Decanted for about 45m but it needed much more. This 2010 has a long life ahead as it was drinking young last night. No official notes but I will be holding my last bottle for a while.
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This wine has a rich, black color and exhibits a concentrated appearance, indicating some aging.
On the nose, the wine displays intense aromas of ripe, jammy fruit with an underlying hint of eucalyptus, barnyard and umami. While the fruit is definitely mature, it verges on being overripe, which may make it unbalanced for some tastes.
On the palate, the wine is rich and fruity, with well-integrated oak and tannins. The finish is spicy, completing a full and flavorful drinking experience. Although drinking well now, there's no need to rush to drink this wine.
Overall, the wine scores 92 points, but the slight overripeness may detract from the overall balance for some tasters.
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Slow O'd for two hours. Still excellent, but nearing the edge of the plateau. This has always been a full-bodied bruiser; in following it over three days, the third evening (VV'd and refrigerated over nights) might have been the most pleasurable, although the Syrah component is beginning to overpower the Cab. Drink now.
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As good as, or better than, my previous bottle. Deep dark fruit front, mid and ends with a long finish. Kudos to the wine makers' blending - doesn't get much better than this.
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Decanted for ~30 minutes based on my previous TN 10 months ago. As good as that bottle, if not just a tad better. Some nice red and dark red fruits on the nose. On the medium to plus bodied palate there were red and dark red fruits, a touch of blue/black fruits, some spice, and a touch of chocolate. The acidity was juicy enough to balance the fruit, the tannins were resolved, but there was just a hint of the 15.7% abv on the medium to plus finish. Can probably hold for another couple of years, but quite enjoyable now.
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This is in a perfect drinking window. Found that it really opened up after an hour in the decanter and paired great with Burgers. Will be looking forward to my other three.
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Dark, rich, and extracted. Wow, this is intense, especially with 15.7% alcohol. Cola, dark berries and jammy fruit, licorice, coffee, chocolate, vanilla, with lots of potpourri, cardamom, and allspice on the finish. You can taste the Syrah on the front end (it reminds me of Washington St Syrah) and you can taste bit of eucalyptis and violet from the Cabernet in the mid-palate, but, wow, you really feel the presence of dark, inky Petite Verdot on the finish (in a good way). The Petite Verdot helps extend the finish. This is Paso Robles very Paso Robles.
I liked it better in the smaller Zalto glass and the Riedel Syrah glass than in the big Bordeaux Riedel glass. It was a fantastic match against Hungarian Beef Stew as the high alcohol and fruit stood up to the paprika. Ok match with the fig lamb stew and chicken and rice with cardamom/cinnamon/cloves. I liked this a lot, but wouldn’t want to pay too much more than $65 and wouldn’t want to drink this every night. Equally good on day 1 and day 2. This didn’t need too much air. I think it had plenty of life left, but was drinking fine now. I would be curious to see what this bottle could give another 5 years into its development, but oh well, I only had one.
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PnP, but continued to open while drinking, so give it ~30 minutes of slo-ox up front. After opening, there are aromas of dark red fruit and earth. These follow on to the medium to plus bodied palate, along with a bit of cassis, nicely balancing acidity, resolved tannins, and some sediment. Based on other TNs, this wine has been drinking well for the last 3 years or so and will probably continue for at least another couple.
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OTBN #17 (O&R's post-reno house): Tasted blind. Girthy, sweet, delicious, very modern in style. Had a hard time pinning down the varietals; I thought maybe this was a new world Bordeaux blend, but I could tell that wasn't quite right.
The next day, this wine is still big, but maybe it is more approachable now. It's definitely survived the night well, and I like it just as much now as I did last night.
For my money, this wine is probably just entering its drinkability window.
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No real nose upon opening - some pleasant sour cherry on the pallet and dark fruit, figs, and plum in the background.
After 10min it started to open up on the pallet. Nose opened to black cherry and alcohol. Pallet is coated by nice acidity, red fruit and dark fruits, graphite and herbaceous notes.
After an hour a deep dark fruit and cassis notes came out. Similar to Joseph Phelps insignia. Excellent. 93-94 points.
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Sweet but not overripe, baked dark cherries, sweet kirsch, bit of umami with some baked bacon fat on the nose. Good from the start (PnP). Medium+ tannins, body and flavor intensity, medium acidity. For quite some time I was not sure if the (smooth) tannins were slightly green or if this was just a herbal/mint component but with some time in the glass it became obvious that the latter is the case, maybe the Petit Verdot? Quite sweet kirsch on the palate (THE dominant component), with some meaty and herbal tones as well as a good structure. Not much development on day two. Overall, not my favorite aroma profile but a very interesting wine thanks to the unusual combo of Cab and Syrah.
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Intense, viscous, legs like a piano, blueberry, cassis, great balance, not for those who like austere wines. Stefan Asseo is doing great work and his wines are getting better and better. I feel lucky to have 2 more of these.
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A nice blend of Cab and Syrah with a fair helping of Petit Verdot. A big wine but well balanced: structured but fleshy without the flab. Drinking very well now but will benefit from another year or so: the Syrah component is still just a little rough.
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nose - dark cherry, tutti fruiti mouth - a big fruit bomb while still being well structured and not gross. I'm actually amazed how this can be so porty yet so fresh. Impressive wine
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Same note as 3 days ago. Couldn't wait until after the holidays. Absolutely fantastic. Gave it even more time with air. Continued to improve. Slow O2 for two hours. Near-perfect all the way around!
Tied for #1 WOTN with a 2012 Bevan Ontogeny. Both were outstanding. Also drank alongside a 2009 Lewis Reserve Cabernet and a 2007 Switchback Ridge Cabernet.
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Syrah-Cab-PV blend. 15.7% etch (at least) Nose - coffee, cocoa, blackberry, cassis, rich & deep Mouth - big and bold, fruit bomb but remarkably well balanced with good acidity thus preserving freshness. Really mouth coating and amazing concentration of blackberries. Not really sure this will pair with much but on its own its sexy and seductive. Likely some RS in here to help it along. Most would find this to be a wow wine.
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PnP with explosive notes of blackberry liqueur, blueberry, black raspberry, charcoal, tar, and some baking spice. A total hedonistic and voluminous mouthfeel, with dark berries and cacao on the mid-palate; texturally, a silky and velvety expression. A huge, extracted wine that maintains perfect balance throughout, never becoming muddled or clunky.
This is in an absolute perfect drinking window right now. Although a short decant wouldn't hurt, I didn't even bother with it, enjoying it from the bottle over the course of two hours. By the last few sips, some additional chocolate notes appeared, adding even more interest.
My only critique about this wine is that the Syrah component seems to be at the forefront, overshadowing the Cabernet a bit. However, the finished product as a cuvée is phenomenal (and that's what ultimately matters in my opinion).
Though it doesn't appear to be the kind of wine that will go another two decades without foreseeably losing some of its traction, it will still offer a number of solid years of drinking pleasure. Longevity-wise I would suggest consuming this within the next 5-7 years for optimum flavor, depth, and energy.
Compared to the 2013 Estate Cuvée, which is currently bursting out with all sorts of wonderful flavors, acid, and coiled-up tannins in its youth, the 2010 is completely resolved and near-perfect. With equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, with a healthy dollop of Petit Verdot, I am always a bit amazed that Stephan Asseo can consistently make such an awesome concoction with this combination of varietals. In the end, quality is always top notch with these wines. Highly recommended!
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Wow, what a great cuvee! Like a fruit explosion in your mouth, tannins are smooth and soft. Was perfect after 90min of decanting. Drink now or within the next 4-5 years.
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Decanted 1.5 hours. Really impressive. Almost black color. Intense and heavy. I think it will improve with 2-3 years in the bottle. 93+ pts. with potential up to 95.
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Rhone Style Red Blend Tasting (My Home): Another “Wow” moment with an Estate Cuvee. A big, powerful red, with more structure than the Plus 16. Less earthy with no Mourvedre here, instead – a liberal dose of 16% Petit Verdot. An unbelievable 15.7% alcohol and you can barely tell it is an adult beverage. Soft, plush texture and a nice backbone. Just a gorgeous wine, drinking beautifully at five years in the bottle. Drinking window of 2015-2020, depending on your feeling about tannic structure. I don't believe it is possible to find a better balanced big, bold red being produced today.
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This wine is very tannic right now but I didn't decant it. It is very full bodied, rich. The wine looks Purple colored. The legs are Medium. It tastes like Plum, and Prune. The body is Medium/Full. The wine has Coarse texture. The wine finishes Medium.
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Consistent notes and this even easily survived 3 days in the fridge with just a cork and still has tannin and structure. There is blackberry, blueberry, cherries, mocha, vanilla, herbs, all delivered so smoothly on to the palate that you almost forget it's intensity. Maybe this will age well, my others seem to be doing ok but nothing revolutionary, but it's a great no guilt drop right now. While this is no longer a style of wine I will choose to enjoy, I think it is just an outstanding example of an extremely fine wine of this type. This stuff will blow a lot of folks away.
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WOTN. 2nd day bottle was open. This was a stunner. The blend of Syrah, Cabernet and Petit Verdot is so unique and compelling. The wine is so finely integrated, with power and finesse. This is more complex than the other Central Coast Rhone blends. Kudos to the amazing winemaker.
I visited this estate over Thanksgiving in 2012 and was very impressed by all of their wines, the creativity of their blends and the excitement of the staff. It's great to see such energy and forward thinking in Paso Robles.
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Opaque black red violet color; roasted black fruit, tar, espresso nose; delicious, rich but structured, dense, tar, roasted black fruit, espresso palate; needs 5 years; long finish (42% Syrah, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Petit Verdot; 100% new oak)
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Huge dense nose. Black & purple fruits; cassis, blackberry, boysenberry, tea, tobacco, oak spice and earth. Big dark fruit flavors as well, strong spices, and chewy tannins on a very long finish. very nice.
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Drank over a 4 hour decant. Didn't start opening until after 3 hours. Still very young. Syrah dominates the cab sauv and the petit verdot is very evident in this red blend. Lots of plum and blackberry on the palate, with a BIG, soft texture - coats the tongue. Tannins are well integrated, wine is a little hot, but it is still trying to come together. Unfiltered, so run it through a Vinturi. Just a big, oppulent, decadent wine... give it a few years and it will bowl you over.
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Gave a few hours of air in decanter. Absolutely pitch dark red-purple in the glass, inky thick seeming to let no light pass through. Fabulous nose of musty dusty old wood, cork - like an old attic in the rain. Also strong sugared cherries cooked into a gooey jam with eucalyptus and dark chocolate. The palate sings with damp foresty notes and bright, wonderfully poised tannin sweeping over the dense dark fruit beautifully. Finished on and on, echoing brightly. PJG: 92-93
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PHMG WAG Paso Robles (Paso Lyon): My WOTN, this was ripe but not over-ripe, deep but focused, and a true pleasure to drink and ponder. Blackberry, cassis, plum, tobacco, and spice notes linger on and on. Tannins are moderate and can use some more time, time, time, 99, 99, 99,....
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See previous notes. More black tea than before and love the pete moss, along with cassis. Just classically delicious on every meridian. Drink now - 2025.
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15.7% EtOH by Vol ; 42% Syrah 42% Cab 16% PV nose - blueberry, licorice, ink/paint mouth - voluptuous concentrated blueberry fruit on the attack, oh my. Sweet, rich, and superripe. Some very mild tar and toasted oak on the midpalate, but otherwise this wine is all about concentrated fruit power. Wicked.
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Agree with Matt, most approachable Cuvee yet and drinking in a primary window right now just needs ~30min of air. Tobacco, spice and dark berry on the nose. Deep palate of bitter chocolate covered plum, savory herb with a dill streak, cassis, chalky/dusty tannin like cocoa powder, little perfume to the red and black spicy fruit, tiny squeeze of soy sauce, faint smoke. Very deftly layered and integrated with a hidden acidity that can stand up to even rich tomato sauce. With a couple hours of air the tannins are getting velvety on the finish that is med+ and fresh if a bit austere right now. Outstanding and easily bordering on classic, a killer composition that is balanced and completely masks the 15.7abv.
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This is the most approachable Cuvée yet. In fact, this is a fine and ardent composition of grand and symphonic proportions. Polished beyond belief, with the utmost balance. Gushing on the mid-palate; finishing long and echoing ripe, dark cherry; with concentration that is lithe. Cassis, plum, tobacco leaf, cherry pie, muddy rock and peat moss. As good as the engulfing '07 and even more enthralling as a young and precocious delight. Drink now - 2027.
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What more can you say about this wine right now? It's an incredibly hedonistic and powerful wine that remarkably retains balance through its well-constructed character.
Pure, rich, fresh dark plums and berries that give way to a layer of dense black currants on the palate. Despite its intensity there's a degree of freshness here that's a testament to the acidity in the wine. The dark fruits are lively and persistent on the palate with the rich dark currant providing a canvas upon which other characteristics are seemingly painted.
There are very apparent graphite notes along with some pure black licorice notes that pair exceptionally well with the persistent currant/cassis characteristics. The tannins certainly bolster the wine and provide a firm book-end to the delicious fruit. You can find some varietal notes from the Petit Verdot if you're looking but they're currently buried by the youthful nature of the wine. That bodes well for its aging and it certainly seems like this wine has a future ahead of it.
A brilliant wine that can only be understated in words due to its persistence on the palate. The pure characteristics on the palate go and go. At the moment it's not a great wine to enjoy over a conversation with anyone but serious tasters. Expect several moments of silence while tasting with others due to its persistence characteristics. A wine for all California-style wine lovers from Napa to Paso Robles. I imagine that the wine would offer some more breadth in terms of secondary characteristics if given some time to aerate but I don't have the heart to open a bottle yet.
Big Cab/Syrah nose. BIG wine. Black tea, strong tannins, great acidity, nice blue/black/red fruits. Possibly some mineral oil notes? Very good. Needs age!
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Big, rich and powerful, this wine is packed with layers of ripe, black and red berries, jam and pepper. Fleshy and round in texture, the wine ends with licorice, blackberry and chocolate.
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5/19/2023 - PDXWineO Likes this wine: 94 Points
Decanted for about 45m but it needed much more. This 2010 has a long life ahead as it was drinking young last night. No official notes but I will be holding my last bottle for a while.
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2/12/2023 - Wine.ape wrote: 92 Points
This wine has a rich, black color and exhibits a concentrated appearance, indicating some aging.
On the nose, the wine displays intense aromas of ripe, jammy fruit with an underlying hint of eucalyptus, barnyard and umami. While the fruit is definitely mature, it verges on being overripe, which may make it unbalanced for some tastes.
On the palate, the wine is rich and fruity, with well-integrated oak and tannins. The finish is spicy, completing a full and flavorful drinking experience. Although drinking well now, there's no need to rush to drink this wine.
Overall, the wine scores 92 points, but the slight overripeness may detract from the overall balance for some tasters.
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7/13/2022 - dsimmons Likes this wine: 96 Points
Excellent bottle Concentrated mature fruits. Complex. Completely integrated tannin. Drink or hold
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7/28/2021 - prism wrote: 95 Points
The best of a trio of 10, 09, and 07. Good cork; decanted for a half hour. Delicious and very well structured.
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1/1/2021 - prism wrote: 93 Points
Slow O'd for two hours. Still excellent, but nearing the edge of the plateau. This has always been a full-bodied bruiser; in following it over three days, the third evening (VV'd and refrigerated over nights) might have been the most pleasurable, although the Syrah component is beginning to overpower the Cab. Drink now.
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11/17/2020 - LCHammer Likes this wine: 95 Points
As good as, or better than, my previous bottle. Deep dark fruit front, mid and ends with a long finish. Kudos to the wine makers' blending - doesn't get much better than this.
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11/15/2020 - VlgJeff wrote: 92 Points
Decanted for ~30 minutes based on my previous TN 10 months ago. As good as that bottle, if not just a tad better. Some nice red and dark red fruits on the nose. On the medium to plus bodied palate there were red and dark red fruits, a touch of blue/black fruits, some spice, and a touch of chocolate. The acidity was juicy enough to balance the fruit, the tannins were resolved, but there was just a hint of the 15.7% abv on the medium to plus finish. Can probably hold for another couple of years, but quite enjoyable now.
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10/6/2020 - dsimmons Likes this wine: 94 Points
Drank with chicken parmesan dish. concentrated fruit. Well integrated. drink or hold.
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7/4/2020 - PDXWineO Likes this wine: 95 Points
This is in a perfect drinking window. Found that it really opened up after an hour in the decanter and paired great with Burgers. Will be looking forward to my other three.
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2/22/2020 - jkscully Likes this wine:
Dark, rich, and extracted. Wow, this is intense, especially with 15.7% alcohol. Cola, dark berries and jammy fruit, licorice, coffee, chocolate, vanilla, with lots of potpourri, cardamom, and allspice on the finish. You can taste the Syrah on the front end (it reminds me of Washington St Syrah) and you can taste bit of eucalyptis and violet from the Cabernet in the mid-palate, but, wow, you really feel the presence of dark, inky Petite Verdot on the finish (in a good way). The Petite Verdot helps extend the finish. This is Paso Robles very Paso Robles.
I liked it better in the smaller Zalto glass and the Riedel Syrah glass than in the big Bordeaux Riedel glass. It was a fantastic match against Hungarian Beef Stew as the high alcohol and fruit stood up to the paprika. Ok match with the fig lamb stew and chicken and rice with cardamom/cinnamon/cloves. I liked this a lot, but wouldn’t want to pay too much more than $65 and wouldn’t want to drink this every night. Equally good on day 1 and day 2. This didn’t need too much air. I think it had plenty of life left, but was drinking fine now. I would be curious to see what this bottle could give another 5 years into its development, but oh well, I only had one.
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1/24/2020 - VlgJeff wrote: 92 Points
PnP, but continued to open while drinking, so give it ~30 minutes of slo-ox up front. After opening, there are aromas of dark red fruit and earth. These follow on to the medium to plus bodied palate, along with a bit of cassis, nicely balancing acidity, resolved tannins, and some sediment.
Based on other TNs, this wine has been drinking well for the last 3 years or so and will probably continue for at least another couple.
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12/13/2019 - alpha_ori Likes this wine: 92 Points
OTBN #17 (O&R's post-reno house): Tasted blind. Girthy, sweet, delicious, very modern in style. Had a hard time pinning down the varietals; I thought maybe this was a new world Bordeaux blend, but I could tell that wasn't quite right.
The next day, this wine is still big, but maybe it is more approachable now. It's definitely survived the night well, and I like it just as much now as I did last night.
For my money, this wine is probably just entering its drinkability window.
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10/25/2019 - mcease wrote: 94 Points
No real nose upon opening - some pleasant sour cherry on the pallet and dark fruit, figs, and plum in the background.
After 10min it started to open up on the pallet. Nose opened to black cherry and alcohol. Pallet is coated by nice acidity, red fruit and dark fruits, graphite and herbaceous notes.
After an hour a deep dark fruit and cassis notes came out. Similar to Joseph Phelps insignia. Excellent. 93-94 points.
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2/24/2019 - LCHammer Likes this wine: 95 Points
Great syrah/cab sav/p Verdot blend that works perfectly. Some dried cherry and a bit of herb. Excellent.
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11/20/2018 - rap wrote:
- Garnet color with a medium finish - 94 points!
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8/9/2018 - kanab ram Likes this wine:
Dark and dense. Plush tannins, layered with complexity, and wonderful balance. It's drinking so well now it's hard to imagine it getting better.
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1/17/2018 - Cailles wrote: 93 Points
Sweet but not overripe, baked dark cherries, sweet kirsch, bit of umami with some baked bacon fat on the nose. Good from the start (PnP). Medium+ tannins, body and flavor intensity, medium acidity. For quite some time I was not sure if the (smooth) tannins were slightly green or if this was just a herbal/mint component but with some time in the glass it became obvious that the latter is the case, maybe the Petit Verdot? Quite sweet kirsch on the palate (THE dominant component), with some meaty and herbal tones as well as a good structure. Not much development on day two. Overall, not my favorite aroma profile but a very interesting wine thanks to the unusual combo of Cab and Syrah.
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10/1/2017 - mhenry Likes this wine:
Lot's of sediment, but the fruit is still there.
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6/30/2017 - Stevere Likes this wine: 97 Points
Intense, viscous, legs like a piano, blueberry, cassis, great balance, not for those who like austere wines. Stefan Asseo is doing great work and his wines are getting better and better. I feel lucky to have 2 more of these.
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6/22/2017 - prism wrote: 95 Points
A nice blend of Cab and Syrah with a fair helping of Petit Verdot. A big wine but well balanced: structured but fleshy without the flab. Drinking very well now but will benefit from another year or so: the Syrah component is still just a little rough.
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12/12/2016 - soyhead wrote:
nose - dark cherry, tutti fruiti
mouth - a big fruit bomb while still being well structured and not gross. I'm actually amazed how this can be so porty yet so fresh. Impressive wine
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10/21/2016 - Romol Likes this wine: 94 Points
Decanted 2 hours. Very good. This bottle was better than the last one a year ago. 94 pts.
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11/26/2015 - csimm wrote: 97 Points
Same note as 3 days ago. Couldn't wait until after the holidays. Absolutely fantastic. Gave it even more time with air. Continued to improve. Slow O2 for two hours. Near-perfect all the way around!
Tied for #1 WOTN with a 2012 Bevan Ontogeny. Both were outstanding. Also drank alongside a 2009 Lewis Reserve Cabernet and a 2007 Switchback Ridge Cabernet.
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11/24/2015 - soyhead Likes this wine:
Syrah-Cab-PV blend. 15.7% etch (at least)
Nose - coffee, cocoa, blackberry, cassis, rich & deep
Mouth - big and bold, fruit bomb but remarkably well balanced with good acidity thus preserving freshness. Really mouth coating and amazing concentration of blackberries. Not really sure this will pair with much but on its own its sexy and seductive. Likely some RS in here to help it along. Most would find this to be a wow wine.
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11/23/2015 - csimm wrote: 97 Points
PnP with explosive notes of blackberry liqueur, blueberry, black raspberry, charcoal, tar, and some baking spice. A total hedonistic and voluminous mouthfeel, with dark berries and cacao on the mid-palate; texturally, a silky and velvety expression. A huge, extracted wine that maintains perfect balance throughout, never becoming muddled or clunky.
This is in an absolute perfect drinking window right now. Although a short decant wouldn't hurt, I didn't even bother with it, enjoying it from the bottle over the course of two hours. By the last few sips, some additional chocolate notes appeared, adding even more interest.
My only critique about this wine is that the Syrah component seems to be at the forefront, overshadowing the Cabernet a bit. However, the finished product as a cuvée is phenomenal (and that's what ultimately matters in my opinion).
Though it doesn't appear to be the kind of wine that will go another two decades without foreseeably losing some of its traction, it will still offer a number of solid years of drinking pleasure. Longevity-wise I would suggest consuming this within the next 5-7 years for optimum flavor, depth, and energy.
Compared to the 2013 Estate Cuvée, which is currently bursting out with all sorts of wonderful flavors, acid, and coiled-up tannins in its youth, the 2010 is completely resolved and near-perfect. With equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, with a healthy dollop of Petit Verdot, I am always a bit amazed that Stephan Asseo can consistently make such an awesome concoction with this combination of varietals. In the end, quality is always top notch with these wines. Highly recommended!
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11/22/2015 - Xtremejester Likes this wine: 95 Points
Luscious and velvety
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10/26/2015 - DrZett Likes this wine: 94 Points
Wow, what a great cuvee! Like a fruit explosion in your mouth, tannins are smooth and soft. Was perfect after 90min of decanting. Drink now or within the next 4-5 years.
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10/5/2015 - peternelson wrote: 93 Points
At the winery: Very aromatic, violets, black and blue fruit; big and supple and huge, but balanced. Is it the vintage or are, or both?
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8/11/2015 - jhieb Likes this wine: 93 Points
Great stuff. Tons of deep rainier cherry fruit, with tannin and structure to last years. Another consistent effort.
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7/17/2015 - Romol Likes this wine: 93 Points
Decanted 1.5 hours. Really impressive. Almost black color. Intense and heavy. I think it will improve with 2-3 years in the bottle.
93+ pts. with potential up to 95.
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4/25/2015 - djlevin Likes this wine: 97 Points
Rhone Style Red Blend Tasting (My Home): Another “Wow” moment with an Estate Cuvee. A big, powerful red, with more structure than the Plus 16. Less earthy with no Mourvedre here, instead – a liberal dose of 16% Petit Verdot. An unbelievable 15.7% alcohol and you can barely tell it is an adult beverage. Soft, plush texture and a nice backbone. Just a gorgeous wine, drinking beautifully at five years in the bottle. Drinking window of 2015-2020, depending on your feeling about tannic structure. I don't believe it is possible to find a better balanced big, bold red being produced today.
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12/17/2013 - Raja wrote: 95 Points
What he said! Real stunner. One of my all time favorites. Full body from cab, ink from Syrah, sophistication of a Bordeaux from petit Verdot. Amazing.
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12/14/2013 - soyhead wrote:
big fruit, with hints of pencil lead/graphite. pop&pour and passed through the Venturi. Admired by many.
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11/10/2013 - rsternth wrote: 92 Points
This wine is very tannic right now but I didn't decant it. It is very full bodied, rich. The wine looks Purple colored. The legs are Medium. It tastes like Plum, and Prune. The body is Medium/Full. The wine has Coarse texture. The wine finishes Medium.
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10/12/2013 - dsimmons Likes this wine:
This bottle leaked during shipment so I drank it. It was quite good.
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9/21/2013 - kenhoeve Likes this wine: 94 Points
Consistent notes and this even easily survived 3 days in the fridge with just a cork and still has tannin and structure. There is blackberry, blueberry, cherries, mocha, vanilla, herbs, all delivered so smoothly on to the palate that you almost forget it's intensity. Maybe this will age well, my others seem to be doing ok but nothing revolutionary, but it's a great no guilt drop right now. While this is no longer a style of wine I will choose to enjoy, I think it is just an outstanding example of an extremely fine wine of this type. This stuff will blow a lot of folks away.
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9/1/2013 - JJA wrote: 95 Points
WOTN. 2nd day bottle was open. This was a stunner. The blend of Syrah, Cabernet and Petit Verdot is so unique and compelling. The wine is so finely integrated, with power and finesse. This is more complex than the other Central Coast Rhone blends. Kudos to the amazing winemaker.
I visited this estate over Thanksgiving in 2012 and was very impressed by all of their wines, the creativity of their blends and the excitement of the staff. It's great to see such energy and forward thinking in Paso Robles.
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7/22/2013 - awineo Likes this wine: 94 Points
Nice blend with solid fruit and balanced tannins. On of the best Paso has to offer.
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7/20/2013 - robertm46 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Excellent...you can drink it young or cellar it.
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7/20/2013 - robertm46 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very good...a little warm with the high alcohol content.
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7/1/2013 - awineo Likes this wine: 95 Points
Great bottle of wine. Drank it in preparation for my upcoming visit this week. These guys and Justin are my favorite Paso Robles wineries.
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5/4/2013 - Our cellar wrote: 94 Points
Decanted for an hour. Dark fruit with thick mouthfeel. Got better as the night went on.
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4/28/2013 - rjonwine@gmail.com wrote: 95 Points
Opaque black red violet color; roasted black fruit, tar, espresso nose; delicious, rich but structured, dense, tar, roasted black fruit, espresso palate; needs 5 years; long finish (42% Syrah, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Petit Verdot; 100% new oak)
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4/7/2013 - silbakor wrote: 92 Points
Huge dense nose. Black & purple fruits; cassis, blackberry, boysenberry, tea, tobacco, oak spice and earth. Big dark fruit flavors as well, strong spices, and chewy tannins on a very long finish. very nice.
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3/31/2013 - djlevin Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drank over a 4 hour decant. Didn't start opening until after 3 hours. Still very young. Syrah dominates the cab sauv and the petit verdot is very evident in this red blend. Lots of plum and blackberry on the palate, with a BIG, soft texture - coats the tongue. Tannins are well integrated, wine is a little hot, but it is still trying to come together. Unfiltered, so run it through a Vinturi. Just a big, oppulent, decadent wine... give it a few years and it will bowl you over.
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2/28/2013 - soyhead wrote: 93 Points
huge juicy sweet blackberry fruit with great acidity, lots of graphite/charcoal on the finish. ooh this is good, but it needs time.
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1/29/2013 - noahbw Likes this wine: 93 Points
Gave a few hours of air in decanter. Absolutely pitch dark red-purple in the glass, inky thick seeming to let no light pass through. Fabulous nose of musty dusty old wood, cork - like an old attic in the rain. Also strong sugared cherries cooked into a gooey jam with eucalyptus and dark chocolate. The palate sings with damp foresty notes and bright, wonderfully poised tannin sweeping over the dense dark fruit beautifully. Finished on and on, echoing brightly. PJG: 92-93
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1/26/2013 - Grinner wrote: 94 Points
PHMG WAG Paso Robles (Paso Lyon): My WOTN, this was ripe but not over-ripe, deep but focused, and a true pleasure to drink and ponder. Blackberry, cassis, plum, tobacco, and spice notes linger on and on. Tannins are moderate and can use some more time, time, time, 99, 99, 99,....
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1/26/2013 - Matt Scott Likes this wine: 95 Points
See previous notes. More black tea than before and love the pete moss, along with cassis. Just classically delicious on every meridian. Drink now - 2025.
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1/24/2013 - soyhead wrote: 94 Points
15.7% EtOH by Vol ; 42% Syrah 42% Cab 16% PV
nose - blueberry, licorice, ink/paint
mouth - voluptuous concentrated blueberry fruit on the attack, oh my. Sweet, rich, and superripe. Some very mild tar and toasted oak on the midpalate, but otherwise this wine is all about concentrated fruit power. Wicked.
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12/22/2012 - kenhoeve wrote: 95 Points
Agree with Matt, most approachable Cuvee yet and drinking in a primary window right now just needs ~30min of air. Tobacco, spice and dark berry on the nose. Deep palate of bitter chocolate covered plum, savory herb with a dill streak, cassis, chalky/dusty tannin like cocoa powder, little perfume to the red and black spicy fruit, tiny squeeze of soy sauce, faint smoke. Very deftly layered and integrated with a hidden acidity that can stand up to even rich tomato sauce. With a couple hours of air the tannins are getting velvety on the finish that is med+ and fresh if a bit austere right now. Outstanding and easily bordering on classic, a killer composition that is balanced and completely masks the 15.7abv.
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12/15/2012 - Matt Scott Likes this wine: 95 Points
This is the most approachable Cuvée yet. In fact, this is a fine and ardent composition of grand and symphonic proportions. Polished beyond belief, with the utmost balance. Gushing on the mid-palate; finishing long and echoing ripe, dark cherry; with concentration that is lithe. Cassis, plum, tobacco leaf, cherry pie, muddy rock and peat moss. As good as the engulfing '07 and even more enthralling as a young and precocious delight. Drink now - 2027.
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11/26/2012 - TSBWine wrote: 95 Points
95-96 pts. Tasted at winery.
What more can you say about this wine right now? It's an incredibly hedonistic and powerful wine that remarkably retains balance through its well-constructed character.
Pure, rich, fresh dark plums and berries that give way to a layer of dense black currants on the palate. Despite its intensity there's a degree of freshness here that's a testament to the acidity in the wine. The dark fruits are lively and persistent on the palate with the rich dark currant providing a canvas upon which other characteristics are seemingly painted.
There are very apparent graphite notes along with some pure black licorice notes that pair exceptionally well with the persistent currant/cassis characteristics. The tannins certainly bolster the wine and provide a firm book-end to the delicious fruit. You can find some varietal notes from the Petit Verdot if you're looking but they're currently buried by the youthful nature of the wine. That bodes well for its aging and it certainly seems like this wine has a future ahead of it.
A brilliant wine that can only be understated in words due to its persistence on the palate. The pure characteristics on the palate go and go. At the moment it's not a great wine to enjoy over a conversation with anyone but serious tasters. Expect several moments of silence while tasting with others due to its persistence characteristics. A wine for all California-style wine lovers from Napa to Paso Robles. I imagine that the wine would offer some more breadth in terms of secondary characteristics if given some time to aerate but I don't have the heart to open a bottle yet.
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9/7/2012 - silbakor wrote: 92 Points
Big Cab/Syrah nose. BIG wine. Black tea, strong tannins, great acidity, nice blue/black/red fruits. Possibly some mineral oil notes? Very good. Needs age!
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9/1/2012 - tp096255 wrote: 93 Points
6 months in bottle has put this ahead of the Cote-a-Cote. Loved it nose to finish. Just needs some time. 2013-2020.
9.3-
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7/4/2012 - Jeff Leve wrote: 93 Points
Big, rich and powerful, this wine is packed with layers of ripe, black and red berries, jam and pepper. Fleshy and round in texture, the wine ends with licorice, blackberry and chocolate.
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3/3/2012 - silbakor wrote: 93 Points
Rich tannins, tea, oak spice, wood, boysenberry, cassis, and other berry fruit. Chewy, balanced, with a very long finish. Very good.
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3/1/2012 - tp096255 wrote: 92 Points
L'Aventure Member Preview Weekend 2012
Beautiful berry nose but noticeable heat. Tannic from the Cab and PS.
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