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2000 Produttori del Barbaresco
- Asili
(Italy / Northwest / Piedmont / Barbaresco)
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RATED: 05/05/2006 |
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| AROMA: |
Dark Fruits. Cedar. Strawberry. Raisin. Game. Barnyard.
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| FLAVOR: |
Dark Fruits. Cedar. Strawberry. Raisin. Game. Barnyard.
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PROFILE: |
Balanced.
Smooth
Mouthfeel.
Rich
Body.
Long
Finish.
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| COMMENTS: |
Quite gamey and burgundian, this wine has depth under a big structure. It is still a bit reserved at this time but the boldness from this vintage is very evident. Great lone and complex finish.
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2000 Produttori del Barbaresco
- Moccagata
(Italy / Northwest / Piedmont / Barbaresco)
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RATED: 05/05/2006 |
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| AROMA: |
Red Fruits. Floral.
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| FLAVOR: |
Red Fruits. Floral.
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PROFILE: |
Medium
Body.
Moderate
Tannin.
Medium
Finish.
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| COMMENTS: |
The wine is the most feminine of the four Produttori Barbaresco we tried. The nose is perfumed with light floral and bright red fruit aroma. Quite delicate on the palate but the finish is a bit short.
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2000 Produttori del Barbaresco
- Rabaja
(Italy / Northwest / Piedmont / Barbaresco)
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RATED: 05/05/2006 |
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| AROMA: |
Dark Fruits. Red Fruits. Strawberry. Raspberry. Jam. Violets.
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| FLAVOR: |
Dark Fruits. Red Fruits. Jam. Violets.
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PROFILE: |
Balanced.
Medium
Body.
Moderate
Tannin.
Long
Finish.
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| COMMENTS: |
A very charming with with a forward nose of raspberry and violet intertwined with a jammy core, depite its weight, the palate is balanced with good acidity that hold on to a long finish.
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2000 Produttori del Barbaresco
- Montestefano
(Italy / Northwest / Piedmont / Barbaresco)
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RATED: 05/05/2006 |
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| AROMA: |
Dark Fruits. Oak. Smoky. Herbal. Bell Pepper. Earthy.
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| FLAVOR: |
Dark Fruits. Cedar. Smoky. Herbal. Bell Pepper. Earthy.
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PROFILE: |
Balanced.
Medium
Body.
Heavy
Tannin.
Short
Finish.
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| COMMENTS: |
This wine is quite earthy and reserved with a strong herbal nose of rosemany and spices. A potent wine with a lot going on in the background but right now it is too reserved. Still very tannic and very closed, but the firm grip, crisp acidity and big structure shows a wine of great aging potential. Definately needs time.
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1996 Henri Jayer
- Echezeaux
(France / Burgundy / Cote de Nuits / Flagey-Echezeaux)
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RATED: 11/01/2005 |
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| COLOR: |
Tile Red.
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| AROMA: |
Truffles. Raisin. Raspberry. Strawberry. Cedar. Vanilla. Red Fruits.
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| FLAVOR: |
Truffles. Raisin. Raspberry. Strawberry. Cedar. Vanilla. Red Fruits.
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PROFILE: |
Complex. Balanced.
Smooth
Mouthfeel.
Medium
Body.
Long
Finish.
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| COMMENTS: |
Such purity! This wine is probably the purest expression of Pinot Noir. Glorious fruit with refine and polished mouthfeel. Very well extracted but at the same time not a bit heavy. Complex layers of flavor with clarity and finesse.
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| SCORE: 94
+
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| BY: rchan
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| DRINK:
In 3-5 years |
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2002 Domaine Serene
Pinot Noir
-
Evenstad Reserve
(USA / Oregon / Willamette Valley)
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RATED: 11/01/2005 |
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| COMMENTS: |
great polished style, excellent fruit and depth.
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| SCORE: 90
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| BY: rchan
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| PRICE: $47 |
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1995 Domaine Louis Trapet
- Chambertin
(France / Burgundy / Cote de Nuits / Gevrey-Chambertin)
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RATED: 08/15/2005 |
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| COLOR: |
Tile Red.
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| AROMA: |
Vanilla. Hazelnut. Cherry. Toast. Strawberry. Raspberry. Chocolate. Eucalyptus. Spice. Floral. Game. Earthy. Truffles. Rose Petals. Barnyard.
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| FLAVOR: |
Vanilla. Hazelnut. Cherry. Toast. Strawberry. Raspberry. Chocolate. Eucalyptus. Spice. Floral. Game. Earthy. Truffles. Rose Petals. Barnyard.
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PROFILE: |
Balanced. Complex.
Smooth
Mouthfeel.
Rich
Body.
Moderate
Tannin.
Medium
Finish.
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| COMMENTS: |
Fantastic nose with complex aroma profile, this wine has great power and structure to support its awesome complexity and multi personality. If the finish can be longer, it will merit a higher score.
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| SCORE: 95
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| BY: rchan
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| DRINK:
In 1-3 years |
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1994 V. Sattui
Cabernet Sauvignon
- Preston
(USA / California / Sonoma)
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RATED: 07/22/2005 |
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| COLOR: |
Red Purple.
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| AROMA: |
Cedar. Strawberry. Blackberry.
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| FLAVOR: |
Cedar. Strawberry. Blackberry.
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PROFILE: |
Tart.
Balanced.
Medium
Body.
Moderate
Tannin.
Short
Finish.
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| COMMENTS: |
1994 Horizontal tasting at Central Park Bistro
Notes: A bit lean and simple, good food wine.
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| SCORE: 85
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| BY: rchan
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| PRICE: $50 |
| DRINK:
Now |
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1994 Arrowood
Cabernet Sauvignon
(USA / California / Sonoma)
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RATED: 07/22/2005 |
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| COLOR: |
Red Purple.
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| AROMA: |
Tobacco. Smoky. Blackberry.
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| FLAVOR: |
Tobacco. Smoky. Blackberry.
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PROFILE: |
Unbalanced.
Viscous
Mouthfeel.
Extracted
Body.
Moderate
Tannin.
Medium
Finish.
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| COMMENTS: |
1994 Horizontal tasting at Central Park Bistro
Notes: Good acidity and attack, flavors fans out in layers but a bit unbalance (probably due to poor storage?) This wine appears to be more matured than the others. Finish with a hint of Cognac and aged cheese.
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1994 Elyse
Cabernet Sauvignon
- Morisoli
(USA / California / Napa)
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RATED: 07/22/2005 |
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| AROMA: |
Floral. Bell Pepper. Prune. Raisin. Black Currant. Plum. Raspberry. Nutty. Dark Fruits. Violets. Rose Petals.
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| FLAVOR: |
Floral. Bell Pepper. Prune. Raisin. Black Currant. Plum. Raspberry. Nutty. Dark Fruits. Violets. Rose Petals.
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PROFILE: |
Balanced.
Viscous
Mouthfeel.
Voluminous
Body.
Moderate
Tannin.
Long
Finish.
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| COMMENTS: |
1994 Horizontal tasting at Central Park Bistro
Notes: This is clearly the favorite of the group. Very intense nose of complex aromas including lavender, boysenberry, cherry and rose pedals wraps around a jammy and rich body with layers and layers of flavors all supported by a firm backbone. The finish is long and complex. With a few more years to mellow out some of its tannins, we think this wine may merit an even higher score.
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| SCORE: 94
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| BY: rchan
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| DRINK:
In 1-3 years |
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1994 Elyse
Cabernet Sauvignon
- Tietjen
(USA / California / Napa)
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RATED: 07/22/2005 |
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| AROMA: |
Red Fruits. Strawberry. Tobacco. Raspberry. Smoky. Chocolate. Black Currant. Toffee. Raisin. Apricot. Floral.
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| FLAVOR: |
Red Fruits. Strawberry. Tobacco. Raspberry. Smoky. Chocolate. Black Currant. Toffee. Raisin. Apricot. Floral.
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PROFILE: |
Balanced.
Smooth
Mouthfeel.
Medium
Body.
Light
Tannin.
Medium
Finish.
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| COMMENTS: |
1994 Horizontal tasting at Central Park Bistro
Notes: This one is a bit more backward than the Morisoli but nonetheless a wine with great pedigree and style. Some in the group prefer this wine because of its smoothness and finesse yet providing good intensity of balanced fruit and tertiary aroma.
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| SCORE: 92
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| BY: rchan
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| DRINK:
Now |
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1994 Opus One
(USA / California / Napa / Oakville)
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RATED: 07/22/2005 |
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| AROMA: |
Dark Fruits. Woody. Oak. Tobacco. Coffee. Earthy.
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| FLAVOR: |
Dark Fruits. Woody. Oak. Tobacco. Coffee. Earthy.
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PROFILE: |
Bitter.
Balanced.
Smooth
Mouthfeel.
Medium
Body.
Moderate
Tannin.
Medium
Finish.
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| COMMENTS: |
1994 Horizontal tasting at Central Park Bistro
Notes: Definately old world Bordeaux style with heavy oak and toasty aroma overpowering the fruit at this point. The wine is very smooth, classy and delicate. This more elegant style creates a polished mouthfeel and reserve demeanor. Medium finish with no particular flavors standing out which is good in terms of balance but failed to excite the group. Decanting helps but overall the wine lacks character.
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| SCORE: 89
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| BY: rchan
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| DRINK:
In 5-10 years |
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1994 Justin
-
Isosceles
(USA / California / San Luis Obispo / Paso Robles)
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RATED: 06/20/2005 |
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| COLOR: |
Tile Red.
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| AROMA: |
Dark Fruits. Plum. Violets.
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| FLAVOR: |
Dark Fruits. Oak. Bread. Smoky. Chocolate. Licorice.
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PROFILE: |
Balanced. Complex.
Viscous
Mouthfeel.
Rich
Body.
Light
Tannin.
Medium
Finish.
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| COMMENTS: |
Surprisingly good wine.
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| SCORE: 94
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| BY: rchan
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| PRICE: $60 |
| DRINK:
Now |
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1985 Chateau de Beaucastel
(France / Rhone / Southern Rhone / Chateauneuf du Pape)
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RATED: 05/24/2005 |
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| COMMENTS: |
Excellent power and structure. Very firm grip with layers upon layers and flavors, the finish seemed to last forever.
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1985 Rayas
-
Reserve
(France / Rhone / Southern Rhone / Chateauneuf du Pape)
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RATED: 05/24/2005 |
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| COMMENTS: |
Combining power and grace, this well aged Chateau Rayas showed really well its potential with ample fruits and tertiary aroma of truffles, game and tobacco. Excellent round finish, this wine is at its peak I believe.
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1999 Beaux Freres
Pinot Noir
(USA / Oregon / Willamette Valley / Yamhill/Carlton District)
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CASES: 3,176
RATED: 05/24/2005 |
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| COMMENTS: |
I agree with the other raters of this wine. It wasn't very enjoyable. The wine was harsh and angular, high alcohol and abrupt. The wine feels too articitial. In burgundy standard, it is a village wine quality selling at grand cru price. Shame on the producer!
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1978 Chateau Lafite Rothschild
(France / Bordeaux / Pauillac)
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RATED: 03/03/2005 |
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1982 Chateau Lafite Rothschild
(France / Bordeaux / Pauillac)
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RATED: 03/03/2005 |
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| COMMENTS: |
reconditioned at the Chateau in 1994. Very velvety and smooth and caressing like a velvet. Much thicker body then the typical lafite. Rose pedal like aromas with some earthy tones but restrain and classy. Complexity is not its strength but it is all about elegence. Very very well balance with a good finish.
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1994 Chateau Clinet
(France / Bordeaux / Pomerol)
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RATED: 03/03/2005 |
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| COMMENTS: |
Had this wine a several times over the years and it has recently opened up and showing its true potential. The complexity seems to emerge nicely and the wine shreding its initial tannins to develop a more supple and velvety mouthfeel.
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1988 Dunn
Cabernet Sauvignon
(USA / California / Napa / Howell Mountain)
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RATED: 03/03/2005 |
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| COMMENTS: |
Tasted from a magnum.
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1989 E. Guigal
-
La Mouline
(France / Rhone / Northern Rhone / Cote-Rotie)
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RATED: 03/03/2005 |
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| COMMENTS: |
Tasted at Au Tour Gascone in Paris. Massive and powerful. The wine has great power and complexity. Extraordinary in its structure but surprisingly well balance given all the elements so jam packed in the bottle. After decenting for about an hour, the wine has turned into an almost burgundian aromatics. Layers and layers of flavor unfolding at every sip.
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1989 Chateau Leoville Las Cases
(France / Bordeaux / St-Julien)
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RATED: 12/10/2004 |
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| COLOR: |
Brick Red.
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| AROMA: |
Dark Fruits. Nutty. Mineral. Violets. Earthy. Truffles. Rose Petals.
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| FLAVOR: |
Dark Fruits. Nutty. Mineral. Violets. Earthy. Truffles. Rose Petals.
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PROFILE: |
Balanced. Complex.
Smooth
Mouthfeel.
Medium
Body.
Light
Tannin.
Long
Finish.
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| COMMENTS: |
Beautiful brick red color with no apparent clearing towards the rim. An amazing un-restrained nose of multi layers of sweet black fruit with delicate perfumed aromas of forest fruit and earthy elements. Very concentrated and focus yet never losing its elegance. The wine is well balanced by good acidity and silky tannins add structure to this piece of beauty. With 15 years of aging shreding all possible hard corners, this bordeaux is totally delicious and a great pleasure to drink now.
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| SCORE: 96
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| BY: rchan
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| DRINK:
Now |
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1995 Muga
-
Prado Enea - Gran Reserva
(Spain / Rioja)
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ALCOHOL: 13.5%
RATED: 12/10/2004 |
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| COMMENTS: |
Agree with Iheidt's note. Sorry I am too lazy to write. The prado Enea has consistently turn out great wine from good vintages.
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1999 Mount Eden
Chardonnay
-
Estate
(USA / California / Santa Cruz / Santa Cruz Mountains)
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CASES: 2,774
RATED: 12/10/2004 |
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| COMMENTS: |
One of the better California Chardonnay without so much manipulation, the 1999 Chardonnay Estate emerges from a high altitude mountain vineyard contributing to the wine's character. It exhibits notes of honeysuckle and restrained tropical fruits interwoven with a striking minerality that it more burgundian. I like the crisp acidity and the tight structure that grip on the palatte. Good intensity from the attack to the long finish.
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| SCORE: 93
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| BY: rchan
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| PRICE: $35 |
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1997 Moccagatta
-
Bric Balin
(Italy / Northwest / Piedmont / Barbaresco)
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RATED: 12/10/2004 |
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| COLOR: |
Red Purple.
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| AROMA: |
Dark Fruits. Woody. Mineral. Vegetal.
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| FLAVOR: |
Dark Fruits. Woody. Mineral. Vegetal.
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PROFILE: |
Heavy
Tannin.
Medium
Finish.
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| COMMENTS: |
Tight and restrained, this wine possess immense potential with a great structure, acidity and layers. Lots of great and powerful elements but haven't integrated well yet.
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