, only a hint of browm rim. Starts out With Clear aromas of dark cherries and a hint of Wood (oak). Full bodied, high acidity, raher rustic tannins. Nice fruit (cherries) in the total taste curve, long and dry aftertaste. After 4 hours the wine becomes more dried fruits and tobacco. A bit too Heavy oak. Still, amazingly youthful, I thoutght it would be over the top in light of my experience With aging sangiovese.
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9/3/2016 - sooper65 wrote: flawed
foul
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7/20/2016 - fokker Likes this wine: 91 Points
Drank 2 bottles of this wine in the past month. Purchased from a British Merchant House which sourced them from a private British cellar. Little bottle variations between the 2; not decanted nor breathed beforehand and poured straight from bottle to glass.
Colour still very healthy red/purple, no sign of browning edge. Nose typical of aged Sangiovese with musky/stewed red fruits and violets. Palate was initially dominated by acidity, but with time in glass, and food (poached pig offal, trotters, mushroom), the acidity subsided somewhat and indeed was deemed necessary to cut into the simple yet wholesome meaty taste, and the red fruit was brought out nice. Nice medium/full(aging somehow makes Sangiovese fuller in body) and sufficiently long finish.
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2/28/2016 - Eric Guido wrote: 92 Points
The nose was wonderfully expressive, displaying a mix of ripe red fruits, spice and sweet herbs. On the palate, I found soft, silky textures contrasted by tart berry and spice with hints of resolved tannin. It finished with great persistence of fruit and hints of leather strap. What a beautiful and mature Sangiovese.
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7/24/2015 - wculpepper Likes this wine: 89 Points
Decanted. Surprisingly light sediment. Poured a glass immediately. Nice ruby color with light browning at the edges. Berry aroma, but disappointingly faint. Berry flavored, medium body palate that seems to be fairly well balanced, although acids may be a bit high. Aftertaste is nice, but relatively short. May be slightly over the hill. Plan to follow over the next 48 hours.
Day 2: Nose seems better developed, but otherwise about the same as yesterday.
Day 3: no further change.
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5/31/2014 - d'Artagnan wrote: 89 Points
Un nez qui évoque le Chianti...terre noire humide, cuir, prunes, cannelle
Un vin de corps moyen, terreux, assez austère, avec un bel équilibre, une finale harmonieuse, pas très complexe, mais bien fait. 89 pts
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1/25/2014 - peternelson wrote: 92 Points
Medium ruby, med. + concentration, not much fading; red macerated cherry, dried and fresh herbs, hint of coffee grounds and slight truffle; candied and slightly sweet strawberry; ample dry tannins, medium body, medium+ acidity; sweet tangy red fruits in the finish. Very nice, accessible, fairly fresh still with ripe sweet small red berries.
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9/26/2013 - Wine_lvr wrote: 86 Points
Nose of leather, earth and red berries. Quite a bit of acidity and the wine seems unbalanced. Drink now with a food.
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5/4/2013 - sooper65 wrote: 89 Points
tasty, vibrant, but lacking any WOW
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12/24/2012 - thursty wrote: 92 Points
Very nice. 2 hours in decanter. Everyone's favorite
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1/2/2012 - Bluespolo wrote: 86 Points
Opened 2 hrs before serving. After opening the bottle, the total absence of aromas at the nose puzzled me. Only after 1 hr few aromas began little by little to emerge. The nose has never been as open as I was expecting, anyway. Some red fruit, tar, but definitely I cannot define it intense. Much better on the palate, with a marked acidity and firm tannins, which are unbalancing a little the wine at the moment. Medium finish. A little disappointing Compared to my expectations.
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12/31/2011 - Falco203 wrote: 88 Points
You can tell the this wine has a very good structure. Good Caramel coloring and decent nose. Mostly earth tones. However, this bottle was a little long in the tooth. I should have drank it 2 -3 years ago.
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12/13/2011 - Zweder wrote: 90 Points
Carmine color. Fresh bouquet with red fruits and some earthy impressions. On the palate red forest fruits and firm acidity which is a bit up front. Forest floor. The tannin is firm and a bit drying in the finish. Mature and concentrated, beautiful wine with still a future of a few years.
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1/13/2011 - Wine_lvr wrote: 88 Points
Past its prime
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8/16/2010 - CMz wrote: 90 Points
Opened and poured. Ruby, lighter on the rim. Nose of raspberry, plum & oak. Cherry, raspberry and spice w nicely integrated tannins on the palette. This bottle was far better than the last two tasted from this vintage so may be entering a nice drinking window (prior ratings 88 & 88). Tasted with the '97 which was easily a better example of Cepparello (rated 94 pts) and likely the best vintage of Cepparello of this decade.
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2/5/2009 - rikipedia Likes this wine: 90 Points
Caroline Wine Shop - Italy-Tuscany (Carolines Wine Shop): Again captivating aromas of ripe plums, blackberry and a touch of hazelnuts. A full-bodied wine, the tannins are resolved and work nicely to give structure with its lively acidity. Supple and smooth, long finish. Part of my note is unreadable!
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1/17/2009 - Gary wrote: 90 Points
good balance of tannins & fruit. Cedar, cocoa, dark fruit.
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9/4/2007 - NickM wrote: flawed
Did not show well
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3/31/2007 - teton taster wrote: 87 Points
I won't miss this. Each of the last bottles had a bit a metallic taste to me. Tasty and smooth but metallic.
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8/21/2006 - CamWheeler wrote: 90 Points
A fair bit of toasty oak dominating the nose along with some liquorice and spice. The palate is medium bodied with a earthy texture. The tannins are standing out at the moment but I think that they may come around with time. This is very much a wine to enjoy alongside food.
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4/18/2006 - BradA wrote: 88 Points
Quite a bit of cocoa on the nose. Tart cherry fruit with some grainy tannins mixed in. Karen really liked the wine and I did with our flank steak dinner. Now, an hour later, the nose has dropped off and the fruit faded. Perhaps it is a little early to drink this wine? Not the same depth and quality of the 96 from a week ago.
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12/17/2005 - Wrighty wrote: 90 Points
Christmas '05 in Australia; 12/8/2005-12/27/2005 (Melbourne, Mornington Peninsula, Melbourne and Gold Coast): From memory this was AU$190 and probably not worth it. The vintage was recommended by the sommelier of those on the menu (1999 and 2002). I liked it but the other 3 drinkers didn't.
Nice nose and balance but finish too oaky and quite harsh tannin. Needs more time to soften.
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1/9/2005 - jusuf Likes this wine: 92 Points
Delicate, not too strong nose with oriental spices and raspberry compote. Clearly more present and dominant on the palate. Soft long finish with a clear raspberry trace.
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10/13/2003 - graemeg wrote:
NobleRottersSydney - Sangiovese night (Lucio's, Paddington): Crimson red. Almost citric qualities on the nose, with even a touch of cinnamon or woodspice. Surprisingly light at this age, I find it a little woody and perhaps disjointed. Savoury, though. Hard to call – a wine requiring some time?
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