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Displaying [301-325] of 1000
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2000 Domaine Gerard Charvin
(France / Rhone / Southern Rhone / Chateauneuf du Pape)
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RATED: 02/01/2003 |
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| COMMENTS: |
(not blind): Very light ruby, transparent, beautiful tears. Complex nose, kirsch, red and black berries, touch of soap. Medium body, again kirsch - very fine but explicit, well balanced. Very long aftertaste with slowly appearing solid tannins. Beautiful wine. Score: 50 + 4 for optic + 15 for bouquet + 8 for taste + 8 for overall = total score of 95.
Comment: Seems I tasted the first bottle too early after delivery as the disintegrated aftertaste suggests. This is clearly a fine wine, although I have to admit that I tasted not blind and was maybe somewhat influenced - but I am usually rather label resistant.
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1989 Fonsalette
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Cuvee Syrah
(France / Rhone / Northern Rhone / Cotes du Rhone)
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RATED: 08/01/2004 |
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| COMMENTS: |
(not blind): Deep purple, opaque but bright, very fat tears, tints the glass - looks like a young wine. Nose after fresh crushed blackberry, honey comb, sweet black earth, compost - too complex to be young. Full body, rather muscular, no fat, nice dense dark fruit, good acidity, tannins hidden behind the fruit, bit sauvage. Very long and satisfying finish. Score: 50 + 5 for optic + 14 for bouquet + 18 for taste + 8 for overall = total score of 95.
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1990 Chateau de Beaucastel
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Hommage Jacques Perrin
(France / Rhone / Southern Rhone / Chateauneuf du Pape)
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RATED: 08/01/2002 |
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| COMMENTS: |
Black ruby, fat tears, massive depot. Massive dark fruity nose. Plump body, fruit and tannins mask a rather powerful acidity. Strong finish. Great if a bit fruity. Score: 50 + 4 for optic + 14 for bouquet + 18 for taste + 9 for overall = total score of 95.
Gourmet Hiking 2002. Not blind. Decanted shortly before drinking. Riedel Syrah glass.
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1999 Domaine de la Romanee-Conti
- Richebourg
(France / Burgundy / Cote de Nuits / Vosne-Romanee)
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ALCOHOL: 13.5%
RATED: 07/23/2004 |
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| COLOR: |
Ruby.
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| AROMA: |
Leather. Tobacco.
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| FLAVOR: |
Leather. Fig. Black Currant. Plum. Tobacco.
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PROFILE: |
Complex. Balanced.
Viscous
Mouthfeel.
Rich Medium
Body.
Moderate
Tannin.
Long
Finish.
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| COMMENTS: |
As the first experience with this quality of French Burgundy, I was amazed at the complexity of this wine. Truly a wonderful event.
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2001 Quinta do Vale Dona Maria
(Portugal / Douro)
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RATED: 09/01/2004 |
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| COMMENTS: |
Brilliant purple, dense tears, tints the glass. Very fine dark fruity nose, decent but persistent. Plump body, fine dark fruit, nice acidity, decent soft tannins, fine again, well balanced. Velvety acidity in the aftertaste, fine fruity. Fine wine. Score: 50 + 4 for optic + 14 for bouquet + 18 for taste + 9 for overall = total score of 95.
Coburg 20040909. Not blind. Decanted shortly before tasting. Small Bordeaux type glasses. Cuvee of indigenous Douro varietals.
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NV Chambers Rosewood Vineyards
Muscat
(Australia / Victoria / Rutherglen)
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ALCOHOL: 19.0%
RATED: 09/12/2004 |
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| COMMENTS: |
Even better than last time! Picked up additional Black Tea flavors. I will definitely buy more.
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| SCORE: 95
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| BY: iheidt
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| PRICE: $13 |
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1990 Domaine J.L. Chave
(France / Rhone / Northern Rhone / Hermitage)
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RATED: 12/01/2003 |
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| COMMENTS: |
Brilliant ruby, medium tears. Nice powerful barnyard, cool fruit. Plump body, intense sweet fruit, acidity and tannins well balanced. Finish sweet mouth impregnating.
Score: 50 + 4 for optic + 14 for bouquet + 19 for taste + 8 for overall = total score of 95.
Hermitage tasting Graz. Single blind. Decanted shortly before tasting. Wine Star Chardonnay glass, comparable to an ISO standard tasting glass.
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1995 Domaine Pegau
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Reserve
(France / Rhone / Southern Rhone / Chateauneuf du Pape)
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RATED: 09/01/2004 |
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| COMMENTS: |
Medium garnet, brilliant, medium tears. Yoghurt, coffee, mocca in the nose, cacao. Medium to slim body, very well balanced, silky even glossy, very decent fruit, acidity and tannins excellent balanced. Very long fine smoky finish. This reminds me of a very fine Guigal La Ladonne.
Score: 50 + 4 for optic + 14 for bouquet + 18 for taste + 9 for overall = total score of 95.
Pegau vertical tasting Graz 20040927. Single blind. Decanted shortly before tasting. Wine Star Chardonnay glass similar to ISO standard tasting glass. Wine #4 in flight #2. Sequence predefined by the organiser of the tasting, not by chance.
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1990 Domaine Pegau
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Reserve
(France / Rhone / Southern Rhone / Chateauneuf du Pape)
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RATED: 09/01/2004 |
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| COMMENTS: |
Brilliant medium ruby, medium tears. Slightly spicy nose, black pepper, cool ascending alcohol. Full to medium body, very spicy, intense fruity acidity, mouth impregnating tannins. Long finish, smoky persistent tannins. Great wine, enough acidity to tame the alcohol, gives a lot of pleasure.
Score: 50 + 4 for optic + 14 for bouquet + 18 for taste + 9 for overall = total score of 95.
Pegau vertical tasting Graz 20040927. Single blind. Decanted shortly before tasting. Wine Star Chardonnay glass similar to ISO standard tasting glass. Wine #4 in flight #5. Sequence predefined by the organiser of the tasting, not by chance.
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2001 Etude
Merlot
(USA / California / Napa)
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CASES: 1,200
RATED: 10/05/2004 |
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| COMMENTS: |
A very large merlot, Medium tanins, bold plum,vanilla,clove and light earthiness, great body and nose an exeptional wine.
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| SCORE: 95
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| BY: rystad
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| PRICE: $46 |
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NV Krug
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Grand Cuvee
(France / Champagne)
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ALCOHOL: 12.0%
RATED: 10/23/2004 |
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| COMMENTS: |
Krug recently changed their label (it is all gold now, without the red accents), but what's inside the bottle is as good as ever. Make sure you don't drink the Krug to cold, near room temp will draw out more complexity.
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| SCORE: 95
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| BY: iheidt
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| PRICE: $100 |
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NV Krug
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Grand Cuvee
(France / Champagne)
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ALCOHOL: 12.0%
RATED: 10/23/2004 |
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| COLOR: |
Golden.
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| AROMA: |
Yeast. Citrus. Woody.
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| FLAVOR: |
Yeast. Citrus.
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PROFILE: |
Crisp Acidity.
Complex.
Effervescent
Mouthfeel.
Rich
Body.
Long
Finish.
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| COMMENTS: |
This is my third time tasting Krug, the second time from a 750mL bottle. Again, it tastes a bit younger than the 375 mL bottle and has much more of tart fruitiness. There was a bit more woody flavor than I remembered, but overall, still fantastic. Nice balance and great complexity. By far my favorite champagne.
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| SCORE: 95
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| BY: Mrs
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| PRICE: $100 |
| DRINK:
In 1-3 years |
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1985 Krug
(France / Champagne)
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RATED: 10/26/2004 |
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| COMMENTS: |
Classic and balance. Everything seemed to be in harmony. Great wine that keeps you wanting for more but failed to excite.
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1994 Chateau Mouton Rothschild
(France / Bordeaux / Pauillac)
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RATED: 10/26/2004 |
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| COMMENTS: |
I have always thought this is a great Mouton since it release. It is drinking quite well young despite the tannins which is not overly powering. The wine has developed extremely well over the years, adding on complexity and softening up in texture. I found that this is a bargain among the Mouton offerings.
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2001 Clos des Papes
(France / Rhone / Southern Rhone / Chateauneuf du Pape)
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RATED: 10/27/2004 |
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| COLOR: |
Purple.
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| AROMA: |
Violets. Blackberry.
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| FLAVOR: |
Licorice. Leather. Jam. Blueberry. Raspberry. Alcohol.
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PROFILE: |
Balanced.
Alcoholic Viscous
Mouthfeel.
Rich
Body.
Heavy Moderate
Tannin.
Long
Finish.
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| COMMENTS: |
Young, tannic, yet jammy hints of something rich and classic. The finish is long and complex. Drink it in 2010 or later!
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| SCORE: 95
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| BY: grapehound
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| PRICE: $35 |
| DRINK:
In 5-10 years |
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1990 E. Guigal
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La Turque
(France / Rhone / Northern Rhone / Cote-Rotie)
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RATED: 10/01/2004 |
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| COMMENTS: |
Dark to medium ruby, very brilliant, fine tears, heavy sediment in the bottle. Slight barnyard, honey comb, parsley, celery, lovage. Medium body, fine acidity, mature fruit, very fine tannins, silky and smooth. Slightly bitter but very long finish, very fine smoky tannins, slightest hint of sweet fruity acidity. Give this wine some time (2-3 hours) to develop aromas and flavors after decanting and you will not regret it.
Score: 50 + 4 for optic + 15 for bouquet + 18 for taste + 8 for overall = total score of 95.
Not blind. Decanted 2 hours before tasting. First sip immediately after decanting was not so great and comparable to a Guigal Hermitage 1990 negociant wine - so this wine actually needs some air to give full pleasure. Small ISO standard tasting glass.
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2003 M2 Vintners
Cabernet Sauvignon
- Allen Family Vineyard
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Clone 6
(USA / California / Napa / Rutherford)
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ALCOHOL: 15.0%
CASES: 38
RATED: 11/01/2004 |
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| COLOR: |
Red Purple.
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| AROMA: |
Cherry. Blackberry.
Boysenberry.
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| FLAVOR: |
Cherry. Strawberry.
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PROFILE: |
Crisp Acidity.
Balanced.
Smooth Viscous
Mouthfeel.
Rich
Body.
Moderate
Tannin.
Long
Finish.
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| COMMENTS: |
the most unusual cabernet you will ever taste. distinct notes of boysenberry and currant on the nose with some background strawberry on the palate. long lingering finish that comes from a lush rich mouthfeel. clone 6 is definitely an unusual clone of the varietal
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| SCORE: 95
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| BY: renegade16
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| PRICE: $38 |
| DRINK:
In 3-5 years |
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1997 Spring Mountain
Cabernet Sauvignon
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Reserve
(USA / California / Napa / Spring Mountain District)
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RATED: 02/27/2002 |
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| COLOR: |
Red Purple.
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| AROMA: |
Classic Cal Cab.
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PROFILE: |
Balanced.
Rich
Body.
Moderate
Tannin.
Long
Finish.
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| COMMENTS: |
A simple man's review: smooth and delicious to the end. A fine glass that makes you want to buy more. I think it should be a must-have bottle to provide perspective for all Cal Cabs. Would give as a gift to a future father-in-law.
Cheers!
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| SCORE: 95
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| BY: sbfireman
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| PRICE: $80 |
| DRINK:
Now |
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1995 Far Niente
Cabernet Sauvignon
(USA / California / Napa / Oakville)
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RATED: 07/11/2004 |
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| COMMENTS: |
I'm a fan of Far Niente, regardless of the price, but this is the best vintage I've had from the Nickel family. I've tasted it on three separate occasions and it keeps improving with each bottle I open. This is perhaps one of the smoothest CA Cabs I've ever had, while having a fruit character that's no less than opulent.
A noseful of rich fruit, like a flavored tea, excited us from the start. The tannins are only there in support of this mellow-drinking, full-bodied red, whose big cherries, plums, blackberries combine with currant and black licorice syrup for one of the nicest bottles I've had with dinner this year. Petit filet, crabcakes and scallops couldn't pick a better companion. The finish was long and sleek; the perfect ending to our meal. I'd buy as much as I can get my hands on and keep it for up to ten more years, but it's peaking right now.
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1999 Pine Ridge
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Epitome
(USA / California / Napa / Stags Leap District)
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RATED: 07/26/2004 |
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| COMMENTS: |
I only purchased one bottle at the winery two years ago (at half price) and now I'm sad...This is perhaps the best Bordeaux blend I've had in years. The only thing that comes close is the '93 Diamond Creek I had this winter.
Very smooth and rich, while unassuming. A nose of classic Bordeaux mixed with ripe hillside-concentrated berries. The smooth flavors coat the tongue like velvet, without being overripe, too tannic or young in the least. Subtle black fruits and berries dominate this wine with notes of graphite, currant and anise to finish beautifully. Very soft and pleasing; the finish lasted almost a minute. I have no doubt this wine could age for another decade, but why wait? It's absolutely wonderful now.
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1997 Pride
Cabernet Sauvignon
(USA / California / Napa / Spring Mountain District)
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RATED: 09/16/2004 |
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| COMMENTS: |
I opened my only magnum of this wine for a group of six at my birthday dinner at Emeril's. I should have known better, but I had enough to really appreciate the age-worthiness of this outstanding Spring Mountain Cab. After about 90 minutes, the flavors really started to unfold. Dark chocolate, spicy currants, richly concentrated red & black fruits all combined for a wonderful experience. The nose fit the Pride profile, signaling high tannins, but loads of berries and sweet fruits. The finish was something like a minute. A friend looked over and asked if I was OK (eyes were closed enjoying the moment.) I wish I had more of this vintage, but the memory is worth it.
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2002 Martinelli
Zinfandel
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Guiseppe and Louisa
(USA / California / Sonoma / Russian River Valley)
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RATED: 09/16/2004 |
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| COMMENTS: |
We did a side-by-side tasting with the '02 Seghesio Sonoma Zin and the Martinelli won hands-down. I'm not sure if you can describe a nose as bright, but this wine's aroma filled my head with all sorts of good things. In classic Martinelli style, this Zin is heavy red fruits in a very 'fruit-forward' medium-bodied wine. Loads of spicy twang like a rhubarb-berry pie with nutmeg. A long finish that just evaporated off my tongue closed us out nicely. Against the Seghesio, the difference was that the Martinelli held up for over two hours open, while the half-price competitor just couldn't hang. I'm very glad I've got five more of these waiting for me. It will likely cellar into the next decade.
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2001 O'Shaughnessy
Cabernet Sauvignon
(USA / California / Napa / Howell Mountain)
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ALCOHOL: 14.8%
RATED: 11/13/2004 |
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| COMMENTS: |
I was automatically reminded of the '01 Pride Cab when I tasted this wine. Aromas were muted at first, but after a few minutes (we did not decant) a plummy dark chocolaty berry essence opened up. There are notes of coffee, tobacco, leather and chocolate encircling a solid core of currant, blackberry pie and other black fruits. Finish lasted for about 30 seconds, but this was the last of five bottles, so our palates were tired. The dark purple color shows the high level of extraction. High fruit concentration and tannins, which tend to block the remarkable taste of this wine, assure that it will age well into the next 10-15 years. I'll give it a couple more before I try it again.
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1997 Siro Pacenti
(Italy / Central / Tuscany / Brunello di Montalcino)
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ALCOHOL: 13.5%
RATED: 11/20/2004 |
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| COMMENTS: |
It is probably a shame that I opened this now. I only had one bottle, but I was worried about its storage conditions prior to purchase so I opted to drink it. Purchased in Montalcino from the main Enoteca where the storage is not the greatest. The expensive wines sit upright on shelves next to the everyday drinkers that the Italians consume.
This wine has a huge structure and is more new world in style for a BdM. The flavors are somewhat subdued at this point, but I beleive they will come back many years down the road. Mid palate this thing is so heavily tannic that it velcros your mouth shut. If you have some, wait at least 10 years.
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| SCORE: 95
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| BY: iheidt
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| PRICE: $85 |
| DRINK:
In 10+ years |
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2001 Niepoort
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Batuta
(Portugal / Douro)
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RATED: 11/01/2004 |
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| COMMENTS: |
Brilliant dark purple, fat tears, tints the glass. Very decent slightly tartish fruit in the nose, spicy, cool, some black pepper. Medium to plump body, powerful but fine acidity, very velvety tannins, very well balanced, touch of finesse. Very long finish, tannins mouth impregnating with fine acidity. Fine match with braised lamb, stand alone a bit tartish - clearly way to young.
Score: 50 + 5 for optic + 14 for bouquet + 18 for taste + 8 for overall = total score of 95.
Not blind. Decanted shortly before tasting. Glas&Co Dollerer Bordeaux glass.
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Displaying [301-325] of 1000
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