The darkness of Mysterons continues, with lots of black cherries, cassis and black raspberries providing a beam of acidity in addition to the tannic backbone which has been prominent throughout. Classic LPV notes of dark soil and rocky minerality along with a whiff of dark florals add further interest. Just went back to look at my notes for the ‘19, and they’re remarkably similar, with the additional 3 years (consumed 2 years later, 1 year earlier vintage) providing just a bit more openness. Like the Mysterons and the Mag 7, I’d be more a holder than a drinker of this at this point, but if you go the other way, aerate the dickens out of it. 97+
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2018 LPV Showdown - Carter La Verdad vs. Vice Versa
Opened these on Thursday to celebrate my promotion to partner at my company. Overall, I preferred the Vice Versa a bit more. Carter was a touch hotter, and just a bit more finesse in the VV bottling. Of course, we are splitting hairs as both bottles were excellent, and LPV continues to be one of my favorite single vineyard expressions.
This sample was actually a bit subdued (comparatively to other vintages of VV LPVs at least), but certainly with enough potency and drive that there is little question of its origin and of the stylistic preference from the producer and winemaker. It's black and modern, carrying a plush center surrounded by signature LPV minerality - though perhaps less so in the rocks and gravel department than this site's typicity tends to usually show. Notable glide, with a softer punch of flavor in the mid-palate push. Air helps to bring out a bit more intensity. Hold for a few more years, as this seems to have some sleepy eyes going on at the moment.
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This is great wine! Creamy polished and rich but not a blockbuster, a plush generous elegant wine. There is a lift on the gorgeous palate - perfume and cassis, hint of menthol, with some cake spice and white pepper. Long finish with some complexity. Fine and ripe tannin. Leave for another 5 years, then drink over the following 20+.
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Guy's Night: Open Your Last Bottle (Jason P's, St. Paul, MN): Bonus pour, and I will echo galewskj's comments. Bracing, with bold black fruits that yet are less descript, glycerin, oak, somewhat angular now with a fair bit of volatility. This is obviously young and not really ready. Lets see this in another 4 to 5 year and then see what we have. Score reserved.
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4/15/2024 - sfwinelover1 Likes this wine: 97 Points
The darkness of Mysterons continues, with lots of black cherries, cassis and black raspberries providing a beam of acidity in addition to the tannic backbone which has been prominent throughout. Classic LPV notes of dark soil and rocky minerality along with a whiff of dark florals add further interest. Just went back to look at my notes for the ‘19, and they’re remarkably similar, with the additional 3 years (consumed 2 years later, 1 year earlier vintage) providing just a bit more openness. Like the Mysterons and the Mag 7, I’d be more a holder than a drinker of this at this point, but if you go the other way, aerate the dickens out of it. 97+
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6/1/2023 - sean7711 Likes this wine: 97 Points
2018 LPV Showdown - Carter La Verdad vs. Vice Versa
Opened these on Thursday to celebrate my promotion to partner at my company. Overall, I preferred the Vice Versa a bit more. Carter was a touch hotter, and just a bit more finesse in the VV bottling. Of course, we are splitting hairs as both bottles were excellent, and LPV continues to be one of my favorite single vineyard expressions.
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10/27/2022 - csimm wrote: 94 Points
This sample was actually a bit subdued (comparatively to other vintages of VV LPVs at least), but certainly with enough potency and drive that there is little question of its origin and of the stylistic preference from the producer and winemaker. It's black and modern, carrying a plush center surrounded by signature LPV minerality - though perhaps less so in the rocks and gravel department than this site's typicity tends to usually show. Notable glide, with a softer punch of flavor in the mid-palate push. Air helps to bring out a bit more intensity. Hold for a few more years, as this seems to have some sleepy eyes going on at the moment.
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10/2/2022 - Philip67 Likes this wine: 96 Points
This is great wine! Creamy polished and rich but not a blockbuster, a plush generous elegant wine. There is a lift on the gorgeous palate - perfume and cassis, hint of menthol, with some cake spice and white pepper. Long finish with some complexity. Fine and ripe tannin. Leave for another 5 years, then drink over the following 20+.
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9/8/2022 - rocknroller wrote:
Guy's Night: Open Your Last Bottle (Jason P's, St. Paul, MN): Bonus pour, and I will echo galewskj's comments. Bracing, with bold black fruits that yet are less descript, glycerin, oak, somewhat angular now with a fair bit of volatility. This is obviously young and not really ready. Lets see this in another 4 to 5 year and then see what we have. Score reserved.
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