Agree largely with seeyouintee though I didn't get quite such a rich and varied palate. I wondered whether cab franc might be showing through. It feels like the product of a cooler year. There's lots of sinew and structure, but I wonder whether there is quite enough fruit to bring even a madiran notion of balance with age. Bring out the confit de canard!
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Deep purple core, going red-clear at the rim. Smells mostly like Cabernet Sauvignon - Black cherry, clove, light aromas of leather, and a hint of herbs. Palate is a completely different beast - black tea, bay leaf, bell pepper, sage, and a touch of dried cherry. Chewy, mouth-coating tannins, and an herbal, somewhat bitter finish. I like it now, but I can easily see how it may not be everyone's cup of tea. Contrary to previous reviews, I'm pretty sure this will improve for at least a decade.
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The tannat must have softened up here. This is drinking quite well. Has an almost young mourvedre-like note, softened but still very present tannic structure, and a nice backbone bringing this wine out nicely as a hybrid between Southern France and bordeaux. Very enjoyable especially at the price, though I believe it was not so much a couple of years ago. Drink now + up to 3-4 years, though I am unsure whether it will improve during that span simply due to my inexperience with this type of blend.
Medium ruby. Medium black fruit, liquorice & marcipan in nose & mouth, developing. Dry, medium acidity, medium(+) tannin, medium alcohol, medium body, medium(+) finish. Very good, can drink now but potential for short term aging. Structure not unlike a good Haut-Medôc, although no pencil scrapings in the nose/mouth. Quite accessable, elegant and balanced, would make me expect a mediocre year. Tertiary notes only starting to develop, but I would not keep this waiting too long as I don´t find the structure sufficiently robust. Day 2: Fading - confirming yesterday's conclusion.
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Absolutely wonderful. Three years in my cellar mellowed what was undoubtedly an extremely bold wine. A blend, 60% Tannat, and 20% each Cabernet and Cab Franc. Even with a chicken dish it was compatible. Bold fruit, but overall soft tannins and light acid. Quite enjoyable.
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4/7/2024 - rwpalmer wrote: 89 Points
Agree largely with seeyouintee though I didn't get quite such a rich and varied palate. I wondered whether cab franc might be showing through. It feels like the product of a cooler year. There's lots of sinew and structure, but I wonder whether there is quite enough fruit to bring even a madiran notion of balance with age. Bring out the confit de canard!
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4/6/2024 - seeyouintee Likes this wine: 89 Points
Deep purple core, going red-clear at the rim. Smells mostly like Cabernet Sauvignon - Black cherry, clove, light aromas of leather, and a hint of herbs. Palate is a completely different beast - black tea, bay leaf, bell pepper, sage, and a touch of dried cherry. Chewy, mouth-coating tannins, and an herbal, somewhat bitter finish. I like it now, but I can easily see how it may not be everyone's cup of tea. Contrary to previous reviews, I'm pretty sure this will improve for at least a decade.
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3/1/2024 - Rossodio Likes this wine: 89 Points
The tannat must have softened up here. This is drinking quite well. Has an almost young mourvedre-like note, softened but still very present tannic structure, and a nice backbone bringing this wine out nicely as a hybrid between Southern France and bordeaux. Very enjoyable especially at the price, though I believe it was not so much a couple of years ago. Drink now + up to 3-4 years, though I am unsure whether it will improve during that span simply due to my inexperience with this type of blend.
I had half.
Vvv
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2/22/2024 - Larsrar wrote: 88 Points
Medium ruby.
Medium black fruit, liquorice & marcipan in nose & mouth, developing.
Dry, medium acidity, medium(+) tannin, medium alcohol, medium body, medium(+) finish.
Very good, can drink now but potential for short term aging.
Structure not unlike a good Haut-Medôc, although no pencil scrapings in the nose/mouth.
Quite accessable, elegant and balanced, would make me expect a mediocre year.
Tertiary notes only starting to develop, but I would not keep this waiting too long as I don´t find the structure sufficiently robust.
Day 2: Fading - confirming yesterday's conclusion.
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1/21/2024 - NavyVet6874 wrote: 92 Points
Absolutely wonderful. Three years in my cellar mellowed what was undoubtedly an extremely bold wine. A blend, 60% Tannat, and 20% each Cabernet and Cab Franc. Even with a chicken dish it was compatible. Bold fruit, but overall soft tannins and light acid. Quite enjoyable.
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