Transparent ruby to garnet in color. Aromas of dark and dark red fruits, earth, and funk. Light to medium body, medium acid, and short finish, with flavors of dark and dark red fruits and lingering graphite minerality. Drink yesterday.
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Wow, 5 years since I've had one of these. Darker fruited this time around. Dense coloring with garnet at the edges. Aromas of dark fruit, graphite, and minerals. Light to medium body, medium(-) acid and finish, and flavors of dark fruits and minerals. Just alright for me, dog.
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60% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre, 10% Carignan and 10% Syrah. According to Parker, "the practice of Xavier Vignon is to age all the Grenache and Carignan in tank and the Mourvedre, and occasionally Syrah, in small oak." In a similar style to California's overrated The Prisoner. Probably slightly past its peak. Delicious fruit that's best enjoyed in its youth. Still jammy but a bit tired it seemed, with little if any complexity. 14.5% ABV.
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Had over a couple nights and had mixed feelings. There was something out of balance and overripe in parts of it, but it also had these intriguing high notes, bordering on medicinal to menthol, which seemed to be the garrigue gone wild or something and was interesting along with some of the earthy and meaty elements. It never really came together for me, but it was one of those odd wines that I simultaneously liked and disliked.
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Better than expected at this price point. Vanilla, white chocolate and leather on the nose. As others have stated, nice concentrated fruit. Also contained fruit. Not over powering. Melts in your mouth. These are the types I like the best.
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Last of the case. Drunk over 2 years, this wine never disappointed, and got better with brittle age. Balanced and fruity, nice complexity. Food friendly. Wish I had more, gotta start on the 2010's, I guess.
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Rich, concentrated and well balanced fruit. A pleasure to drink and a wine that can be enjoyed by all. Very good value. Paired with strong cheeses after an evening with other big wines and it stood up well.
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This needs to time to integrate. This was my last bottle. It's not the most complex wine, it's not unbelievably amazing, but at under $12, it's insane QPR. It's just plain delicious.
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This has come together nicely, with a deep, richly fruited midpalate, spice and garrigue, and a soft, luscious mouthfeel. Needs a strong cheese or heavily flavored food to stand up to this, but if you drink it on its own it's hard to put the glass down.
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Fruity dark on day one. Better integrates on day 2. Black currant, crisp, some smoke and leather. Stone. Lingering slightly sweet finish. Rated high for good value
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Black currant and cherry on the nose, with some pepper in the middle, and leather and smoke at the end. Smooth on the palate, with nice black fruit, some leather, and a very good pepper finish.
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Per others' notes I'll give this a couple of hours the next time. Drinking during the first couple of hours is OK, a pretty simple showing of CdR, fruit driven and not too interesting (even with an aerating pouring device). Decent for the price.
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Deep purple. Opened one half hour. Mild brown sugar and spice nose. Very nice bitter edge. Mellow and well integrated. Ei liked. Excellent QPR. Nice retro label as well. Definitely repeat purchase.
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Generous red and black fruit on the medium to full body. Minerality and acidity come in on the finish. The wine has developed nicely over the last 18 months. I prefer it more now.
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Based on other CT notes, let air six hours. Solid CDR with all the fruit and smoky earth you'd expect but also right amount of musty funk. Excellent paired with left over turkey gumbo as it cut spices nicely and seemed to open up even more as meal progressed. A winner Rhone wine.
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Notes from second day after a taste and storing in fridge overnight. Minimal nose of dusty dark fruit. Big blackberry fruit flavors with nice acidity and minimal tannin. Nice lengthy finish.
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Opened yesterday, came across rather tight and very peppery on the palate. Tasting note is from today. Clear wine, medium ruby in color, holding color to the rim. On the nose, the wine is in good condition, showing medium intensity, developing aromas of dark red cherry and blackberry fruits, interwoven with moist soil, vanilla, and peppercorns. On the palate, this wine is dry, showing off medium body and med alcohol, with nicely structured, firm tannins of medium intensity, and medium acidity. The flavors are med/med(+) intensity, and include ripe plum, tart red cherry, some minerality, moist soil notes, and a bit of spice (much reduced from yesterdays tasting), leading into a medium length, rocks and fruit finish. This wine is a bit rustic and chewy, a very nice value, and would stand up to a hearty meal. It is a very good quality wine, ready to drink currently, but not really intended for aging. Nicely improved when compared to a bottle I had a year ago, especially when given a day to breathe. Drink over the next 2 years.
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This is pretty delicious CdR. This may be an 89. Very silky mouthfeel. No alcohol heat, nice tannin and acid balance, no funk, pretty red fruit. Just finished this on day 2. Bumped to an 89. This is my favorite CdR of the year.
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Only got about 20 minutes of air before drinking. Berries and minerals on the nose. Surprisingly fruity, with traces of smoke and spices. Solid wine, with terrific structure. Fairly tannic, but more than balanced by the fruit. A steal. I wish I'd bought more.
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Nice, accessible but not too complex Rhône wine, an assemblage of 60 % Grenache, 20 % Mourvèdre, 10 % Carignan and 10 % Syrah. Aged in tank, the wine saw no wood. Dark ruby-red color with a purple edge. Pretty peppery nose of cranberry, cassis, violets, plum and a touch of anise. Quite muscular palate with spicy red and black fruit, a good balance and noticeable tannins. The finish is a bit on the short side. Drink it now and over the next 2-3 years.
Mooie, toegankelijke maar niet al te complexe Rhône-wijn, een assemblage van 60 % Grenache, 20 % Mourvèdre, 10 % Carignan en 10 % Syrah. Rijping op tank ; geen houtlagering. Donkere robijnrode kleur met een paarse rand. Aangenaam peperig bouquet van zure bes, cassis, viooltjes, pruim en een vleugje anijs. Vrij gespierde wijn met pittig rood en zwart fruit, een degelijke balans en nog duidelijk aanwezige tannines. De afdronk is nogal kort. Te drinken: nu en in de komende 2-3 jaar.
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PnP: Color is dark purple to black. Nose of raspberries, plum, green pepper, and wet soil. On the palate, lots of green pepper, backed by loads of black fruit, slate, smoke, and licorice. Tannins are a bit angular and astringent, mid palate is mildly hollow. Finish is short and tart, but pleasant. I will reassess the other half of this bottle tomorrow, and see if it improves. I think it will. Should drink well another 2-3+ years. Just fine with pizza. 87 pts tonite.
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Pop and pour. Fruit bomb on the nose, black fruit with smoke and alcohol. Smells overripe. But reasonable backbone and peppery spicy accents keep things in check.
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Superbe vin avec son fruité très présent et sa finale tout en épice. Les tannins, bien présent, fondent en bouche... Un Côte-du-Rhône générique qui en vaut bien le prix. Miam!
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Give this a few minutes in the glass. It is a bit awkward at first. Stewed fruit and pie filling. With air, this definitely opened up. It has nice acidity and good fruit. This is a sharp contrast from the bigger lush Rhone varietal wines coming from California (and Australia). This is completely different. Lighter, more delicate but very enjoyable Cote du Rhone that you drink with a variety of foods or by itself.
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Still way too young, next bottle to try not before 2012 or until after severe decanter. Left half the bottle until next evening to drink, revealed nice rhone tones as an indication of what can come after holding in cellar for some 2 years or more. Very fruity and heavy tannins and high acidity.
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Great bottle for the price (pretty good overall). Much better balance than a lot of recent vintage southern rhones. wouldn't pay to store, but should hold up well for longer than a case will last at my house.
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Light, thin body. Cherrywood color stain, yet able to see through. Cranberry and violet on the nose, very elegant. Soft pomegranate, a little thyme, acidity on the tart side of balanced. Alcohol very well integrated, yet ever so slightly warming. Bright, light tart purple tree fruit persist at long finish, with hints of red licorice and dried sandalwood. A little too delicate for my palate and cooking style. Paired with a fennel-sausage ragout – worked. B-/86 = 50/4/12/7/7/6
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Drank with steak, tomato sallad and bearnaise sauce, a marriage made in heaven. Medium body, lots of red fruits, silky tannins and a nice feel to it. Bargain.
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A somewhat tight nose with only some red flowers and red fruit, very pretty though. Medium body and very tight right now. I love the cherry bubble gum flavor on the initial attack. Other flavors of cranberry and dried cherry. Tight and gripping tannins on the finish. There is something here, just too young and tight right now.
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I agree with the others that this wine in March of 2011 was unremarkable. Why Parker rated it a 91 I can only guess. However, I will give him the BOD and wait a few years to see if it gets more complex. TBC
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Was expecting more from this one. The nose was the best part but faded minutes after opening the bottle. Light oak and dark fruit on the nose. Initial burst on the palate, decenct acidity coming through for me along with light tannins. Medium short finish. Nothing to excite me with this one.
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This one was kind of right down the middle for me--not bad, but not great. Oak and red fruit on the nose right off, but turned to more of a dark fruit focus with about an hour decant. Similar on the palate, with a good bit of minerality on the backend (a little heavy on the minerality for my taste). Not terribly complex, and not blowing me away, but just kinda ok for me.
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On the nose I get ripe red fruits with an oaky earthiness. On the palate I get strawberry and cranberry fruit with a vanilla spice and a bit of the funk. The acidity is mild and the tannins are light. This is simple but tasty wine.
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6/15/2020 - lake.vino Likes this wine: 87 Points
Fairly modern in many ways. Raspberry garrigue roast meat and big. Cocoa nibs. Palate big and flabby and chocolate. This is 09 all the way.
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4/14/2020 - msteinauer Likes this wine: 92 Points
Raspberry pie! Some nice earth, very smooth. Probably still has a some time left on it.
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6/29/2018 - RichD2 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Red color. Nice fruit. Medium bodied with an interesting chalky-dry finish. Enjoyable enough.
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12/2/2016 - studleytrey wrote: 83 Points
Transparent ruby to garnet in color. Aromas of dark and dark red fruits, earth, and funk. Light to medium body, medium acid, and short finish, with flavors of dark and dark red fruits and lingering graphite minerality. Drink yesterday.
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10/2/2016 - studleytrey wrote: 83 Points
Wow, 5 years since I've had one of these. Darker fruited this time around. Dense coloring with garnet at the edges. Aromas of dark fruit, graphite, and minerals. Light to medium body, medium(-) acid and finish, and flavors of dark fruits and minerals. Just alright for me, dog.
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9/4/2016 - Cadby wrote:
2009 Xavier CDR ++++ $25
Even better 3 years later. Rocks the Rhone!
http://8wordsonwine.blogspot.com/2016/09/2009-xavier-cdr-25.html
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7/2/2016 - joraesque wrote: 87 Points
60% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre, 10% Carignan and 10% Syrah. According to Parker, "the practice of Xavier Vignon is to age all the Grenache and Carignan in tank and the Mourvedre, and occasionally Syrah, in small oak."
In a similar style to California's overrated The Prisoner. Probably slightly past its peak. Delicious fruit that's best enjoyed in its youth. Still jammy but a bit tired it seemed, with little if any complexity. 14.5% ABV.
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12/5/2015 - Burrloin wrote: 89 Points
Nice fruit, a bit earthy, well balanced. Not overly complex but tasting very nice at this point in time. Wish I had more.
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4/11/2015 - tward wrote:
Had over a couple nights and had mixed feelings. There was something out of balance and overripe in parts of it, but it also had these intriguing high notes, bordering on medicinal to menthol, which seemed to be the garrigue gone wild or something and was interesting along with some of the earthy and meaty elements. It never really came together for me, but it was one of those odd wines that I simultaneously liked and disliked.
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3/25/2015 - bmr67 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Smooth texture, classic flavors and aroma, moderate solid fruit body
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2/28/2015 - frapadingue Likes this wine: 91 Points
I've been drinking these for several years and they keep getting better and better. This has at least several more years of improvement in its future.
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12/16/2014 - Quarked wrote: 90 Points
Smooth and rich CdR. Great value!
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9/11/2014 - mzmijewski wrote: 90 Points
Fruit, pepper, blend of Grenache , Mourvèdre , Syrah , Carignan
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1/19/2014 - johnbhamrick wrote: 90 Points
Better than I thought it would be. Well developed with smooth taste from fruits and tannins. actually a pleasant wine to drink.
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1/18/2014 - Mythlogic Likes this wine: 89 Points
Better than expected at this price point. Vanilla, white chocolate and leather on the nose. As others have stated, nice concentrated fruit. Also contained fruit. Not over powering. Melts in your mouth. These are the types I like the best.
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12/25/2013 - johnbhamrick wrote: 87 Points
Not one of my favorites by far!!!
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12/1/2013 - Tony Poli Likes this wine: 91 Points
Last of the case. Drunk over 2 years, this wine never disappointed, and got better with brittle age. Balanced and fruity, nice complexity. Food friendly. Wish I had more, gotta start on the 2010's, I guess.
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11/30/2013 - j.a.price.trucking wrote: 88 Points
Fantastic quality. Rich but not overpowering. Daily drinker. Started to fall apart a bit after opening.
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11/16/2013 - robnmo wrote: 86 Points
nice bottle of wine
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9/22/2013 - winoma Likes this wine: 90 Points
Rich, concentrated and well balanced fruit. A pleasure to drink and a wine that can be enjoyed by all. Very good value. Paired with strong cheeses after an evening with other big wines and it stood up well.
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9/17/2013 - tenor12bucks Likes this wine: 89 Points
Dark and inviting. Subtle nose, but good concentration, with a balanced finish that lasts. Ridiculously good QPR at $16. Tannins are fading.
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9/8/2013 - BrunelloBob wrote: 87 Points
Black fruit, pepper/spice. OK, not in love with it.
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9/6/2013 - Cadby Likes this wine: 93 Points
2009 Xavier CdR ++++ $14
Sporty gaminess, Luscious, bold, balanced, delicious. Fantastic bargain!
http://8wordsonwine.blogspot.com/2013/09/2009-xavier-cdr-14.html
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8/27/2013 - davidspieker wrote: 88 Points
Consistent and very good value.
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8/1/2013 - KyleMittskus wrote: 89 Points
This needs to time to integrate. This was my last bottle. It's not the most complex wine, it's not unbelievably amazing, but at under $12, it's insane QPR. It's just plain delicious.
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6/28/2013 - Scottrmartin99 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very nice, great value.
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5/30/2013 - linserge Likes this wine:
I have to admit that for the price this was great. Totally primary, but not without some element of balance. Loads of berry and cherry.
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5/20/2013 - lvjohn Likes this wine: 93 Points
Solid core of cherry with other red fruits helping out. Very pure.
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5/5/2013 - prettydeceextrap wrote: 86 Points
(B+)
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4/7/2013 - davidspieker wrote: 89 Points
Dark garnet color. Minimal aroma. Smoky currant and earth flavors with tannic but lengthy finish. Need some time to integrate.
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3/22/2013 - oakland.cory wrote: 92 Points
This has come together nicely, with a deep, richly fruited midpalate, spice and garrigue, and a soft, luscious mouthfeel. Needs a strong cheese or heavily flavored food to stand up to this, but if you drink it on its own it's hard to put the glass down.
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3/21/2013 - aruddy wrote: 86 Points
A bit rustic for my palate. 87 on day 2.
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3/17/2013 - ravbik wrote: 90 Points
Fruity dark on day one. Better integrates on day 2. Black currant, crisp, some smoke and leather. Stone. Lingering slightly sweet finish. Rated high for good value
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3/17/2013 - pifcho wrote: flawed
Not terribly corked, the taint was mostly on the nose, still showing a lively fruity palate.
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3/9/2013 - JJ Mills wrote: 89 Points
3rd bottle so far - seems like I enjoy it more each time. Earthy, full-bodied nose, great fruit, medium finish. Great for the px
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3/5/2013 - mmurry Likes this wine: 89 Points
Black currant and cherry on the nose, with some pepper in the middle, and leather and smoke at the end. Smooth on the palate, with nice black fruit, some leather, and a very good pepper finish.
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2/14/2013 - olalar wrote: 88 Points
The Xavier Cotes du Rhone has aged nicely over the last 1.5 years. Now displays beautiful velvet fruit and some complexity. Drinks superbly now.
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2/5/2013 - cadamson wrote: 86 Points
Decent wine, just pretty simple. Quaffable, goes down easy, just not much to contemplate. For $13, well worth drinking.
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1/19/2013 - JJ Mills Likes this wine: 88 Points
Great with filet and some anchovy-y Cesar salad. Definitely let it decant for a couple hours like others have noted.
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1/14/2013 - tward wrote:
Per others' notes I'll give this a couple of hours the next time. Drinking during the first couple of hours is OK, a pretty simple showing of CdR, fruit driven and not too interesting (even with an aerating pouring device). Decent for the price.
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1/5/2013 - rjm_va Likes this wine: 89 Points
Solid partnership with beef tenderloin
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1/4/2013 - ravbik wrote: 89 Points
Opened up and became better integrated after two hours decant and on second day.
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12/23/2012 - ravbik wrote: 90 Points
Good value. Opened up on second day.
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12/22/2012 - johnbhamrick Likes this wine: 90 Points
good value for the money
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12/18/2012 - davidspieker wrote: 89 Points
Took to a party and received rave reviews. Consistent with previous tastings.
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12/16/2012 - Atwellian wrote: 88 Points
Deep purple. Opened one half hour. Mild brown sugar and spice nose. Very nice bitter edge. Mellow and well integrated. Ei liked. Excellent QPR. Nice retro label as well. Definitely repeat purchase.
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12/11/2012 - ecola Likes this wine: 90 Points
Generous red and black fruit on the medium to full body. Minerality and acidity come in on the finish. The wine has developed nicely over the last 18 months. I prefer it more now.
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12/5/2012 - davidspieker Likes this wine: 88 Points
Consistent with previous note.
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12/2/2012 - rjm_va wrote: 89 Points
Based on other CT notes, let air six hours. Solid CDR with all the fruit and smoky earth you'd expect but also right amount of musty funk. Excellent paired with left over turkey gumbo as it cut spices nicely and seemed to open up even more as meal progressed. A winner Rhone wine.
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11/26/2012 - davidspieker Likes this wine: 88 Points
Notes from second day after a taste and storing in fridge overnight. Minimal nose of dusty dark fruit. Big blackberry fruit flavors with nice acidity and minimal tannin. Nice lengthy finish.
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11/9/2012 - drrobvino wrote: 89 Points
Opened yesterday, came across rather tight and very peppery on the palate. Tasting note is from today.
Clear wine, medium ruby in color, holding color to the rim.
On the nose, the wine is in good condition, showing medium intensity, developing aromas of dark red cherry and blackberry fruits, interwoven with moist soil, vanilla, and peppercorns.
On the palate, this wine is dry, showing off medium body and med alcohol, with nicely structured, firm tannins of medium intensity, and medium acidity. The flavors are med/med(+) intensity, and include ripe plum, tart red cherry, some minerality, moist soil notes, and a bit of spice (much reduced from yesterdays tasting), leading into a medium length, rocks and fruit finish. This wine is a bit rustic and chewy, a very nice value, and would stand up to a hearty meal.
It is a very good quality wine, ready to drink currently, but not really intended for aging. Nicely improved when compared to a bottle I had a year ago, especially when given a day to breathe. Drink over the next 2 years.
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11/2/2012 - KyleMittskus wrote: 89 Points
This is pretty delicious CdR. This may be an 89. Very silky mouthfeel. No alcohol heat, nice tannin and acid balance, no funk, pretty red fruit. Just finished this on day 2. Bumped to an 89. This is my favorite CdR of the year.
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10/28/2012 - Night Train wrote: 91 Points
Only got about 20 minutes of air before drinking. Berries and minerals on the nose. Surprisingly fruity, with traces of smoke and spices. Solid wine, with terrific structure. Fairly tannic, but more than balanced by the fruit. A steal. I wish I'd bought more.
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5/24/2012 - Troon wrote: 87 Points
This is a nice everyday wine. Good fruit, average finish. At under $15, I would say it's worth it.
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5/7/2012 - huse wrote: 87 Points
Nice, accessible but not too complex Rhône wine, an assemblage of 60 % Grenache, 20 % Mourvèdre, 10 % Carignan and 10 % Syrah. Aged in tank, the wine saw no wood. Dark ruby-red color with a purple edge. Pretty peppery nose of cranberry, cassis, violets, plum and a touch of anise. Quite muscular palate with spicy red and black fruit, a good balance and noticeable tannins. The finish is a bit on the short side. Drink it now and over the next 2-3 years.
Mooie, toegankelijke maar niet al te complexe Rhône-wijn, een assemblage van 60 % Grenache, 20 % Mourvèdre, 10 % Carignan en 10 % Syrah. Rijping op tank ; geen houtlagering. Donkere robijnrode kleur met een paarse rand. Aangenaam peperig bouquet van zure bes, cassis, viooltjes, pruim en een vleugje anijs. Vrij gespierde wijn met pittig rood en zwart fruit, een degelijke balans en nog duidelijk aanwezige tannines. De afdronk is nogal kort. Te drinken: nu en in de komende 2-3 jaar.
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4/22/2012 - miko wrote: 88 Points
Rien a redire pour le prix...sinon que si la bouche savait suivre ce nez ce serait un wow!
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3/29/2012 - Mennotas wrote: flawed
Corked. Too bad.
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12/12/2011 - drrobvino wrote: 87 Points
PnP: Color is dark purple to black. Nose of raspberries, plum, green pepper, and wet soil. On the palate, lots of green pepper, backed by loads of black fruit, slate, smoke, and licorice. Tannins are a bit angular and astringent, mid palate is mildly hollow. Finish is short and tart, but pleasant. I will reassess the other half of this bottle tomorrow, and see if it improves. I think it will. Should drink well another 2-3+ years. Just fine with pizza. 87 pts tonite.
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11/21/2011 - Gcashman wrote: 88 Points
Pop and pour. Fruit bomb on the nose, black fruit with smoke and alcohol. Smells overripe. But reasonable backbone and peppery spicy accents keep things in check.
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10/27/2011 - jim dixon wrote: 89 Points
Very enjoyable now -- lots of rich fruit and enough spice and earth to make me happy. Would please many old world and new world fans alike.
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10/12/2011 - NEBBIOLODOC wrote: 87 Points
Pleasant middle of the week wine. Cranberries. Nothing special
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10/1/2011 - Tony Poli Likes this wine: 89 Points
Quite young, but drinking nicely with a bit of air. Spicy, fruity, and food friendly.
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9/30/2011 - rouge vin wrote: 89 Points
Superbe vin avec son fruité très présent et sa finale tout en épice. Les tannins, bien présent, fondent en bouche... Un Côte-du-Rhône générique qui en vaut bien le prix. Miam!
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9/25/2011 - olalar wrote: 87 Points
Good fruit, spices and balance. A great value.
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9/11/2011 - mikeaukenbals wrote: 89 Points
good cheap wine. drink now.
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9/10/2011 - gagrapes wrote: 80 Points
Just ok..nothing super special.
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9/7/2011 - jrobs7777 wrote: 88 Points
Give this a few minutes in the glass. It is a bit awkward at first. Stewed fruit and pie filling. With air, this definitely opened up. It has nice acidity and good fruit. This is a sharp contrast from the bigger lush Rhone varietal wines coming from California (and Australia). This is completely different. Lighter, more delicate but very enjoyable Cote du Rhone that you drink with a variety of foods or by itself.
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9/2/2011 - MatsRahm wrote: 88 Points
Lots of fruit and spice with nice tannins. A bargain at 99 SEK at Systembolaget in Sweden!
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7/24/2011 - jrobs7777 wrote: 86 Points
Very enjoyable. Solid red and blue fruit. A touch of acidity. Good creamy vanilla.
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7/16/2011 - olalar wrote: 88 Points
Great budget rhone wine.
Some white pepper lots of frut and great balance.
Perfect house wine for larger dinners.
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6/25/2011 - Rietkelder wrote: 88 Points
Still way too young, next bottle to try not before 2012 or until after severe decanter. Left half the bottle until next evening to drink, revealed nice rhone tones as an indication of what can come after holding in cellar for some 2 years or more. Very fruity and heavy tannins and high acidity.
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6/24/2011 - mikeaukenbals wrote: 89 Points
Great bottle for the price (pretty good overall). Much better balance than a lot of recent vintage southern rhones. wouldn't pay to store, but should hold up well for longer than a case will last at my house.
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6/12/2011 - Gcashman wrote: 88 Points
Pretty ruby color, delicate floral nose, but faint. Bright cherry fruit on the palate, with some mouth puckering tannins on the finish. Pleasant.
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6/7/2011 - Xfactor wrote: 86 Points
Light, thin body. Cherrywood color stain, yet able to see through. Cranberry and violet on the nose, very elegant. Soft pomegranate, a little thyme, acidity on the tart side of balanced. Alcohol very well integrated, yet ever so slightly warming. Bright, light tart purple tree fruit persist at long finish, with hints of red licorice and dried sandalwood. A little too delicate for my palate and cooking style. Paired with a fennel-sausage ragout – worked. B-/86 = 50/4/12/7/7/6
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5/30/2011 - ChasDSM wrote: 86 Points
OK. A bit harsh (green stems) right out of the bottle. Softened with some air time. Much better second day. Maybe a bit more time will help.
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5/29/2011 - AndersThoresson wrote: 88 Points
Drank with steak, tomato sallad and bearnaise sauce, a marriage made in heaven. Medium body, lots of red fruits, silky tannins and a nice feel to it. Bargain.
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4/26/2011 - PSUSteve wrote: 88 Points
Pop and pour. Very nice nose of red fruit and a candy/bubble gum that fades quickly. Palate has nice fruit on the front but not much after that.
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4/7/2011 - PSUSteve wrote:
Pop and pour. Nice red fruit on the nose. Very balanced and smooth on the palate. Nothing sticks out but very drinkable especially at the price.
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4/2/2011 - ecola Likes this wine: 89 Points
A somewhat tight nose with only some red flowers and red fruit, very pretty though. Medium body and very tight right now. I love the cherry bubble gum flavor on the initial attack. Other flavors of cranberry and dried cherry. Tight and gripping tannins on the finish. There is something here, just too young and tight right now.
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4/2/2011 - JohnnyWingo wrote:
I agree with the others that this wine in March of 2011 was unremarkable. Why Parker rated it a 91 I can only guess. However, I will give him the BOD and wait a few years to see if it gets more complex. TBC
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4/2/2011 - MatsRahm wrote: 89 Points
Very enjoyable Côte de Rhône both with food and by itself. At SEK 99 this is a real bargain!
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3/31/2011 - jcsf420 wrote: 87 Points
Was expecting more from this one. The nose was the best part but faded minutes after opening the bottle. Light oak and dark fruit on the nose. Initial burst on the palate, decenct acidity coming through for me along with light tannins. Medium short finish. Nothing to excite me with this one.
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3/20/2011 - studleytrey wrote: 87 Points
This one was kind of right down the middle for me--not bad, but not great. Oak and red fruit on the nose right off, but turned to more of a dark fruit focus with about an hour decant. Similar on the palate, with a good bit of minerality on the backend (a little heavy on the minerality for my taste). Not terribly complex, and not blowing me away, but just kinda ok for me.
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3/11/2011 - Svenssonsmakaren wrote: 88 Points
Good but not spot on for me. Great value but a little bit young at the moment.
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2/26/2011 - Briangray77 wrote: 88 Points
On the nose I get ripe red fruits with an oaky earthiness. On the palate I get strawberry and cranberry fruit with a vanilla spice and a bit of the funk. The acidity is mild and the tannins are light. This is simple but tasty wine.
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2/3/2011 - IB71 wrote: 86 Points
Ripe red and black fruit, but lacks acidity and complexity. Good, but not exciting.
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