Really enjoyable bottle from Benoit and Beckstoffer fruit! Wasn't expecting much b/c it was a 2011; however, the artistry of the winemaker really showed through in an incredibly tough year. Lots of moderate blue and black fruit on the nose and pallate. Some tobacco and red dust but very light. but not too much heat or overpowering. Subtle and sublime texture (lots of silk) and a long enjoyable finish.
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Wow. I don't really know how to rate this, because I've never tasted anything quite like it. Chocolate, chocolate, and chocolate was what I got from this particular bottle, as if it were a slightly thinned-down Hershey's syrup with some alcohol in it. Milky, velvety mouthfeel, rich, opulent nose. Delicious upon opening, but I didn't like the way it paired with my dinner of lamb chops. Better as a stand-alone drink, or with just a bit of cheese. I would drink this outside on a cool night by a fire, but not so much with a nice dinner.
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WX+ 'X9 Blind Cabernet Sauvignon Meetup (My House - Hanover Park, IL): This was the last wine of the evening and everyone was pretty beat but I wanted one more big boy to break out. Popped and threw into a decanter but this was showing well right out of the gate. Classic cults Napa creme de cassis, dark plum, milk chocolate, some smoke and leather with tobacco. The palate was very well endowed and again, for a 2011 this showed zero sign of dilution or whatever. It was gorgeous. Long finish with more dark purple and blue fruit and loads of milk chocolate. Yes, there was some nice oak but it wasn't overbearing and supported the fruit really well. Recommend again shooting for some of those 2011 that may be priced way below 2012, 13 etc. etc....
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Pop and pour and followed for a few hours. Blackberry, cassis, cherry, plum, tobacco, a little graphite, menthol, and earth on the nose. Blackberry, blueberry, cassis, tart cherry, herbs, tobacco, and earth on the palate. Refreshing acidity, smooth fine tannins, long finish. Very velvety and plush. Delicious. Overall, this was a very impressive wine, and I have to say one of the few expensive wines I've had this year that I would consider worth the price.
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7/10/2021 - napasoutherner Likes this wine: 94 Points
Really enjoyable bottle from Benoit and Beckstoffer fruit! Wasn't expecting much b/c it was a 2011; however, the artistry of the winemaker really showed through in an incredibly tough year. Lots of moderate blue and black fruit on the nose and pallate. Some tobacco and red dust but very light. but not too much heat or overpowering. Subtle and sublime texture (lots of silk) and a long enjoyable finish.
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2/27/2021 - Rbtrage wrote: 93 Points
Excellent at Allora with steaks and veal chops.
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11/14/2019 - GJVines Likes this wine: 92 Points
Wow. I don't really know how to rate this, because I've never tasted anything quite like it. Chocolate, chocolate, and chocolate was what I got from this particular bottle, as if it were a slightly thinned-down Hershey's syrup with some alcohol in it. Milky, velvety mouthfeel, rich, opulent nose. Delicious upon opening, but I didn't like the way it paired with my dinner of lamb chops. Better as a stand-alone drink, or with just a bit of cheese. I would drink this outside on a cool night by a fire, but not so much with a nice dinner.
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1/27/2019 - beezer6 wrote: 94 Points
WX+ 'X9 Blind Cabernet Sauvignon Meetup (My House - Hanover Park, IL): This was the last wine of the evening and everyone was pretty beat but I wanted one more big boy to break out. Popped and threw into a decanter but this was showing well right out of the gate. Classic cults Napa creme de cassis, dark plum, milk chocolate, some smoke and leather with tobacco. The palate was very well endowed and again, for a 2011 this showed zero sign of dilution or whatever. It was gorgeous. Long finish with more dark purple and blue fruit and loads of milk chocolate. Yes, there was some nice oak but it wasn't overbearing and supported the fruit really well. Recommend again shooting for some of those 2011 that may be priced way below 2012, 13 etc. etc....
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9/4/2018 - rmh66 wrote: 93 Points
Pop and pour and followed for a few hours. Blackberry, cassis, cherry, plum, tobacco, a little graphite, menthol, and earth on the nose. Blackberry, blueberry, cassis, tart cherry, herbs, tobacco, and earth on the palate. Refreshing acidity, smooth fine tannins, long finish. Very velvety and plush. Delicious. Overall, this was a very impressive wine, and I have to say one of the few expensive wines I've had this year that I would consider worth the price.
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