2003 Core Blend 442 Alta Mesa Vineyard

Community Tasting Notes (19) Avg Score: 88.5 points

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  9/18/2012 - bbakove wrote: 85 Points

  Our last bottle and I fear we waited a bit too long. Flavors are fading, though still balanced and interesting. Enjoyable, but drink now.

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  3/31/2011 - gregg g wrote:

  My last bottle of 6. Time has really benefited this wine. In it's youth, the fruit was dark and gamey suggestive of the 44% Mourvedre. It was pretty tight and well framed with good acidity. Fast forward to last night. Right out of the gate, a big hit of raspberry fruit, with a charming sophisticated manner, wafts out of the glass. Flavors of raspberry and spice emerge on the palate. I’m really impressed by the bright fruit. The Grenache at 36% now seems to be dominant. There is still that penetrating spine of acidity. The flavors continue from the lively mid palate to a lingering finish. I can't help but notice the resemblance to the range of Chateauneuf du Papes with higher Grenache percentages and a very feminine appeal. I'm thinking Charvin and Rayas here. Certainly the 442 is showing it's sense of place and missing some of the finesse and flavors of the afore mentioned domaines. Nonetheless, an awesome wine that stands proud on it's on merit. Great job Dave & Becky.

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  3/26/2009 - tonyvelebil wrote: 91 Points

  Drank this over two nights and it drank equally well over both. Distinct CA fruit profile showing blackberry liqueur that fills the mouth but also shows a ton of provencial herbs/spices along with a little black pepper and a touch of red licorice. Enough acidity to so that the wine never gets heavy at all...finish is medium=short. All in a drinking very well right now...I loved Dave's 03's.

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  2/5/2009 - vinsman wrote: 89 Points

  Popped and poured. Wine apprears medium bodied, dark ruby in color. On the nose red fruit, primarily red cherry, red rasberry, and spice. On the pallet the cherry is confirmed but more like a jolly rancher sour cherry candy, and still some baking spice maybe clove. this wine is a very easy drinker.

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  11/10/2008 - tonyvelebil wrote: 88 Points

  After dinner, I cracked one of these to have a glass of something red. Traci took the wine with her on her trip so I won't be able to follow up with a day two comparison.
  
  pretty nice wine with showing ripe strawberries/raspberries, a little leather and dried herbs/spices. Nice balance but the finish was clipped. Have one or two more and will be drinking them up soon!

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