A touch thinner than my last bottle, this one seemed to have more acid and less balance. Still a nice glass of wine but bottles tasted in 2018 and 2019 seemed nicer, rounder, more savory/garrigue, at least at the time.
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Fun and fleshy... Sweet ripe fig and plum, sappy almost. A little Sherry oxidative notes at this point and definite VA (mixed feelings around the table). Past it's prime but drinking ok with some fatty foods; think pizza.
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Decent QPR but not good enough to order again. Really needed a second day in the bottle. Not sure where people are rating this window as closing in 2020.
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Drinking very nicely right now! Solid wine that hides its 14.5% nicely with balanced smooth tannins, savory, dark plum and enough garrigue to round the whole thing out. Very nice. Last tasted 9 months ago and if anything, slightly better! 89+
I would have pegged this for primarily a Syrah when in fact its 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 10% Carignan according to the wine maker.
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Deep rich dark fruit flavors, mixed with a nice bit of Garrigue, earthy pebbles and big smooth tannins. Balanced. Very nice, could easily go a few more years.
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Rich fruit forward wine wine that is generous in all measure. Reasonable acids balance out the savory mid-palate. No complaints kind of wine but no wow factor.
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I disagree with the notes saying this is past peak. We drank as a pnp and thought it needed 20-30 minutes to open and unfold. Nice fruit, big round fruit. Drank over two days. Dead the second day.
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Mbusk is right in here, although I may not share their enthusiasm 100%. This is solid but I was hoping for more savory, complete notes. Very good, solid, enjoyable.
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This wine encapsulates everything great about the Southern Rhone: exuberant personality, complexity and savoir faire, all for $17. This wine is exactly the sort of reason I keep reading Rimmerman's 1000-word emails every day.
Terrific fruit is the core here, which continually opens to reveal more of itself, nesting dolls of perfumy flavor: blackberry, violet, and a musky pine forest floor.
The trinity of Grenache, Syrah and Carignan dance perfectly here: the friendly fruit of the Grenache, the funky bacon fat note of the Syrah, the high-toned floral/iodine of the Carignan. This is rich and generous without a hint of oak. Very silky and confident. No rough edges here. Bravo.
"A blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 10% Carignan that was completely destemmed and aged 18 months in stainless steel." A wonderful nose of cured meat and bacon following the pop-and-pour. Medium-full-bodied, with flavors of blueberry jam on the palate and big tannins, though not too chalky, with a little RS particularly noticeable on the aftertaste, though it doesn't come through as overripe, and certainly not jammy -- to me this tastes more like a Washington Syrah than a Languedoc red, really! Great balance overall. 14.5% ABV and showing little heat, if any. Held up well for 2+ hours. Enjoyed it better than the 2013 Sapiens Syrah blend, and I almost always favor Syrah over Grenache. 91+ Update: showing hints of decline 20 hours later, yet still drinking deliciously.
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Organic Wines From the Languedoc (Rivesaltes, France): Black currants, braised meat, crushed rocks and olives on the nose. Medium-bodied, firm tannins, nice acid. Olive tapenade city right here. Currants, fig paste and a whole lotta earth. Impressive stuff.
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12/20/2021 - dmitchell4 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Improved with air
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3/31/2020 - UpfromtheCellar wrote: 88 Points
A touch thinner than my last bottle, this one seemed to have more acid and less balance. Still a nice glass of wine but bottles tasted in 2018 and 2019 seemed nicer, rounder, more savory/garrigue, at least at the time.
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10/27/2019 - brinko99 Likes this wine: 87 Points
Fun and fleshy... Sweet ripe fig and plum, sappy almost. A little Sherry oxidative notes at this point and definite VA (mixed feelings around the table). Past it's prime but drinking ok with some fatty foods; think pizza.
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9/12/2019 - LoireFan Does not like this wine: 80 Points
Did not give pleasure.
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5/7/2019 - Rick 4 Wine Likes this wine:
Decent QPR but not good enough to order again. Really needed a second day in the bottle. Not sure where people are rating this window as closing in 2020.
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3/29/2019 - UpfromtheCellar wrote: 89 Points
Drinking very nicely right now! Solid wine that hides its 14.5% nicely with balanced smooth tannins, savory, dark plum and enough garrigue to round the whole thing out. Very nice. Last tasted 9 months ago and if anything, slightly better! 89+
I would have pegged this for primarily a Syrah when in fact its 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 10% Carignan according to the wine maker.
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6/8/2018 - UpfromtheCellar wrote: 89 Points
Deep rich dark fruit flavors, mixed with a nice bit of Garrigue, earthy pebbles and big smooth tannins. Balanced. Very nice, could easily go a few more years.
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4/14/2018 - winoma Likes this wine: 90 Points
dark color matched with dark fruit flavor profile. Muted nose, High alcohol and Medium finish. Beautiful balance with plenty of time left to drink.
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7/15/2017 - brinko99 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Rich fruit forward wine wine that is generous in all measure. Reasonable acids balance out the savory mid-palate. No complaints kind of wine but no wow factor.
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3/13/2017 - Rick 4 Wine Likes this wine: 89 Points
I disagree with the notes saying this is past peak. We drank as a pnp and thought it needed 20-30 minutes to open and unfold. Nice fruit, big round fruit. Drank over two days. Dead the second day.
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1/12/2017 - joraesque wrote: 88 Points
Its glory has passed.Starts breaking down after 45 minutes. Was glad that it was the last bottle.
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11/26/2016 - joraesque wrote: 89 Points
Started breaking down after 90 minutes.
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11/4/2016 - Aparritz Likes this wine: 91 Points
Mbusk is right in here, although I may not share their enthusiasm 100%. This is solid but I was hoping for more savory, complete notes. Very good, solid, enjoyable.
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8/12/2016 - MBusk Likes this wine: 93 Points
This wine encapsulates everything great about the Southern Rhone: exuberant personality, complexity and savoir faire, all for $17. This wine is exactly the sort of reason I keep reading Rimmerman's 1000-word emails every day.
Terrific fruit is the core here, which continually opens to reveal more of itself, nesting dolls of perfumy flavor: blackberry, violet, and a musky pine forest floor.
The trinity of Grenache, Syrah and Carignan dance perfectly here: the friendly fruit of the Grenache, the funky bacon fat note of the Syrah, the high-toned floral/iodine of the Carignan. This is rich and generous without a hint of oak. Very silky and confident. No rough edges here. Bravo.
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6/29/2016 - LoireFan wrote: 88 Points
Meh. Not harmonious at this time.
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2/24/2016 - joraesque wrote: 91 Points
"A blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 10% Carignan that was completely destemmed and aged 18 months in stainless steel."
A wonderful nose of cured meat and bacon following the pop-and-pour. Medium-full-bodied, with flavors of blueberry jam on the palate and big tannins, though not too chalky, with a little RS particularly noticeable on the aftertaste, though it doesn't come through as overripe, and certainly not jammy -- to me this tastes more like a Washington Syrah than a Languedoc red, really! Great balance overall. 14.5% ABV and showing little heat, if any. Held up well for 2+ hours. Enjoyed it better than the 2013 Sapiens Syrah blend, and I almost always favor Syrah over Grenache.
91+
Update: showing hints of decline 20 hours later, yet still drinking deliciously.
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1/24/2014 - isaacjamesbaker wrote: 88 Points
Organic Wines From the Languedoc (Rivesaltes, France): Black currants, braised meat, crushed rocks and olives on the nose. Medium-bodied, firm tannins, nice acid. Olive tapenade city right here. Currants, fig paste and a whole lotta earth. Impressive stuff.
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